A.R.E. Press Releases

Hollywood, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2011)—PAVE's support of tomorrow's retail designers and visual merchandisers continues to grow. The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) will award $21,000 in grants to students and $6,000 in school awards based on the winning entries of its 2011 Student Design Competition. Judging took place Nov. 15, 2011, at Sephora's offices in San Francisco. The competition was geared toward college-level students involved in retail planning, visual merchandising, interior design, and branding programs. PAVE thanks Sephora, the sponsor of this year's competition, and all of the judges, educators, and students who participated. The winners will be recognized at the 15th Annual Gala in New York on Dec. 7, 2011.

 

"I was incredibly impressed with the caliber of the student submissions in terms of both the thought invested in the strategic framework of their work and the ultimate visualization of each concept. It's invigorating and thought-provoking to see the fresh perspective on our brand. It's equally exciting to know that the future of our industry will thrive in the hands of the impressive talents developing at the educational level," said Paul O. Loux, vice president of design for Sephora.

 

Congratulations to the following PAVE 2011 Student Design Competition Winners:

Visual Merchandising Category

$5,000 First Place: Natasha Melo, FIT/Fashion Institute of Technology

$2,500 Second Place: Joanna Chen, University of Cincinnati

$1,500 Third Place: Florence Tang, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

 

Store Design Category

$5,000 First Place: Liz Baverman, University of Cincinnati

$2,500 Second Place: Kayla Reinbold, University of Cincinnati

$1,500 Third Place: Tracey Wright, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

$500 Honorable Mention: Sarah Hitchcock, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

$500 Honorable Mention: Lily Parker, University College Falmouth

$500 Honorable Mention: Rajiv Patel, Art Institute of Atlanta

$500 Honorable Mention: Diana Stercula, University of Cincinnati

$500 Honorable Mention: Hope Talley, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

$500 Honorable Mention: Carrie Zwisler, Colorado State University

 

School Awards for Students Placing in the Top Three of Each Category

$3,000 University of Cincinnati

$1,000 FIT/Fashion Institute of Technology

$1,000 FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

$1,000 University of North Carolina at Greensboro

 

This year's winners faced a competitive field of a record-breaking 495 entries, including 429 in the overall store design category and 66 in the visual merchandising category.

 

Judging the 2011 competition were: Jason Arth, Director, Store Design, Sephora, San Francisco; Barry Bourbon, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Studio Director, Gensler, San Francisco; Christian Davies, Executive Creative Director, Americas, Fitch, Columbus; Barbara Emerson, Vice President, Store Design, Sephora, San Francisco; Denny Gerdeman, CEO, Chute Gerdeman, Columbus; John Giacomazzi, Senior Director, Visual Merchandising, Sephora, San Francisco; Rebecca Huston, Principle, Strategy, Huen, Portland; Paul O. Loux, Vice President, Design, Sephora, San Francisco; Bob Welty, Executive Director, Design & Brand, WD Partners, San Francisco; and Craig Wollen, Principal, Creative Director, Huen, Portland.

 

Note for editors: PAVE can provide contacts for interviews. Contact Catharine Scott, above, for more information. Details about the design challenges for the 2011 Student Design Competition are available here.

 

Hollywood, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2011)—PAVE is providing tools to help shape the next generation of designers in San Francisco and Atlanta. PAVE's 2011 Helping Hand Fund grants will enable FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and the Savannah College of Art and Design to enhance their programs with technology. Created in 2008 by the Planning and Visual Education partnership (PAVE), the Helping Hand Fund provides grants to accredited educational institutions to enhance the quality of programs and services for students entering into careers in the retail design and planning, visual merchandising, and interior design industries.

 

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising was awarded $10,000 to add a Workroom Technology Station to its newly acquired Visual Communications Studio on the San Francisco campus. With 12 pieces of equipment, the station will support the creative process for an estimated 250 students per year by improving the efficiency of students' design processes, follow-through, and overall learning experience.

 

Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta was awarded $5,000 to create an iPad lab benefitting 145 students per year. The lab will be available for professors to check out for a studio class. Students and faculty will use the devices throughout the creative design process to conduct research, diagram, sketch, and create presentations.

 

Award decisions were made by a PAVE Board task force. Grant applicants were required to have had at least three students participate in PAVE's 2011 Student Design Competition, sponsored by Sephora, or 2011-12 PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge, sponsored by B+N Industries.

A.R.E.'s December store design and visual merchandising event includes educational sessions, the annual industry benefit, and 37 showrooms full of design inspiration

NEW YORK, NY (Nov. 18, 2011)—America's leading retail store designers and visual merchandisers will gather in New York next month for A.R.E.'s Retail Design Collective, the industry's important winter market week. Their busy schedules include visits to the 37 participating showrooms, daily conference sessions, the annual PAVE Gala and tours of the city's holiday displays.
 
