Are you interested in participating in the STORE 2010 Conference as a speaker? Take a look below for more information on how to submit your proposal! Please also note that we are not currently looking into speaker submissiosn for STORE 2011. It would be best to check back early next year for more detailed information including deadlines.

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 over 600 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-wide 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 Breakfast!

Conference Session/Speaker Proposal Submissions Due: The conference planning committee will be considering agenda topics and conference session/speaker proposals submitted by TBC.

Committee Decisions: Final decisions will be made by the planning committee by the end of March 2011. RCC will follow up with everyone who submitted a proposal once speakers have been selected.

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, Company, 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 two months prior to the conference date.

4. Conference Session Types

The programming consists of:

• Super Session — Approximately a 45 to 60 minute session 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 concurrent and workshop sessions).
• Concurrent Session — Approximately a 45-minute session 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.

How to Submit Your Proposal

• Please send speaker proposals via e-mail to Tracy Hall, Associate Director , Events & Education at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For further information, please contact Tracy at (416) 922-0553, ext. 251.