AGENDA
*PLEASE NOTE: The SPECS program will be presented in Eastern Standard Time (EST).*
Sunday, August 22, 2021
2021-08-22
Supplier Welcome Luncheon and Orientation Panel Discussion
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
Sunday, August 22, 2021
2021-08-22
Retailer Orientation Panel Discussion
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
Sunday, August 22, 2021
2021-08-22
Retailer-Only Networking Reception
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Sunday, August 22, 2021
2021-08-22
Supplier-Only Networking Reception
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Sunday, August 22, 2021
2021-08-22
Exhibit Hall Open (Refreshments Served)
4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
4:15 PM
5:45 PM
Sunday, August 22, 2021
2021-08-22
SPECS 2021 Welcome Reception
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Networking Breakfast and Table Topic Discussions
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
7:30 AM
8:00 AM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Keynote Address
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
THE MAIN STAGE presentation: How to 'Wow' and Work With Customers in the New Reality
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM
9:15 AM
10:30 AM
Kelly McDonald
Founder and Author
McDonald Marketing
Kelly McDonald is considered one of the nation’s top experts in diversity & inclusion, leadership, marketing, the customer experience and consumer trends.
She is the founder of McDonald Marketing, which has twice been named one of the “Top Ad Agencies in the U.S.” by Advertising Age magazine and ranked as one of the fastest-growing independently-owned companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine.
Her client experience includes brands such as Toyota, Chubb, NASA, Kimberly-Clark, Nike, Harley-Davidson, Miller-Coors, and Sherwin-Williams.
Kelly was named one of the “10 Most Booked Speakers in the U.S.” and ranked #1 on the list of “25 Hot Speakers” by Successful Meetings Magazine.
She has been featured on CNBC, in INC. Magazine, Forbes, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Fast Company, on CNNMoney.com and more.
She is the author of four bestselling books on business topics including marketing, the customer experience and leadership. Her latest, “It’s Time to Talk about Race at Work: Every Leader’s Guide to Making Progress on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” is one of the top Bestselling Business Books in the U.S.
Kelly lives in Denver and when she’s not on the road speaking, she enjoys boxing (yes, boxing, not kickboxing) – and shopping for high heels.
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Face2Face: Retailer/Exhibitor Information Exchange
9:15 AM - 10:55 AM
9:15 AM
10:55 AM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Networking Break
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Exhibit Hall Open
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
11:00 AM
2:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Lunch (12:00pm - 1:00pm) & Refreshments Served</span></p>
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Main Stage Recap
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Update on Modular/Pre-Fab Construction
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
The Remote Workforce: What Successful Collaboration Looks Like
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Remote workforces are the new normal, and retail managers continue to learn how to lead teams from afar. Whether managing teams working from home or overseeing store operations from remote locations, managers are adopting new tools to stay connected with — and engage — their remote workforce.</span></p>
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
HVAC: Upgrading Systems to Improve Air Quality
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
What is the “New” Clean: Best Practices in Store Sanitization
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Operating in the pandemic era has taught retailers that there is a clear difference between being clean and being safe. Learn how retailers are stepping up sanitization practices to protect the health of employees, customers and their physical spaces, as well as to build customer confidence.</span></p>
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Environmental Regulations: What to Expect
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
The Smart Job Site: Tech and Robotics in Construction
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Diversity in Retail
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
AI in Store Development
4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
4:10 PM
5:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Retailers are embracing technology at a faster pace, and more attention is being placed on artificial intelligence’s (AI) predictive analytics and complementing solutions such as virtual (VR) and augmented (AR) reality. Learn how AI is becoming increasingly important in store development processes, facilities management and on the sales floor.</span></p>
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Trends in Flooring, Lighting and Signage
4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
4:10 PM
5:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Women in Retail
4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
4:10 PM
5:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Join us for a panel discussion that focuses on the leadership journey of female executives working in our industry and the barriers they needed to overcome to achieve success — including those posed by unforeseen challenges such as the pandemic. Author and top expert in consumer trends Kelly McDonald moderates this session which will highlight the evolution of careers — and great success stories — of women in store development, construction and facilities management roles.</span></p>
Kelly McDonald
Founder and Author
McDonald Marketing
Kelly McDonald is considered one of the nation’s top experts in diversity & inclusion, leadership, marketing, the customer experience and consumer trends.