About 1,000 retail store designers and visual merchandisers are expected at the Dec. 7-9 market, which is headquartered at 7 W New York, 7 W. 34th St. (Note: A list of attending retail organizations appears below.)
 
Kicking off this year's event is a new pre-show trends symposium, sponsored by Material ConneXion, Pantone and Stylus. "Retail Design Dossier: An Insider Briefing On Materials, Colors and Trends," will feature Material ConneXion's Ana Linares, Pantone's Laurie Pressman, Stylus' Louise Chidgey and Ryan Ross, and moderator Peter Tolin Baker. These trends experts will share their trend insights in this special symposium to be held at Material ConneXion Tuesday, December 6 from 1:30-5 p.m.
 
Show media partner DDI will offer "Distinctive Visual: Employing Creative Visual Merchandising to Define Your Brand" on Wednesday, December 7 from 9:30-11 a.m. Speakers at this session include Richard Moore of Tiffany & Co., Judy Bell of Target Corp., and Winston Wm. Wright of Toys R Us, moderated by DDI's Alison Embrey Medina.
 
Thursday morning, December 8, media partner VMSD will present "On The Avenue," focusing on the latest retail concepts and store design trends on New York's Fifth Avenue. Speakers include Harry Cunningham of Saks Fifth Avenue, Les Hiscoe of Shawmut Design and Construction and Eric Feigenbaum of LIM College, moderated by VMSD's Anne DiNardo.
 
On Friday morning, December 9, PAVE (the Planning and Visual Education Partnership) will offer a special session on "Next Gen Retail Design: How Emerging Leaders Are Shaking Things Up." This panel of emerging leaders will share their thoughts... where they go for inspiration, what they see in the future for store design and visual merchandising, and more. Speakers include Leonard Barszap of d-ash design, Rachel Zsembery of Bergmeyer Associates , and Corinne Keddie of KAI, moderated by Denny Gerdeman of Chute Gerdeman.
 
Evenings will be booked as well-especially Wednesday evening, December 7, when the annual PAVE Gala will be held at Cipriani Wall Street. The annual industry fund-raiser is sold out, with more than 600 retail and design professionals committed to be part of this important event that benefits retail design students.
 
Retail Design Collective's unique showroom format provides an unmatched opportunity for retailers to view product lines in depth, while also gaining inspiration from the innovative displays. Products on display this year include mannequins, seasonal décor, store fixtures, interactive technology, signage/graphics, flooring, materials and more.
 
Participating showrooms and sponsors are: Ace Designs, Adel Rootstein Mannequins, Almax, Alpha Display, Alu, Architectural Systems, B&N Industries, Bernstein Display/MC, Chippenhook, Creative Realities Inc., Cubic, DK Display, Elevations Inc., Fleetwood, Gargoyles Ltd., Greneker, Goldsmith, Holiday Foliage, Holiday Image Inc., JPMA Global, Leo Prager, Lifestyle/Trimco, Material ConneXion, Materials Inc., Manex/France Display, Media Graph Inc., MG Concepts, Mondo Mannequins, Patina-V, RHO, RPG, Siegel & Stockman/Superior Model Form, Silvestri California, Universal Display, Visplay, Visual Magnetics and Zumtobel Lighting.

For more information, visit www.retaildesigncollective.com. Contact Karen Schaffner for press credentials. Retail Design Collective is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Hollywood, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2011)—Two recent surveys conducted by the Association for Retail Environments confirm not only that much of retail's expansion and growth will take place beyond North America, but that 67% of respondents depend on North American vendors to source fixtures, displays, and other products and services for international projects.
 
A.R.E. conducted a State of the Industry survey with retail executives and a Trends in International Business survey, with A.R.E. member suppliers of retail environments products and services, in late August.
 
"This illustrates that the expertise of A.R.E.'s member companies's now extends well beyond capabilities in global sourcing for North American projects.  Our members are working with their North American-based clients to take advantage of growth opportunities around the world," said Klein Merriman, A.R.E.'s executive director. 

 
A few more highlights from the surveys:
 
* Retail expansion is more international than domestic
68% of retailers are expanding more rapidly (or at least as rapidly) internationally as in North America, including: 
- 37% surveyed say they are expanding more rapidly internationally than in North America
- 31% say their expansion is evently split between international and North America
 
* Size matters when it comes to international expansion
Larger chains (those over 1,000 locations) are more likely to expand more rapidly internationally than in North America. Retailers with over 2,000 locations show the greatest percentage of their growth in international locations compared to their domestic expansion plans (47% of retailer respondents say they are expanding more rapidly internationally than in North America; 18% say they are expanding more rapidly in North America).
 
