Agenda: SPECS 2026

Sunday, March 8, 2026

1:00PM - 2:00PM

Exhibitor Welcome Luncheon and Orientation Panel Discussion

Potomac Ballroom C

2:30PM - 3:00PM

Retailer Orientation Panel Discussion

National Harbor 3

3:00PM - 4:00PM

Retailer-Only Networking Reception

Prince George’s Exhibit Hall A Foyer

Exhibitor-Only Networking Reception

Prince George’s Exhibit Hall B-C

4:15PM - 5:45PM

Solution Center/Exhibit Hall Open

Refreshments Served

Prince George’s Exhibit Hall B-C

6:00PM - 7:30PM

SPECS 2026 Welcome Reception

Potomac Ballroom A-B

Monday, March 9, 2026

7:30AM - 8:00AM

Networking Breakfast

Potomac Ballroom A-B

8:00AM - 9:00AM

Keynote Address — Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez, one of Major League Baseball’s biggest superstars, will discuss his pivotal journey from professional athlete to successful entrepreneur.

Alex Rodriguez,14-time MLB All-Star, 2009 New York Yankees World Series Champion, MLB analyst and entrepreneur,

Potomac Ballroom A-B

9:20AM - 10:35AM

THE MAIN STAGE presentation: Reigniting Retail through Energized Experiences

Jay Highland,Executive VP, Creative, WD Partners

Potomac Ballroom C

9:20AM - 11:00AM

Face2Face: Retailer/Exhibitor Information Exchange

Prince George’s Exhibit Hall A

11:00AM - 2:00PM

Solution Center/Exhibit Hall Open

Lunch (12:00pm - 1:00pm) & Refreshments Served

Prince George’s Exhibit Hall B-C

2:20PM - 3:10PM

Remodel in Motion: Navigating Open Store Construction

Remodeling a retail space while keeping the doors open is a high-stakes balancing act—one that demands precision, coordination, and creativity. This panel will reveal the challenges of phasing, site safety, customer experience, and communication across teams. Expect candid insights, case studies and practical strategies for keeping construction on the right track without disrupting business.

Justin Elder,President, Elder-Jones Taylor Harris,Construction Project Manager, Bath & Body Works Mike Winters,Dir., Operational Strategy & Growth, Singleton Construction, LLC Bill Manoliadis,VP of Architecture, Tricarico Architecture and Design PC

National Harbor 3

Innovations in Facilities Maintenance

This session will present use of drones and other innovations that provide remote imaging across facilities management operations. Industry experts will share case studies and demos of drones being used to monitor building maintenance. Speakers will also discuss technology benefits, restrictions and share tips on how to adopt the technology.

Casey O'Connor,Sr. Director, EY

National Harbor 10

Trends in Real Estate Development Costs

A panel of real estate experts discuss the tips related to making deals and managing development costs. Learn what is impacting deals, including the shift to suburban retail and mixed use developments; the need for experiential and omnichannel/digital integration; innovative anchors, and more. Discover how these changes also impact development costs from elevated construction costs, high interest rates and leveraging a tight supply chain.

Kevin Kilgore,CDO, SWTHZ Brian Cartier,Founder, Cartier Consulting Bruce Brock,Director, Real Estate/Construction, Hungry Howie’s

Chesapeake 8

Accelerating Retail Rollouts: Strategies for Efficient Multi-Site Renovations

This session shares how retailers collaborate with vendor partners and design firms to streamline large-scale projects. Discussions explore strategies to manage national renovations while maintaining brand standards, ensuring compliance and accelerating timelines.

Dan Buttry,Sr. Mgr., Retail Design & Construction, Verizon Paul Papantonis,President, Miller Zell Sara Iverson Smith (Moderator),Senior Consultant, The Sigma Group, Inc.

Chesapeake 2

Accessibility and Inclusivity at Starbucks and Beyond

Retailers need to go above and beyond building code requirements and view operations with an inclusive lens when designing for accessibility and inclusivity of customers and associates, alike. This session will share the work of the Inclusive Retail Spaces Coalition, as well as detail guiding framework, specific design guidelines among built spaces, how to enter into an inclusive design journey, and case studies related to the practice.

Elizabeth Fennell,Dir., Architecture and Engineering, CVS Health Maria Town,President & CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities Gayatri Agnew,Senior Director, Global Associate Experience, Walmart David Wykes,VP, Global Coffeehouse Concept Design, Starbucks Coffee Company

Chesapeake 5

3:20PM - 4:10PM

Managing Energy Spend

Learn the steps needed to help mitigate spending risks in potentially volatile energy markets. Hear tips on creating a strategy that navigates market volatility, minimizes risks and maximizes opportunities based on the business’s unique risk tolerance and needs.

