The NRF Foundation team has been busy, busy, busy, preparing for NRF’s BIG Show in January. There are a number of exciting activities — and opportunities — taking place at the 99th Annual Convention & Expo, at the Javits Center, in New York City. I think it will be convention you don’t want to miss.

NRF’s 99th Annual Convention & Expo, January 10-13, 2010

People around the NRF office have been all a buzz about Sir Terry Leahy’s, CEO of Tesco, super session. Me? I’m personally excited that Tory Burch will be there as a speaker for Tuesday’s super session. I’m also excited about all of our Foundation-related activities.

Our Sunday session Where in the World Is Tomorrow’s Retail Talent? takes on an international theme. Attendees will be able to hear from the Winning Team of the third annual American Express – NRF Foundation InterCollegiate Retail Challenge. The team of six college students (from six top university retailing programs) will present their winning business plan and strategy for taking their U.S.-based retail company abroad. Following their presentation, heads of talent at retail companies will discuss their own talent recruitment, management and training strategies across borders.

On Tuesday, NRF Foundation and KPMG will present findings from the eight annual Retail Horizons: Benchmarks and Forecasts survey. At no time in recent memory have findings of this report been more important. KPMG and senior vice presidents from L.L. Bean and Saks will discuss how survey trends and findings line up with plans in their own company, along with the broader retail industry’s plans in nine key areas for 2010.

The education sessions and networking events will certainly keep attendees busy, but make plans to visit the EXPO Hall, including the NRF Foundation’s Resource Area. In the center of the Expo Hall floor (look for the red carpet), the Foundation has an exhibit area where we’ll be:

• Interviewing retail executives — we’ll be “on location” with retail’s biggest stars. Stop by and check out our “casting call,” where will be  talking with retailers about why they love working in the industry.
• Holding demos of our new eLearning platform — come check our our new system and our retail-specific course offerings and certification programs.
• Blogging — our Collegiate Blogging Team will be back at it, sharing their experiences at the BIG Show.
• Tweeting — we’ll be holding several Twitter activities, so make sure you’re following @Retail_Careers.

If you’re planning to attend, make a comment and tell us what you’re most looking forward to in New York!