In an uncertain era in which nervous retailers are watching their travel budgets like hawks, how is it that the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) IMPACT conference continues to post these types of attendance numbers? With over 670 registered and a sold-out expo, IMPACT continued its strong 20-year path of growth.
According to Dr. Read Hayes, executive director of the LPRC, “I’ve been to twenty LPRC IMPACTs, I’m biased, but this event was clearly the best! More content, more intimate, more AP lab and project engagement than ever before.”
Hurricane Milton caused the LPRC team to make a difficult decision to move the conference from late fall last year to early spring 2025. It turned out to be a great decision as the weather this time of year, including the threat of hurricanes, is much more cooperative in Gainesville, Florida. That, coupled with light competition among other conferences, contributed to the high attendance but certainly was not the main factor.
Most conferences contain three main components: educational sessions, an Expo Hall, and networking opportunities. Here are a few of the differences that I saw at the 2025 LPRC IMPACT event.
For starters, we need to add an additional category specifically for the LPRC: hands-on experience. The University of Florida Innovate Hub LPRC Labs is a unique blend of a mock store and virtual simulation where retailers can see solutions at work. Whether it’s new cameras or LPR solutions for the parking lot, EAS systems, QR-enabled lockers, or SOC set-up, there’s a lab to develop and try out solutions at the Hub. IMPACT attendees were given tours of the labs during the opening night reception. With so much technology to explore (over 500 solutions), retailers are invited to set up one-on-one tours to explore in more depth.
Educational Sessions
You can see the agenda for the IMPACT conference here. Suffice it to say that it was all about the research, and the theme of “a little less talk and a lot more action” was fitting. Director of Research Dr. Cory Lowe said, “We had record-breaking attendance at IMPACT, and the research team had the opportunity to showcase all the great work they have done with retailers, law enforcement partners, and solution providers throughout the year. The year’s theme was ‘A little less talk and a lot more action,’ and the event showed how much the entire LPRC community took that to heart—research year 2026 and IMPACT 2026 are going to be even better and even more productive.”
Dr. Hayes and Scott Ziter, chairman of the LPRC board of advisors, gave research and LPRC updates in the main sessions. Keynotes included an active assailant breakdown, real-time crime centers and their effect on ORC in Cobb County GA, John Matas’ presentation on unifying e-comm fraud and brick and mortar LP teams, Dave Thompson’s presentation on “Bringing Science to the Interview Room,” and “Gift Card Draining,” which were all excellent. Attendees could choose from breakouts on a variety of topics. Those sessions featured as speakers research scientists and retail members of the LPRC, who not only learn from but also participate in the research. A few engaging presentations I attended were on analyzing metadata from TikTok for theft trends and big data analysis of Craigslist for stolen goods. The live interviews with retail theft offenders explaining their journeys through crime are always an IMPACT highlight.
Solution Center Experience
The gathering of solution providers into the Solution Center Experience was highly attended. Without supersized booths and a smaller solution provider-to-retailer ratio, the intimidation factor was lessened, and conversations seemed to flow easier. There was also plenty of time to navigate the hall, with specific portions of the IMPACT agenda allotted to this purpose.
Networking
Lastly, the networking opportunities were abundant. A golf tournament, an opening reception, and an event inside the University of Florida Champions Club were all excellent venues to network. But if you needed more, there was the app. In my opinion, this conference made the best use of its app, Whova, that I have seen. Before, during, and after IMPACT, attendees were chatting via groups, introductions were happening, social events were organized, 620 virtual business cards were shared, and 1,445 chat messages were sent.
The LPRC could not succeed without its members. Recognition was given to the LPRC members who are putting in the work to assist in research and in the working groups. The Chief Kevin Kolbye award is given to a law enforcement partner who, according to the LPRC website, “exemplifies integrity, loyalty, a mission-driven mindset, and honesty, showcasing selfless partnership and leading the way in bridging the gap between law enforcement and LPRC members with professionalism and dedication.” This year’s recipient was Chief Inspector Jaime Kurnick with the Gainesville PD.
Every year I attend IMPACT, I’m impressed by the level of engagement by its members, solution provider sponsors, and law enforcement. Everyone is actively striving toward the same goal—stopping retail crime. Full disclosure: I am a member of the LPRC Board of Advisors, so I believe in the LPRC’s mission, and I’m happy to see it continuing on the road to solving this societal problem.
According to Chad McIntosh, chief operating officer at the LPRC, “Our 20th IMPACT Conference was the most successful event to date. I say ‘to date’ because we strive to improve upon each event and continue to deliver world-class research to practice content. IMPACT is an example of collaborative efforts between our retailers, solution partners, and the research team. The results of everyone’s efforts are providing a clear direction for our community in delivering safer places and safer people. The LPRC has always been an example of when we work together, we are better together. We will always be better together. Come join us and see what we can do together this year and beyond.”
For more information on the LPRC or IMPACT, please visit lpresearch.org.