SPECS Show Update
Physical retail will be top of mind at Chain Store Age’s annual SPECS Show. The event, now in its 56th year, will be held at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine (Dallas), Texas, March 15-17, 2020.
The SPECS Show is designed for retail and food-service executives involved in the planning, design, construction, or maintenance of brick-and-mortar stores and restaurants nationwide. A hallmark of the event are the educational sessions and workshops, which cover a broad range of topics. The SPECS Advisory Board plays a pivotal role in planning this critical aspect of the program
The board, which functions as a think tank, is comprised of approximately 45 industry leaders from retail companies — both traditional and non-traditional — and key supplier organizations, advises on the educational programming for SPECS 2020. As industry insiders, the board members’ insights and expertise are essential in the creation of sessions that will strongly resonate with attendees. The board will also serve as ambassadors for SPECS.
Five SPECS veterans were selected as Executive Advisory Board members. In this role, these members guide their individual teams, and provide overall program direction. The SPECS 2020 executive leaders are:
Aaron Ancello, VP, regional facilities manager lead, TD Bank; Craig Hale, AIA NCARB, CDP; Lori Koeppe, operations coordinator, The Buckle; Lisa Smola-Hollo, project manager, growth and development, Ulta Beauty; and Tracy Zaslow, senior director, design and construction, LuxuryBrand Holdings.
The SPECS Advisory Board met in Chicago in June to start planning next year’s workshops. The group is currently firming up the agenda.
- 2020 SPECS Advisory Board Members
Steve Bachman, president, Retail Contractors Association
Robin Baskin Ladner, VP, sales, Global Facility Management & Construction
Marilyn Brennan, associate director business development, American/Interstate Signcrafters
Bruce Brock, director of real estate, Hungry Howie’s
Jayson Burgess, facilities and equipment manager, Chick-fil-A
Isyol Cabrera, director, design & construction, Carvel & Cinnabon
Christina Cummins, managing partner, CD Maintenance Company
David Dillon, senior manager, facility standards, Walgreen Co.
Tony DiSpirito, director, store preservation, Sephora
Michael S. Ecke, strategic national account manager, Benjamin Moore & Co.
Richard Elkins, director of construction services, Firehouse Subs
Casey Fitzpatrick, construction estimator, Wegmans Food Markets
Todd Franke, architect, Walmart
Mike Gordon, consultant, MG Consulting
William (Bill) Graber, VP account management, EMCOR Facility Services
Scott Griffin, director, store design & construction, Stein Mart
Tom Haviland, senior VP of national accounts, Atlas
Steve Hearon, president, BrandPoint Services
Roger Herman, director of national accounts, Springwise
Keith Johnson, director of store design, Dollar Tree & Family Dollar Stores Inc.
Katelyn Kazanowski, business development, Promotion Technology Group (PTG)
Kevin Kilgore, director of development & construction, Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
Sarah Kovac, director of architecture & engineering, Maverik
C.B. Kuzlik, president & founder, Let’s Pave LLC
Bridget McCormick Lackey, senior manager, architecture & building design, J.C. Penney
Todd Lutwak, senior VP, business platform & development, ServiceChannel
Steve McClanahan, director, store maintenance and set up, customer satisfaction, AutoZone
Evan Mohr, national sales executive, Progressive Flooring
Tom Muck, VP retail strategic accounts, Tarkett
Monica Munoz, director, asset & facility management, DaVita Kidney Care
Kevin Nolen, director of new store development, b8ta
James Owens, team lead/architect, HFA
Doug Pellock, VP, construction and purchasing, Marcus Theatres
David Shotwell, construction manager, Flynn Restaurant Group
Jennifer Sorrells, senior manager, integration strategy & execution, real estate, T-Mobile
John Stallman, marketing director, Lakeview Construction, Inc.
BiBi Sukey, senior tenant coordinator, Brookfield Properties Retail
Joshua Witte, director of store operations, brand maintenance and repair, Ross Stores
Bret Woodland, project manager, H.J. Martin and Son
Jason Woods, head of retail development, Sandbox VR
SPECS Highlights
The SPECS educational program, which combines interactive workshops, roundtables and panel presentations, will provide deep dives related to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of brick-and-mortar stores as they evolve and adapt to an omnichannel marketplace. Session content will highlight innovative solutions and strategies that can help retailers deal with current challenges as well as give them an edge on the future.
Here are just a few of the sessions on the agenda:
• The Future of Store Design
A look at how savvy retailers are embracing more immersive shopping experiences, big data intelligence, and deep operations and systems integration to innovate store designs.
• Ask the FM Experts: Energy Conservation and Waste Management
This interactive session offers attendees the opportunity to question facilities management executives about the challenges they are struggling with most.
• Here Come the Robots
Discover how leading-edge retailers are using autonomous devices to handle repetitive, time-consuming tasks such as floor scrubbing to improve facilities management and customer service.
• Smart Job Site: Leveraging IoT Solutions
Learn how connected devices — from smartphones to wearable sensors — can help companies better manage construction and provide job site benefits, such as improved worker safety, greater visibility and efficiency.
SPECS attendees can also expect a rich and diverse lineup of keynote speakers and Main Stage presentations, enhanced networking receptions (including the annual Women in Retailing event) and Chain Store Age’s annual Breakout Retailer Awards, which honors growing brick-and-mortar retail and restaurant concepts.