Audience:
Open industry. All apparel and footwear industry professionals, regardless of AAFA membership, are encouraged to participate.
Description:
The product label is fast becoming the central connection point in the supply chain. When one smart label carries RFID, a GS1 Digital Link QR code, and a Digital Product Passport, a single product record can manage the whole journey from factory to shopper and beyond (e.g., warehouse routing, shelf placement, traceability across the chain, and a direct interaction with the customer who scans it, in stores or at home.)
This panel discusses how connected smart labeling bridges several journeys: the operational movement of the product, the brand experience online and in stores, compliance, and the relationship with the consumer. Panelists explain how RFID, EPCIS, GS1 Digital Link, and DPP fit together, what GS1 Sunrise 2027 and the EU's ESPR require, and how brands can turn compliance labeling into real gains: better inventory accuracy, verifiable sustainability claims, and a scannable link to the customer.
Attendees of this webinar will learn:
- How one smart label serves as a single connected source for supply chain, brand, and consumer, with RFID, a GS1 Digital Link QR code, and a Digital Product Passport coexisting on the same label and serving the same product data to different users.
- How one source of truth supports operations, brand, and consumer at once: proving traceability and compliance while improving shelf-level inventory accuracy and creating a direct, scannable link to the buyer.
- What GS1 Sunrise 2027, the EU’s ESPR, and DPP timelines mean for labeling decisions in North America now. This includes the key changes, piloting or testing needs, and the first steps brands should take.
Speakers:
Sam Wehbe
Vice President of RFID Sales & Business Development
ITL – Intelligent Label Solutions
Sam Wehbe is Vice President of RFID Sales & Business Development at ITL, where he leads the growth and expansion of ITL’s RFID business across North America. In this role, he works closely with leading retail brands, building strategic relationships and helping organizations navigate their RFID journey, from initial strategy and implementation to full-scale source tagging, inventory management, and supply chain solutions.
With a strong background in management, technology consulting, and retail innovation, Sam has played a key role in delivering large-scale RFID deployments and helping brands unlock the business value of RFID. His experience spans the broader RFID ecosystem, enabling retailers to improve visibility, optimize inventory, and build more connected, efficient, and data-driven supply chains.
In addition to leading RFID sales and business development, Sam manages ITL’s strategic partnerships portfolio across North America. He works closely with technology providers, solution partners, and industry stakeholders to develop collaborative opportunities, strengthen the RFID ecosystem, and accelerate adoption across the retail industry.
Throughout his career, Sam has focused on bridging people, processes, and technology to drive growth and transformation.
Jonathan Aitken
SVP, RFID Center of Excellence
RADAR
Jonathan Aitken is SVP of the RFID Center of Excellence at RADAR, a leading retail RFID platform delivering perpetual inventory with deployments serving major apparel retailers including American Eagle, Gap/Old Navy, and others. In this role, Jonathan leads strategic retail relationships, drives commercial engagement, and champions the advancement of perpetual RFID inventory intelligence in physical retail. He brings over 20 years of retail technology and RFID expertise to the position, with a career spanning some of the industry’s most recognized brands and organizations.
Prior to RADAR, Jonathan held senior RFID leadership roles at PVH Corp (Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein) as VP of Global RFID, and at lululemon as Director of IT Retail, where in 2015 he pioneered one of North America’s earliest large-scale RFID deployments. He also held a partnership role at Avery Dennison, one of the world’s leading RFID inlay manufacturers. These experiences gave Jonathan a rare end-to-end perspective on the RAIN RFID ecosystem, from inlay and hardware to enterprise-scale retail deployment and operations.
Jonathan has been an active contributor to the RAIN RFID Alliance community, having served as Chairperson of the RAIN RFID Alliance from 2023 to 2024 and as a board member from 2021 to 2024. He holds a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert designation and is a recognized voice on the intersection of RFID, inventory intelligence, and the future of autonomous commerce. Jonathan is based between New York and Vancouver.
Jonathan Gregory
Senior Director, Global Standards
GS1 US
Jonathan Gregory is Senior Director, Global Standards at GS1 US, where he leads initiatives that advance global standards for supply chain visibility, product identification, data sharing, and emerging technologies. He works closely with retailers, manufacturers, solution providers, government agencies, and industry associations to drive adoption of standards-based approaches that improve transparency, efficiency, and trust across supply chains. Jonathan is an active contributor to industry collaboration efforts focused on RFID, EPCIS, cargo security, and combating organized retail crime through enhanced visibility and data interoperability.
AAFA Host:
Nate Herman
Executive Vice President
AAFA
Nate Herman took on the role of Executive Vice President in 2025, following more than 20 years at the association and from the position of SVP of Policy. In addition to steering the association’s strategic plan, Nate oversees AAFA’s Policy department, managing the association’s lobbying, policy, and regulatory affairs activities. Nate leads AAFA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, formulating and implementing CSR policy and representing AAFA and the industry on CSR issues before governments, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. In addition, Nate develops all apparel and footwear industry data and statistics as AAFA's resident economist. Prior to joining AAFA, Nate worked for six years at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration assisting U.S. firms in entering the global market. Nate spent the final two years as the Commerce Department's industry analyst for the footwear and travel goods industries. Nate received a Masters of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994 and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from the University of Delaware in 1992.
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CONTACT | QUESTIONS
Stephanie Paendong