Growing Local Economy Focus of NB Retail Conference
SAINT JOHN – Finding strategies to grow the local economy will be the focus of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) retail conference in Saint John on Oct. 13.
The ICSC is the global trade association for the shopping-centre industry. The conference was originally scheduled last spring but was postponed due to inclement weather.
The ICSC’s Atlantic Canada Government Relations Section is organizing the conference. The event will bring together municipal and provincial officials, as well as retail industry leaders from Canada and the United States. Speakers and presenters will focus on stimulating the local economy and the role the retail industry plays in the social, civic, and economic vibrancy of communities.
Conference chair John Johnston said in a release that the Saint John conference will showcase some of the industry’s leading experts, including a keynote address by Lacy Beasley, vice president of the renowned development firm Retail Strategies, of Birmingham, Alabama. Beasley’s presentation will stress the importance of lifestyle choices consumers make and how those choices impact the retail industry.
“People are surprised to learn the retail industry is New Brunswick’s largest employer representing between 12 and 15 per cent of the total workforce,” Johnston said. “What’s even more impressive is the fact that one new job is created for every 400 square feet of new retail development. Therefore, a typical large 300,000 square foot shopping centre creates 750 new jobs and generates $1.5 million in new tax revenue annually.”
The conference is open to all municipal and provincial government officials, particularly those working in economic development departments, as well as retailers and developers.