StoreXpo Announces Three Keynote Speakers

CINCINNATI, OH – August 1, 2003 – VM+SD magazine and its publisher ST Media Group International announced today the lineup of keynote speakers for StoreXpo, a new trade show for the retail design and visual merchandising community, taking place December 5-7, 2003, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The presentations will take place each morning in the exhibit hall and are included with trade show registration.

Pamela Fields, senior vp, worldwide consumer products licensing for Playboy, will open StoreXpo with her keynote presentation on Friday, December 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., outlining Playboy's new retailing initiatives. Previously to joining Playboy in 2002, Fields was president of her own firm, where she worked on turnaround and brand repositioning for such companies as The Gap, Inc., Swiss Army Brands, Inc., Bulova Watch Company and Del Laboratories.

On Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Michael Cape, vp, director of visual merchandising and store design for J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc., will present “The Renaissance of Visual Merchandising and Store Design: Are You Ready for It?” In his presentation, Cape will address the future of the industry and how listeners can help shape it, as he shares his journey of the past two years in rebuilding the J.C. Penney brand through visual merchandising and store design.

In the final keynote address on Sunday, December 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Melissa Hoffman, vp of business development for Fitch: Worldwide in North America, will discuss the growing influence of art on retail design.

Produced by VM+SD magazine and sponsored by the National Association of Display Industries Inc. (NADI), StoreXpo is the next step for the 50-year-old New York Winter Market tradition and includes participating Manhattan showrooms. Those interested in attending StoreXpo may learn more and download a free pass at www.storexpo.info. Companies interested in sponsorship or exhibiting opportunities should contact Jennifer Robinson at 800.925.1110, ext. 367, 513.263.9367; fax: 770.416.0337; or e-mail: jennifer.robinson@stmediagroup.com.

NADI, based in Hollywood, Fla., is an international, not-for-profit association representing the visual merchandising industry since 1942. The association's membership includes manufacturers, suppliers and retailers involved in the visual merchandising industry.

VM+SD is the leading magazine and voice for the store design and visual merchandising industry. It is published monthly by Cincinnati-based ST Media Group International Inc., which serves the visual communications markets with its five publications, branded web sites, custom book division, and events. VM+SD and ST Media Group International may be reached at 513.421.2050 or through their Web sites, www.vmsd.com and www.stmediagroup.com.