* Retailers depend on North American retail environments providers for international expansion
Over half (69%) of retailers say they work with North American vendors when they source fixtures, displays, and other products and services for their international locations. And more than half of those retailers (36% overall) say they will continue to work with their established vendors for as long as possible.
 
The view from the supply side
* Over half (69%) of A.R.E.'s North American members provide retail environments products or services to retail projects outside North America
 
* For a third of A.R.E. member companies, international projects now make up 10% or more of their total sales.
 
*Over half (63%) of A.R.E. members who are doing business internationally are working for their existing domestic retailer clients as they expand beyond North America.
 
* Expectations are for the international market to continue to grow in importance
- 52% of A.R.E. member suppliers of fixtures, displays, and other retail environments products and services say they have experienced success in the international market
- 39% expect future growth in international projects

The results were compiled in an infographic for Retail Environments magazine and published in the November/December 2011 issue. The infographic was designed specifically for A.R.E. by KarBel Multimedia, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Click the image above for a larger version. Printed and digital use are permitted if properly attributed to A.R.E.

Retail Environments Magazine launched its new public version in November/December. The magazine, with its newly increased circulation to retailers as well as industry suppliers, builds on A.R.E.'s already extensive cadre of retail-focused products, including the powerful Supplier|Connect multi-platform sourcing center, its sponsorship of GlobalShop, the A.R.E. Design Awards, A.R.E. Retail Design Collective, A.R.E. Shoptalks and more. The magazine reaches an audience of more than 10,000 retail professionals and over 5,000 industry design firms, suppliers, and other industry professionals.

About A.R.E.
The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is a Hollywood, Fla.-based non-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. More than 600 member companies include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design, and more.

Record-breaking donations, fundraiser, competition entries mark success of PAVE-A.R.E. partnership

Hollywood, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2011)—PAVE continues to set records across its expanding variety of offerings. A non-profit educational foundation, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) helps to grow a future talent pool and foster professional development in the retail environments industry with competitions, scholarships, grants, internship matching, and other programs. The foundation's success has grown exponentially since the Association for Retail Environments began managing it in 2006. Record-breaking participation from both the industry professional and the academic segments is enabling the foundation to plan for enhanced program offerings in 2012.

 

Thanks to the generosity of A.R.E. members, PAVE raised over $77,000 from nearly 20 companies at the recent A.R.E. Convention and Industry Summit in Palm Beach, Fla. And with 600 seats, the 2011 PAVE Gala, to be held Dec. 7 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, is sold out. Among the awards to be presented at the annual fundraiser are the PAVE Rising Star Award and the PAVE Student Design Competition.

  

The competition is one of two PAVE competitions for college students that drew record numbers of entries this year from increasingly international competitors. A total of 495 entries are vying for awards in the Student Design Competition sponsored by Sephora, while the PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge sponsored by B+N Industries attracted 190 entries from 10 countries. Winners of the 3D competition will be announced Feb. 29 during the A.R.E. Design Awards in Las Vegas. Prototypes of the top 12 designs will be on display Feb. 29-March 2, 2012, in Booth 4013 at GlobalShop.

 

PAVE has rolled out a number of new programs in recent years, including:

• Helping Hands grant program - 2008
• PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge - 2009
• Student Aid Program - 2009
• Internship program - 2011
• Scholarships - 2011

The successful PAVE-A.R.E. partnership will continue in 2012, when a Student Day at GlobalShop will be added to PAVE's program list. To get involved, visit PAVE.

About PAVE
Founded in 1992, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's (PAVE) objective is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. Additionally, PAVE seeks to encourage retail management, store planners, visual merchandisers, architects, and manufacturers to interact with and support design students. These objectives are accomplished through competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, and grants and scholarships funded by the annual Gala and other fundraising activities. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by A.R.E.

About A.R.E.
The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is a Hollywood, Fla.-based non-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. More than 600 member companies include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design, and more.

Competition Sponsored and Presented by B+N Industries

Hollywood, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2011)—The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) is pleased to announce the top 12 projects for the 2011-2012 PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge, sponsored by B+N Industries. This competition, now in its third year, offers students a chance to see their designs come to life, gain exposure at a major industry trade show, and win cash awards. PAVE received 190 entries from 10 countries.

The top 12 projects are from the following students:

Maggie Benson, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Alexia Butts, Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
Elyse Falato, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
Kelvin Harly and Ayako Otani, California State University of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Anastasia Ivanova, Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, Kouvola, Finland
Aurielle Jones, Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
Sangin Kwon, Sangmyung University, Cheonan and Minwook Gwon, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
Michael C. Lewandowski, Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nikola Matovicova, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
Alan Oakes, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Stewart Macintosh Wegman, Savannah College of Art & Design, Atlanta, GA
Justin T. Willard, Miami University, Oxford, OH

 
Brad Somberg, president, of B+N Industries, believes the competition has reached a new level of sophistication, noting that the judges were amazed at the level of thought and inspiration that went into this year's entries. "You could see the amount of research and emotion that the students used to recreate the notion of cosmetic makeovers. We are all excited by not only the student's entries but also by the educators that are guiding these students and supporting their visions. Thank you to everyone that embraced this challenge and especially to those that made it to the finals," he says.
 
