Chicago – IGC Show officials announce a redesigned retail networking hub, centrally located on the trade show floor, for the Aug. 15-17 event at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The IGC Networking Lounge’s collaborative model takes inspiration from contemporary retail design trends, with shared spaces modeled after the Genius Bar at Apple Stores. Attendees will be able to sit with other independent garden center retailers at long tables with charging ports for their devices.
Inside the lounge, IGC Show attendees will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on a wide range of IGC-relevant interests with their peers in “Shop Talk” Retail Discussions. They will be able to grab a drink from the lounge’s IGC Bar, have a seat and hold conversations centered on today’s hottest industry topics, submitted by IGC retailers – including dealing with higher minimum wage laws, rising health care costs, getting younger shoppers in-store and more. A facilitator will keep the discussions moving along and ensure everyone is heard.
“As we enter our second decade of joining together as an industry at the IGC Show, the IGC Networking Lounge and ‘Shop Talk’ Retail Discussions will further our all-important networking focus at the event,” Jeff Morey, IGC Show co-founder & CEO, says. “This re-imagined area will serve as a central meeting point for indies from all across the country to talk shop and form new industry friendships.”
IGC Show’s trade show, three morning keynotes and Opening Evening Party & Concert with Blue Öyster Cult are all free – if you register now at www.IGCChicago.com.
RELATED: IGC Show Garden Center Tour to spotlight ‘What’s New’ at Chicagoland independents: Early bird savings are still in effect for the IGC Show Garden Center Tour on Monday, Aug. 14.
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