Hollywood, Fla. -The International Board of Directors of the Retail Design Institute has announced it will contract with A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments) for administrative services.

"We are excited about all the synergies that will be available to RDI by working with A.R.E.," said Andrew McQuilken, RDI International President. "We have been impressed with A.R.E.'s work with PAVE, the Retail Design Collective, GlobalShop, and many other initiatives."

A.R.E. President Alan Harvill of EMI Industries said, "the logic for RDI to partner with A.R.E. is compelling. We are part of the same industry, we're both not-for-profit organizations, and A.R.E. has the resources to help RDI reach its objectives."

Effective February 1, 2013, RDI's headquarters will be located at the A.R.E. headquarters in Hollywood, FL.

RDI, founded in 1961 as the Institute for Store Planners, represents the retail industry's creative professionals. It was founded to be a collaborative community where ideas, knowledge and passion are shared. Membership includes architects, graphics designers, lighting designers, interior designers, store planners, visual merchandisers, resource designers, brand strategists, educators, trade partners, editors and publishers and students.

RDI's Executive Officers include: International President, Andrew McQuilken, BHDP Architecture, Cincinnati, Ohio; International Vice President Paul J. Biondolillo, Mulvanny G2 Architecture, Bellevue, Wash.; International Secretary Luanne Perry, Group 7 Design, Milford, Mass.; International Treasurer Julie M. Starzynski, Manager of Store Planning, Carter's Retail Inc., Shelton, Conn.; and International Chairman Brian Dyches, FRDI of Ikonic Tonic.

The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is an international non-profit trade association advancing the retail environments industry. Members are leaders in the international retail environments industry, including store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, suppliers of materials and equipment for the industry, and service providers.

A.R.E.'s Executive Officers include: President Alan Harvill, EMI Industries, Tampa, Fla.; Vice President Bob Rosean, TJ Hale, Menomonee Falls, Wis; Treasurer Dean Rubin, Rose Displays Ltd., Salem, Mass.; and Immediate Past President Bob Riley, DSA Phototech, Carson, Calif.

Source: A.R.E.