The retail industry is highly competitive, but of course you knew that already. So too are both the technology vendors that serve it and the analyst community that supports it. So you know something special is going on when you get an email addressed to analysts from four different firms and executives from very hot-and-heavy tech vendor competitors about an event they’re all supporting.

And when those competitive retailers and analysts come together for a solid day of insights, prognostications and observations in the frozen tundra of New York City in January, at an event sponsored by those hot and heavy tech vendors, you know something extra special is going on. And that something special is RetailROI’s SuperSaturday (January 12, 2013 from 9-4 PM EST). Even better news for you retailers out there – the event is 100% free for you. All we ask is that you come.

For those of you who don’t know about RetailROI, I’ll give you a brief overview. Founded by the late Paul Singer (CIO of Target and Supervalu) and Greg Buzek, President of IHL Consulting, Retail ROI’s goal is threefold:

1) To raise awareness to the needs of 400 million vulnerable children worldwide

2) To work with an encourage retailers, vendors and manufacturers to create internal programs to help with orphan/foster care

3) To fund existing charities in the forefront of orphan/foster care worldwide.

I’ve been supporting RetailROI with my time since its inception four years ago. In those few years, the charity has helped more than 110,000 children around the world with some really impressive projects:

• Built schools in Liberia, building a new school in Haiti
• Built computer labs in Liberia, Honduras, Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic
• Funded clean water projects in Haiti, Liberia, Uganda and Ethiopia
• Build or funded orphan homes in Cambodia, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Hondorus
• Provided more than a million meals in famine and relief areas
• Impacted nearly 2,000 adoptive families in the US with funds or education
• Expanded the “Safe Families ” initiative in the US from 5 to 24 states. This program helps insure that at risk families can avoid placing their children in foster programs (which it is often hard to get out of)

Others have done far more than I have. I participate in SuperSaturday whenever I can. Some of my peers have gone to Honduras, Liberia, Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic – actually installing those computer labs and helping those children, all on their own dime and their own time.

In this silly season of American politics, it’s important to mention that RetailROI really does transcend religious and political persuasion. While I might battle with some of my friends on who should be our next president, there is no argument that these children must be helped. In fact, personally, I’ve appreciated finding common ground with people on completely opposite ends of the political and social spectrum. What a relief!

So here’s the extra-best part. Register for RetailROI before November 1, and be eligible for an iPad Mini which we expect to be announced any day. The winner will be drawn at random. That’s right kids, be the first on your block to have a neat baby iPad!

So come on and join us! If you’d like to get an idea of how people liked last year’s event check out this video http://vimeo.com/45357351.

Please register here: www.tinyurl.com/SuperSaturday2013. And don’t forget to register before November 1 to be eligible for that iPad Mini! I’ll see you there!