APEX 2024 Recap

Attending the 2024 Asset Protection Executive Exchange (APEX) was an insightful and educational experience. This was my fourth year attending and I will say, the team overdelivered once again. The programming and sessions were another example of the thought-provoking conversations that APEX curates between retailers and vendors, with speakers covering a range of compelling topics.

Former United States Secretary of Labor, Alexander Acosta, was a surprise speaker at the conference. It was great to have the chance to hear him speak. He brought up a pertinent problem affecting the U.S., namely the generational issue that many of the younger people in the country are unwilling to go to work.

Acosta had anyone in the session raise their hand if they had mowed lawns for neighbors in their youth. Many of the individuals in the crowd had done so. He then had people raise their hands if kids in their neighborhood had ever offered to mow their lawns now. Almost no one raised their hand. The generation gap that we have currently is reflected in the fact that younger people don't see work as a must. This is showing up in the labor force. Unemployment is rising for individuals in their 20s and 30s, and their attitude towards work is requiring older individuals work longer, into their 70s and 80s, in order to fund the younger generation. I hope we are not heading towards Marxism, where we will need to work even harder to support the ones who are unemployed.

A session that left a lasting impression on me was the discussion on global violence and its impact on retailers. The talk was titled, “An Insider CIA Perspective: Domestic & International Threats and the Impact on Retail.” The speakers (Ted Singer, Don Alway, John Franchi) delved into the risks posed by various countries and how civil unrest could affect businesses. It was a wake-up call to ensure that proper preparations are in place for potential unrest and violence, highlighting the importance of safety and security in retail environments.

One of the more engaging sessions was, “So, you have an ECOSYSTEM. Now What?” It centered around ROI, and I appreciated the unique approach taken by the speakers (Joe Coll, Steve Lindsey, Brand L. Elverston, Brandon Cummings) to avoid using buzzwords. It was a fun and informative session that provided valuable insights into measuring the success of asset protection strategies without falling into common industry jargon.

The roundtable discussions were also incredibly valuable, particularly the conversations on workforce violence and de-escalation strategies. The rise of Organized Retail Crime’s effect on retailers and the need to prioritize employee safety are important issues that were addressed. Learning about effective de-escalation techniques was insightful, especially in today's environment where having a plan for navigating civil unrest and ensuring safety is more critical than ever before.

This year’s programming was informative and thought-provoking. I left the conference with new knowledge and ideas to implement in my own role within the industry. APEX is a valuable event that provides a platform for meaningful discussions and networking opportunities. I look forward to attending future conferences and continuing to learn and contribute to the work of asset protection.