September 21 - 24, 2025

Nashville, TN

Secure Your Spot Now

FEATURED INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Michael Lamb

Vice President of Asset Protection

Kroger Company

Relationship Building at the Highest Level

APEX is the original executive-led Xchange format.

APEX is an executive-only, invite-only conference that focuses on relationship building at the highest level.

RETAILER Registration includes:

Three (3) Nights of your hotel are included at a killer location off Broadway (what other conference does that??)
All meals including Monday dinner at a Nashville HOT spot and our famous Signature Networking Event on Tuesday evening-- where you never know what will happen, who you'll see or hear...
Full-conference access to all Executive Xchange sessions (#Boom)
Unmatched networking with vetted, hand-selected solution providers
No exhibit floor or forced meetings (badges but no exhibit floor)

The APEX event series, powered by TalkLPnews, is designed to bring together industry executives for a valuable exchange of ideas, learnings, and to strengthen the relationships within the retail, grocery, convenience store and restaurant community.

How do the fees work?

Retailers: The registration fee is $799 per attendee (industry professionals only).

First time attendee? Happy to provide a 50% discounted "save-your-spot" fee - just contact Amber Bradley here.

Weird travel budget? No problem!

You can opt to pay your own hotel stay (we typically pay for it) instead of the registration fee -- so the conference is free to attend, just pay your own travel costs. Easy peasy.

Solution Providers: You MUST sponsor to attend. There are no badges for non-sponsors.

APEX newest announcements!

How do we create the agenda?

Attend the only conference built for asset protection executives, by asset protection executives, with the sole focus of the attendee experience. The APEX Executive Advisory Council creates the most valuable content for discussion and exchange of ideas.

Curious about our content? Awesome! Check out our 2024 AGENDA HERE!

We are meticulous about having the highest level of content for our audience -- no repeat topics here.

APEX is known for having the highest level content in the industry - no cops/robbers here - check out what we've listed - knowing there's always a few surprises along the way...

Meet the APEX Executive Council responsible for steering content included in APEX:

Chris Harris, Senior Director of Asset Protection for Brookshire Grocery Company
Alisa Dart, SVP Asset Protection & Safety at Dollar Tree Stores
Paul Jaeckle, Vice President of Asset Protection - Meijer Stores
Matt Hilbrink, Vice President of Enterprise Risk, and Asset Protection, The Raley's Companies
Clint Hedgpeth, Sr. Director of Loss Prevention Operations, H-E-B
Scott Ziter, Vice President of Risk Management at Golub Corporation/Price Chopper Supermarkets
Ryan Clevenger, Director of Asset Protection at Albertsons – Safeway
Ben Dugan, Executive Director, Central Investigations, CVS Health
James Cosseboom, Director, Asset Protection, Retail Business Services (AHOLD)
Carmen DuBose, Senior Director of Asset Protection, Hibbett Sports
Brian Friedman, Director of Asset Protection & Risk Management, REI
Melinda Black, Vice President, Loss Prevention at Ulta Beauty
Amelia Kennedy, Vice President, Asset Protection Strategy & Analytics, Burlington Stores, Inc.
Mike Lamb, Vice President of Asset Protection at Kroger (retired)

2025 Agenda Sneak Peek

Melanie Subin

Futurist; Trends, Scenarios, & Strategic Foresight Leader;

Managing Director, Future Today Strategy Group

How to Think Like a Futurist

Today’s leaders are tasked with managing their teams and steering them toward their goals in this midst of unprecedented disruption, while simultaneously preparing their organizations for the possible futures of their industries. What strategies can leaders leverage to position their organizations for future success and navigate them in making their ideal futures a reality?

In this talk, leading strategic foresight, and futurology management consultant Melanie Subin influences audiences to think like a futurist and introduces them to the concept of foresight, as well as its approaches and tools. As she walks audiences through its various phases, from signal identification to scenario planning, she provides a deeper understanding of how to implement foresight into their organizations in support of purpose, and more innovative and higher performing futures.

Scott McBride

Chief Security Officer

American Eagle

Amber Bradley

Editor-in-Chief & Owner

TalkLPnews

Matt Hilbrink

Vice President, Enterprise Risk

and Asset Protection

The Raley's Companies

Amelia Kennedy

Vice President of

Loss Prevention

Burlington

Brian Friedman

Divisional Vice President

Asset Protection &

Risk Management

Leading Through Conflict:
Executive Strategies for Tough Conversations

Lynne is a leadership communication expert and “neuroscience nerd.” She translates how the brain works into practical strategies that fast-track leaders to be seen, heard, and promoted. This includes her proprietary approaches to better connect with others:

PersuasionGPS system—a favorite of those who want to achieve big goals or break through barriers
MIND Reader MethodTM personality profile to quickly identify what people value, fear, and how to best reach them
TEDx Talk on “How to Be a Mind Reader” that went viral with about 7.5 million views

Past president of the National Speakers Association Illinois Chapter, Lynne is author of PersuasionGPS: Get to Where You Want to Go Faster.

Agenda Topics:

Beyond Executive Protection: Managing In-Person & Digital Threats to your Brand
What Enterprise Risk Management Truly Looks Like from the C-suite
But what’s the CFO think?
Customer & Employee Safety: Process vs. Policy
REAL Strategies to Make Law Enforcement Care + Community Goodwill
What’s AFTER gift card fraud? It’s here: Tap-to-Pay + Relay Fraud – Here’s what you need to know
Real AI Use Cases that You Can Use (Now)
Unexpected ROI from your Existing Technology Systems
Retailers with Actual, Working Technology Ecosystems (& How it works)
Executive Panel: Just 3 Questions
Is Your Vendor a Vendor, Solutions Provider or Strategic Partner?