A.R.E. News

PAVE 3D Design Challenge Winners Announced

A University of Cincinnati student, Yuan Zeng, captured top honors in the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's 2012-13 PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge, sponsored by Van Stry Design. This competition, now in its fourth year, offered students a chance to see their designs come to life, gain exposure at a major industry trade show, and win cash awards. Matching the increasingly international nature of retail design, this year's record-breaking 209 entries came from 12 countries. Winners were announced April 16 during the A.R.E. Design Awards program. The challenge was to design a functional headphone fixture and include a 3D rendering of the design for judging. As sponsor and presenter, Mass.-based, Van Stry Design worked with the students with the top 12 designs to produce prototypes. The prototypes were displayed April 16-18 at GlobalShop 2013, where industry professionals got a firsthand look at the work of tomorrow's talent.

Top Winners:
First Place, $5000—Yuan Zeng, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Second Place, $2500—Jade Boyle, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
Third Place, $1500— Oksana Pugajeva, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom and Brice Desportes, ENSAN, Rouen, France

Steep Competition for A.R.E.'s Above & Beyond Award

With eight finalists, this year's Above & Beyond Awards program was the most competitive ever. The customer service award was established in 2006 by A.R.E.'s Retail Council to recognize supplier member companies that have exceeded their retail customers' expectations - and in some cases, made the impossible, possible. This year's recipient, Impressions Marketing Group, based in Lorton, Va., is a three-time winner of the award and was nominated by Ken Chance, director of store design and construction for Total Wine & More, for the company's contributions to a new visual communication strategy for 34 stores on a very ambitious schedule.

Retail Design Competition Announces Winners

Fifty-one project teams rocked record-breaking competition to become this year's retail rock stars. Recognized last night by the Association for Retail Environments at the Hard Rock Café in Chicago, the winning teams beat out the highest number of entries ever to take home a total of 72 awards in 23 categories. New York stores took two of the top three awards: Store of the Year for Tiffany & Co.'s new SoHo location and Visual Presentation of the Year for a Wolverine Company Store neighborhood shop. JanSport Retail Kiosk in Buford, Ga., rounded out the big winners with Fixture of the Year.

Klein Merriman to Retire from A.R.E.

The Association for Retail Environments’ Executive Director, Klein Merriman, has announced his plans to retire in 2013. A.R.E. President Alan Harvill has appointed a search committee that will include Merriman, as well as A.R.E. board members and past presidents, to identify a successor. Vetted Solutions, an executive search firm that specializes in trade associations, has been retained to aid in the search.

Digital Kiosk to Showcase Student Portfolios at GlobalShop

The work of 66 students representing 14 schools and five countries will be available for viewing at GlobalShop, April 16-18, in a new digital portfolio kiosk that will be launched at the show. The kiosk concept and production came from professors Veronica Romano and Craig Berger of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), in coordination with PAVE. Romano, a PAVE board member and CEO of Veronica Romano Creative Services LLC, not only helped implement the project, but also designed the kiosk along with Mona Lisa Tan, a FIT student who won PAVE's Student Design Competition in 2010 and was a finalist in the PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge. B+N Industries is donating and producing the kiosk housing unit, Fresh Juice Global is providing the technology, and Panasonic is supplying the screens. And, GlobalShop is donating space for the kiosk.

FLEETWOOD teams up to support design education

Leesport, Pa.-based custom fixture and furnishings provider FLEETWOOD produced a four-foot sculptural mural designed by students of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) as part of a community-driven initiative. It will be unveiled March 7, 2013 in New York City. Winston, a marketing and creative services firm, backed the initiative in order to give students experience with a real-life business project with Winston as the client. The project is titled "Free-Flow Words of Inspiration" and took three months to complete. Craig Berger, associate chair of visual presentation and exhibition design at FIT said, “This fascinating and unique project is a great illustration of the collaboration between industry and academia in the development of professional processes and implementation management. Hopefully this project can serve as a model for collaborative approaches in the future." FLEETWOOD also works with the Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) in their ongoing efforts to support design students and visual education. FLEETWOOD CBO Bill Goddu said, “FLEETWOOD believes in the power of design. Design education is one of our core values as expressed through our commitment to PAVE. We love the power of collaboration, and we’re proud to have contributed to this exciting project connecting us to talented FIT students and the Winston team.”

A.R.E. Design Awards Announce the Retail Rock Stars

Entrants for A.R.E.'s 2013 Design Awards no longer have to wait to learn if their design will take home an award for the industry's most prestigious design competition. All winners have been notified and the excitement ensues as competitors anticipate the announcement of which award their project will receive. Awards will be presented at the 2013 A.R.E. Design Awards held on the opening evening of GlobalShop, April 16, at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Chicago.

