No Limitations

Every month, I’m restricted to around 475 words for this column. It’s usually pretty easy to be concise enough, or focused enough, to stay within those limitations. Until now.

This month I decided to write about Retail’s BIG Show, our annual convention in New York that draws more than 17,000 people. The problem? This year, there’s so much to highlight it’s nearly impossible to keep this short. For starters, the BIG Show has some really big names, like Sir Terry Leahy, the chief executive of Tesco, the world’s third-largest retailer, and “Freakonomics” co-author Stephen Dubner, who is bound to be thought-provoking.

If you’re looking for chief executives, we’ve got Tory Burch speaking alongside Saks chairman and CEO Steve Sadove on a panel about luxury. Legendary retail CEO Allen Questrom, Howard Levine, CEO of Family Dollar, and Mark Zandi from Moody’s Economy.com will discuss the global recession. Plus, Dunkin’ Brands chairman Jon Luther will participate in a panel about leadership, Diane Paccione president and CEO of Deb Shops will delve into expense management, and Life is good founder Bert Jacobs will undoubtedly make us all feel better.

Additionally, 1-800-Flowers.com president Chris McCann will discuss business analytics, Best Buy president Mark Williams will talk about engaging customers through various touch points and CIOs from McDonald’s and Wal-Mart will address innovation.

Since I don’t have room to name all of the speakers from companies like Target, Old Navy, Cabela’s, Williams-Sonoma, Macy’s, Timberland and BJ’s Wholesale Club, just visit www.nrf.com/annual10 for details.

We’ll also be bestowing prestigious awards on the companies selected as the very best by NRF’s board. I couldn’t be more excited for Polo Ralph Lauren’s Roger Farah to accept the Gold Medal award on behalf of the company or Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh to receive our Innovator of the Year award. And Tadashi Yanai, the chairman and CEO of Fast Retailing, will accept our International Retailer of the Year award.

Our international contingent doesn’t end with Tesco and Fast Retailing. In fact, confirmed speakers will arrive from all corners of the globe, including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Germany and Russia.

In addition to education, our EXPO floor will be packed with hundreds of exhibitors and our new Innovation Station. The DESiGN STUDiO will host legendary designer Giorgio Borruso. Then there are networking opportunities, including an opening night event at the Marriott Marquis, happy hours on the EXPO floor and several receptions.

I’m not the only one getting excited. While I don’t want to jinx it, I’m compelled to mention that headcount for the conference is pacing ahead of last January’s show and our 2008 record-breaker. It will be a simply incredible show. So there’s the rundown of what’s happening at NRF’s 2010 Annual Convention in a succinct 471 words.