Furniture Today, a BridgeTower Media brand and the leading authority in the home furnishings industry, today announced that Sharon Gai—internationally recognized AI and innovation expert—will serve as the keynote speaker at the Furniture Today Leadership Conference 2026. The conference takes place December 1, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Miami, Florida.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend—it is already changing how businesses operate, make decisions, and compete. The next wave is arriving even faster. Against this backdrop, Gai's keynote session, presented by Bread Financial, will equip furniture retailers with the insight and strategies needed to get ahead of disruption—not react to it.

Gai has guided some of the world's most influential organizations through digital transformation, including Alibaba, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Lenovo, Nestlé, LVMH, UBS, TEDx, and Singularity University. At Leadership 2026, she will bring those global insights directly to the home furnishings industry, helping retailers understand how to harness AI with confidence and build organizations ready for what comes next.

"The furniture industry stands at a pivotal moment. Those who embrace AI strategically will build lasting competitive advantages. I look forward to sharing a roadmap for retailers who are ready to lead."
— Bill McLoughin, Editor-in-Chief, Furniture Today

What Attendees Will Learn
In this can't-miss keynote, Sharon Gai will show furniture retailers how to:
• Understand what Agentic AI means for furniture retail
• Identify opportunities to do more with fewer resources
• Prepare their organizations before disruption impacts their business
• Build an AI strategy that creates a lasting competitive advantage

The Furniture Today Leadership Conference annually convenes more than 100 furniture retailers from 40 leading organizations, collectively representing $20.5 billion in retail buying power. This year's theme, "Built to Last. Built to Lead.," reflects a focus on legacy and leadership for an industry navigating rapid change.
A keynote announcement video previewing Gai's session is now available at www.leadershipcon.com.

Register Today
Registration for the Furniture Today Leadership Conference 2026 is now open. Seats are limited. To register and secure hotel accommodations at the JW Marriott Miami, visit www.leadershipcon.com.

About the Furniture Today Leadership Conference
The Furniture Today Leadership Conference is the premier annual gathering for top executives in the home furnishings retail industry. Each year, the event brings together more than 100 retailers from 40 organizations—representing over $20.5 billion in combined retail buying power—for strategic discussions, industry insights, and executive networking. Leadership 2026 takes place December 1, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Miami, Florida.

About Furniture Today
Furniture Today is the leading trade publication serving the home furnishings industry and a brand of BridgeTower Media. Furniture Today delivers news, analysis, and intelligence to retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers across the global furnishings market. For more information, visit www.furnituretoday.com.

About Sharon Gai
Sharon Gai is an internationally recognized AI and innovation expert who has guided leading global organizations—including Alibaba, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Lenovo, Nestlé, LVMH, UBS, TEDx, and Singularity University—through digital transformation. A sought-after keynote speaker, author, and advisor, Gai translates complex AI concepts into actionable business strategy, helping executive audiences understand how to harness emerging technology before disruption arrives.