OUR Events
2020-2021
QRF X TSC Case Competition
The QRF Case Competition has been an integral part of our conference since 2010 and remains a highlight of QRF for many delegates, year after year. During this highly anticipated event, delegates are encouraged to exercise their creativity, problem-solving skills and teamwork to analyze a written case that simulates a real-world business problem. After a comprehensive analysis, our delegates were tasked with presenting a viable set of recommendations and solutions to a panel of representatives from TSC with an emphasis on marketing and operational improvements.
The Case Competition is a unique and highly experiential event, and has provided our partners with valuable recommendations from some of Canada’s brightest undergraduate students. Through this event, we facilitated a unique opportunity for TSC to provide an authentic reflection of their organizational culture by engaging with our delegates first-hand.
The Judges
Kate Heritage
Vice President of Merchandising, Today's Shopping Choice (TSC)
Kate Heritage is Vice President, Merchandising, at TSC, Canada’s first-and-only shopping channel and multi-platform e-commerce retail destination. As part of TSC’s executive leadership team, Ms. Heritage oversees TSC’s six product categories: Fashions, Health & Beauty, Jewellery, Home, Fitness and Electronics, ensuring that TSC continues to surprise and delight customers. Ms. Heritage is driven by the joy of discovery, to deliver customers new brands she hasn’t seen, new products from core brands she loves, and filling “whitespace” opportunities with exciting new products.
Rosie Riolino-Serpa
Senior Director of Digital Channels, Today's Shopping Choice (TSC)
Rosie Riolino-Serpa is the Senior Director, Digital Channels, at TSC, Canada’s first-and-only shopping channel and multi platform e-commerce retail destination. As part of TSC’s executive leadership team, Ms. Riolino-Serpa leads the company’s digital transformation roadmap to elevate its e-commerce business and deliver a best-in-class customer experience across all of TSC’s digital channels – including web, mobile, apps, OTT, and emerging platforms. Ms. Riolino-Serpa drives the creation of compelling digital content to bring TSC’s product brands to life, to educate and entertain TSC’s customers, and to deliver an exceptional customer experience across different channels and touchpoints.
OTHER EVENTS.
2020-2021
QRF Retail Day
Hosted a full-day event dedicated to educating students about the retail industry and providing opportunities to network with industry executives. Retail Day included Keynote presentations, an open-forum panel with representatives from TaylorMade, Mejuri and Caulfeild Apparel , a personal branding workshop led by Perennial DCM, and a networking power hour with top-tier sponsors. Delegates heard from unique sponsors who are prominent in the apparel and tech retail sector, engaging in meaningful discussion and expanding their knowledge about the retail space.
The Canadian Retail Panel
Hosted a panel discussion with Canada’s top-tier retailers from Aritzia, Loblaws, and OVO surrounding the ever-changing retail space and the importance of e-commerce. Through an afternoon of engaging conversation, delegates had the opportunity to listen to a Keynote presentation given by the Chief Marketing Officer from Harry Rosen, Trinh Tham.
QRF x QSCORE Sustainability in Retail
Hosted an open-forum fireside chat and Keynote presentation in partnership with the Queen’s Supply Chain and Operations Resource Executive (QSCORE) to provide students with the opportunity to explore sustainability in the world of retail and supply chain management. Open discussion on the importance of sustainable-sourced and ethically managed processes in the retail industry was key and provided students with the opportunity to explore sustainability and its importance in today's retail space.
QRF x QEIC Small Business Showcase
Hosted a panel event in partnership with the Queen’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference (QEIC), providing students with the opportunity to hear from small business owners in Kingston and beyond. Panelist included representatives from Miss Bao restaurant, Imaginary Friends and Brüst . Through meaningful discussion, students had the opportunity to learn first-hand how to start their own business and best-business practices.
