NRF Annual Convention and EXPO 2013

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is gearing up for Retail’s BIG Show, the NRF Annual Convention and EXPO. The 2013 convention will be the 102^nd annual event, held January 13-16^th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Last year, at the 2012 convention, more than 25,500 retail industry professionals gathered to network with one another, learn from any number of the 126 educational sessions, and check out innovative solutions for retailers on the EXPO floor. Former President Bill Clinton, last year’s main keynote speaker, drew the biggest crowd, discussing the economic and social impact of globalization.  At the convention itself, over 78 countries were represented.

The 2012 convention also featured its own iPhone, Android, and Kindle Fire apps. Using the app, participants were able to access convention center maps, session descriptions, speaker bios and more. Attendees also had the option of creating personalized agendas. Look for this feature as the 2013 event gathers steam.

If you’d like a refresher on last year’s event, or a recap of particular sessions, a Video Presentation Package is available for purchase. Depending on speaker permission, most sessions were recorded and the audio/video is synchronized with PowerPoint presentations.  Handouts for each session, if they were provided, are also available at no charge.

The 2013 Annual Convention and EXPO is now selecting speakers and presenters, and is open for early registration. Friday, August 10^th is the last day to register at the preview rate. The rates for NRF and Shop.org members are significantly reduced, as are rates for Retail Teams (five or more paid NRF Retail Members registering together) and International Delegations (ten or more non-US attendees registering together).  EXPO-only passes are free for retailers. Hotels, activities, and flights can be booked through NFR’s online travel center.

The EXPO floor is a great place to connect with new ideas and innovative retail solutions. Many exhibitors wait for the EXPO to reveal new techniques and technologies.

In 2012, some of the main trends on the EXPO floor included:

-       Improving the customer retail experience, from web to brick-and-mortar stores

-       Creating seamless convergence of the mobile, web, and in-store experiences

-       Providing mobile access to products and services

-       Enhancing inventory visibility with item-level RFID and tracking inventory across the supply chain

In addition to keynote speakers, EXPO sessions, breakout sessions, and exhibitor Big !deas, the 2013 convention will feature Shop.org’s First Look Track, focused on all things digital, and Store Tours, a behind-the-scenes peek at some of New York’s most innovative retail outlets.

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