Industry Execs to Meet at Green Retail Decisions Innovation Summit

July 16, 2012

More than 20 retail companies and nine sponsors are joining Green Retail Decisions for its inaugural Innovation Summit July 31-August 1 at the Rosemont Hilton Hotel near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

GRd Summit logo image The Green Retail Decisions Innovation Summit is an exclusive invitation-only event where retail executives will interact with leading industry suppliers to discuss innovation, sustainability strategy, and the future of green retailing.

Central to the Innovation Summit are the Supplier Boardroom Briefings and One-on-One Meetings with leading industry solutions providers. These valuable presentations will provide insight on what it takes to advance retailer sustainability programs.

The Innovation Summit was developed with input from a retailer advisory board including: Kohl's, Staples, Polo Ralph Lauren, Macy's, Kroger, Limited Brands, REI and Supervalu.

Fred Bedore

The opening keynote will be presentation by Fred Bedore, senior director sustainability for Walmart, who will outline “Walmart’s Journey Engaging Associates in Sustainability.” The second day’s keynote will feature Julia Hamm, CEO of the Solar Electric Power Association, who will discuss “The Rapid Growth of U.S. Solar Markets: Opportunities and Challenges for Large Commercial Customers.”

Closing the Summit will be a retailer panel that will discuss how to drive innovation in sustainability. Panelists will include L.J Mohan, Ralph Lauren Corporation; Bob Valair, Staples; and Menno Enters, Walgreens.

Retail companies attending the Summit include Kohl’s, Kroger, Toys R Us, Belk, Family Dollar, Sears, TJX Companies, Target, Limited Brands, Walgreens, Ralph Lauren Corporation, Walmart, REI, Staples, Ahold, HEB, Supervalu, Petsmart, Office Depot, Cinemark USA and Health South.

Sustainability Partners of the Green Retail Decisions Innovation Summit are:

IBM, whose smarter building solutions delivers the industry’s most advanced capabilities, such as configurable workflow and performance analytics, to reduce facility operating costs; and
CA Technologies, whose Energy and Sustainability solutions can help automate sustainability reporting, analyze suppliers, and reduce energy spend in datacenters and buildings.

Summit Sponsors include:

Constellation Energy, provider of energy products and services to approximately 100,000 business and government customers.
CustomerFirst Renewables, a renewable energy integrator focused on bringing large-scale solutions to large businesses and institutions.
Noble Americas Energy Solutions, one of the top energy retailers in the U.S., the company offers back office, portfolio management, product structuring, regulatory affairs and commodity operations.
Phoenix Energy Technologies is a strategic partner and leading provider of Enterprise Energy Management software and services in the retail sector.
Plug Power, which manufactures GenDrive fuel cells, an energy-efficient alternative to lead-acid batteries in electric lift trucks.
SoCore Energy, a leader in solar portfolio development and commercial rooftop installations.
Solar City, leader in solar engineering, financing, installation, monitoring and service as well as other clean energy services including storage, and electric vehicle charging.

While the 2012 Innovation Summit is closed for invitations and registration, declare your interest to be considered for the 2013 Innovation Summit by sending an email to John Failla at jfailla@greenretaildecisions.com.

Click here for more information at the Innovation Summit website.

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