Institute News

Last Thursday, our chapter hosted our inaugural Retail Talk —and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Going into the final week of planning the conversation, I still wasn’t entirely sure what it was going to be. I'd just gotten back home from a fun but chaotic trip to Seattle, was more depleted than I wanted to admit, and found myself in a familiar place a few hours before we went live: staring blankly at my screen, questioning if I actually had anything worthwhile to say.

What a Saturday grocery run taught me about one of the most consequential design problems in America This past Saturday I went grocery shopping. That's not a very dramatic opening sentence, I know… but stay with me. I live on Kansas City's East Side, in a neighborhood I have genuinely grown to love, but also a part of the city that qualifies as a food desert. Our closest grocery store (that isn't a Family Dollar or a gas station ) is a Whole Foods about a mile and a half away

The Heartland Chapter board makes its way through the crowd at Westport Social to secure our group a stellar spot to spread out and connect during our Member Appreciation Happy Hour on February 19th, 2026. On a lively Thursday evening at Westport Social in St. Louis, the Heartland Chapter gathered for our first in-person event of the year: our February General Membership Happy Hour, sponsored by our good friends at VizEx . Westport Social itself was buzzing... lively music pu

A big, bold thank you  to everyone who joined us for our January General Membership Meeting (including our new friend from the Southern California Chapter!) We shared an initial look at our 2026 programming framework, discussed our chapter's goals for the year, and opened the floor for candid conversation about what feels most urgent — and most worthwhile — right now. If you weren’t able to attend, you can: Watch the meeting recording: Share ideas or feedback via our brief su

The Retail Design Institute’s Heartland Chapter is pleased to announce the election of its new Chapter Officers, who will lead the Chapter beginning November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2027.

Ready to lead? The Retail Design Institute is seeking chapter officers for 2025-2027! Nine chapters need Presidents, VPs, Secretaries & Treasurers. Nominations start July 25—could you be the next leader shaping retail design's future?

February Event Recap: 360 Westport FEB. 29, 2024 - Members of the Heartland Chapter enjoyed a networking Happy Hour and behind the scenes...

Hey Heartland Retail Design Enthusiasts- Let me be the first to welcome you to a new year with the Heartland Chapter!

Members of the Heartland Chapter have re-elected their leaders for the term beginning November 1, 2023, through October 31, 2025.

Members in Canada, Carolinas, Heartland, New England, and Twin Cities, watch your email inbox for a chance to nominate.