(PRESS RELEASE)MONTCLAIR, NJ — The 23rd annual International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) is set to take place this Oct. 25-26, 2023, in Minneapolis at the Marriott City Center downtown hotel. Produced by VMSD magazine, the two-day program features interactive networking activities and in-depth education sessions focused on the latest retail design topics and trends.
The conference is designed specifically for retail design and visual merchandising professionals, as well as suppliers to the industry, who are involved in creating and reimagining brick-and-mortal environments, including traditional retail sectors such as department, grocery and big-box stores to restaurants, pop-ups and specialty shops, and emerging sectors and new concepts and formats such as retail-as-a-service and cannabis.
This year’s education program will feature keynote presentations, interactive workshops and general sessions covering topics such as the future of AI and retail, harnessing the power of brand-led experiences, the state of the economy and retail, sustainability, creating memory making moments through experiential reality, how to challenge your creative process, to name a few.
“This year’s educational program for the International Retail Design Conference will touch on a range of topics impacting the retail industry in the present moment,” says Carly Hagedon, Editor-in-Chief, VMSD magazine, Co-Chair, IRDC. “Beyond in-depth educational sessions exploring pressing topics like sustainability, AI and the economy, the conference also offers hands-on interactivity for attendees. If you’re a designer, retailer or visual merchandiser, IRDC is the must-attend event to network and learn from your industry peers.”
In addition to the education program, IRDC’s wildly popular Iron Merchant Challenge will be back in partnership with Columbus, Ohio-based ZenGenius Inc.. During this interactive networking event, six teams are given a theme, a hodgepodge of materials, one secret ingredient and just 60 minutes to conceive and create a winning display, all while their fellow industry peers watch. Additionally, this year’s program includes three unique, inspiring tours to get an in-depth look at Minneapolis’ bustling retail scene. Tour options include Target’s downtown Nicollet location, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Mall of America and a tour of the city’s vibrant North Loop.
Registration is open to all retailers and visual merchandisers professionals as well as retail designers, educators, and students. Manufacturers and suppliers must be a sponsor to attend. To review the full conference agenda and to register for the event, visit www.irdconline.com. To learn more about 2023 sponsorship opportunities, contact Linda D’Adamo at linda.dadamo@smartworkmedia.com.
About IRDC
Presented annually by Visual Merchandising Store Design (VMSD) magazine, this one-of-a-kind conference comprises two full days (10/25 – 10/26) of education and design dialogue centered on the new best practices, emerging opportunities and fresh strategies for engaging shoppers, maximizing resources, and rethinking the retail experience. IRDC is recognized as the premier educational and networking event for the store design and visual merchandising communities.
About VMSD
VMSD (Visual Merchandising + Store Design) magazine has been the leading publication for retail designers and store display professionals for more than 125 years, serving the retail industry since 1897. Every month, VMSD showcases the latest store designs and visual displays, presents merchandising strategies and new products, and reports on industry news and events. Celebrating the art and science of retail design, VMSD delivers information and inspiration straight from the high-level executives that drive this industry. VMSD is owned and published by SmartWork Media. Learn more at vmsd.com or smartworkmedia.com.