GlobalShop named fastest growing trade show for attendance

Sponsored by A.R.E., Nielsen Exposition's GlobalShop, the world’s largest annual trade show and conference dedicated to store design, visual merchandising, and at-retail marketing, won the overall fastest-growing attendance award at the 3rd annual Trade Show News Network‘s awards gala. The TSNN awards, presented in Louisville, Ky. the weekend of Nov. 2 - 4, 2012, were based on data for the 50 fastest-growing shows from the years 2009-2011 in attendance and net square footage. GlobalShop offers an extensive array of in-store solutions with over 10,000 products on display and more than 600 suppliers exhibiting.

PAVE Announces Rising Star Award Finalists

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) is pleased to announce the three finalists of the foundation's 2012 Rising Star Award. Retailers, designers, and industry suppliers were invited to nominate individuals 40 years or younger who have shown great talent in implementing visions for their own companies or clients. The 2012 Rising Star Award finalists are:
Brandon Avery, Senior Creative Director and Environmental Design Group Leader, Interbrand Design Forum
Ryan Brazelton, Design Director, FITCH, Inc.
Brian Guze, Director Design, Design East, Starbucks Coffee Company
The award presentation and announcement of the winner will take place Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, during the 16th Annual PAVE Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

PAVE Unveils New Web Site

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership launched a redesign of its website. The new site offers quick and easy access to essential information about the educational foundation for the retail environments community. The website boasts a modern, colorful design and streamlined user experience. The site is divided into five sections: For Student, For Supporters, Winners, Press and About. Each page provides detailed information on all the aspects of the organization's functioning. To see the new site and learn more about the retail industry's educational foundations, visit www.paveinfo.org.

Retail Rockstars: 2013 Retail Design Awards

Entries are now being accepted for the 2013 A.R.E. Design Awards, themed "Retail Rockstars." Now in its 42nd year, the program is the longest-running industry competition, offering more media coverage than any other competition of its kind. Retail design firms, retailers and retail environments suppliers submit projects installed in a retail environment in 2012 in one of 16 store or shop categories. During the entry process, it's easy to add on consideration of the entry into the A.R.E. Sustainability Awards or store element categories-store fixtures, visual merchandising, lighting, in-store communications, flooring and wall treatments.

Top Forecasters Set to Share Trends at Retail Design Collective

Scheduled for December 5-7, 2012, A.R.E.'s Retail Design Collective focuses on retail design and visual merchandising. Trend forecasting experts will lead daily conference sessions on design and visual merchandising trends for retail environments, along with a panel discussion on the reinvention of department stores. Smaller sessions, sponsored by media partners DDI, Stylus, and VMSD, will be held in 7 West's Retail Lounge and will be more focused. At press time, three dozen companies have signed on with showroom or sponsorships for the A.R.E Retail Design Collective.

Join us at PAVE's 16th Annual Gala

The 16th Annual PAVE Gala takes place Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. This must-attend industry event supports retail design and visual merchandising talent, while bringing industry luminaries together for an extended networking reception, dinner, awards, and after party.

Retailers Rev Up for Fall 2012 Shoptalks

A.R.E. Shoptalks -- the popular, educational networking events -- return this fall with a variety of topics and formats. In New York, Sept. 5, Lifestyle/Trimco and Miss America deliver insights into the "Miss America" brand. A cocktail party and celebrity auction follow the presentation. In Dallas, Sept. 27, Fossil will open their new headquarters for tours. The 2012 A.R.E. Design Trends Report covering the latest retail design trends will be presented.

Call for PAVE 2012 Rising Star nominations

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) is accepting nominations for its 6th Annual Rising Star Award to recognize young retail visionaries. We’re looking for designers, visual merchandisers, store planners, and project managers who are proven innovators, and leaders, among peers. Retailers, designers, and industry suppliers are invited to nominate individuals who have shown great talent in implementing visions for their own companies or clients. Nominations are free and easy to do; forms and more information are available at www.paveinfo.org or click on the press release. The deadline is Oct. 12, 2012.

PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge opens

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) announces its 2012-2013 PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge for college students in store design, interior design, visual merchandising, and industrial design programs. It is sponsored by Van Stry Design. Finalists will work with Van Stry to produce a prototype of their designs for display at GlobalShop 2013. To enter, students are asked to design and create a 3D model or rendering of a store fixture that communicates an existing brand of headphones. The design should invite customers to walk up to it, try on headphones, and walk away informed and delighted by the interaction. Cash awards total $13,000, with first place receiving $5,000. Entries are due Nov. 16, 2012.

PAVE’s Student Design Competition enters 18th year

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) opens its 18th annual Student Design Competition for college-level students in retail planning, merchandising, and branding programs. This year’s sponsor is B+N Industries. Brad Somber, president of B+N Industries said, “We have partnered with Bonobos to provide the ultimate creative challenge for students. Since Bonobos is currently an online company, the students will have a blank slate to work with.” The competition features a store design challenge to design a pop-up shop and a visual merchandising challenge to design a window display and an entryway display area. Last year’s competition drew 495 entries from four continents. Awards for this competition are grants totaling $27,000 to students and schools. Entries are due Nov. 1, 2012.

