By: Dr. Adal M. Hussain Phd (AKA) Dr. Abbey Editor @ Large for World Liberty TV
Vendors in Partnership (VIP) is dedicated to improving how vendors and retailers work together so that, as partners, we can transform the way we experience retail. We accomplish this by Creating opportunities for meaningful and authentic connections between retailers, vendors, and industry influencers.
Dave Finnegan Retail Legend Hosting VIP Awards
Recognizing and celebrating the solution providers whose partnership drives innovation for the industry at our global award ceremonies Continuing to grow and improve to better serve our community.
Why VIP matters: There are dozens of communities and award ceremonies that recognize retailers, but there are few that focus on the vendor partners that power that innovation.
Vendors in Partnership publicly recognizes and promotes the best solution providers in the industry—defining what good partnership looks like and letting retailers know who they should be working with.
Dr Adal with Jill Dvorak Senior Vice President Content for NRF
Welcome to Vendors in Partnership. What started as an intimate gathering in a chic New York venue in 2020 has since expanded into a global community, with annual award ceremonies in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
It has been incredible to watch our community expand. Each year, I look forward to welcoming new and familiar faces to our events and to see the impact of our work. By celebrating good partners and innovative solutions, we are changing how vendors are valued and setting the standard for transformative partnerships.
Dr Adal Vicki Cantrell Founder Vendors in Partnership and the VIP Awards
It is my hope and mission to continue this work, bringing to the table a lifetime of experience and connections from retailers and vendors and cultivating a community that helps each other grow and succeed.
Center Dr Adal with Robert Schwartz CGO Reach Partners and Retail Legend Dave Finnegan
I look forward to continuing this journey with you and transforming retail together! Said, Mrs. Vicki Cantrell Founder, Vendors in Partnership and the VIP Awards.
The VIP Winners for 2025 included: Partner of the year, MicroStrategy, Best Kept Secret Award winner, PROXIMITY, The VIP Challenge award winner, MicroStrategy, The Retailers Favorite winner, Cognizant, Best Longstanding partnership award, allpoint, Retail partner person of the year, Toni Scarpaci of Max Mara, Retail transformation of the year, TSC, Tractor Supply Co, Best unified customer experience, talkdesk, Best breakthrough technology solution, Velou, Best Commerce or multi-vendor platform, nocnoc, Best Marketing automation solution, vibes, Best enable of commerce media, NEONPIXEL, Best retail insights, RetailNext, Best business intelligence and analytics platform, The Parker Avery Group, Best distribution center innovation,PROGLOVE, Best Sustainability initiative, worldly, Best payment innovation, splitit, The retail voice, Retail Influencer Network and the Best security solution , inVue.
Lady guests in attendance
The Event was held at the Iconic Gotham hall, hundreds of people in attendance enjoying the evening before the World’s largest show, opened up, The National Retail Federation, (NRF).
Guests enjoying dinner at VIP Award’s Gala 2025
The Keynote speaker Jon E. Ashton Phd was introduced by the Legendary, Dave Finnegan, Ambassador to CMO and Digital Councils at NRF and Brand Advisory Executive to Reach Partners, who were also the hosts alongside NRF.
Dr Adal with Doug Weich Co-Founder Retail AI
A little about Jon E. Ashton Phd: KEYNOTE SPEAKER; has been practicing in the field of Clinical Psychology for over 25 years. He received a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy and a PhD in Counseling Psychology, bothfrom Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Best security solution award winner inVue
He went on to complete a Residency inClinical Psychology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and became an officer in the United States Air Force serving as a Military Psychologist. He was on active-duty status during 9/11 which has greatly influenced his career. He has been in private practice for the past 20 years where he specializes in the treatment of severe mood disorders, anxiety conditions, and trauma.
Keynote Speaker Jon E Ashton Phd,
In 2020 Dr. Ashton organized over 20 years of patient data into a reference database for further study and analysis. After decades of direct patient care he left private practice to use his expertise to address human suffering on a larger scale.
Ashlee Aldridge CEO Reach Partners and Co-Host of VIP Awards
His research findings have influenced issues related to mental health and the negative impacts of stress on a national and international stage. Dr Ashton is passionately committed to deepening awareness of the essential human needs of partnership, connection, and the impacts of stress upon individuals as well as organizations. Dr. Ashton consults and works closely with leaders in large industry, medicine, and education.
Guests enjoying Cocktail hour at the Iconic Gotham Hall
The Event was held at the Iconic Gotham hall, hundreds of people in attendance enjoying the evening before the World’s largest show, opened up, The National Retail Federation, (NRF).
Dr Adal with Scott Silverman Co-Founder of Commerce Next
We like to thank Vicki Cantrell Founder, Vendors in Partnership and the VIP Awards, for her kind invites for the past five years, a very classy honorable kind human being. we are proud to say we have been covering the VIP Awards from day one and look forward to 2026.
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