And just like that, the 2022 Retail Innovation Conference & Expo is in the books! The inaugural event, hosted by Retail TouchPoints, took place last week in Chicago and was attended by 4,000+ members of the retail industry looking to get a first-hand look at the latest technology and strategies driving the next era of connected commerce. And boy, did they get it!
The #RICE22 agenda was filled with exclusive events like Store Tours, cocktail receptions and the Brand Experience Awards and 40 Under 40 Awards reception. And, of course, attendees had access to two immersive show floors and 80+ sessions led by the brightest minds in the industry. Here are some of our favorite snaps from the event:
#RICE22 Attendees Spread the Love on Twitter
Attendees were eager to spread the excitement to their social circles. Using the hashtag #RICE22, they shared their favorite snaps, tips and takeaways to chronicle their time at the event. Here are some highlights:
22 Brands Take Home Brand Experience Awards
This year’s Brand Experience Awards showcased 22 brands that are taking innovative approaches to all things “experience” — from marketing and service to fulfillment and store design. Winners were announced during a ceremony at the Connected Consumer Stage (powered by WestRock) on the show floor. Check out the full interactive report to get an inside look at the winners, which include KFC, Petco, Sleep Number and so many more.
Killer Keynotes Rock the Stage
We’d be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to shout out our amazing #RICE22 keynote speakers! Cathy Hackl (Future Intelligence Group), Roxanne Barretto Iyer (Clinique), Jonah Berger (Wharton School), Ken Hughes (Glacier Consulting), Deborah Weinswig (Coresight Research), Kathy Ando (Tile), Michelle Frank (Logitech) and Jennifer Stender Hawkins (Centric Brands) each brought their unique perspectives to the forefront on some of the hottest topics in retail, including the metaverse, social influence, the ecommerce evolution, and new drivers of global growth.
Activations Show Innovative Brands and Tech in Action
The #RICE22 show floor activations, including goodMRKT, Cannabis Pop-Up Experience, Clicks 2 Bricks, BNPL Theatre and Live Shopping Studio, allowed attendees to test-drive cutting-edge tech and chat with experts who are leading the charge in this new era of retail.
Industry Experts Recap #RICE22
Our goal was to make #RICE22 a connecting point for experts and practitioners across the retail realm. See below for some of our favorite recaps about the event, including some key takeaways!
- The Biggest Challenges Facing Retailers Now by Richard Kestenbaum
- RICE 2022: 5 Things Everyone in Retail Should Know About the Metaverse by Nicole Silberstein
- Commerce Trends that are Dominating 2022 by Kristin Schultz
- Kiri’s Recap of the Retail Innovation Conference by Kiri Masters
- 5 Trends Shaping the Near Future of Commerce by Stephen Babcock
- RICE 2022 Wrap-Up: The Future of Retail Is Centered Around Livestreaming, Creativity, the Metaverse and Gaming by Coresight Research
Retail Remix Recaps #RICE22
Couldn’t join us for #RICE22 and want to see what the fuss is all about? Or maybe you WERE there but want to relive your favorite moments? This week of Retail Remix is for you! Alicia Esposito sits down with her content right-hand, Erica Vallecorsa, to discuss their vision for the agenda and how they tapped different brands, backgrounds and viewpoints to drive dynamic and insightful conversations.
