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EDC summary: ICSE conference yields developer interest and experiential retail trends
Summary
Board members reported an economic development staff update from ICSE that emphasized retail interest in Montgomery, experiential retail trends among Gen Z and millennials, and increased use of AI and location intelligence by retailers.
The Montgomery Economic Development Corporation received a staff update from the ICSE conference indicating sustained retail interest in Montgomery and emerging industry trends around experiential retail and technology.
Jeff Angelo summarized the report Stephanie Johnson provided after attending the ICSE event, saying she met with "many, many, many people" and that the conference drew "over 30,000 participants". Angelo said Johnson reported "there's a serious interest in Montgomery" and that she identified roughly 26 developers and retailers — national and local — expressing interest in expansion to the Montgomery area.
The board heard that redevelopment of vacant mall space and experiential retail offerings aimed at Gen Z and millennials — entertainment-focused venues and activities — are drawing particular attention. Angelo relayed that Johnson saw a heavy industry focus on integrating technology and artificial intelligence for location intelligence, predictive modeling and customer experience enhancements. He also noted Johnson attended a community connection event with Kendra Scott and highlighted the importance of creating retail spaces that foster community and connection.
No specific lease agreements, company names beyond Kendra Scott, or firm commitments were announced. The report was informational and no board action was taken.
