This congress will coincide with the European Outlets Conference, offering the participants the opportunity to attend the sessions of both conferences and to interact with their counterparts from the whole world.
In its 43rd year of existence, the European Conference - the main event that ICSC holds in Europe - will gather traders, owners, developers, investors and technology companies, offering opportunities to explore cutting-edge trends and get information from all these sectors that are increasingly interconnected. Specifically, this year's theme "Space, Place and the Future of Retail" will examine the disruptive forces that change and shape the retail industry, in the present and in the future.
Among the main topics that will be discussed at the conference are the understanding of the drivers of change, with three simultaneous sessions exploring how technology, big data and demographics are changing the future of retail trade. Also, create spaces with magnetism (diverse artists of the creation of spaces present several case studies) and look beyond purchases: Can we continue to call it retail trade? A unique vision of how retail, combined with leisure and restoration are the key factors of creative mixed-use projects will be offered.
The European Outlet Conference, for its part, will examine this growing sector more closely, with panels of experts who will analyze matters such as the role of these centers in the retail ecosystem, their investment potential and the outlets in the different regions of the world.
Bill Kistler, executive vice president of ICSC, says: "The combination of both annual conferences offers to attendees the perfect opportunity to inquire about issues, trends and opportunities that we all share. A large-scale event with more variety of sessions, more speakers and a multitude of ways to connect with counterparts will offer an experience much more valuable."
Javier Hortelano, president of the Spanish Association of Centers and Commercial Parks, AECC, adds: "We are proud that the ICSC has elected Barcelona for its European Conference in 2018. It offers us the opportunity to show the dynamic retail industry that we have in Spain to our colleagues around the world."