GlobalShop ranks in 2012 TSNN Trade Show awards

GlobalShop, the world’s largest annual tradeshow and conference dedicated to store design, visual merchandising, and at-retail marketing, placed in the top 25 of the Trade Show News Network‘s 2012 Top 50 Fastest-growing Trade Shows. The TSNN award ranked GlobalShop based on attendance growth between 2009 and 2011. Tim Fearney, GlobalShop show director, reports two straight years of double-digit attendance increases at the event. A.R.E. sponsors GlobalShop, which offers an extensive array of in-store solutions with over 10,000 products on display and more than 600 suppliers exhibiting.

Retail Design Collective brings new ideas, innovation and inspiration

New York, NY (March 28, 2012) — A.R.E.’s Retail Design Collective, scheduled for Dec. 5-7, 2012, will feature a new conference and showroom format, with an expanded lineup of both new and returning showrooms. New York, NY (Narch 28, 2012) — A.R.E.’s Retail Design Collective, scheduled for Dec. 5-7, 2012, will feature a new conference and showroom format, with an expanded lineup of both new and returning showrooms.

PAVE Accepting Nominations for 2011 Rising Star Award

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) calls for nominations for its 5th Annual Rising Star Award to recognize young retail visionaries. Retailers are invited to nominate individuals (under 40 years of age) working in retail design, visual presentation, or contract design who are proven innovators and leaders among peers. This free award program seeks nominees who demonstrate originality; passion for their work; intuitive decision making; a willingness to take risks; ambition; persistence and resourcefulness to achieve effective results; a big-picture, "what's next?" mindset; professionalism and appropriate business etiquette; and the desire to seek inspiration from unexpected sources.

PAVE launches PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge for Students

The newest opportunity for students to gain prototyping experience and industry-wide exposure has just been launched with the 2011-2012 PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge. The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) offers this contest, sponsored and presented by B+N Industries,to give students a chance to see their designs come to life, win cash awards, and showcase their work at a major industry event, GlobalShop 2012.

PAVE Accepting Applications for Student Aid Program and Helping Hand Fund Grants

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) is now accepting applications for its 2011 grant programs, benefiting college students and educational institutions. PAVE has awarded $75,000 in grants over the last three years to students and schools to benefit the industry's future. The Student Aid Program, now in its third year, provides financial assistance to students in educational programs preparing them for careers in the retail design and planning, and visual merchandising industries who are experiencing financial difficulties that may prevent them from continuing school. PAVE's Helping Hand Fund provides grant funds to accredited two- and four-year educational institutions to enhance the quality of programs and services for students in programs leading to careers in the retail design and planning and visual merchandising industries.

PAVE's 2011 Student Design Competition Sponsored by Sephora

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) continues to shape tomorrow's retail designers and visual merchandisers with the launch of its 17th annual Student Design Competition. Open to college-level students in retail planning, merchandising, and branding programs, the competition is incorporated into the curriculum of many schools due to the hands-on experience it affords students. With a global reach (last year's competition drew 440 entries from four continents), the competition focuses on store design and visual merchandising challenges for high-profile retail brands. Sponsoring this year's competition is beauty trailblazer Sephora, known for presenting a range of brands in a consistent and compelling way in its 400-plus stores worldwide. "All of us on the PAVE Board are proud to have Sephora as the sponsor for this year's Student Design Competition. Key retailer support such as Sephora is providing is so important to help educate the upcoming young talent with real-world design challenges. This also creates an awareness with students of opportunities and the potential of an exciting career in our industry," said Denny Gerdeman, PAVE president and co-founder and CEO of Chute Gerdeman.

Fall Shoptalks mark debut of A.R.E. Design Trends Report

A.R.E.'s Fall round of Shoptalks returns to Dallas and San Francisco, when the popular educational and networking events up the ante with the premiere presentations of A.R.E.'s first-ever Design Trends Report. The report is being developed through a comprehensive review of A.R.E.'s extensive library of cutting-edge new retail projects and displays. The thoroughly researched and well-presented report will be organized into trend stories to provide attendees with inspiration for their upcoming design challenges. "At A.R.E., we have realized we are sitting on a treasure trove of information that can benefit retailers and designers," said Executive Director Klein Merriman. "Because our goal as the industry's non-profit association is to grow the industry, we intend for this new report to serve as an industry-wide resource for design trends and creative inspiration."

Retail Design Collective Builds Momentum

Following a successful 2010 event, A.R.E.'s Retail Design Collective (formerly The NADI Show) is poised for continued growth in 2011. Retail Design Collective, scheduled for December 7-9, 2011, will offer retailers a unique showroom event with an exclusive collection of the world's top visual and design resources. The showroom format provides attendees with an unmatched opportunity to view product lines in depth, while also gaining inspiration from the creative showroom displays. New ancillary events are planned for 2011, including a color and materials trend seminar and attendee party.