Valerie Lange Named Winner of 2023 Shop! Scholarship

(PRESS RELEASE) HOLLYWOOD, FL — In partnership with Shop! Association, PAVE Global is pleased to announce Valerie Lange, an Interior Design Senior from Bellevue College, as the recipient of the inaugural Shop! Scholarship.

“We are so happy to congratulate Valerie Lange of Bellevue College as the winner of the first 2023 Shop! x PAVE Scholarship,” says Murray Kasmenn, Executive Director, Shop! Association. “All of the student entrants submitted a plethora of exceptional projects and essays for review, and we were so impressed by what these future thought leaders shared with our team. We wish all students the best and look forward to watching them build their future careers in the design industry. We also look forward to celebrating our winner this spring at Shop! Marketplace 2023 in Austin, Texas this April 25-27. A big congratulations to Valerie!”

This scholarship recognizes and supports leadership potential in Interior Design, Retail Design, Hospitality Design, Visual Merchandising, Architecture, UX Design, Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Design, and similar areas of study with the opportunity to attend Shop! Marketplace 2023 in Austin, TX, or receive a $1,000 scholarship.

In addition to sharing highlights from their portfolios, students were asked to respond to a series of questions including why they are interested in a potential career in the design of retail, restaurant, or hospitality environments. In response, Valerie had this to say – “By creating places that celebrate Universal Design, where everyone feels welcome and represented, I hope to inspire future generations to hone their creative minds and imagine a better future.”

The PAVE Scholarship Program, now in its thirteenth year, provides financial assistance to students in educational programs preparing them for careers related to the design and creation of consumer environments, including but not limited to careers in retail design, visual merchandising, interior design, architecture, product design, UX design, graphic design, and industrial design.

PAVE was developed to help ensure a future talent pool for the industry by eliminating barriers to studying in these fields. The funds assist students who are experiencing financial difficulties that may prevent them from continuing school. PAVE has awarded students over $243,500 in financial aid grants and scholarships in the past five years.​

About Shop! Association

Shop! Association is the global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience and is the catalyst for progressive evolution in retail. Shop! represents companies and affiliates worldwide from 25 countries. The association brings value to the global retail marketplace through connecting, networking, research and education programs, events, and industry awards while offering business-focused content, support, and resources to retailers, brands, designers, producers, and suppliers. www.shopassociation.org

About Shop! Marketplace

Shop! Marketplace 2023 will be the premier boutique trade fair committed to elevating the in-store experience, presented by the Shop! Association in partnership with VMSD and SmartWork Media, this three-day event will take place April 25-27, 2023, at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, TX.

Retailers, brand owners, and design professionals from across the globe will be inspired by the education, networking, and discovery of the latest curated products, services, and innovations impacting the future of consumer experience. This is a must-attend opportunity to connect with industry peers in a uniquely sophisticated and experiential setting. www.shop-marketplace.com

About PAVE Global

Founded in 1992 as The Planning and Visual Education Partnership, PAVE Global is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, with all proceeds benefitting PAVE’s educational programs. The organization enables young talent to build successful careers designing and creating consumer environments. Our vision is to cultivate relationships with students, educators, and the design industry through financial assistance, top-industry thinking, inspiration, and mentorship. For more information, please visit www.paveglobal.org.