Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum (GELF) NYC ReBoot Dinner Gathers Global Champions

The Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum (GELF) recently held a dinner event in New York City, marking GELF’s return to events after a pause in programming. The GELF community was well represented at the dinner by executives from brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Citizen Watch, Bath & Body Works International, Wahl Clipper, Harman Samsung, Chantelle and more. McMillanDoolittle partner Jim Okamura, a Co-founder of GELF, co-hosted the dinner with his GELF partners Scott Silverman and Michael LeBlanc. Our thanks to our dinner sponsors, ChannelEngine and Livingston International, both of whom have supported GELF for years.

The dinner is a prelude to more GELF events and programming in 2026, in-person and virtually. This comes at a time when global trade is challenged by the uncertainty of the regulatory environment and specific trade lanes. For some this uncertainty is changing the economic model for global commerce; yet the global executives in attendance are resolute in their international growth mandate. The current state is just another international problem to resolve, and as a community we expect to see greater international priorities in 2026.

As GELF prepares for a Global Experts Workshop in early 2026, several topics have risen to the top of the agenda:

1. Managing Brand integrity in global expansion. As go-to-market channels expand, along with global ecosystems with key business partners, how do we ensure our biggest asset, our brand, is managed properly by our partners and local teams?
2. Organization design for global commerce. The centralized-to-localized pendulum often swings too far in either direction, but what organizational structure and processes are working in today’s global trade environment? What KPIs or metrics are effective, centrally and locally?
3. Pricing architecture in a tariff-influenced world. How do we develop the right consumer-facing prices as cost structures are in flux? How will we effectively communicate pricing to overseas shoppers to protect the brand and compete locally?
4. How are brands managing global cross-channel data to drive automated efficiency across your GTM channels? On average, sellers are active on 6 different global marketplaces, adding to the pricing complexity. (Source: ChannelEngine Marketplace Seller report 2025), not to mention wholesale and other non-direct channels.

What are the topics keeping you awake at night when it comes to international growth strategies? Contact us if you’d like to share your perspective on these topics, or others that are top of mind. If you’re interested in participating in the Global Experts Workshop or attending any GELF event, contact Jim Okamura at jokamura@mdretail.com.