The challenge was to design a functional makeover station and include a 3D rendering of the design for judging. As sponsor and presenter of the challenge, Burlingame, Calif.-based B+N Industries will now work with the students with the top 12 designs to produce prototypes of their designs for display at GlobalShop 2012, where the prototypes will be displayed in booth #4013. The student winners will be announced during A.R.E.'s Design Awards program Wed., Feb. 29, 2012, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
 
Judging the competition were: Jason Friend, Designer, B+N Industries, Burlingame, Calif.; Kelvin Lee, Industrial Designer, B+N Industries, Burlingame, Calif.; Kevin McPhee, Creative Director, B+N Industries, Burlingame, Calif.; Alison Embrey Medina, Executive Editor, DDI Magazine, Atlanta, Ga.; Deborah Probst, Senior Director, Store Design & Construction, Bare Escentuals, San Francisco, Calif.; Brad Somberg, President, B+N Industries, Burlingame, Calif.; and Shawn Thrapp, Event Production and Director of Visual Merchandising, Nordstrom, San Francisco, Calif.
 
Click here for details on the competition.

About PAVE
Founded in 1992, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's (PAVE) objective is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. Additionally, PAVE seeks to encourage retail management, store planners, visual merchandisers, architects, and manufacturers to interact with and support design students. These objectives are accomplished through competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, and grants and scholarships funded by the annual Gala and other fundraising activities. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by A.R.E.

About B+N Industries

B+N Industries is an innovative designer and manufacturer of products and systems for the retail, architectural, and consumer industries. The company focuses on fresh, fun, and functional approaches to solutions that enhance environments. With the launch of Iconic™Carved Relief Panels, B+N has secured a new way of providing new technologies and design options for the contract, retail, and hospitality industry. From the ever-popular Puck™ hardware System, to the tension Cable™ System, the Sorbetti™ Freestanding Pole System, and the new Graphic Cubes and Quadri™ Frame Systems for display, B+N offers variety and creativity to merchandising, display, shelving, and contract needs. With over 80,000 square feet of local manufacturing with advanced CNC technology, the ability to source manufacturing throughout the world, and over 90,0000 square feet of warehousing, B+N can accommodate virtually any size of project rollout and distribution. B+N continually works to provide new solutions to the ever-changing interiors markets and to bring a fresh outlook to the industry.

About GlobalShop

GlobalShop is the largest annual trade show of its kind, attracting leaders in the retail design industry from all over the world. Retailers, store designers, visual merchandisers, and brand managers attend GlobalShop each year to find inspiration and the latest trends in retail design, in-store marketing, and technology.

Hollywood, Fla. (Oct. 24, 2011)—The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) has awarded $12,000 in grants to students through its 2011 Student Aid Program.
 
Created in 2009, PAVE's Student Aid Program assists students who are experiencing financial difficulties that may hinder their ability to continue their schooling. This grant program supports students with the intent of providing for basic needs such as food, housing, books, tuition, health insurance, medical bills, utilities, and transportation.
 
For the first time in the history of the grant program, an additional two need-based awards valued at $2,000 were provided to students through direct donations to the program by individual donors. The Student Aid Grant donation option enables individuals to expand the opportunities for students in need.
 
The $12,000 in grants were distributed to nine students representing nine schools across North America: Buffalo State College, Colorado State University, Design Institute of San Diego, Miami University, O'More College of Design, University of Louisiana, University of Memphis, University of Wisconsin-Stout, and Western Kentucky University.
 
"This marks the third year that PAVE has awarded financial aid to students in need who are pursuing their design education. The decision process was difficult and emotional and the entire selection committee was overwhelmed with the serious need for help that so many students are facing in today's economy," said Denny Gerdeman, PAVE President and CEO of Chute Gerdeman. "This is one of the programs PAVE supports to ensure that the retail industry has talented designers for the future. All of the PAVE board members thank the retail environments community for their generosity and support. This is the mission of PAVE."
 
Students were required to submit a grant application, a letter explaining their need for aid, a letter from an educator or academic advisor, and a copy of their transcript to request aid.
 
Grant requests were reviewed by a panel of PAVE board members: Richard Ernest, Crown Metal Manufacturing Co.; Denny Gerdeman, Chute Gerdeman; Veronica Romano, Fashion Institute of Technology and Veronica Romano Creative Services LLC; and Richard Stolls, Lifestyle/Trimco Inc.
 
