Meet the Street Fight LIVE 2025 Speakers: Part 1

Street Fight LIVE was resurrected last year, after pausing for the pandemic. This “un-conference” thought leadership conference is the first of its kind because it brings together C-level executives and decision-makers across MULO (multi-location) retailers, restaurants, convenience stores, service businesses, eatertainment/sportainment concepts, and hospitality brands. They are joined by the agencies and technology companies (with an emphasis on AI, of course) that help them thrive and scale.

After all, the lines have blurred, and your local mall is as likely to house a pickleball court, medical office, and gym as it is to have flagship anchor stores. Retailers are now exercise studios, and food and clothing brands (like Tommy Bahama) are opening hotels.

All of these industries need top tech, talent, marketing insights, and strategic location planning.

Street Fight LIVE 2025, which will be at Microsoft’s headquarters in Playa Vista, is structured to give leaders a way to gather trends and best practices in just one day via fast-paced (20-minute) sessions. Last year’s event also created a wide range of profitable collaborations.

You’ll hear from successful legacy brands, new brands, and major tech companies and agencies. No sales pitches. Just insights and content that will lead to success.

This year’s Street Fight Live theme is “Welcome to the Phygital World.” Brick-and-mortar is alive and well, but AI, smart devices, and online interaction are as important today (if not more important) than the physical footprint of a business.

We have organized the day around three core areas:

1. The People (talent and bots)
2. The Places (in real life and online)
3. The Profits (because survival depends on it and technology can impact it)

Here’s an introduction to just a few of the 30+ speakers who’ll take the stage this year.

• Knowing what consumers want and need (and where they search for it) is the first step to MULO success. Placer.ai has established itself as an industry leader in consumer insights. We’ve tapped Elizabeth LaFontaine to share these trends so you can plan for 2026 — locations, marketing efforts, and product offerings.
• Of course, technology is at the epicenter of all consumer interactions today. What’s next? Aaron Goldman of Mediaocean will present the best-in-class new automation, both consumer-facing and behind-the-scenes.
• What will the agency of the future look like? And what do conventional legacy agencies need to do to remain relevant to MULO clients? Hear from Michael Farmer, who straddles the old and new agency worlds!
• Dan Bejmuk of Dreambox lives at the epicenter of the MULO restaurant world. He’ll lead a panel of fast-scaling brands. Whether your company serves fries or fitness apparel, you’ll learn how successful food brands fill their seats.
• Back for a second year is Gregg Majewski of Craveworthy Brands. He’s built an “incubator” for new fast-casual brands, and his insights apply to other MULO categories.
• As many brands have discovered, the EXPERIENCE is as essential today as the location and product array. Robyn Duda, founder of RacquetX and a long-time marketing activation professional, will introduce you to some brands that serve, sell, and entertain, drawing inspiration from the music and sports industries. She’ll be joined on stage by Rachel Noonan, who has worked with major brands such as Samsung, Microsoft, and Universal on their live marketing strategies.
• Nick Dan-Bergman of LT will reveal a new trend study that hugely impacts MULO franchise businesses. You’ll also hear from some of the brands themselves, including Brad Stevenson of Neighborly.
• “Brands With Soul” is a regular feature in our magazine and we know that creating a success culture is key to retaining talent. Justin Freeman of Kindr Workplaces and Jessica Wiederhorn of Fat Brands will share their insights into how MULO brands can combine compassion with profits.
• Media exposure, news announcements, and crisis management are staples of the MULO world. The role of PR agencies has changed dramatically, especially as digital media has become such a massive part of the spending mix. 5WPR will be represented by Lori Ruggiero and Gabriella Velez, who will explain how to select the right agency, what’s considered “news” today, and how to manage consumer and investor perception.

Watch this space for more Street Fight Live 2025 announcements.

Speaking slots and sponsorships for are still available. Please get in touch if you’re interested!