Perspectives in Providence

WOW, IT’S HARD to believe that the 25th annual International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) is almost here! The VMSD crew hopes to see you in Providence, Rhode Island, this Oct. 22-23, for two days of inspirational keynotes and hands-on workshops at the Omni Providence Hotel. (Hopefully, many of you will be reading this on-site during the event!)

We are beyond excited to announce that for the opening IRDC welcome reception/Shop! Ideation closing reception, the evening of Oct. 21, WaterFire – a nonprofit organization that hosts canal basin burnings and events in Providence – will be the backdrop for an evening of merriment. A quick walk across from the hotel, the event will play host to a fire twirler, a basin lighting, drinks, mingling and more.

Truly, this year is all about experience. IRDC’s tagline is “Reinventing Retail. Together.” I’m sure you’re asking yourself: Aren’t many of us doing that through the experiences we create in store? Yet that question lends itself to a follow-up question: What is “experience,” anyway?

We’ll be answering this and more at IRDC through our robust speaker line-up focusing on the consumer and what experiences really foster – is it dollars? Measurable ROI? Brand loyalty? Join us in Providence this fall to find out.

And speaking to memorable experiences, the winners of our 2025 Retail Renovation Competition (written and facilitated by VMSD Managing Editor Olivia Taylor, pg. 22) are showcased in this issue and exemplify the importance of immersing customers through a range of attention-grabbing renovations and conversions.

Several of our other annual reports in this issue, like Sector Spotlight: Restaurants (pg. 30), penned by contributing writer Georgia Mizen, prove the importance of comfortability through experience. Our 2025 VMSD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year (pg. 38), written by former VMSD Editor Steve Kaufman, also focuses on a retailer known for putting customers’ desires first. And finally, our IRDC Preview (pg. 44), authored by contributing writer Lauren Mang, focuses on the experiential backdrop to this year’s IRDC.

There’s still time to register by visiting irdconline.com. IRDC attendees receive a special discount for Shop! Ideation Conference & Retail Challenge (co-locating and taking place Oct. 20-21 at Omni Providence Hotel) as an add-on to their registration – just $95 USD. IRDC also has some exciting special attendee rates this year, like our Bring a Young Professional rate allowing you to bring a young colleague, aged 35 or under.

See you in the Renaissance City this October!