To make a donation to PAVE, please click here.

About PAVE
Founded in 1992, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's (PAVE) objective is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. Additionally, PAVE seeks to encourage retail management, store planners, visual merchandisers, architects, and manufacturers to interact with and support design students. These objectives are accomplished through competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, and grants and scholarships funded by the annual Gala and other fundraising activities. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by A.R.E.

A.R.E.'s December store design and visual merchandising event offers 34 showrooms full of design inspiration

Hollywood, Fla. (Oct 7, 2011)—There will be plenty of options for retail store designers and visual merchandisers to get their annual infusion of inspiration and new ideas at this year's A.R.E. Retail Design Collective. The December 7-9 event continues to add showrooms and educational opportunities, with seven new showrooms and a new pre-show trends symposium.



About 1,000 retail store designers and visual merchandisers are expected at this year's show, as they come to New York seeking design inspiration and new ideas to create excitement in their stores in 2012.

Retail Design Collective's showroom format provides an unmatched opportunity for retailers to view product lines in depth, while also gaining inspiration from the innovative displays. Products on display this year include mannequins, seasonal décor, store fixtures, interactive technology, signage/graphics, flooring, materials and more.



The annual December market week has become a must-attend event, as it offers the largest collection of store design showrooms in the world. Although the participating showrooms are scattered throughout Manhattan, show headquarters are located at 7 W New York. The retail showroom building at 7 W. 34th St. will host registration, conference sessions and a number of permanent and temporary showrooms.

New this year is a pre-show trends symposium, sponsored by Material ConneXion, Pantone and Stylus. Daily conference sessions, presented by the show's media partners, will focus on store design and visual merchandising trends. Topping off the show's opening day will be the PAVE Gala, which has become the industry's must-attend networking and fund-raising event. The gala dinner and awards event benefits retail design students. 



Participating companies at press time included: Adel Rootstein Mannequins, Almax, Alpha Display, Alu, Architectural Systems, B&N Industries, Bernstein Display/MC, Chippenhook, Creative Realities Inc., Cubic, DK Display, Elevations Inc., Fleetwood, Gargoyles Ltd., Greneker, Goldsmith, Holiday Foliage, Holiday Image Inc., JPMA Global, Leo Prager, Lifestyle-Trimco, Material ConneXion, Materials Inc., Manex/France Display, Media Graph Inc., MG Concepts, Mondo Mannequins, Patina-V, RHO, RPG, Siegel & Stockman/Superior Model Form, Silvestri California, Universal Display and Visplay.



Media partners for the 2011 Retail Design Collective are VMSD, DDI and Retail Environments.



For more information, visit www.retaildesigncollective.com or contact Karen Schaffner. Retail Design Collective is also on Facebook and Twitter.
 
A.R.E. (The Association for Retail Environments) is a Hollywood, Fla.-based non-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. More than 600 member companies in clude store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design, and more.

Hollywood, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2011)—Entries are now being accepted for the A.R.E. Design Awards. Now in its 41st year, this program is the longest-running industry competition offering more media coverage than any other competition of its kind. Click here for a look back at last year's winners.

Entering your store and store elements into retail design's premier awards program is easier than ever. With one online account, an applicant can enter multiple projects, save partially completed entries and return to them later.  
 
Entries can easily be considered for the A.R.E. Sustainability Awards or additional store fixtures, visual merchandising, lighting, in-store communications, flooring and wall treatments by completing a few extra fields. The Association for Retail Environments is accepting submissions into 16 store and shop categories, plus the seven add-ons, for a total of 23 areas of consideration and chances to win.
 
Why do you want to enter and win? To complement this year's awards theme, entrants that provide us with the most creative responses to this question (via the entry form) will get their quotes recognized on the web site and during the awards presentation. So let's get creative and have some fun! 

A.R.E. members paid in full qualify for dramatic discounts on entries. Enter by the early bird deadline, Dec. 1, 2011, and save even more. The final deadline is Dec. 15, 2011.

Click here for awards details
 
Click here for a list of judges
 
Click here for a list of member benefits

Hollywood, Fla. (Aug. 16, 2011)—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.
 
Any retail organization may nominate individuals by completing the electronic nomination form and submitting it to PAVE by Oct. 14, 2011. The nominee can be a member of the retail organization, a retail designer, or an industry supplier with whom the retailer works closely. There is no charge to enter.
 
Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals. Finalists will be recognized and the winner presented with the award during the PAVE Gala, Dec 7, 2011, at Cipriani Wall Street, New York City.
 
The deadline for nominations is Oct. 14, 2011. The electronic nomination form and more information are available here. Contact PAVE at 954-241-4834 with questions.

