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Hollywood, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2006)—Visual merchandisers from a wide variety of retail firms found NADI's regional Shoptalk events a valuable educational and networking tool.
"It was a fantastic evening to network and review the latest events happening worldwide in retail. I left feeling energized about the direction visual is heading inside stores. A trip to Tokyo is now on my agenda for next year," enthused Brenda Houston, senior director of visual merchandising and store design for David Yurman, after attending Shoptalk New York.
The evening event, presented in four major cities during the past few months, featured a networking reception and a dynamic presentation of retail branding trends. Kate Ancketill, managing director of GDR Creative Intelligence Ltd., a London-based consulting firm, showed the latest trends in visual display, technology, packaging, and brand extension.
"The speaker was great, and the information that she provided was extremely interesting," said Jennifer Hardin, junior store planner of Neiman Marcus Store Development, after attending Shoptalk Dallas, while a Minneapolis attendee noted, "Great presentation! I was excited to share the information with my team members the next day."
The 240 Shoptalk attendees included visual merchandising and design professionals from the likes of adidas, Bailey Banks & Biddle, Blockbuster, Chanel, Clinique, Coach, CompUSA, Gap, Jones Apparel, Kenneth Cole, Limited Brands, New York & Co., Nordstrom, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, The Children's Place, to name a few.
In addition to the presentation, each Shoptalk offered a chance for visual merchandisers to meet and mingle with industry colleagues in the region. Citing the valuable contacts made, one Minneapolis attendee said, "It was a good use of my time."
The networking receptions were provided courtesy of sponsors of each event. Sponsors included Alu Inc., Architectural Systems Inc., B&N Industries, Elevations Inc., FixtureOne, Goldsmith Inc., Reeve Store Equipment Co., and Trimco Display.
Each event was hosted by several current and former NADI board members. Hosts included Judy Bell of Target, Michael Cape of JC Penney, James Damian of Best Buy Co. Inc., Dan Evans of Goldsmith Inc., Ignaz Gorischek of The Neiman Marcus Group Inc., MaryAlice Hughes of Macy’s, Nancy Jackson of Architectural Systems Inc., Lynn Knutson of Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Linda Lombardi of Ann Taylor, Bill McHenry of Elevations Inc., Ron Rodrigues of True Visual, Brad Somberg of B&N Industries, and Richard Stolls of Trimco Display.
Retail professionals can expect more regional Shoptalk events in 2007.
"NADI's Shoptalk is a wonderful, unique platform for meeting fellow professionals, exchanging ideas and learning something new. Holding these regionally offers greater exposure to retailers and their staffs. We look forward to more of these in the years to come and in more locations," says NADI President Bob Rosean, president of ALU.
For more information, contact Denise Rich, 954-893-7300, ext. 4835, deniserich@nadi-global.com.
About NADI
NADI, based in Hollywood, Fla., is the visual merchandising division of NASFM. Members include manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers involved in the visual merchandising industry. |
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