Martin M. Pegler has been a professor for thirty years at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in the Display & Exhibit Design Department. A leading expert in his field for over 50 years, Martin hosts seminars in the United States as well as in Latin America, Europe and the Pacific Rim.  He has authored over 70 books and his textbook, Visual Merchandising and Display, is used in universities around the world. Recently, the Professionals for the Advancement of Visual Education presented Martin with a lifetime achievement award.  He has also been inducted into the Visual Merchandising and Display Industries' Hall of Fame and is an elected member of the Society of Visual Merchandisers.

Martin has worked with gia from the beginning of the program as an Expert Juror.  To honor Martin’s leadership role with the program, the Top Window Award was renamed to the “Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising”. In addition, Martin was presented with an honorary gia Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Wolfgang Gruschwitz
Gruschwitz GmbH
www.gruschwitz.de

With a strong background and expertise in retail architecture and design, Wolfgang Gruschwitz leads his own company, Gruschwitz GmbH, with offices in Munich and Moscow. An international office for design and architectural services, the portfolio of Gruschwitz GmbH comprises design projects in all branches, in all sizes, with all assignments and is divided into four sections: Retail, Health, Business and Life. Over the years, Gruschwitz GmbH has served high profile clients such as ZARA, Red Bull and Burberry. 

Prior to founding Gruschwitz GmbH in 2003, Wolfgang Gruschwitz worked as a light planner for two years, and for 12 years he conducted projects and was responsible for new business in the parental architecture and indoor design office in Gröbenzell, Munich.

Wolfgang has been a member of the gia Expert Jury since year 2003.

Scott Kohno
Retail Element LLC
www.retailelement.com/

Scott Kohno is an expert in retail marketing and the creation of unique, identifiable retail environments that build corporate brands.  With over 20 years of experience, Scott has worked with clients including Macy’s, Federated, May’s Department Stores, NASDAQ Times Square, MGM Grand, Disney and Geary’s Beverly Hills, and is known for creating distinctive, brand-building retail environments. His firm specializes in branding strategy and marketing, merchandise planning, store design and graphics, visual presentation and point-of-sale communication. Scott is a frequent guest speaker at retailer associations worldwide.

Scott has been a member of the gia Expert Jury since year 2005.

Henrik Peter Reisby Nielsen
ReisbyConsult ApS
www.reisbyconsult.dk

Henrik Peter Reisby Nielsen has a Masters Degree in Public Relations, and is today the CEO at ReisbyConsult – consulting company for retailers on strategy, innovation and the store as a media.

Before starting with ReisbyConsult, Henrik owned a giftware, home and housewares store in Roskilde, Denmark, running the family store in its 4th generation. In 2006/2007, Henrik’s Inspiration H.P. Nielsen won the gia Global Honoree Award in Chicago.