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Tech Viewpoint: Three can’t-miss technology sessions at SPECS 2019

3/1/2019
The SPECS Show 2019 physical retail conference offers plenty of tech-themed content.

From March 3-5, Chain Store Age will host the 55th annual SPECS Show for retailers involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants. Demonstrating how ubiquitous technology has become in retail, attendees at this year’s event at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas will have many IT-related sessions to choose from. Here are three worth investigating, check out the agenda for a full list of sessions, keynotes, meetings, receptions, and other program events.

Thriving in the Age of Distraction
Monday, March 4, 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
For the first time in history, we live in a world without any barriers to connection or communication – which has fundamentally altered the way people work, engage, communicate, and relate to one another. In this intensely practical presentation, Curt Steinhorst discusses the great challenges we face in a constantly connected world. He pulls back the curtain to reveal: How did we get here? How deep does this distraction issue go? And where do we go from here? Curt Steinhorst is founder of Focuswise, a consultancy that equips organizations to overcome the challenges of the constantly connected workplace

Digital Devices and Software for Facilities Management
Monday, March 4, 2:10 p.m.– 3:00 p.m.
Hear how technology – from smarter, connected devices to software solutions – is transforming the facilities management (FM) space, and ways to leverage tech to provide faster and better service to stores. Discover tips for validating technology investments that integrate with other solutions, and proven ways to deliver ROI. Moderated by Jennifer Sorrells, senior manager of national retail facilities management for T-Mobile; panelists include Bill Hayden, CEO, FacilitySource; James Duffy, director of sales and marketing, IFTI (Independent Floor Testing & Inspection); and Steven “Spence” Spencer, consultant, Ardenwood Consulting.

“Phygital:” How This Trending Term Will Impact Your Store
Tuesday, March 5, 3:10 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.
As physical and digital – phygital – converge, what are the implications for customer interaction in your stores? An expert panel will explore BOPIS, self-checkout, cashless transactions, and more – and reveal what’s working, what’s not, and what’s the future of the systems and the technologies. Moderated by Randy Pannell, VP of construction, Saks Fifth Avenue/Hudson’s Bay Co.; panelists include Brent Paulsen, managing director and head of retail, Untuckit; Susan Carroll-Boser, VP of technology, White Castle; and Kristen Roodvoets, retail operations – construction project manager, SmileDirectClub.

Next week, I will offer a review of some of the most interesting tech-related learnings from SPECS. Hope to see you there!
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