Team Henderson was proud to host the 2024 Henderson Retail Symposium at our headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas. This year’s symposium brought together members of our retail sector with clients and industry leaders from across the country to discuss topics, trends, and challenges that are impacting the industry to help equip us to be better partners.

The 2024 edition of the event featured three panel discussions: BIM Innovation in Prototype Development, The “Why” Behind a Strong Partnership, and Design for a Sustainable Building Life. For a summary of key insights and takeaways from each session, continue reading.

BIM Innovation in Prototype Development
Justin Ehart, director of digital transformation at Ware Malcomb, Michael Rostkowski, principal at Arcadis, and Brian Wackerman, director at ARCO/Murray, discussed the implementation of innovative BIM concepts in prototype development. The panel was moderated by Dustin Schafer, chief technical officer at Henderson.

The three panelists each offered a distinct perspective into their thoughts regarding BIM Innovation, and how their companies are moving forward in this area. BIM has revolutionized the AEC industry, ushering in a new era of efficiency and collaboration. BIM has streamlined the design process and evolved beyond a drafting tool into a database of information related to how buildings come together and are operated.  This evolution was discussed by our speakers as it relates to how this data we’re collecting can be utilized to expand service offerings to our clients.

For some of our panelists’ firms, BIM has allowed the efficiency of workflow to shorten valuable time for their staff, allowing for them to jump into other opportunities. It’s important to keep pushing forward while also understanding that while something may work perfectly well at one company, it may not work the same way at another. Each firm must decide what’s best for them and work with their employees to progress to ensure BIM innovation enhances productivity but also fosters more resilient built environments.

The “Why” Behind a Strong Partnership
Moderated by Robin Broder Gibson, Henderson’s chief strategy officer and chair of the board, the second panel featured Justin Brenner, director of store facilities for Cartier North America, Justin Gould, vice president of retail banking design and construction at Citibank, and Scott McCage, principal and senior account designer at IA Interior Architects. The trio discussed the importance of establishing and maintaining strong client relationships.

At the core of the symposium’s second session was the importance of communication, fostering clarity, understanding, and cohesion within the panelists’ partnerships. The group discussed transparency and understanding that it’s not just about sharing information but also empowering their teams to navigate challenges with foresight. “No surprises” was the mantra, championing tackling issues head-on to prevent escalation and fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving rather than letting concerns fester.

Overall, each of the speakers’ approaches extend beyond mere transactions; it’s about enhancing the customer experience, making it seamless, intuitive, and enriching. Each panelist champions innovation, continuously seeking ways to make their clients’ lives easier, whether through tailored solutions or proactive education. The conversation expanded beyond the fundamentals of a quality client experience, such as prompt responses and clear communication, to thoroughly explore the differentiators. Each speaker painted a picture of partnership as a two-way street where each party has responsibilities to maximize the value of the relationship. When all parties feel valued and understood, a design team is poised to operate at higher level.

Design for a Sustainable Building Life
Sustainable and regenerative design practices continue to be at the forefront of retail design as is the case across all building types. Nick LeBlanc, director of American retail facilities at Tiffany & Co., and Ambar Margarida, principal and design and sustainability leader at Spacesmith, shared their thoughts on designing for a sustainable building life with moderator Jon Jensen, western regional commissioning manager at Henderson Building Solutions.

The final session engaged the panelists in a thought-provoking discussion on the multifaceted landscape of sustainability, dissecting its complexities and imperatives within the retail industry. They explained how the label of sustainability often masks a plethora of competing interests, emphasizing the need for a collective effort in understanding and implementation.

From supply chain scrutiny to the adoption of lifecycle assessments (LACs) akin to nutrition labels, Ambar advocated for a holistic approach that extends beyond mere rhetoric to tangible actions. The dialogue pivoted towards the transformative potential of design, heralding it as a catalyst for reimagining systems and structures towards sustainability. Nick shared several real-life experiences from his vantage as a facilities director and offered endorsement for both building systems commissioning and the incorporation of enhanced building management systems as ways to ensure a facility is optimized not only for occupant comfort, but also for sustainable operation.

With a nod to Henderson’s advocacy for architectural longevity, they underscored the interconnectedness of sustainability across diverse domains, leaving the audience with a great appreciation for the intricate reciprocity between innovation, responsibility, and stewardship of resources.

What’s Next?
As the retail industry evolves towards the future, it’s imperative to integrate sustainable and regenerative practices, elevate client experience, and foster innovative ideas. We’re committed to working hand in hand with our clients and partners to translate the insights from this symposium into actionable strategies, propelling us towards the forefront of retail design. If you have topics you’d like to see discussed in this forum or are interested in participating in a future discussion, please let us know.  We extend our gratitude to all the panelists and partners for their invaluable contributions to the second annual Henderson Retail Symposium.

Henderson Knows Retail
Our history is rooted in retail and it remains a focus today with multiple clients on the Top 100 retailers list. Our retail sector experts work on all sizes and types of projects from programmatic, nationwide retail and restaurant chains to specialty retail stores, luxury brand flagships, and new automotive showrooms. Through sustainable engineering solutions, we help our clients lessen their environmental impact. We understand what motivates and moves consumers inside a store and how to incorporate technology to create unique, omnichannel brand experiences that result in customer sales.

To learn more about our expertise in retail design, visit our website. Our sister company, Henderson Building Solutions, stands ready to help you with retail construction services to keep your store environmentally friendly and running smoothly. Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest information from Henderson and to learn about future events like the Retail Symposium.