The National Retail Federation (NRF) passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies, and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, DC, NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting fifty-two million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job—educating, inspiring, and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.
Retail supports one in four American jobs and drives a large percentage of job creation. NRF’s membership includes a diverse community with more than 16,000 leading retailers and industry professionals. NRF advocates on behalf of the retail industry on policy items that benefit the economy, jobs, innovation, and consumer value. Membership in NRF gives retailers the opportunity to advocate on important policy issues, gain insights from industry leaders and visionaries, and network with retail’s best and brightest. Together with its philanthropic arm, the NRF Foundation, the organization stands up for, celebrates, educates, and inspires the retail industry. As one of retail’s greatest advocates, NRF seeks to unite an industry of leaders and boundary breakers around complex issues and bold opportunities. Member and industry engagement occurs across various programs, initiatives, and collaboration. NRF produces and supports events throughout the year to bring together thought leaders and share insights and best practices. Some of these events include: Retail’s Big Show, NRF Supply Chain 360, NRF PROTECT, and NRF Nexus to name a few.
Through more than forty councils and committees, NRF also provides members with the opportunity to network, share ideas, establish best practices, prepare testimony for Congress, and grow in their careers. Councils provide members with regular engagement for benchmarking, sharing, and collaboration with retail colleagues.
Supporting LP and AP Professionals
Within the loss prevention, asset protection, cyber, and fraud space, NRF supports the LP Council and the IT Security Council. Members of these councils engage in collaboration, education, and networking to improve the knowledge, standing, and influence of LP and cyber within their retail organizations.
The LP Council is open to senior loss prevention and asset protection executives from member companies, and the IT Security Council is designed for retail sector cybersecurity leaders and technical experts. Through committees and working groups, these councils focus on key aspects of growth including career development, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, developing new approaches against current and future threats, and developing content to support the NRF PROTECT conference.
The conference is held annually and is open to all professionals working within or in conjunction with all aspects of enterprise security risk. Primary attendees include those with responsibilities for loss prevention, asset protection, corporate security, cyber risk, digital, and e-commerce fraud. Its purpose is to bring together all of those focusing on cyber and physical security, safety, and digital risks. PROTECT is one of the largest retail security events in the US, featuring diverse content that brings together all retail verticals and security disciplines under one roof.
Boasting three days filled with over thirty educational sessions, an expo with more than 200 solution providers, and numerous networking events, attendees have many opportunities to connect, collaborate, and learn. Keynote speakers provide thought-provoking leadership and inspirational content, while featured sessions provide peer presentations and discussions on the latest issues, challenges, and solutions.
In the expo hall, solution providers representing more than fifty product and service categories showcase innovative and proven technologies and solutions. The expo also features the NRF Fusion Center, where retailers can interact with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; mall property owners and security professionals; and organized retail crime associations to engage and discuss trending LP and cyber issues and explore strategies to counter retail crime.
PROTECT provides attendees with special programs geared toward different areas of the security profession and retail industry. The Executive Afternoon for senior LP leaders offers discussions of the key challenges of the day and potential issues faced tomorrow. The Cybersecurity Forum brings together CISOs and cybersecurity leaders to engage collaboratively on how to better address the cyber threats impacting the retail industry.
Throughout the conference, a special luncheon and presentations allow attendees to engage in a Women in Loss Prevention Network supporting diversity and inclusivity. The Organized Crime Investigator’s Network luncheon tackles the significant issue of organized retail crime, while showing appreciation to law enforcement in their support of our efforts. Attendees can earn continuing education units to support various industry and professional certifications.
Something for Everyone
Sessions are developed and presented by peers, focusing on the latest issues and providing the latest tactics and approaches from a holistic perspective. As convergence continues between cyber, physical, and digital threats, the PROTECT conference supports all three learning tracks with specific sessions that bring all disciplines closer together to build teamwork. It’s a chance to collaborate with peers from different departments in a retail organization, all to make sure your security, risk, and asset protection measures measure up.
For those who have never attended PROTECT or haven’t attended in years, join your peers this year on June 5–7, at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas. It is an opportunity to meet new people, collaborate with peers across different retail verticals and disciplines, and see the latest technologies and services.
In preparation for this year’s event, visit nrfprotect.nrf.com for information on content, the agenda, and registration. Follow the NRF on LinkedIn, and, once available, download the NRF PROTECT mobile app that allows attendees to access the full agenda, speaker list, exhibitor list, and conference maps, and the ability to create a personalized schedule.
