Wal-Mart to Speak on Sustainability at VISION 2008 in Texas Next Month

Just added! Global retailer will focus on the opportunities and challenges of promoting business sustainability in the 21st Century!

CARY, NC — January 18, 2008 — The opportunities derived from a competitive strategy that embraces sustainability will be the focus of a highly anticipated presentation by Wal-Mart’s Kim Brandner during the VISION 2008 Consumer Products Conference in Fort, Worth, Tex., scheduled for February 11-14, 2008.

In late 2005 Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, publicly declared sustainability as the gateway to becoming an even better company. VISION attendees will have the distinct benefit of hearing Brandner, Senior Manager-Sustainable Textiles at the Bentonville, Ark.-based global retailer, share the company’s views of the opportunities derived from a competitive strategy that embraces sustainability.

Brandner will present on Wednesday afternoon, February 13 and explain the method Wal-Mart is using to integrate sustainability into everyday business. He will also discuss the dynamics of Wal-Mart’s 13 value networks, how the networks function, examples of collaborative wins and the possibilities that exist for vendors within their textile networks.

“Wal-Mart is leading the way among American and global retailers in making the entire issue of sustainability a cornerstone of their corporate philosophy and VISION attendees will benefit greatly from hearing about this process first-hand,” says Rob Johnson, Chair of the 2008 VISION Committee.

Brandner has more than 25 years of retailing experience, including Wal-Mart since 2001. Almost two years ago Kim was chosen to lead the sustainable textile initiative for Wal-Mart. This position has allowed Kim the unique opportunity to integrate a merchandising strategy that incorporated sustainability into Wal-Mart's businesses.

Now in its seventh year, the VISION Conference annually bring together companies from both the consumer products and engineered fabrics industry for three days of informative presentations, networking and awards. More than 400 people are expected to attend this year’s event, the first time it is being held in Texas.