Challenger Summit 2018 Recap: What An Event!

Our inaugural Challenger Summit has come and gone—and what a whirlwind!  After the dust has settled, we’ve been able to reflect on an amazing event, filled with disruptive ideas and inspiring Challenger moments. Keep an eye on this space for our Challenger Series, blog posts about each of our compelling sessions and what you could have learned from each! Click the links below to learn in-depth insights and secrets from the best Challengers in the business:

• 10 Things You Missed At The Challenger Summit
• WTF Amazon?! 4 Questions To Shape Your Strategy (Part 1)
• WTF Amazon?! Thriving In An Amazon World (Part 2)
• Insights From Robert Tercek: Advertising Is Not Dying
• Challenger Summit 2018: What The Challengers Are Doing
• Video That Captures Attention & Steals Market Share

Meanwhile, here’s a look at what you might have missed—or just want to relive!

See Our Challenger Summit Highlights

Compelling Content

We kicked off the day with keynote speaker Robert Tercek, who spoke on the topic of “Anticipate Future Trends & Identify Strategies to Win.” He believes that every product or service that can be replaced by a digital counterpart will—and soon. His presentation included countless examples across industries, from video streaming to digital music platforms to some less obvious illustrations that we hadn’t previously noticed.

While Robert focused on the “why” question for digital disruption, our other speakers illustrated the “how.” Our main stage presentations covered topics such as producing video that captivates, rethinking offers to improve conversion rates, being a proactive leader in company growth, doing well and doing good in business, and thinking like a Challenger to spur business growth. With speakers from Google, Zappos, SnackNation, Aria Consulting, United Bank, and Frontier Airlines, we heard from true leaders across digital.

MC Bob Schwartz, CEO of 47 B Street, also had a unique chance to sit down with two young Challengers who have captivating stories. Nick Molnar, CEO & Co-Founder of Afterpay, leads the top Australian retail payments innovator and one of Australia’s fastest growing fintech companies. We heard about his journey from selling jewelry online to growing Afterpay to 1.5+ million customers and 14,000+ retail merchants.

Next, Bob spoke with Coss Marte, CEO & Founder of ConBody, the revolutionary fitness regimen based on a workout that can be done in a prison cell. Coss told his story of finding success after losing weight while being incarcerated. ConBody now has more than 20,000 clients, and is expanding rapidly in a highly competitive market.

In the afternoon we had breakout sessions for three distinct tracks focused on growing rapidly and scaling profitably, driving retail and Ecommerce success, and measuring accurately and tracking consistently. Our speakers came from a range of experiences, including companies such as Facebook, Google, Bing, Polywood, Erin Condren, Thrive Market, Z Gallerie, TOMS, Brentwood Associates, CrossCut VC, Lion Capital, J.McLaughlin, Johnny Was, and John Varvatos.

Beautiful Setting

We had the pleasure of learning and connecting in beautiful Santa Monica at the Fairmont Mirarmar Hotel & Bungalows. Our Welcome Reception was held at the Bungalow, a beach house restaurant with ocean views. From a poke bowl station to churro bar, we had a range of food and treats to enjoy. We kicked off the event with a comedy hour and live painting.

Tuesday morning we started with a sweet treat from the donut wall and felt like true California natives with avocado toast for breakfast. We dove right into content, and learned a few things about each other with a glow stick ice breaker that asked some controversial questions.

For a pick-me-up in the afternoon, we had nitro coffee floats, the perfect combination of sugar and caffeine. Coss also led the audience in a mini workout—and everyone agrees he knows how to get the burn!

Lunch and the closing social hour was held under the fig tree, rumored to be the oldest tree in the area. Before we could believe it, it was time to close the event with a hip-hop violinist and drinks, sending off our amazing Challengers ready to revamp their marketing playbooks.