Speak at an RCC Event   Are you doing great things? Does Canada's retail industry need to learn more about your success, learning, and innovation? Are you willing to share insights with the industry's biggest players?   BECOME A SPEAKER AT ONE OF RCC'S 2008 MUST-ATTEND EVENTS! Below you will find: A. INFORMATION ABOUT THE RETAIL COUNCIL OF CANADA'S 2008 CONFERENCES > Retail Human Resources Conference > STORE — Canada's Retail Conference > Retail Loss Prevention Conference   B. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFERENCE SESSION/SPEAKER PROPOSALS   C. SUBMIT A PROPOSAL   A. INFORMATION ABOUT RCC'S 2008 CONFERENCES 1. Retail Human Resources Conference April 9, 2008 Toronto, Ont. Audience: This conference is designed for retail HR and retail operations professionals at both the senior and managerial levels. Approximately 250 individuals attend this event from across Canada.   Content: Over the past few years, recruitment, retention and Canada's labour shortage have been major themes of discussion. In addition, exhibitors reflecting HR services for the retail industry have been on hand to provide new ideas and solutions for delegates.   2008 Conference Theme: Customer-focused HR.   Planning Committee Details: The conference planning committee has been formed and will spend November and December of 2007 and January of 2008 planning next year's agenda topics and outreaching to potential speakers.   Committee Chair: Craig Foster, Vice President Human Resources, Mark's Work Wearhouse   Committee Members: Carm Aita, Director, Human Resources, YM Inc. Licinia Bennett, AVP Recruitment, Winners Merchants International David Frew, Vice President Human Resources and Corporate Administration, Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation Shaunella Gasper, Director Human Resources, Indigo Books & Music Inc. Michele Hoage, National Manager, Organizational Learning, Sears Canada Inc. Lawrence Hughes, Vice President Human Resources, West 49 Inc. Catherine Love, Store Leadership, The Home Depot Canada Caroline Moro-Dalicandro, Manager, HR Support & Programs, Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. Mary-Alice Vuicic, Senior Vice-President, Human Resources & Organizational Development, Shoppers Drug Mart   Conference Session/Speaker Proposal Submissions Due: Speaking proposals are to be submitted to RCC by February 1, 2008.   Committee Decisions: Final decisions will be made by the planning committee by February 22, 2008. RCC will follow up with everyone who submitted a proposal once speakers have been selected. 2. STORE — Canada's Retail Conference June 2-3, 2008 Toronto, Ontario Audience: STORE is the premiere retail event of the year in Canada. It is a two-day annual conference that draws retail executives and management teams from across Canada representing all operational elements and functions of the business. Approximately 800 individuals from across Canada attend the two-day event.   Content: The conference touches upon leadership in retail, operations, marketing, merchandising, technology, logistics, finance, human resources, loss prevention, customer service and sales, multi-channel retailing, design, corporate social responsibility, globalization and all things new and innovative. RCC strives to ensure that STORE serves all retail sizes, formats, and product categories, making it a true industry event. STORE is accompanied by an exhibit hall, which offers retailers an opportunity to connect with key partners and suppliers. Two other exciting RCC events take place in conjunction with STORE — the Excellence in Retailing Awards Dinner and the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame Luncheon.   2008 Conference Theme: Information is coming soon.   Planning Committee: The conference planning committee will spend November and December 2007 and January 2008 developing the event theme and agenda.   Committee Chair: Greg Hicks, Chief Operating Officer, TSC Stores Ltd.   Committee Members: Amanda Aranas, Director, Store Operations, LUSH Cosmetics Don Berezowski, General Manager, Resources Protection, Sears Canada Inc. John Carbray, General Manager Brand Retail, Virgin Mobile Canada Jim Hart, National Manager Retail & Service Clients, RBC Financial Group David Ingram, President & Chief Executive Officer, Easyhome Ltd. Bob Labuik, General Manager, Distribution Industry, IBM Canada Ltd. Jeannette Madruga, Vice President, Product Development, Aritzia LP Michael McMullen, Executive Vice President, Northern Canada Retail Division, The North West Company Andrew Pelletier, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Wal-Mart Canada Corp. Rick Perkins, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation Ross Sinclair, Partner, National Leader Retail & Consumer Packages & Goods, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Jason Stanton, Director, Purchasing & Marketing, Running Room Canada Inc. Annette Sullivan, Vice President, Marketing, Programming and Web, The Shopping Channel Tom Via, Vice-President, Merchandising, Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd. Alan Ward, Vice-President, Human Resources, STAPLES Business Depot   Conference Session/Speaker Proposal Submissions Due: The conference planning committee will be considering agenda topics and conference session/speaker proposals submitted by February 1, 2008.   Committee Decisions: Final decisions will be made by the planning committee by February 22, 2008. RCC will follow up with everyone who submitted a proposal once speakers have been selected.   3. Retail Loss Prevention Conference September 18, 2008 Toronto, Ont.   