LPRC IMPACT Conference: Is Research Really Working?

by Amber Bradley, Owner & Brand Strategist, Calibration Group, LLC

The vibrant University of Florida campus is definitely a different environment for an industry conference but it’s fitting for the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) IMPACT conference. The annual IMPACT conference kicked-off Monday, September 30 with the traditional welcome reception of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The highlight of the evening was the unveiling and subsequent tours of LPRC’s new Innovation lab. This lab was explained as a new opportunity for retailers and solution providers to test multiple different ideas without the increased expenses or long-term wait.

The 2019 theme of IMPACT is “Trust” and the keynote speaker was Angela Nino, CFI, founder of Empathtic Workplace. Nino discussed the science of empathy and its role in establishing trust with both peers and employees. She also spoke about treating people with dignity, especially during the interviewing/interrogation process and ultimate separation from the company.

Dr. Read Hayes addressed the crowd of more than 400 loss prevention professionals and solution providers discussing the theme of why trust is so important to retail consumers. The agenda continued with Jordan Burchell, innovation manager of LPRC, discussing the newest capabilities of research with Randy Dunn, Director of Sales from Sensormatic Solutions and Lincoln LeFebvre, Senior Manager, Field Asset Protection of The Home Depot.

Most of the crowd then adjourned to the exhibit floor featuring LPRC solution provider members while others attended the STRATEGY sessions moderated by Tony Donofrio, CEO of TD Insights, Dr. Hyo Jeong Kang, Assistant Professor, Digital Worlds Institute, University of Florida, Randy Dunn, Director of Sales from Sensormatic Solutions and Dr. Read Hayes, Research Scientist from University of Florida.

There is an undeniable sweeping buzz around the retail industry wondering what the LPRC is studying and where are the results of these projects? Many of those questions might have been answered during the breakouts as the general sessions were mostly about new LPRC capabilities.

Breakouts included “learning labs” on:

• Detecting Deviance
• Getting the most out of your LPRC membership
• Retail Collaboration: Teaming up with law enforcement to tackle ORC crime
• Self-Checkout: The Future of Retail?
• Exploring the use of ePVMs to Reduce Self-Checkout Theft

The afternoon continued with concurrent breakouts so everyone could attend each session. Attendees then met back in the general session ballroom to hear from consumers talk about how retailers build trust moderated by Kenna Carlsen, Research Scientist with LPRC.

Attendees ended the day with LPRC’s IMPACT signature event at the Champion’s Club at the University of Florida’s football stadium. Live music, corn hole, and the open bar created an incredible environment for networking and the perfect way to cap off a packed day. Day two will provide another full-day for attendees to hear the progress on LPRC research initiatives and the much-anticipated offender interview panel.