The Western States Organized Retail Crime Alliance (WSORCA) recently made history with its first-ever in-person event, the 2024 Western States Organized Retail Crime Conference. Held from September 10th to 12th, 2024, at eBay's corporate headquarters in Draper, Utah, this event marked a significant milestone for the fight against organized retail crime (ORC) in the Western U.S.
Over 400 attendees, including law enforcement officers, retailers, prosecutors, and vendors, gathered for the 2.5-day conference, which was driven by a powerful grassroots effort. Eleven Organized Retail Crime Associations (ORCAs) from across the Western states played a pivotal role in organizing this collaborative event, highlighting the strength and unity of these grassroots organizations in combating ORC.
A New Model for Industry Conferences
The 2024 conference set itself apart from other industry events by showcasing the power of community-driven initiatives. Unlike the traditional corporate-sponsored or vendor-focused conferences, WSORCA's event emphasized collaboration between industry professionals rather than sales. Vendors at the conference were not just sponsors; they actively participated alongside law enforcement and retailers, contributing their expertise and working towards the common goal of addressing ORC.
This collaborative spirit extended across the entire conference, creating an atmosphere of shared purpose. Attendees repeatedly praised the event’s unity of purpose, noting how seamlessly retailers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and vendors worked together to share knowledge, resources, and strategies to combat ORC. This level of partnership is rarely seen at typical industry events and is a hallmark of WSORCA’s unique grassroots approach.
Tackling Organized Retail Crime: A Multifaceted Approach
The conference featured an impressive lineup of industry experts who presented on a wide range of topics, from Open-Source Intelligence to Task Force creation, and from the tactical use of mobile surveillance to prosecutorial strategies with representatives from District Attorney and Attorney General offices. The agenda was packed with informative sessions aimed at equipping attendees with actionable strategies for combating organized retail crime, while also leaving room for valuable networking opportunities.
This multifaceted approach to combating ORC is central to WSORCA’s mission of educating law enforcement and retailers alike. The success of this year’s event demonstrated that a grassroots organization can provide the same level of impact, if not greater, than its more commercially driven counterparts.
Vendors as True Partners, Not Just Sponsors
One of the standout aspects of this year’s conference was the role of vendors. Rather than being present solely to market their products, vendors took on a more collaborative role, actively contributing to the success of the event. Their involvement in the discussions and workshops helped create a unique synergy among all participants, setting this conference apart from more traditional events.
A Unified Front Against ORC
The conference was a powerful demonstration of the strength that comes from unity. Across the board, from law enforcement agencies to retailers and vendors, there was a shared sense of purpose in fighting organized retail crime. This unity was repeatedly cited as the most distinctive and impactful element of the conference. The collaborative atmosphere fostered at the event is exactly what WSORCA aims to achieve in its ongoing mission to create stronger partnerships across the industry to combat ORC.
Looking to the Future
The success of this year’s Western States Organized Retail Crime Conference has set a new standard for industry gatherings. The event demonstrated the untapped potential of grassroots initiatives in addressing complex challenges like organized retail crime. As WSORCA continues to evolve, its commitment to collaboration and community-driven efforts will remain central to its mission.
CLEAR understands that when industry professionals unite around common goals and a spirit of collaboration, the outcomes can be truly transformative. As WSORCA plans for the future, CLEAR is committed to supporting their ongoing efforts to strengthen this foundation, promote unity, and drive impactful change in the fight against organized retail crime.
"The 2024 Western States Organized Retail Crime Conference was a game-changer for law enforcement, retailers, and solution providers alike. It really demonstrated what we at CLEAR have been promoting for more than a decades… We can achieve great success when we all come together with a common goal!," said Jason Davies, CLEAR Vice President of Retail.
"What impressed me the most was the incredible collaboration between law enforcement, retailers, and industry partners through a grassroots movement. Everyone worked hand in hand generating a level of energy and teamwork you don’t typically see at larger retail industry events," He continued, "This event wasn’t just about discussing problems—it was about finding real, actionable solutions. The teamwork and dedication on display is the standard that CLEAR continues to promote as to how we all should approach organized retail crime moving forward. This model of collaboration is exactly how the vision and mission of CLEAR was envisioned and will continue to shape how we combat retail crime nationwide."