SummitX 2025 Recap: We Didn’t Just Talk About the Future, We Built It.
Three days. One mission: Reimagine Everything.
At the stunning Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, SummitX wasn’t just a conference. It was a movement. Telecom’s brightest minds and industry leaders came together to explore how innovation, creativity, and human connection can redefine the future of retail. We didn’t just gather to discuss the evolution of retail; we stepped into it.
You’ve read about what we announced in our recent Interconnected Commerce Retail Suite blog. This is the why. This is the inspiration, the insights, and the moments that made SummitX unforgettable.
The Spark: Why We Must Reimagine
The energy kicked off with our flagship Industry Address. This session was a front-row seat to what’s next, diving into the megatrends reshaping telecom retail. We explored how to “reimagine the store experience” to meet the connected consumer’s expectations, setting the stage to ultimately unveil the Interconnected Commerce Retail Suite.
From there, our keynotes challenged us to think bigger and put the human element at the center of everything.
Explorer Colin O’Brady set the tone. He didn’t just share his story of crossing Antarctica solo; he provided actionable strategies to harness the power of the mind. His challenge was clear: our perceived limits are our biggest barriers.
Ashleigh Vogstad tackled AI head-on. In an age of digital “sameness,” she argued creativity is the only true differentiator. Her message was a wake-up call: “Creativity is the missing operating system in a technical world.”
“Shopper-anthropologist” Ken Hughes reinforced this human-centric focus. His keynote drove home a core truth: technology changes, but the future of retail is, and always will be, human.
The engagement was clear. Our breakout sessions earned a 4.8 out of 5-star rating. After our morning products announcements, the Inside iQ Storefront session was a huge hit, proving how excited everyone is for what’s next.
The Proof: Where “Reimagine” Became Reality
Inspiration is good. Application is better.
This year, we unveiled the Store of the Future.
This was not a traditional booth or demo. It was a “fully operational, immersive retail environment” built on one clear principle: Human Experience First. We designed it to prove a single point: technology’s true power is an “enabler” that supports and enhances a human-led journey.
Attendees didn’t just watch a demo. They lived the experience.
Guests tapped their personal “key” to the Store of the Future for a personalized greeting. They ordered coffee via text, consulted with a guide, and completed a real purchase of quality, curated merch. This is where the new product suite came to life. Attendees used the brand-new iQ Storefront on a tablet and checked out with an iQ Pay terminal.
From there, guests went “Behind the Scenes” to a “Genius Bar” for deep-dive demos. We also shared our live product roadmap and invited attendees to add their own ideas to our “Innovation Wish” station, sharing their live thoughts on the future of retail.
The feedback was overwhelming. One attendee said they left “inspired and wanted to incorporate ideas into their own stores.” The Store of the Future made the future tangible.
It left us all with a critical question: How will you reimagine your store for the future?
The Connection: Beyond the Sessions
It wouldn’t be SummitX without the connections. The energy was incredible, from our “California Vibes” welcome reception and golf tournament on Sunday to the stunning Kayak Tour in La Jolla. The Monday “Neon Nights” party was a highlight, with acrobats, jugglers, drumbots, and a celebrated Blue Jays win together.
But these connections are about more than just a good time. They’re about building a true community.
Our Vendor Showcase was alive with conversation, bringing clients and partners together for future-focused dialogue. This spirit of collaboration was made possible by our sponsors. They helped create these shared moments, from the Store of the Future and the Golf Tournament to the event WiFi and Welcome Kits.
This focus on building true partnerships is what drives us. We were honored to hear from a key carrier partner that “the ongoing collaboration… has been the biggest advantage for us in the last few years.”
What’s Next: The Mission Begins
SummitX 2025 is over. The mission to “Reimagine Everything” is just beginning.
The Store of the Future wasn’t just an exhibit; it was a “point of view on the evolution of physical retail” and a living preview of our product roadmap. It was the “why” and “wow” made real.
You’ve read the inspiration. You’ve seen the experience. Now, it’s your turn to pilot the future.
Ready to reimagine your own store? See how the Interconnected Commerce suite (iQ Storefront, iQ Pay, and iQ Hub) can transform your retail environment.
