IRDC

Learn from, network with and be inspired by the designers behind some of the world’s most respected retail brands.

Join us this fall for the International Retail Design Conference, where industry-leading designers, architects, planners and visual merchandisers convene to share strategies, make connections, stay current and be inspired.

IRDC 2010 AGENDA-AT-A-GLANCE

Wednesday, October 13

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Networking Continental Breakfast

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

OPENING KEYNOTE: Reinvention of an Icon

The Hudson’s Bay Co.—founded in 1670—knows a little something about longevity. Its department store The Bay is a Canadian icon; its leader, retail veteran Bonnie Brooks, has made some bold moves to keep the brand riding high despite the global recession. A dynamic speaker, Brooks will talk about how the brand has evolved throughout its extraordinary history, including the key role its award-winning store design and visual merchandising continues to play in its strategy.

Speaker(s): Bonnie Brooks

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Making the Local Connection

“Buy locally” is a powerful rallying cry in today’s marketplace, and smart visual merchandising can help any retailer support a community friendly message. Tap into the local spirit with ideas and examples of great displays that make shopping a true neighborhood experience.

Speaker(s): Joe Baer

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Keeping Up Appearances: C&A Department Store Renovation, Brazil

How does a moderately priced department store keep up with its higher-priced neighbors? Successful retailer C&A in Brazil shares a before-and-after renovation story in adapting to local market nuances without sacrificing the core brand message.

Speaker(s):

Jay Highland

Bess Anderson

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Light at the End of the Tunnel: Be Prepared

Explore the ways in which designers and retailers can be prepared--and properly positioned--for the eventual industry upturn. This session offers concrete insights into management techniques that will help you poise your business for growth.

Speaker(s): Les Hiscoe

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

12:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Networking Roundtable Lunch

Bring your questions, ideas and insights to the Networking Roundtable Lunches on Wednesday and Thursday, 10/13 & 14. Hosted by VMSD Advisory Board members, editorial staff and conference sponsors, these lively discussions present a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from some of the most creative minds in retail design. Choose your top four topics when you register for the conference, and get your table assignments for each day when you arrive. Requests are filled in the order they’re received, so register early to secure your choice of topics.

Windows and Displays: Staying creative throughout the year
Designing retail for the 20-and-under crowd
Questions to ask before hiring a design firm
Different disciplines, similar challenges: What can retail and hospitality designers learn from each other?
Tapping the local community for design inspiration
Color Trends: The role of color in shopper behavior
Little Budget, Big Impact: Visual merchandising on a dime
Visual merchandising trends and ideas
Social media and store design: How to integrate?
Lighting design trends
Signage and Graphics: Updating branding on a budget
Fixtures: Design trends
Digital Media: What resonates with customers and why
Mannequins: Trends and merchandising ideas
Materials and Flooring: Trends and ideas
A beginners guide to green design (terms, trends and more)
The Green Design Movement: Where are we now?
Innovations in green materials
Store Renovations: Making your budget and your deadline
International Markets: How to translate your brand
Urban Retailing: Challenges and opportunities
Better design =better sales: Proving ROI
Corralling creativity: Getting from brainstorm to bricks-and-mortar
Favorite/least favorite trends in retail design

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Iron Merchant Challenge

Teams of IRDC attendees compete in a fun, lively visual merchandising contest to create a unique display in one hour’s time. Attendee votes determine the best of show, and the winning team gets a moment to shine on stage the last morning of the conference—and bragging rights for a full year.

Now in its fifth year, the Iron Merchant Challenge is a can’t-miss, hands-on opportunity to apply your creativity alongside high-level peers from across all retail sectors. If you’d like to participate, check the appropriate box when you register, and we’ll contact you prior to the conference with your team assignment.

Speaker(s): Joe Baer

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Getting Customers to Look Beyond Price

After several years of denial and frugality, customers are fatigued by the cheapest-price message. What’s next? This panel will discuss how companies can grow and innovate now that the market is stabilizing. Hint: It’s about knowing the customer, being open to possibilities and getting a move on!

Speaker(s):

Lee Peterson

Toni Roeller

Mike Quintana

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

European Design Trends

See examples of the “best in class” store design throughout Europe, while learning which materials and colors are hottest right now and how sustainability is worked into design. Expect a sneak peek at what’s on tap for EuroShop 2011, as well, the highly anticipated global trade show taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany, next February.

Speaker(s): Claudia Horbert

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

Visual Merchandising Symposium

Get a look at what the most innovative and creative minds in visual merchandising are doing (and seeing) on the retail scene today, and learn the strategies and trends behind the displays. Bring your questions: This group is ready to talk shop and share ideas.

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s): Eric Feigenbaum

Panelist(s):

Paul Olszewski

James Damian

Tom Beebe

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

The New Wave of Outlet Stores

The outlet store remains a critical part of the brand platform for most power brands, especially now that consumer preferences and priorities have shifted. In this climate, Nautica reinvented its outlet store model; this session discusses the specifics of outlet store considerations and how Nautica embraced them to tell an expanded brand story.

Speaker(s):

David Kepron

Ray Murray

Kim Draper

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

The New Age of Luxury Retailing

Luxury never goes out of style, but around the world, the definition of luxury shopping has changed—perhaps permanently. This provocative panel discussion will talk about how the market has changed, what’s stayed the same, and how retailers are using design to shake things up and compete amidst a whole new shopper mindset.

