Electrify America (C1459), a startup subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, launched a $2 billion, 10-year program in 2017 to help install electric-vehicle charging stations all across the country. The company says it will have about 2,000 of these EV chargers set up at nearly 500 sites by the end of next month. Last year Electrify America announced agreements to establish charging stations at the properties of several landlords and retailers: Kimco Realty (C1739), Simon, Target and Walmart among them. The company is at RECon to encourage retailers and landlords big and small to surf the so-called EV wave with confidence.

Electrify America considers shopping centers and retailers to be ideal locations, because charging can take as long as 45 minutes, if not longer. Vehicle owners will surely welcome the opportunity to enjoy any nearby amenities in the meantime, says Rachel Moses, Electrify America’s senior manager of site acquisition, strategy and development. “We are excited about the opportunity to talk directly with shopping center decision makers,” she said. “The fact that it’s a deal-making event is important, given the pace at which we are rolling out our infrastructure.”

Athena Security, a startup with a booth in the RECon Innovation Exchange, weds artificial intelligence to security-camera technology so that shopping centers, schools, casinos and similar public places can detect the presence of illicit weapons on the grounds. Among other benefits, the system goes into alert mode the instant a weapon is drawn. With standard security systems, by contrast, it can take the staff people who must monitor multiple screens precious seconds to even detect any danger. Moreover, the Athena Security system can be configured to alert the authorities automatically and immediately. “Just imagine 30 security cameras, and this system watches all of those cameras 24-7,” said Richard Ryan, a spokesman for the company. “It doesn’t get bored, it doesn’t take breaks, and it doesn’t get distracted.”

American Tower Corp. (N2441V) is out to replace any mental images of large, outdoor communication towers that a shopping center landlord may have with something much better, according to John Casadonte, the company’s senior product-marketing manager. The company does operate such towers, to be sure, but Casadonte says his division specializes in improving the mobile signal — and thus, the experience — of visitors to malls, hotels, sporting arenas and similar gathering spaces. “When I walk in and set up at a show like RECon, people wonder why a tower company would be interested in retail,” he said. “But we’re very much in tune with retail space, and that’s why shows like the ones that ICSC puts on are critical for us.”

Typically, American Tower works with shopping center owners to place antennas and telecom equipment. Often a mobile carrier will identify a property in need of better service — usually as a result of customer complaints. That carrier will then ask American Tower to work with the landlord to enhance service at that property. But at other times, says Casadonte, American Tower will on its own approach a landlord.

First-time exhibitor Captain D’s (C2050) is here amid a rebranding and expansion strategy it launched in 2012. This Nashville, Tenn.–based quick-serve seafood restaurant chain operates about 530 units today — a mix of new and overhauled spaces. Just now Captain D’s is in the process of rebranding units at roughly 20 percent of its existing locations, even while it anticipates opening nearly 30 new ones by the end of the year, about double the number of openings last year, according to Phil Russo, the company’s vice president of real estate. “I’ve seen the results of what RECon can do for you, especially when you’re a brand that’s growing,” said Russo, who joined Captain D’s in 2015. “Now is a good time for Captain D’s to attend.”

Interestingly, TransWorld Trade Shows (N1370) is present here at one convention to help promote another: The company says RECon can help raise awareness for the Halloween & Attractions show, which TransWorld holds in St. Louis every year in March. That convention features hundreds of service-and-products providers themed for the Halloween and Christmas holidays, as well as escape rooms and other specialty concepts. Claire Adair, who oversees marketing for the specialty attractions event, says interest has been growing among retail landlords over the past several years. “Shopping center owners are beginning to theme out their properties for Halloween and Christmas events, and we offer a marketplace where they can meet all of their needs,” Adair said. “We thought it was time to let people know how we can help them fill dead space with experiential retail, or [help] bring events to courtyard areas that will attract more people to their centers.”