Robyn Waters, a noted author and former Vice President of Trend, Design, and Product Development for Target, will be the keynote presenter at each of the nine tour cities. Robyn provides a thought provoking environmental scan of the macro marketplace that takes the listener deep into the hearts and minds of the consumer. Her visual presentations challenge the audience to look at trend ‘from the inside out’ by focusing their attention on what’s important instead of just what’s next. Energies are revitalized, perspectives reframed, and possibilities re-envisioned.

She is the author of The Trendmaster’s Guide: Get a Jump on What Your Customer Wants Next, The Hummer and the Mini: Navigating the Contradictions of the New Trend Landscape, and contributing author (along with Tom Peters, Seth Godin and Malcolm Gladwell,) for The Big Moo from Portfolio, a member of Penguin Group (USA).

Robyn has over thirty years experience tracking and translating trends into sales and profit. As Target’s former Vice President of Trend, Design, and Product Development, she helped a small regional discount chain become a national fashion destination. Seth Godin calls her “the woman who revolutionized what Target sells, and helped the company trounce Kmart.”

Fast Company magazine featured her as one of the top twenty ‘Creative Mavericks’ in their June ‘04 Masters of Design issue. She has served as a juror for numerous national design competitions including the International Housewares Association, and the National Design Awards for the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.