Event Recap: Resume Round Robin: Connecting Emerging Professionals with Industry Mentors

Hosted by the Retail Design Institute – New York Chapter

March 5, 2026

On March 5th, the RDI New York Chapter hosted its inaugural Resume Round Robin, pairing emerging professionals with industry experts for portfolio feedback, career guidance, and meaningful connection. The evening took place at the Arcadis offices in the iconic Woolworth Building.

The format was straightforward and effective: mentors remained stationed throughout the space while emerging professionals rotated through timed rounds, ensuring everyone had the opportunity to receive personalized feedback on their resumes, portfolios, and career trajectories. While the structure kept things moving on schedule, conversations flowed organically, with genuine dialogue happening across experience levels.

Attendees came prepared with portfolios and resumes in both printed and digital formats, ready to share their work and receive candid insights from established designers, architects, and professionals who have built careers in the industry. The feedback was direct, encouraging, and grounded in real-world experience, giving participants actionable guidance as they navigate their own paths forward.

Following the mentoring rounds, the group gathered for networking over small bites, allowing the conversations to continue in a more relaxed setting. The casual atmosphere encouraged everyone to mix, share their stories, and build connections that extended beyond the formal structure of the evening.

This event marks the beginning of what we hope will become an ongoing tradition for the New York Chapter. As an industry, we have a responsibility to give back to the next generation of retail designers, suppliers, architects, and creative professionals, and evenings like this remind us of the value in simply showing up, listening, and sharing what we've learned along the way.

A sincere thank you to Arcadis for hosting us in their beautiful space and helping make this inaugural event possible. We look forward to continuing and growing this program in the months and years ahead.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: AGI, Studio 43D

Event Sponsors: PID Floors | Arcadis

Gold Sponsors: Schimenti Construction, Axis Global Logistics, Planit Construction, Omnify – Home of LumiSheet™, Pacific Northern, Ensemble, 5 POINTS Construction, Bank of America , Travelstead

International Sponsors: RCA, VMSD, SHOP!, Planit Construction