Apr 14 - 17 2026
SIOR’s Spring 2026 Event – Keynote Speaker David Burkus – Palm Springs, CA
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Founder of Apple Stores and retail innovator, Ron Johnson shows organizations how to build cultures that inspire teams, drive innovation, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Ron Johnson is a retail visionary best known for creating the Apple Stores and bringing design-driven retail to Target through its first collaboration with architect Michael Graves. Widely regarded as one of the boldest retail innovators of the last 30 years, he shares lessons on innovation, customer experience, and building meaningful workplace cultures.
A master storyteller with a warm and approachable style, Ron draws from his leadership experience and transformative work in retail to deliver insights that resonate with organizations seeking to inspire teams and achieve lasting impact. Ron Johnson is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Ron Johnson’s fees.
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at (215) 995-0905 to book Ron Johnson for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field. So whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
Ron Johnson is best known for creating the Apple Stores, the first retail strategy in history to reach $1 billion in annual sales in only three years. He also brought design to Target by leading the first retail collaboration with architect Michael Graves, reshaping how consumers engage with everyday products.
He later took on the challenge of transforming JCPenney into “America’s Favorite Store,” offering valuable lessons on innovation, risk, and leadership through change.
A graduate of Harvard Business School, Ron is an engaging speaker who delivers keynotes focused on building cultures that inspire employees and fuel continuous innovation. His insights are grounded in real-world leadership experience and are delivered through compelling stories that connect with audiences.
Ron’s upcoming book, Shop Different, will be published in 2026 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the first Apple Store. He has been featured in major publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Fortune, and USA Today, and is a frequent guest on CNBC and Fox Business Network.
Find out how to hire Ron Johnson to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Ron Johnson’s availability and cost. When booking Ron Johnson for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Ron Johnson is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Ron Johnson booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.
How much to book Ron Johnson depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Ron Johnson for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Ron Johnson is available for conferences, festivals, private parties, and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.
Our speakers are in high demand! View their upcoming events.
How imagination, intuition, and meaning drive industry redefining innovation.
When Apple announced it was opening stores, people gave them two years before they turned the lights out on a painful experiment. A decade later, Apple had reinvented retail and built a $20 billion dollar global retail business. In this masterclass on innovation, Ron Johnson shares his “playbook for big ideas.” He takes the audience behind the scenes of how the Apple Store was conceived in a warehouse with no blueprint, and how a relentless focus on loving customers through kindness changed the retail industry forever. Sharing untold stories of his relationship with Steve Jobs and his team, this keynote combines the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup with the strategic vision of a Fortune 500 leader. Ron unpacks the timeless principles of using your imagination, the power of intuition, and the courage required to reinvent a category. Whether you’re an entrepreneur building from the ground up or a leader looking to innovate within an established company, this talk provides a roadmap for how to use your imagination to create a legacy of innovation.
Key Takeaways:
Ideal for: Innovators, entrepreneurs, retail companies, leaders, managers, marketers, and business strategy groups
How trust, kindness, and purpose create cultures where people do their best work.
While technology continues to transform the workplace, Ron Johnson argues that the future of work will not be defined by AI, but by culture and how people work together. Drawing on his groundbreaking work as he did creating the Apple Stores and bringing design to Target, he reveals the secret ingredient behind his greatest successes: making the concept of love visible to employees and customers. This heartfelt and motivating talk shows how leading with trust, kindness, and a clear sense of purpose can build a culture where employees feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to do their best work. He shares actionable insights on how to create environments that not only drive record-breaking performance but also foster deep loyalty from both teams and customers. This is a must-hear for leaders who believe that a “people-first” culture is the ultimate competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways:
Ideal for: Leaders, executives, and anyone focused on organizational culture and people management
Apple Store creator Ron Johnson shares timeless lessons about innovation, leadership, design, creating winning cultures, and the future of retail through the power of relationships.
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