Editor's note: For the Rising Star logo, please contact Dori Zinn here.

 

About PAVE
Founded in 1992, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's (PAVE) objective is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. Additionally, PAVE seeks to encourage retail management, store planners, visual merchandisers, architects, and manufacturers to interact with and support design students. These objectives are accomplished through competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, and grants and scholarships funded by the annual Gala and other fundraising activities. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by A.R.E.

Competition sponsored and presented by B+N Industries


Hollywood, Fla. (Aug. 10, 2011)—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. College students in accredited store design, interior design, visual merchandising, and industrial design programs are invited to design a 3D floor fixture for this competition. Finalists will work with B+N Industries to produce a prototype of their design for display at GlobalShop, which will be held in Las Vegas, Feb. 29-March 2, 2012, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center.

"PAVE is honored to have B+N Industries sponsor the Challenge again this year. Unlike other design competitions, the 3D Design Challenge allows talented young designers to actually see their designs in real life. B+N's willingness to sponsor the competition and build the displays demonstrates their commitment to the future of our industry," said Denny Gerdeman, PAVE president and president of Chute Gerdeman.

This is B&N Industries' third year sponsoring the challenge. Brad Somberg, president of the fixture company, said, "My creative staff, my production staff, and the rest of the company are excited to see the student's entries. They have blocked out their calendars and are awaiting the opportunity to work with the students to design develop the winning entries. We are proud to have had the opportunity to launch this program and to have given back to the design community by showcasing the talent of our industry's students."

In the two years it has been shown at GlobalShop, the finalists' prototype display has already become an important part of the show, added Tim Fearney, show director of Nielsen Expositions. "It's great to see the creativity and budding expertise of the next generation of designers. They're the future of our industry and this is a great way to introduce them to their future colleagues and peers. The PAVE the Way 3D Design Challenge has become an attraction at GlobalShop and we look forward to seeing it again this year. It's really cool to see what these students come up with."

The deadline for entries is Oct. 21, 2011. Visit the website for details and entry forms.

About PAVE
Founded in 1992, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's (PAVE) objective is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. Additionally, PAVE seeks to encourage retail management, store planners, visual merchandisers, architects, and manufacturers to interact with and support design students. These objectives are accomplished through competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, and grants and scholarships funded by the annual Gala and other fundraising activities. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by A.R.E.

About B+N Industries

B+N Industries is an innovative designer and manufacturer of products and systems for the retail, architectural, and consumer industries. The company focuses on fresh, fun, and functional approaches to solutions that enhance environments. With the launch of Iconic™Carved Relief Panels, B+N has secured a new way of providing new technologies and design options for the contract, retail, and hospitality industry. From the ever-popular Puck™ hardware System, to the tension Cable™ System, the Sorbetti™ Freestanding Pole System, and the new Graphic Cubes and Quadri™ Frame Systems for display, B+N offers variety and creativity to merchandising, display, shelving, and contract needs. With over 80,000 square feet of local manufacturing with advanced CNC technology, the ability to source manufacturing throughout the world, and over 90,0000 square feet of warehousing, B+N can accommodate virtually any size of project rollout and distribution. B+N continually works to provide new solutions to the ever-changing interiors markets and to bring a fresh outlook to the industry.

About GlobalShop

GlobalShop is the largest annual trade show of its kind, attracting leaders in the retail design industry from all over the world. Retailers, store designers, visual merchandisers, and brand managers attend GlobalShop each year to find inspiration and the latest trends in retail design, in-store marketing, and technology.

Hollywood, Fla (Aug. 9, 2011)—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. The program was developed to help ensure a future talent pool for the industry by eliminating barriers to studying in these fields. The funds assist students who are experiencing financial difficulties that may prevent them from continuing school. Guidelines, requirements, and the application can be found here. The deadline for applications is Oct. 3, 2011.

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. Now in its fourth year, the Helping Hand Fund will award up to $15,000 in grants to educational institutions. Grant award amounts will be based on the size and scope of the program for which the applicant requests funding. A task force will review grant requests meeting the criteria to determine award decisions. All applications, including required attachments, must be received on or before Oct. 28, 2011. To be eligible for a grant, the school must have at least three students participating in PAVE's 2011 Student Design Competition. For eligibility criteria and a grant application, please click here.

About PAVE
Founded in 1992, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's (PAVE) objective is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. Additionally, PAVE seeks to encourage retail management, store planners, visual merchandisers, architects, and manufacturers to interact with and support design students. These objectives are accomplished through competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, and grants and scholarships funded by the annual Gala and other fundraising activities. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation administered by A.R.E.

HOLLYWOOD, FL (August 3, 2011) -- In November, A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments) will launch the "new" Retail Environments magazine, with expanded circulation to retailers along with top-quality, business-focused editorial content.
 
