Retail Rallying Cry: OH-IO

THERE’S A LOT OF retail design magic happening in Columbus, Ohio, home to a host of design and architecture agencies and industry leading brands. And this October 26-27, the International Retail Design Conference (IRDC), presented annually by VMSD magazine, will tap into that magic, offering extensive education, dialogue, networking and exploration opportunities to help the store design and visual merchandising communities navigate retail in the new decade.

Nourish + Bloom Market | Gregory Cohen, Lofty Pursuits | Reddy SoHo, New York

For maximum inspiration, this year’s setting is the Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel, located near the main drag of the very walkable Short North Arts District, known for its illuminated archways, impressive art gallery scene and vibrant local retail and restaurant offerings.

Attendees will have the chance to discover this neighborhood to the fullest during the offsite retail walking tours the afternoon of Oct. 26. Unlike previous years, 2022’s tours will be guided by representatives from the Retail Design Institute’s Ohio Chapter, and a few stops include the experiential Tenspace (an interactive panel discussion featuring Olipop – a recent brand highlighted in the space – and Tenspace’s Founder Rachel Friedman takes place Oct. 27), the 145-year-old North Market and local denim shop Artisan de Luxe, among several others.

This year’s agenda includes an outstanding lineup of speakers, focusing on topics from sustainability to tech-driven and purpose-driven brands to the importance of marketing and more. Ruth Zukerman, the Co-Founder of studio cycling companies SoulCycle and Flywheel, will officially kick off the conference Wednesday, Oct. 26, with a keynote presentation focusing on finding success in the unlikeliest of places.

📷: Shutterstock

Later that afternoon, Jeni Britton, Founder and Chief Creative Officer for Columbus, Ohio-based Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, sits down with VMSD Managing Editor and IRDC Co-Chair Carly Hagedon for a fireside chat exploring how this regional, coveted brand got recognized nationally – as well as revealing the key to creating a truly unforgettable experience for customers.

To cap off the event, Oct. 27, Gregory Cohen, candy maven, podcaster, YouTuber and Founder and Owner of Lofty Pursuits (Tallahassee, Fla.), will speak on the importance of sensory marketing and merchandising – all while making Victorian-style candy live on stage.

The coveted Iron Merchant Challenge includes a sprint to the materials table before teams use the next hour to create their window displays using a secret ingredient announced on site. 📷: Ralf Kircher

New this year, and after the opening keynote, the fun starts with two hands-on workshops to choose from: “Next Top Retail Concept,” a 30-minute “creative sprint” challenge that involves a vague design brief, an impossible timeline and an unreasonable set of objectives (helmed by Jay Highland and Jody Wasbro of WD Partners, along with a panel of retail judges). Or “Fake It Till You Make It,” (facilitated by ConsumerX’s Chuck Palmer and Jennifer Schlueter of CCAD) which places participants in a role within the retail design process that stretches them beyond their comfort zones.

For the first time ever, a full-audience interactive workshop, “Retail Gets Weird,” led by Karen Kritzer and Diane Spiridoulias of Sheridan and the RetailDuo, will take place Oct. 27 – lucky winners will receive a full registration to IRDC 2023! (Check out the full agenda featuring our 25-plus speakers at irdconline.com.)

📷: North 4th Corridor

The networking never stops, whether it’s at roundtable lunches, “Stay Connected” drawings, case study breakfasts or cocktail receptions, including the closing party at the urban industrial rooftop spot Revery at North 4th Corridor, where the skyline views will be the chef’s kiss on top of two full days of inspiration.

For more information about IRDC, visit irdconline.com. See you there!

PHOTO GALLERY (13 IMAGES)
📷: Shutterstock | Ralf Kircher | Caleb Hunt | North 4th Corridor