Adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the nation and the world for nearly a year, the National Retail Federation annual conference and expo opens tomorrow in virtual format. While retailers, exhibitors, media and other conference-goers won’t be together in the physical sense, NRF promises to keep many traditions that are hallmarks of the show.
Click here to register. The virtual program kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 12, running through Thursday, Jan. 14, and resumes on Jan. 19 and Jan. 21-22. Nonmember registration is $695.
NRF said it worked closely with Freeman Co., the New York-based firm that produces the NRF Big Show usually held in New York City, to recruit more than 250 exhibitors for NRF 2021 – Chapter One. There are also more than 45 educational sessions and over 80 exhibitor ideas meetings, along with networking provisions.
Chapter One speakers include Judith McKenna, president and chief executive of Walmart; Jamie Dimon, chairman JP Morgan Chase; Indra Nooyi, former chairman and chief PepsiCo. Former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice is the keynote presenter at 11 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 12. Following Rice, all participants are invited to a performance by singer and songwriter Robin Thicke at 3:30 p.m. EST.
Looking ahead, and in person, NRF 2021 – Chapter Two, dubbed Retail’s Big Show, is scheduled for June 6-8 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.
