September 20, 2012 - Phoenix, AZ – The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) opened the Retail Sustainability Conference today in Phoenix, AZ. The fifth annual meeting brings together executives involved in diverse efforts to reduce environmental impacts and integrate sustainable programs to their company models.
Keynote speaker Bob Moran, chairman & CEO of PetSmart, shared insight from his 25 years of experience working in international retail and discussed PetSmart’s vision for sustainable initiatives.
“At PetSmart, we are a company that cares,” said Moran. “We care about people, pets and the communities where we live and work. We know that reducing our carbon footprint is the right thing to do. So, initiatives like our Think Twice sustainability program encourage our associates, our customers, and our vendors to make environmentally-conscious decisions – both big and small – every day.”
Pre-conference events allowed attendees to experience a tour of the National Audubon Society’s Nina Mason Rio Salado Habitat highlighting the most important and threatened habitat in Arizona. An overflow crowd showed up for the special workshop on “Ramping up in Your Sustainability Role” featuring insights from several seasoned sustainability executives.
The educational sessions closed with key issues in compliance, as enforcement officials from the EPA and the state of California joined legal expert Grant Nakayama with Kirkland & Ellis for updates on environmental compliance, enforcement, and regulatory trends, including what retailers should expect in the next five years.
“This event gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the value of sustainability for retail businesses and the consumers they service, and brings together value chain players in the discussion of ever-changing business practices,” said Adam Siegel, vice president of sustainability and retail operations for RILA. “As the dialogue continues to evolve, retailers will find innovative ways to work in their supply chains, stores, and communities to develop models and practices that will bring financial and sustainable value to all stakeholders.”
RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
