A few months back, when Delta was top of mind and the word Omicron was not even on the radar, I asked the question, “Will the trade show of the past, remain just there … in the past?”
It’s now 2022, NRFs Big Show is behind us, and I’m happy to report the future is bright for the comeback of the tech trade show! The biggest retail event of the year was held January 16-18 at New York’s Javits Center, which, ironically, is the same place the first U.S. case of Omicron was reported.
After two previously postponed events in January and June of 2021, the National Retail Federation was bound and determined that the 2022 show must go on, despite many of the largest exhibitors backing out at the last minute. The absence of Microsoft, SAP, Oracle and others offered silver linings to booths like STRATACACHE and NCR, who found their solutions front and center, not dwarfed by the massive two-story booths typically seen at the front of the hall. And while it may not have been the “Big Show” my industry colleagues consider the polestar of retail technology events, it represented an element of normalcy that many of us have been seeking for the past 20 months.
I recently sat down with Manolo Almagro, managing partner at Q Division, for a chat about the NRF show and some of the key takeaways for retailers and tech innovators. Manolo is a 25+year veteran in retail technology, a familiar face on the retail speaking circuit, and my go-to resource for the latest retail tech trends and trade show scoop.
Watch the full video of our chat about NRF 2022 and the future of digital trade shows!
About Manolo Almagro
As a 25+year veteran in retail technology, Manolo leads Q Division – a global team of business consultants, digital commerce and retail tech experts who help companies accelerate digital transformation. Manolo has shared his insights speaking at global events including CES, NRF, Aviation World, Euroshop, and MWC. Among his technical achievements, Manolo is a named inventor on retail software patent US #6038545 and was recognized by AVIXA as an inaugural Emerging Technology, Digital Signage Fellow.
About Meghan Thompson
Meghan Thompson leads the Americas-based marketing organization for STRATACACHE brands. She focuses on demand generation, marketing operations and promoting the STRATACACHE’s brand at leading industry events in North America.