VMSD - April 2014 - (Page 4)

fe from the editor 11262 Cornell Park drive Cincinnati, oh 45242 P: 513.421.2050 / f: 513.421.5144 vmsd@stmediagroup.com / vmsd.com Time Out the road to success requires, well, getting on the road. EdiTOrial Editor-in-Chief patricia Sheehan patricia.sheehan@stmediagroup.com A whirlwind winter of industry-related travel (and travel hassles resulting from that cruel polar vortex) is finally winding down. We were off and running in December with the Retail Design Collective. Close on its heels came NRF's annual event, Retail's Big Show. Then, for yours truly, the A.R.E. awards judging, followed by that triennial triathlon known as EuroShop. And finally, GlobalShop. As challenging as so much travel is to one's internal body clock and home life, in the end, it's mostly exhilarating and rewarding on many levels. And really, how else is one to stay on top of the latest industry happenings and trends and, sometimes best of all, insider talk, unless you snap shut your desktop or mobile device and connect with far-flung clients, vendors and colleagues, face-to-face? Because, you know what? Most likely you're not going to score that next big project or coveted job trolling Pinterest, LinkedIn or even, I must admit, VMSD.com. You need to press the flesh, friends. I'm talking about hoisting a cappuccino or Cosmopolitan together, sharing a show shuttle or dancing the night away in a dark Düsseldorf club with a certain renowned retail designer with Fabio-worthy hair. (I have the photos.) And, for all the grumbling by some industry veterans over the repetitive grind and expense involved in traveling the tradeshow circuit, most will acknowledge that it often takes just one connection to make it all worthwhile. At EuroShop, several designers and vendors shared with me their successes in scoring influential new connections and promising deals. Plus, once we connect on a personal level, we're more likely to let our defenses down, sharing the challenges and struggles in this tough industry. In a fragile economic recovery, there are still too many stories of layoffs and deals gone sour compared to big wins and bonuses. Who can't relate and find solace in commiseration and support? So, while there will always be those who swear they're done with (insert show/conference here), how much do you want to bet that they'll be back next year for more? See you on the circuit. Managing Editor robin Donovan robin.donovan@stmediagroup.com Art Director Don Heyl don.heyl@stmediagroup.com Assistant Editor Carly Hagedon carly.hagedon@stmediagroup.com Editor-at-Large Steve Kaufman steve.kaufman@stmediagroup.com New York Editor Eric Feigenbaum European Editor John ryan, london Contributing Photographer richard Cadan brand & businEss dEvElOpmEnT Senior VP/Group Publisher U.S. / Canada Murray Kasmenn murray.kasmenn@stmediagroup.com p: 770.578.2577 Senior Market Strategist Ben Skidmore ben.skidmore@stmediagroup.com p: 972.587.9064 International Market Strategist patricia iannelli patricia.iannelli@stmediagroup.com Via G. rossini 16, 21100 Varese, italy p: +39.0332.240285 Integrated Marketing Specialist Brittany lucero brittany.lucero@stmediagroup.com p: 770.545.3667 Publishing & Brand Services Coordinator Christine lewis christine.lewis@stmediagroup.com p: 770.874.7834 c O r p O r aT E President Tedd Swormstedt Senior VP Content Steve Duccilli Audience Development Director Christine Baloga Production Coordinator Mark Kissling Book Division Director Mark Kissling Reprint Information 717-632-3535, ext. 8265 subscripTiOn sErvicEs p.O. Box 1060, Skokie, il 60076 p: (847) 763-4938 / F: (847) 763-9030 VMSD@halldata.com 4 April 2014 | vmsd.com http://www.VMSD.com http://www.VMSD.com http://www.vmsd.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of VMSD - April 2014

VMSD - April 2014
Contents
From the Editor
VMSD Editorial Advisory Board
The Goods
VMSD Designer dozen 2014
In the Black (and White)
Singapore Sling
Look What’s Popping Up All Over
Showroom
Ad Index
Checking Out

VMSD - April 2014