Retail Design Institute Southwest + Pacific Chapter: October Newsletter!

Southwest + Pacific
Oct 18
4 min read

Updated: Oct 18

We had an outstanding event at Fashion Island on September 25, and it was wonderful to see how many people turned up! Immense appreciation goes out to everyone who helped make it a success—especially those who traveled from across the country, from Ohio to Northern California, to join us. The day was filled with collaborative networking, forward-thinking discussions, and plenty of inspiration. Our tours of RH, On, melin, Arc'teryx Equipment, Orlebar Brown and J. Pritchard connected retail leaders, sparked innovative ideas, and forged meaningful new relationships.

Special thanks to everyone at J. Pritchard for hosting our reception and being so generous with their space and educating us all on the history of their brand and the origins of Pickleball. As usual, the Southwest + Pacific Chapter loves to socialize and we appreciate the store staying open a little later than usual.

We were truly inspired by the range of RH’s trade services, the exceptional Waterworks kitchen & bath appliances, and the stunning interior design studio—each a highlight of the tour.

Thank you to Kimberly E. Malone (Gensler), Guillermo Guzman Escobar (Hardesty & Associates - GC), and Matt Aquino (Associate Store Director) for their expert insights at On’s Fashion Island location. One of the largest stores in their fleet.

The generosity of our partners made the day extra memorable: On raffled off two pairs of shoes, Arc’teryx gifted every attendee a cap or beanie, and J. Pritchard extended a 20% merchandise discount.

Sincere thanks to Retail Contractors Association for sponsoring and uniting such a passionate community. The Retail Design Institute - Southwest + Pacific Chapter is looking forward to many more opportunities to connect, innovate, and grow together!

Did you know the Southwest + Pacific Chapter includes Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Hawaii? It's true! If you know any innovative store experiences, retail companies, or consultants in any of these areas, please let us know! We'd love to spotlight them in this series... southwestpacific@retaildesigninstitute.org.

Register now...

Rodeo Drive Annual Holiday Lighting Celebration Thursday, November 13, 5:30-8:00 PM

Celebrate the holiday season with the Southwest + Pacific Chapter and Wilson Sporting Goods at our annual holiday event in Beverly Hills. Please arrive at the Wilson Beverly Hills flagship for a pre-reception where we will socialize and celebrate the year together. We will be partnering with Set + Stage Creative for a special afterparty event, details to be announced. This event is co-sponsored by our friends at Niconat.

After the reception at Wilson, go out and walk around the holiday festivities on Rodeo Drive, with luxurious seasonal displays, lights, entertainment, and capped off with a sensational display of fireworks.

We hope you can join us.

Thursday, November 13th, 2025

5:30 - 7:00 PM Reception at Wilson Store

7:00 PM Self-Guided Rodeo Drive retail walk

8:00 PM Fireworks

Free for members / $20 for non-members

Student + educator exclusive event...

Retail Design Institute Southwest + Pacific Retail Design panel at Santa Monica College, Thursday, November 6, 11:00-12:15 pm

One of Retail Design Institute's core pillars is student support and engagement. This November the Southwest + Pacific Chapter will be participating in an Architectural Retail Design Panel at the Santa Monica College with the architecture design and fashion students and educators.

The goal of the panel, joined by members of the Southwest + Pacific Chapter, is to have the students hear from retail industry design experts about the importance of collaboration and working together to create and execute a successful design strategy.

We are excited to have the opportunity to participate in this educational event with the Santa Monica College.

Member Spotlight...

Trade Member of the year...Kelly Ramsey

The Retail Design Institute and Silvestri California proudly congratulate Kelly Ramsey, Trade RDI, on being honored as Trade Member of the Year at the 54th Retail Design Institute Awards. Kelly’s dedication, expertise, and passion for the retail design industry continue to elevate the standard of excellence and strengthen the community of professionals who shape our field. Her consummate professionalism and meticulous attention to her customers are a testament to her receiving this prestigious award for the second time.

Proudly serving on the board of the Retail Design Institute - Southwest + Pacific Chapter as Sponsorship Chair, Kelly exemplifies leadership and commitment.We are all deeply grateful for her remarkable contributions to the retail design industry, as well as all she's done for our Chapter, and we celebrate this well-deserved recognition of her leadership and impact.

Thanks, Kelly!

Hope to see you at this year's IRDC event!

October 22-23, Providence, Rhode Island

Two Southwest + Pacific Chapter members, Kelly Ramsey and Michael Hale, are excited to attend this year's IRDC event in Providence, Rhode Island, hosted by VMSD Magazine.

This one-of-a-kind conference comprises two full days of education and design dialogue centered on the new best practices, emerging opportunities, and fresh strategies for engaging shoppers, maximizing resources, and rethinking the retail experience.IRDC is recognized as the premier educational and networking event for the store design and visual merchandising communities.

Come join us!

Retail Design Institute Southwest + Pacific Chapter is a fun place to connect, network, learn, and have a good time. Be part of a global non-profit networking organization dedicated to the advancement of retail and retail design. The Retail Design Institute is a collaborative community where ideas, knowledge, and a passion for design are shared at local levels.

RDI members enjoy a variety of benefits, including priority access to events, networking and educational seminars, member-only areas of the website, job postings, emerging retail trend information, and other Chapter events.

Come join us by clicking!

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