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PAVE HISTORY

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE), founded in 1992, has grown into the retail design, planning, and visual merchandising industry’s premier educational foundation, and a recognized advocate for design students. These students are the future of the industry—PAVE’s mission is to help them gain exposures and funds to further their educations, as well as their careers.


Educators, retailers, and industry suppliers support PAVE through active participation in the organization and generous financial contributions.

In 1992, PAVE’s founding board comprised educators, the media, manufacturers, retailers, and representatives of, at that time, the leading industry organizations.

FOUNDING MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Founding members and organizations include:

  • Ruth Mellergaard then president of the ISP (Institute of Store Planners)

  • Richard Stolls then President of the NADI (National Association of Display Industries)

  • Janet Groeber then editor of VM+SD Magazine

  • Cecil Besselleau of Belk Stores

  • Steven Bergquist of Federated Department Stores

  • Wayne E. Visbeen founder of the architectural design firm, Visbeen Associates

  • Martin Pegler Senior Visual Merchandiser

  • Eric Feigenbaum then Sterns Department Store/division of Federated Department Stores

  • Larry Israel Walker Group/CNI

PAVE, THE ORIGINS

With one goal in mind, these individuals and organizations chose the name PAVE for the new foundation. It began as a statement, "Paving the way for the future students," and later became the Planning and Visual Education Partnership.

 

The first logo was developed by Visbeen Associates and was later updated by GMG Design Inc.

 

The first officers of the organization were:

  • Chairman, Wayne E. Visbeen, founder of the architectural design firm, Visbeen Associates

  • Treasurer, Richard Stolls, then President of the NADI (National Association of Display Industries)

  • Educational Chair, Eric Feigenbaum, then Sterns Department Store/division of Federated Department Stores

  • Secretary, Janet Groeber, then editor of VM+SD Magazine

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