WHY?
The Pop-Up Experiment launched by the PSU Center for Retail Leadership (CRL) provides a platform for brands to explore product development, messaging, and packaging with a diverse consumer base.  Pop-Ups are one of the activities that support our vision to create The Proving Ground, to demonstrate retail is not dead. The goal of the Pop-Up is to teach the masses that retail is the place where ideas come to life, a moment of truth for innovation where concepts meet customers and needs meet solutions. Pop-Ups are a collaborative effort between the CRL and industry partners to provoke thought and reflection on business that matters, corporate responsibility, access, and inclusion.

WHAT?
What does the Pop-Up Experiment and space offer?

- 500 square ft. of highly visible exhibit space
- Visibility 24/7 through two floor-to-ceiling glass walls
- Our full-service marketing team to help plan, promote, and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy
- Access to our promotion channels including Facebook, Instagram, newsletter subscribers, & more
- Sales staffing during exhibit hours
- An audience of over 5,000 students

Our inaugural pop-up launch event brought in over 100 industry reps, students, and alumni. Our goal is to have a new pop-up experience every 4 weeks to maintain a fresh and innovative approach.  Whether you're a student, a small business owner, or an artist -  we are looking for new ways to create a disruptive experience in the School of Business atrium. We will help you design, promote, set-up, staff, and tear down your exhibit space.

WHO?
We're looking for partners who are interested in creating a unique, intriguing experience to educate and inspire students, faculty and community members. Partners could be current students, alumni, local businesses and industry leaders seeking to connect with our community. The pop-up could be a prototyping experience, to collect feedback on a new or existing product, an art studio, or to benefit a local non-profit and community. Past participants include: adidas, Rose Gold, Burton Snowboards, Franz Bakery, Rumpl and Vibes.  Applications are reviewed by a committee including faculty, industry and students and based on the criteria of:

- Business that matters
- Social innovation
- Diversity, equity  and inclusion
- Transforming lives by helping our students prepare for careers
- Consistent with CRL mission of "the proving ground"

We ask that our partners bring a vision, product(s)/service(s) story, a willingness to educate and collaborate with the CRL team and resources to help executive the vision including signage, merchandising and content/history.

Please note that the Center for Retail Leadership reserves the right to review and approve the design, signage, collection, messaging and marketing in advance, and to co-brand collateral.

Please fill out the following form to express your interest in collaborating with us, and what your intentions are in doing so.

A committee of faculty, administration, and students review applications monthly to ensure alignment of values and mission. Applicants will be notified of application status following committee review.

Thank you for your interest and we sincerely look forward to working towards these goals with you!