Meeting in Minneapolis

WOW, WHERE HAS the year gone?

It’s hard to believe we’re gearing up for the 2023 International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) coming to Minneapolis this Oct. 25-26 – some of you may even be reading this on-site! This year’s conference will be packed with inspiring educational sessions, hands-on workshops, offsite Retail Inspiration Tours and, of course, the 17th annual Iron Merchant Challenge. You’ll find a comprehensive preview of this year’s event on pg. 66, penned by our longtime Contributing Writer and former editor Lauren Mang.

If you’re joining us on-site, be sure to say hello to VMSD’s newest staff member, Olivia Taylor! Olivia joined us this past August and is a former editorial intern of VMSD magazine. As our Managing Editor, she’ll be handling many of the day-to-day aspects of the magazine as well as assisting with events like IRDC.

Speaking of more things IRDC, in this issue, you’ll find our 2023 VMSD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year. The award is named posthumously for VMSD’s former columnist Peter Glen, and winners are chosen through a three-round vote of VMSD’s Editorial Advisory Board. Celebrated on pg. 56, Patagonia was selected as this year’s winner for meeting Glen’s criteria for “good” retailing, which outlines customer service and innovation, to name a few. We’ll honor Patagonia during our VMSD Awards Luncheon at IRDC.

Also housed in this issue (and to be honored during IRDC) are our Retail Renovation Competition winners on pg. 30. These extensive projects completed in 2022 showcase the best industry renovations and conversions, with Minneapolis-based Studio BV’s Larissa Loden conversion taking home this year’s coveted Retail Renovation of the Year.

As you flip through this issue, you may also notice a plethora of restaurants and eateries: Historically being our “restaurant” issue, you’ll find an in-depth Sector Spotlight examining the latest trends in restaurant design on pg. 50, alongside numerous columns and spotlights on various dining destinations throughout.

We’re so excited to celebrate the Retail Renovation of the Year, VMSD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year, and all our award winners during IRDC in Minneapolis this fall. If you’re reading this prior to Oct. 25, there’s still time to register to join us at the Marriott City Center – visit irdconline.com for more details.

See you in the Twin Cities this October!

Carly Hagedon

Carly Hagedon is the Editor-in-Chief of VMSD magazine. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where she studied Journalism—Magazine Writing and American history. She also currently serves as a board member for the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).