As the industry's not-for-profit trade association, A.R.E. is dedicated to advancing the retail environments industry. The repositioning of the magazine is designed to further that mission and to support its members and the industry as a whole.
 
"In a world that is changing more rapidly than ever before, A.R.E. takes its role as the voice of the retail environments industry seriously," said Executive Director Klein Merriman. "That's why Retail Environments magazine is changing as well, with expanded circulation and strong, business-focused editorial content that helps elevate the conversation between retailers and their suppliers - A.R.E.'s member companies."
 
Retail Environments magazine will continue to provide member-to-member marketing opportunities and member-focused content through "A.R.E. Insider."  The special section will be included in each issue received exclusively by A.R.E. members, design firms, and supplier subscribers.
 
The new Retail Environments magazine builds on A.R.E.'s already extensive cadre of retail-focused products, including the powerful Supplier|Connect multi-platform sourcing center, its sponsorship of GlobalShop, the A.R.E. Design Awards, A.R.E. Retail Design Collective, A.R.E. Shoptalks and more.
 
A.R.E. has published Retail Environments magazine since 1998. Click here to read more.
 
For more information contact Karen Schaffner.

Hollywood, Fla. (May 10, 2011)—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. Add in the traditional PAVE Gala on December 7, and the allure of New York City during the holidays, and this year's Retail Design Collective promises to be a don't-miss event.
 
Daily conference sessions extend the design inspiration, with a focus on store design and visual merchandising trends. New this year will be a "Next Gen" event, focusing on the retail design market's emerging leaders.
 
Headquarters for the show will again be located at 7 W New York, a retail showroom building centrally located at 7 W. 34th St. 7 W will host registration, conferences and a number of participating showrooms.
 
Media partners for the 2011 Retail Design Collective are VMSD, DDI, and Retail Environments magazines.
 
For more information on Retail Design Collective, including a link to participating hotels and registration, please visit www.retaildesigncollective.com or contact Karen Schaffner.
 
Retail Design Collective is also on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us on immediate information regarding the show!

Hollywood, Fla. (July 12)—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."
 
With the debut of the new Design Trends Report, A.R.E. enhances its role as the best way for retail designers and visual merchandisers to stay connected and see what great creative minds are up to around the world.
 
The evening Shoptalk events, held in major retail centers and hosted by leading retail executives in each region, bring educational and networking opportunities to local markets, saving both time and travel costs.
 
VMSD magazine is the 2011 A.R.E. Shoptalk media sponsor.

Shoptalk attendance is open to retailers, design firms and sponsors only. For information on becoming a sponsor, contact Susan Kimelman.

Shoptalk Dallas		Shoptalk San Francisco
October 6, 2011 JCPenney 6501 Legacy Dr. Plano, TX 75024 Platinum Sponsor Grottini  City Sponsor Chippenhook   |  Stylmark		October 27, 2011 Sephora 425 Market Street San Francisco, CA  94105 Platinum sponsor Grottini  Gold sponsor B&N Industries  City sponsor Stylmark

 

Hollywood, Fla. (April 25, 2011)—To better serve both retailers and members, the Association for Retail Environments has launched two new apps for Supplier | Connect, the search function connecting retailers to the hundreds of A.R.E. member suppliers and designers.


• For office use: Supplier | Connect desktop. This first-of-its-kind interactive directory sits on the user’s computer desktop for access without using an Internet browser. Updating itself automatically with the latest supplier data, it provides the most current directory in the industry. The interface even looks like a store interior, and this "showroom" will be "remodeled" every six months to reflect the evolution of retail design. To browse 11 broad categories, a user mouses over a product to click on its category, such as the wall graphics for Signage & Graphics. Numerous subcategories narrow the search. Or the "Advanced Search" feature enables searching by keyword, location, category, and/or materials used. The user can then view company and contact info, or click to the member's website. The app also links to the latest industry news from the showroom page. Click here to download the desktop app.


• For on-the-road use: Supplier | Connect mobile. This user-friendly app is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Blackberry, Droid, and other smartphones. It can be used to browse quickly through the detailed product/service categories for on-the-spot sourcing -- say, during a project meeting. Or the alpha list takes a user directly to a specific member company. Users can bookmark favorites, schedule visits, track companies visited, and keep notes on them. The app also has info on A.R.E. events. Click here to download from the iTunes store, or click here to find out how to download to your other mobile device.


Each app was designed to make effective use of the medium. The desktop app has enhanced features that users are likely to appreciate in an office environment, while the mobile app search is designed for maximum search speed and other needs of field use.

Big Winners Revealed in Las Vegas on March 28, 2011!

