2025 Speakers

Steve Vranes is the CEO of Hot Topic, Inc., parent company of three unique brands: Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Her Universe. As CEO, Steve has led the transformation of the company from a single brand, stores-led business, to an omni-channel and multi-brand destination for music and entertainment merchandise. Under his leadership, the company has rapidly grown its digital business, launched the BoxLunch brand, acquired the Her Universe brand, built the largest community of influencers for entertainment merchandise, and created the broadest licensed Print-On-Demand assortment.

Prior to joining Hot Topic, Steve served as the Director of Planning at Gymboree, where he was responsible for merchandise and inventory planning, drove cross-functional strategy development, scaled the Gymboree Outlet and Janie & Jack concepts, and launched the Crazy 8 brand.

Steve holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a BA in Economics from San Francisco State University.