This event serves loss prevention and retail operations professionals across Canada, and focuses on all aspects impacting loss within the retail industry. Of recent importance and interest to the industry are organized retail crime, data security and customer protection, and payment fraud. This event brings a full complement of exhibitors who provide ideas and expertise on products and services geared toward preventing retail losses. The conference also focuses on strengthening relationships between the retail industry, law enforcement, and governments. Approximately 330 individuals attend this event from across Canada.   Planning for this event will commence in the summer of 2008. A specific timeline for conference session and speaker proposals will be introduced in the spring of 2008.   4. RCC is planning a series of other events across Canada which may involve speaker opportunities. Details for these events will be released as they become available.   B. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFERENCE SESSION/SPEAKER PROPOSALS 1. Eligibility to Submit a Proposal Retail industry organizations and leaders are eligible to submit a conference session/speaker proposal. Retail industry leaders include: Senior Retail Executive/Leader working for Canadian and/or international retail organizations. Retail Partners and Suppliers, e.g., agencies, consulting firms, public relations firms, not-for-profit associations, research groups, vendors and service providers to Canadian and international retailers. Academics and experts working within the sphere of the retail industry.   2. Conference Session/Speaker Proposal Framework and Requirements All proposals must contain the following information and structure in order to be evaluated by conference planning committee members: Main Contact Details — this section should include all contact details for the key contact representing the proposal (i.e., Name, Title, Address, Phone, Fax and E-Mail). Description of Session Topic — this section should align closely with the conference theme and should represent an issue, challenge, opportunity, or trend of importance to the retail industry. Topics must focus on delivering knowledge, best practices, new ideas, and insights relevant to a retail audience. Topics focused on organizations' specific proprietary solutions without an examination of a broader relevance or applicability will not be accepted (the promotion of specific products or services is prohibited during sessions). This section should identify a preference for super session (main stage) or concurrent session delivery. Speakers — this section must contain a list of all proposed speakers and their bios. NOTE: Submissions from retail partners and suppliers must include speaker participants from retail organizations as part of the session mix. Keynote sessions are rarely accepted from retail partners and suppliers. This section must also contain information on proposed speakers' experience with public speaking and content delivery. Special attention will be given to submissions that include subject matter experts with the proven ability to motivate and effectively deliver presentations. References — this section must include a minimum of two references per speaker that RCC may contact to verify presentation abilities, knowledge of given subject matter, etc. Session Format — this section should contain information regarding the proposed delivery of content at the conference. Special attention and priority will be given to proposals that include innovative ways to deliver content and engage audiences to participate in a two-way information sharing experience. Typical formats include: keynote presentations containing Q & A time, panel discussions with a moderator, one-on-one interviews between a subject matter expert and an interviewer, workshop style delivery, two-way feedback and delivery, etc. Delivery Tools — this section should contain details about the tools needed to deliver the proposed session, for example, PowerPoint presentations, Internet access, audio/video use, audience participation devices, etc. (Note: a PowerPoint presentation must be integrated into every presentation)   3. Conference Session and Speaker Proposal Considerations Speakers chosen will not be paid an honorarium or reimbursed for expenses; however, speakers will receive a complimentary registration to the Conference and complimentary tickets to the awards dinner and closing luncheon. Proposals will be selected for presentation at one of RCC's conferences dependant on the availability of all speakers to participate in a teleconference and/or meeting with RCC's speaker relations team and committee liaison. Potential speakers must be available to meet and plan in advance with RCC team members. RCC will not work solely with intermediaries and/or assistants to plan conference sessions. Sessions can be scheduled at any time during the conference, and speakers must be available on any days of the show. Speakers will be notified of their program date and time at least 3 months prior to the conference date.   4. Conference Session Types The programming consists of: Super Session — Approximately 45 to 60 minute sessions presented to the entire audience on the conference main stage. The objective of super sessions is to motivate the audience with innovative and inspirational presentations relevant to all conference attendees (broader in scope than concurrents). Concurrent Session — Approximately 45 minute sessions running concurrently with two additional sessions. The objective of concurrent sessions is to provide specialized, specific information on a given topic in an interactive, engaging and intimate setting.   C. SUBMIT A PROPOSAL Please send all speaker proposals via e-mail to Andrew Siegwart, Vice President, Membership Services, at asiegwart@retailcouncil.org. For further information, please contact Andrew at (416) 922-0553, ext. 248.