Bill Thomas,Principal Energy Advisor, Priority Power

Chesapeake 2

Materials Procurement: Navigating Supply Chain Challenges

Lead times are expanding, materials costs are rising and navigating global supply chains is impacting building and remodels. Learn how to manage supply chain challenges, especially when designing new stores and forecasting projects. Hear tips on how to address potential disruptions to maintain smooth operations, including how to navigate tariffs throughout materials procurement, how to improve lead times to ensure product consistency and insulate project timelines.

Liza Amlani,Chief Merchant and Principal, Retail Strategy Group Richard Honiball,Adjunct Instructor | Retail & Marketing Executive, George Mason University

National Harbor 3

Recovery and Resilience: Continuity Plans and Prepping for Natural Disasters

Facility executives and teams need to revisit and update disaster plans annually to ensure that, if disasters occur, they are as prepared as possible. This session will share tips on creating plans that include immediate actions, roles and responsibilities. redundancy planning, partnership networks, and emergency communication protocols, expected response times and related resources.

Ryan Miller,Principal, Critical Functions, LLC

National Harbor 10

Dark Space Management: Avoiding Lease Liabilities

Learn how to address risks and liabilities associated with dark spaces. Explore how to manage these sites to maintain compliance and avoid risks associated with property safety and aesthetics issues. Learn how to adjust lease management strategies to facilitate smooth, and potentially early turnovers.

Teresa Hamilton,DRE Project Manager, Heartland Dental Tracey Hall,VP of Property Management, Phillips Edison & Company Robert White,VP of Construction, The Sherwin-Williams Company Marilyn McClendon-Wilder,Sr. Regional Facilities Manager, CVS Health

Chesapeake 8

What is Old is New (And Valuable): Adaptive Reuse Strategies

This session explores the advantages of working with existing structures, highlighting how vacant commercial properties can be transformed into valuable assets. Hear best practices, remodeling strategies and the benefits of taking on a second-gen space and how to rebuild the space at a lower cost.

Bill Sleeth,Design Principal, MG2 Christopher Tarrant,Chief Growth Officer, VASA Fitness

Chesapeake 5

4:20PM - 5:10PM

Lights, Cameras, Action! Using Technology and Analytics for Strategic Site Selection

Explore how lighting heat maps and analytics can identify demographics, foot traffic and how store spaces are being occupied — and how to these results can improve site selection strategies. Learn how social media platforms and community engagement also support smarter real estate decisions in a digital-first world.

Aaron Harris,Founder, AHConsultants Chip Newsome,Director, Construction & Facilities, PGA Tour Superstore

Chesapeake 8

Lighting Trends: What You Need to Know

Learn about the latest technologies in lighting and how to navigate options that are best suited for different retail environments.

Lauren Chipman,CEO, Chipman Design Architecture Brian Cartier,Founder, Cartier Consulting

Chesapeake 5

Avoiding Construction Liability Landmines

The key to avoiding construction liabilities is to focus on robust risk management and execute clear communication and strong contracts. Industry experts share case studies highlighting examples of pitfalls and how to avoid issues in the future. They will also share a checklist of how to navigate processes and secure proper documentation that prevents liabilities in design and building plans.

Gary Kaganowich,VP, TD Bank David Carey,VP Design, Construction & Maintenance, Schnucks Ryan Witters,Managing Director, Ankura Consulting Group, LLC Stephen Mattscheck,Prototype & Spec Manager, CVS Health

National Harbor 3

Waste and Stormwater Management: Impact on Facilities Maintenance

State and local municipalities require more integrated stormwater systems with new construction. Learn how can retailers maintain these systems, comply with annual reporting and inspection requirements. Areas of discussion include maintenance of riprap outfalls and aeration systems, how to safely and efficiently complete specialized repairs to corroded underground systems, and a review of how systems operate.

Paul Imig,Civil Engineering Group Leader, The Sigma Group

National Harbor 10

The Franchise Edge: Smarter Remodels, Stronger Brands

Operational excellence within a franchise requires proactive support, streamlined processes and the right tools—ranging from technology to equipment. This session will highlight how corporate-franchise collaboration can streamline remodels, optimize facilities management and enable smarter, data-driven decisions that elevate overall performance.

Sara Iverson Smith (Moderator),Senior Consultant, The Sigma Group, Inc. Matt Livingston,Manager of Field Sales Training, Batteries Plus Tim West,Construction Manager, Habit Burger & Grill Tim Radermacher,VP of Development, Nothing Bundt Cakes

Chesapeake 2

5:30PM - 6:30PM

Women In Retail Networking Reception

Agenda | 2026