Hospitality ace Danny Meyer will keynote ICSC’s RECon Digital conference, which will run May 25 and 26. As the founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, Meyer is responsible for some of New York City’s most iconic dining destinations, including Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Cafe and Blue Smoke. The company’s business now extends beyond the walls of its eateries, offering event services, partnerships and restaurant development.

On May 25 at 1 p.m. Eastern, in a session called Where Hospitality Goes from Here, Meyer will discuss the future of dining and entertainment in a post-pandemic world with Acadia Realty Trust president and CEO Ken Bernstein.

Though retail real estate industry professionals from around the world cannot be together in Las Vegas this month due to pandemic restrictions, ICSC offers an opportunity to share insights, network and socialize on their mobile, tablet and computer screens via RECon Digital. After registering, attendees can schedule meetings with other attendees. The online platform allows attendees to request meetings, connect on social media and live chat with exhibitors and other attendees.

In addition to Meyer’s keynote, several insightful panel discussions will take place at RECon Digital, including:

• On May 25 at 11 a.m., executives from Brixmor, Brookfield Properties, CBRE, Nelson’s Economic Insights and Coresight Research will come together for a two-part session called Shifting Demographics & The Value of the Store. The first half will look at how consumers moved around during the pandemic and how those trends are expected to play out in the future, while the second half will discuss how retailers and landlords are looking at total store value, considering factors like brand awareness, customer acquisition, point of sale and distribution.

• On May 26 at 1 p.m., tenants will discuss their expansion plans on the Retailer Runway. Real estate executives from Amazon, Five Below, Ulta Beauty and Target will describe their new store formats, markets for expansion and how physical store growth fits into their broader omnichannel strategies.

• On May 26 at 2:35 p.m., executives from CallisonRTKL, Gibson Transportation Consulting and Cooper Carry will delve into all the issues involved in rethinking the industry’s acres of asphalt, including the integration of curbside pickup, electric vehicle charging, flexible outdoor space and rideshares.

The conference also will feature on-demand micro-learning sessions, in which experts will give quick lessons to help attendees improve their businesses, from working with worship-related tenants to handling insurance and risk management programs post-COVID-19.

And it’s not just about the panel discussions. ICSC’s new, virtual, interactive platform allows attendees and exhibitors at the RECon Digital trade show to conduct business and build their networks.

Registration is free for ICSC members.