Hollywood, Fla. (February 3, 2011) - Out of a record-breaking 298 entries, 37 projects were singled out to receive 54 awards by our esteemed judges during the judging held in New Orleans January 27-28.  


Awards standings, including Grand Prizes, Store of the Year, Fixture of the Year and Visual Presentation of the Year, will be revealed onstage during the A.R.E. Design Awards in Las Vegas on March 28, 2011. The ceremony will take place the end of the first day of GlobalShop in the Venetian Ballroom of the Venetian Resort from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The ceremony will include a cocktail reception followed by the awards presentation. Five hundred industry leaders are expected to attend. Christine Sturch, Market Interior Design and Brand Coordinator for Whole Foods Market, will emcee the event.

In addition to the A.R.E. Design Award winners, the following will be recognized during the ceremony:

· A.R.E. Sustainability Awards
· A.R.E. Above & Beyond Award recipient
· DDI Markopoulos recipient
· PAVE the Wave 3D Design Challenge student winners
· DDI Best Booth Award winners

 Whether you are a winner or not, the A.R.E. Design Awards, now in its 40th year, brings together 500 of the industry's leading retailers, designers and suppliers to celebrate what's in store for retail design. It's a great way to kick off GlobalShop with some inspiration that reminds us why we all got into this business in the first place.



Purchase tickets directly through GlobalShop. Discounts are available to A.R.E. members and Retail Council through March 15th! 



Click here for a sneak peak of the list of winning projects.



Click here to root for your favorite project or make your best prediction for Store of the Year, Fixture of the Year or Visual Presentation of the Year on LinkedIn. Let's get some buzz going!

About A.R.E.
The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is a Hollywood, Fla.-based non-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. More than 600 member companies include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design, and more.

Hollywood, Fla. (July 22, 2010)—U.S. retailers and their suppliers who travel to Dusseldorf, Germany, for EuroShop 2011 next February will find the welcoming presence of the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.).

On Sunday, February 27, A.R.E. will sponsor two events designed to provide networking and information-sharing opportunities for North American attendees. Mark your calendars and look for more information on the following events:

1. A.R.E. Shoptalk. What have you seen at the show? What are the best booths, the best innovations you’ve seen?  What stores are worth checking out in and near Dusseldorf? A.R.E.’s EuroShop Shoptalk will allow attending retailers and A.R.E. members to hear and share the information that is in highest demand during the show. The event is planned for 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. February 27.  Watch retailenvironments.org for more information in the coming months.


2. North American Reception. This traditionally popular event, co-sponsored with Messe Dusseldorf North America and DDI Magazine, will follow the A.R.E. Shoptalk in the International Lounge at the EuroShop Dusseldorf Fairgrounds from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Additional details and ticket info will be posted on www.retailenvironemnts.org.

Sponsorships are being accepted for the Shoptalk event, providing companies with valuable exposure just as retailers are heading for the show floor. For information on becoming a sponsor, contact Susan Kimelman, 954-241-4812. For information on both events or to register, see www.retailenvironments.org.

Or download a PDF of this press release.

About A.R.E.
The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is a Hollywood, Fla.-based non-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. More than 600 member companies include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design, and more.

Hollywood, Fla. (July 22, 2010)—A.R.E.'s Shoptalk returns to San Francisco this fall, offering retailers valuable visual merchandising trends information and networking opportunities.
 
Scheduled for October 7 and hosted by Sephora, this year's event will feature Renee Labbe, vice president of global trends for Stylesight. Labbe will provide attendees with a comprehensive look at the overarching design directives and consumer behaviors influencing visual merchandising trends for 2011 and into 2012. Color harmonies, materials, textures, fixtures, lighting, and more will be addressed.
 
Labbe has over 11 years of experience in the apparel and trend forecasting industries. Prior to joining Stylesight, she was the Canadian and West Coast U.S. Director for Promostyl, where she led a team of trend consultants and was responsible for developing the regional direction of evolving global trends. Labbe has appeared as a keynote speaker at many industry events and trade shows, including Premiere Vision, the LA Textile Show, IIDEX/Neocon Canada, Outdoor Retailer, and SIA. Stylesight provides trend content, tools, and technology for creative professionals in the fashion and style industries.
 
The evening Shoptalk events, held in major retail centers and hosted by leading retail executives in each region, bring educational and networking opportunities to local markets, saving both time and travel costs.
 
Gold sponsors for the San Francisco Shoptalk are B&N Industries and Grottini.
Elevations is the City Sponsor.

Shoptalk attendance is open to retailers, design firms, and sponsors only.

For information on becoming a sponsor, contact Susan Kimelman, at 954-241-4812. For more information or to register, click here or contact Yajayra Wojtas.

Or download a PDF of this press release.

About A.R.E.
The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is a Hollywood, Fla.-based non-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. More than 600 member companies include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design, and more.