EDENS To Host Inaugural smART: The Art of Retail Conference February 4 & 5, 2013, New York City

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EDENS, one of the nation's largest retail real estate developers, announced today the inaugural smART: The Art of Retail Conference, which will take place February 4 & 5, 2013 at the Gansevoort Park Hotel in New York City.

smART: The Art of Retail conference will bring together a host of influencers in the retail world.  smART was created as a vehicle by which small business owners from around the country could learn from some of the most innovative, creative and successful business minds in the industry today.

In conjunction with the conference, EDENS will announce the winners of the first smART Retail Challenge, a nationwide competition seeking the most innovative entrepreneurs and the next, best retail concept. 

"In developing smART, we are creating a platform by which some of the most innovative retailers and small business owners from around the country have invaluable access to some of the greatest leaders in the industry," says Jodie McLean, President and Chief Investment Officer of EDENS.

With a cross section of influential speakers, retail walking tours and interactive panels, smART will become a valued and highly coveted conference year-after-year for small business owners nationwide. Topics discussed at smART will include: brand building; technology strategy; accessing capital; and the role of digital media & publicity in building a brand and driving sales; and retail trends.

Participants for the 2013 smART: The Art of Retail Conference include:

• Dana Telsey – CEO & Chief Research Officer, Telsey Advisory Group
• Jarrod Moses – Founder & CEO, United Entertainment Group
• Stefani Greenfield – Chief Creative Officer, The Jones Group
• Kate Russell – Design Director, Gensler
• Allison Arling-Giorgi – The Intelligence Group
• Andy Stenzler – Chairman and CEO, Kidville
• Jodie McLean – President & CIO, EDENS

For more information on smART: The Art of Retail Conference, please visit www.edenssmartretail.com.  For more information on EDENS, please visit www.edens.com.

About EDENS:
EDENS develops, owns and operates community building centers in primary markets throughout the East Coast. Focusing on innovative development and redevelopment together with key acquisitions in urban areas, the Company has built an institutional-quality portfolio of 111 retail centers. EDENS has Regional Headquarters in Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami and Columbia, SC. For additional information about the Company and its retail real estate portfolio, please visit www.edens.com.

SOURCE EDENS