She is the founder of McDonald Marketing, which has twice been named one of the “Top Ad Agencies in the U.S.” by Advertising Age magazine and ranked as one of the fastest-growing independently-owned companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine.
Her client experience includes brands such as Toyota, Chubb, NASA, Kimberly-Clark, Nike, Harley-Davidson, Miller-Coors, and Sherwin-Williams.
Kelly was named one of the “10 Most Booked Speakers in the U.S.” and ranked #1 on the list of “25 Hot Speakers” by Successful Meetings Magazine.
She has been featured on CNBC, in INC. Magazine, Forbes, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Fast Company, on CNNMoney.com and more.
She is the author of four bestselling books on business topics including marketing, the customer experience and leadership. Her latest, “It’s Time to Talk about Race at Work: Every Leader’s Guide to Making Progress on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” is one of the top Bestselling Business Books in the U.S.
Kelly lives in Denver and when she’s not on the road speaking, she enjoys boxing (yes, boxing, not kickboxing) – and shopping for high heels.
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Ask the FM Experts: Energy Management & Cost Savings Measures
4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
4:10 PM
5:00 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
Women In Retail Networking Reception
5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
5:15 PM
6:30 PM
Monday, August 23, 2021
2021-08-23
SPECS 2021 Evening Reception
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
6:30 PM
8:00 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Networking Breakfast and Table Topic Discussions
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
7:30 AM
8:15 AM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Breakout Retailers Awards Presentation
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
8:15 AM
8:30 AM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Keynote Address
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
8:30 AM
9:30 AM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
THE MAIN STAGE presentation: Meet the Breakout Retailers // RCA: Post-Pandemic Best Construction Practices
9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
9:45 AM
11:00 AM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Face2Face: Retailer/Exhibitor Information Exchange
9:45 AM - 11:25 AM
9:45 AM
11:25 AM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Networking Break
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Exhibit Hall Open
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
11:30 AM
2:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Lunch (12:00pm - 1:00pm) & Refreshments Served</span></p>
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
New Formats, New Concepts: Redesigning Quick Service Restaurants
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Quick service restaurants are getting a new look — and many design changes are impacting a new level of operations and dining experiences. This session will cover the new trends in drive-thru, outdoor dining and the constraints/challenges in implementing these in existing footprints and new sites.</span></p>
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Retail 2021: Reinventing Dark Stores
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
The Next Evolution of Experiential Retail
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">The pandemic has changed how retailers are approaching experiential retail. Up for the challenge, innovative retailers are adopting new ways to safely deliver retail experiences. Join us for a deep dive into how experiences are changing post-pandemic — and hear from the retail innovators shaping this trend.</span></p>
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Let’s Operate: The Importance of Power and Outdoor Centers*
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM
3:00 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Landlord/Tenant Relationships: What Can Be Done to Move Forward as Partners?
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Store Development: Next-Gen Sustainability
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">Retailers are keeping an eye on emerging sustainability trends, including energy efficiency and recycled building materials, among other practices driving health, safety and well-being. This session shines a spotlight on how new regulations will impact retailers’ waste management operations, building design opportunities and energy/green programs.</span></p>
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Real Estate Opportunities: Redevelopment of the Mall
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
<p><span style="font-family:Oxygen;">The shopping center is evolving. This session highlights shopping centers’ priorities related to new uses and how retail space is being devoted to unconventional retail opportunities.</span></p>
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Top Retail Center Experiences
3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
3:10 PM
4:00 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Supplier Wrap-up Meeting
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
THE MAIN STAGE presentation: Prep for Active Shooters and Other Catastrophes
4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
4:10 PM
5:00 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
Retailer Wrap-up Meeting
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
2021-08-24
SPECS 2021 Appreciation Party
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
6:30 PM
10:00 PM