Speaker(s):

Peter Burgoyne

Pam Levine

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

Thursday, October 14

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Case Study Breakfast

Participating sponsors and their clients walk you through recent projects, show the finished solutions and field your questions—all in 20-minute segments over breakfast

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

GENERAL SESSION: Tech-Enabled Store Design: Do's and Don'ts

The tools and technologies springing up to enhance the shopping experience are phenomenal. But very few retailers have figured out how to use these tools effectively. Jim Crawford, our breakout star speaker at IRDC 2009, returns with a tour of the cutting-edge tech capabilities hitting retail around the world today, while also taking the topic to the next level: How to approach tech-enabled design from a shopper-centric perspective. Learn which retailers are doing it right—and which ones aren’t—to build your own tech-driven success stories in the coming years.

Speaker(s): Jim Crawford

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Retail Trends Across Canada

While Canada hasn’t been immune to the global economic crisis, its retail scene has fared far better than some. This panel, consisting of several of Canada’s brightest design stars, will take us through some of the most notable and exciting projects and trends taking the country by storm.

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s): Richard Hamori

Panelist(s):

Paul Filek

Glenn Pushelberg

Robert Ruscio

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Full Spectrum of Green Design Today

Green retailing continues to flourish. Join our expert panel as they discuss the strategies behind award-winning sustainable store designs and the latest eco-friendly materials and products, as well as ideas for greening the decorative end of retail through window and visual displays.

Speaker(s):

Kevin O'Donnell

Lori Kolthoff

Jo Rossman

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Values-Based Design: The Aesthetics of Social Responsibility

Community, charity or sustainability: Whatever your strategy for stewardship, it’s imperative to know what matters to your customer, position yourself accordingly and stick to it—with integrity and authority. This session takes a deep dive into how to design to the core customer’s values, or to your own corporate values, ultimately attracting like-minded consumers.

Speaker(s):

Maureen Boyer

Alison Carr

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

12:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Networking Roundtable Lunch

Windows and Displays: Staying creative throughout the year
Designing retail for the 20-and-under crowd
Questions to ask before hiring a design firm
Different disciplines, similar challenges: What can retail and hospitality designers learn from each other?
Tapping the local community for design inspiration
Color Trends: The role of color in shopper behavior
Little Budget, Big Impact: Visual merchandising on a dime
Visual merchandising trends and ideas
Social media and store design: How to integrate?
Lighting design trends
Signage and Graphics: Updating branding on a budget
Fixtures: Design trends
Digital Media: What resonates with customers and why
Mannequins: Trends and merchandising ideas
Materials and Flooring: Trends and ideas
A beginners guide to green design (terms, trends and more)
The Green Design Movement: Where are we now?
Innovations in green materials
Store Renovations: Making your budget and your deadline
International Markets: How to translate your brand
Urban Retailing: Challenges and opportunities
Better design =better sales: Proving ROI
Corralling creativity: Getting from brainstorm to bricks-and-mortar
Favorite/least favorite trends in retail design

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Ask the Experts: Grocery

The fiercely competitive grocery sector has gone through many interesting changes over the past couple of years. This panel, composed of some of the biggest names in supermarkets in North America, will discuss the demands of today’s grocery shopper while fielding audience questions on what’s in store for the future.

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Ask the Experts: Department Stores

Department stores are going through radical changes to stay competitive. Our executive panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities in this sector and take your questions on the future of department store retailing.

Speaker(s):

Dave Lindsey

Tracey Peters

William Herbst

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

The 17-Year Itch: The New Shape of Retailing for Gen X and Y

There are indications that following this recession, a prolonged spending slump may be on the horizon. But retailers that take advantage of Gen Y shopping behavior, as well as the new cultural demands of Gen X, will be best prepared to succeed. Take a look at some of the trends shaping up to serve this changing consumer and hear from retailers working to adapt to a new polarized shopping landscape.

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s): Randy Sauer

Panelist(s):

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

Repeat of popular topic

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Friday, October 15

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Continental Breakfast with Open Mic Session NEW FOR 2010

On the last morning of the conference, we’ll assemble a panel of speakers—experts in retail design, visual merchandising, planning and construction—to field questions from the audience and discuss topics submitted by attendees in advance.

Have a burning question you’d like them to address? Email kristy.lohre@stmediagroup.com.

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

GENERAL SESSION: VMSD Awards

Toast the winners of VMSD’s International Visual Competition and Renovation Competition, then find out which team wins the coveted Iron Merchant title for 2010. The finale is the presentation of the Peter Glen Retailer of the Year Award, created in 2001 in honor of the late retail observer, motivational speaker and longtime VMSD columnist. The award is given to the retailer who best exemplifies Glen’s standards of retail excellence: innovation, service and intelligence.

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

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9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

GENERAL SESSION: Peter Glen Retailer of the Year

Speaker(s):

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

CLOSING KEYNOTE: Glocalization: The changes brewing at Starbucks Coffee Company

There is a change in current these days at Starbucks. With stirring new store designs, some “de-branded” locations and a commitment to have all new company owned stores LEED certified starting end of 2010—all within standard store construction budgets—Starbucks is definitely a company on the move. Closing out the conference, Tim Pfeiffer will talk about these efforts and more during his keynote address—infusing just the right jolt of inspiration to send you back home refreshed.

Speaker(s): Tim Pfeiffer

Moderator(s):

Panelist(s):

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Learn from, network with and be inspired by the designers behind some of the world’s most respected retail brands.

IRDC 2010 AGENDA-AT-A-GLANCE

Wednesday, October 13

Thursday, October 14

Friday, October 15