Associations

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- David Gregory, host of NBC's "Meet the Press," will deliver the keynote address at BNP Media's Food Safety Summit on April 20.

Target director of owned brands Annie Zipfel is among those slated to participate in the fourth annual Network of Executive Women Multicultural Work force conference to be held March 1 to 3. With a theme of “Building Competencies, Growing Business,” the event will focus on the advantages of developing culturally competent organizations.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the Institute for Supply Management said that the U.S. service sector, which includes retailers, grew in January at the fastest pace in five years. The report, along with other data, suggests a growing economy and stronger hiring.

The private trade group said its index of service sector activity rose to 59.4 last month. That was up sharply from December's reading of 57.1. It was the fourteenth straight month of growth and the highest reading since August 2005.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said Thursday that it has made changes to its organizational structure, promoting Carleen Kohut from senior VP and CFO to the position of COO.

Also Susan Newman, VP, conferences, has been promoted to senior VP conferences, and Mike Gatti, formerly senior VP communications, has been named senior VP member relations.

WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation announced that it has promoted Carleen Kohut, who has served as NRF SVP and CFO for the past ten years, to COO, as part of board-approved restructuring plan. Additionally, Susan Newman, VP conferences, has been promoted to SVP conferences and Mike Gatti, formerly SVP communications, has been named SVP member relations.

Miami -- Walmart Latin America CEO Eduardo Solorzano said Thursday in a speech that Walmart is using the company's expertise in sustainability as a means for profitable growth. 

Walmart SVP brand marketing Tony Rogers was recently added to the program at the Symphony IRI Group’s annual summit to be held this year in Miami on March 28 to 30. Rogers will join Univision Communications EVP corporate research, Elizabeth Ellers, for a presentation titled, “Making Hispanics Your Competitive Advantage at Retail.”

New York City -- Walmart has reached a deal in principle with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, Crain’s New York Business reported. The agreement guarantees union workers will construct or renovate any stores that the chain opens in the city during the next five years, Crain’s New York reported.

The agreement is a win for Walmart, which has faced tough opposition from unions in New York City.