1. SHOPTALK RETAIL CONFERENCE TO FEATURE ONLY WOMEN SPEAKERS IN 2020: Shoptalk, a retail industry conference, has announced plans to put women front and center next year. The event, which is slated to take place March 22 to March 25 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, will only have women speakers for both its keynote and breakout sessions. Further, Zia Daniell Wigder, Shoptalk's chief global content officer, revealed that beginning in 2021, Shoptalk’s speaker roster will always be split 50/50 between men and women. Fortune: "Women are better represented in the C-suites of retail than in most other industries. But with just 36 women at the helm of a Fortune 500 company (that elite group includes the C.E.O.s of Best Buy, Kohl's, Ulta Beauty, and J.C. Penney), Shoptalk wants its approach to send a message beyond the world of retail. Shoptalk's move has meant that 60 male speakers who had already been booked were asked to give their spot to a female colleague, something Wigder says has not been a problem so far... 'Some people won't be happy with the move but we think that overall it's an important thing for us to do and it's absolutely essential for the industry,' she says."
2. FASHION EDITORS TAKE A STAND FOR SUSTAINABILITY: Maxed out on free clothes, makeup samples, and more, fashion editors have sent a plea to industry publicists asking them to edit the amount of swag they send, and to vastly dial back on packaging for the gifts. The letter was crafted by a group of fashionistas during a recent industry breakfast, and posted to the social media accounts of all those in attendance. They wanted to take a stand before the holiday season, when their desks become mountains of freebies. WWD: “‘In an effort to reduce excess, we, in the fashion community, are seeking a mindful awareness this holiday season (and beyond!). We urge p.r. agencies and brands to refrain from blind gifting and using excessive "unboxing" materials,' the letter said. ‘Thoughtful packaging, as well as advance notice, choice of product, or the option to respectively opt out of gifting would be appreciated as we set the intention to shift industry norms.’”
3. NYC PLAYBOY CLUB CLOSING TO BECOME A LIVE NATION VENUE AND STEAKHOUSE: Against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, New York’s second iteration of the Playboy Club is closing. Open for just over a year, the space will be put to good use: It is set to become a steakhouse and entertainment venue, sponsored by event promoter Live Nation. The New York Post: “The revamp comes as the club’s owners seek to boost business in the #Metoo era, where companies are no longer game to reimburse employees excursions to a club famous for its scantily clad women, sources said. The club—which sells memberships but also has a bar that’s open to the public—is often packed on the weekends but has had trouble drawing a crowd on weekdays, sources told The Post.”