Retailers Are Optimistic About 2022, And Ready To Jump Into The Metaverse
A global pandemic closed stores, kept people home and caused waves of disruptions for two years and retail sales still grew by record amounts.
National Retail Federation
Saving brick-and-mortar retail with tech
The National Retail Federation (NRF) hired Tusk to curate and promote tech innovation at its largest retail conferences that draw over 40,000 people annually, as well as create and execute a new engagement strategy for the larger tech and venture capitalist communities.
Press Hits
An ‘Innovation Lab’ for Discovering Retail Technologies
Retailers are increasingly looking to technology to catch up to consumer shopping habits.
5 Key Trends Noted at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show
Automation, crypto, frictionless store experiences, e-commerce and safety/security are among top priorities.
The Stakes
As retail continues a major transition driven by technology, the NRF needed to overhaul the way it engaged the tech community and distributed content related to technology so it could effectively drive attendance to its largest revenue-generating events, deepen engagement with its members and enhance its reputation and influence.
The Process
Tusk created, produced and promoted the NRF Innovation Lab at NRF’s largest national events, Shop.org 2017 and 2018 and Big Show 2018 and 2019. As part of the project, Tusk also helped redesign NRF’s Retailer-Startup engagement program and developed a venture capitalist and tech accelerator strategy. Tusk handled all research and concept development, startup/tech provider recruitment, event production and sponsor/exhibitor management. Tusk engaged 300+ startups and venture capitalists (VC), designed lab selection criteria and negotiated company participation in each event. Tusk also curated and moderated retailer panel discussions and hosted special access media events and NRF VIP tours to drive local and national media coverage and enhance key members’ experience.
Susan Newman, SVP of Conferences, National Retail FederationTusk helped us reinvent the way we showcase and communicate how technology is transforming our industry. Their work has helped us better support our membership, drive attendance to our marquee events and enhance our brand and reputation.
The Conclusion
The Innovation Labs were celebrated as the most popular and engaging parts of each event as measured by attendee surveys, foot-traffic and media coverage. Later on, Tusk helped the NRF navigate jumpstarting the conference following the pandemic in 2021.