Virtual reality has moved beyond “innovation pilots” to become a scalable capability engine as well as a differentiated way to engage customers. In this Keynote, Tomissa Smittendorf from Kellanova and Cornell Professor Dan Hooker will explore how VR has been implemented and operationalized to accelerate retail sales onboarding and elevate customer engagement.
Tomissa will share two real-world applications of VR technology in the retail space. The first focuses on sales team development, using immersive store environments to build confidence and execution readiness through the 8-Step Store Call process. The second demonstrates VR's power to transform buyer engagement, as customers step into virtual spaces to experience Cheez-It's aisle leadership, shifting traditional sales conversations into strategic, experience-driven discussions.
Tomissa and Dan will connect the discussion to broader CPG themes, including enterprise capability building, omnichannel customer engagement, data storytelling, and the future of commercial skillsets.
