Discover the Latest Trends: Embrace the Future of Retail at the Best Conferences of 2023

There's no easier way to meet a whole room of colleagues, vendors, and experts from your field than attending a conference. There is also no better way to extend your network and nurture existing ties than through face-to-face events.

Yeah, it's the way to go.

That's why we put together a list of our favorite retail and loyalty conferences you should keep your eye on in 2023.

So get out there, listen to top speakers, ask hard questions, find out what's hip and where loyalty is going! Happy reading and see you soon!

1. NRF Retail's Big Show 2023

January 15-17, 2023 | New York City, New York

NRF Retail's Big Show has established itself as the premier retail conference and exhibition, kicking off the conference season every January. With over 350 speakers, it offers expert sessions spanning three days, with topics ranging from CRM/Loyalty, and Customer Experience, to New Technology and Talent/Labor Market. You can view the following year's full agenda here.

There's also an exhibition with 800+ companies showcasing their products at the lower levels of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Rates start at $750 and the complete registration information can be viewed on the conference's website.

Worth going if you want to:

• hear from some of the boldest names in the retail industry
• learn about the latest in technology, and innovative new solutions
• connect with hundreds of solution providers in one place

2. eTail

February 27 - March 3, 2023 | Palm Springs, California

The eCommerce & Omnichannel Retail Conference will be held in the beautiful location of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, California in February/March, the UK version will take place in London on April 25 - 26, 2023.

The goal of the conference is to provide its attendees with insights, stories, and advice from top retailers to be later implemented in their own businesses. Focused on eCommerce, it brings together representatives from all business categories - travel, beauty, arts, electronics and much more.

The four-day ticket prices start at $1,699 for retailers and brands and $3,999 for solution providers.

Worth going if you want to:

• have an eCommerce business
• visit a conference not packed with solution providers
• enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with great service, receptions, fun activities

3. Shoptalk

March 26-29, 2023 | Las Vegas, Nevada

One of the retail's greatest conferences will take place over four days in Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay at the end of March. The combination of speakers from leading companies, an immersive show floor experience, and exciting accompanying events in the heart of Sin City guarantees a great mix of education and fun.

Apart from tens of interesting sessions and the Expo itself, there will be enough space for networking during onsite meetups, special events for retailers, networking dinners, and 45-minute, peer-to-peer table talks.

Regular tickets start at $2,100 for retailers and brands, $2,800 for general attendees.

Worth going if you want to:

• learn about retail's latest technologies and trends from top brand representatives
• meet with hundreds of peers, startups, tech companies, investors, real estate operators, and more.
• enjoy some of the most thought-out collaboration and networking programs

4. World Retail Congress

April 25-27, 2023 | Barcelona, Spain

A three-day congress is one of the major gatherings for the leaders, founders, and owners of major retail businesses. The Barcelona-based event will focus on the topic of "Retail Leadership for Extraordinary Times" and specifically discuss:

• resilient retail - focused on costs, business efficiency
• transformational retail - understanding the role of businesses in the era of constant changes
• purposeful retail - redefining the retail experience
• customer-focused retail - understanding customers and putting their interests first

The industry experts will share their best practice, lessons and the critical issues they are currently battling in business.

Tickets are on sale starting at £2495 for retailers and £7000 for non-retailers.

Worth going if you want to:

• discuss the state of retail with senior leaders from across the globe
• hear the best practice, lessons, and challenges of top retailers

5. Retail Technology Show

April 26-27, 2023 | London, UK

A two-day London event connects retail professionals with leading tech innovators. Last year, almost 7,000 people visited the event, out of which 81% were C-level, senior management or heads of function in retail.

The conference program consists of multiple sessions with big-name speakers, and almost a hundred of the industry's leading suppliers showcasing the latest tech and digital solutions for in-store, online, and omnichannel retail, plus there are many opportunities to network.

There was a free entry for registered attendees last year, this year's pricing has not been published yet, but you can register, if interested here.

Worth going if you want to:

• find for the right tools, solutions and advice on improving the customer experience
• get inspiration from leading solution suppliers

6. Loyalty Expo by Loyalty360

May 8-10, 2023 | Orlando, Florida

Loyalty 360, as an expert organization with a sharp focus on all things customer loyalty, organizes another year of the combined conference and exhibition in sunny Florida. The sessions of a three-day event provide insights into a customer loyalty journey in the form of case studies, presentation on best practices, and valuable advice from fellow brand marketers.

The Expo showcases the latest in technology and services, plus there are a lot of events designated for networking. A special part of the event is dedicated to the announcement of the Loyalty360 Awards winners, where brands are recognized for their loyalty activities in fifteen different categories.

Rates start at $750 for brands/marketers, and $1,750 for vendors/suppliers.

Worth going if you want to:

• network with fellow loyalty marketers to discuss the latest trends in customer loyalty
• wish to hear practical experiences and insights on customer retention from experienced retail leaders

7. CRMC

June 7-9, 2023 | Chicago, Illinois

Customer Relationship Management Conference is designed by retailers, for retailers. Leading brand representatives and top providers will meet to discuss the future of retail in terms of their greatest challenges and opportunities, there will be plenty of real-world examples, case studies and advice shared during the three-day event located in Chicago's iconic Hilton Hotel.

There are still a few 2023 sponsorships still available, starting at $16,700.

Worth going if you want to:

• meet with fellow senior leaders and executives
• enjoy conversations in a more intimate atmosphere
• avoid the fluff and focus on real-world case studies and takeaways

8. Retail Innovation Conference & Expo

June 13-15, 2023 | Chicago, Illinois

Over 5,000 retail innovators, influential speakers, and other guests are expected to show up in Chicago in the middle of June. Over the space of 44,000 square feet, trends, developments, and strategies will be presented by respected industry insiders.

The Expo will take place on June 14 & 15, with more than 300 exhibitors grouped in 6 categories: Store Ideation, Clicks 2 Bricks, Digital Technology, Student Mentorship & Activation, Live Shopping Studio, Payments, and Social Commerce.

All-access passes start at $495 for students and educators and $995 for general attendees.

Worth going if you want to:

• meet with fellow senior leaders and executives
• get inspiration from over 300 exhibitors, ranging from innovative startups to big players

9. NRF NEXUS

July 10-12, 2023 | Southern California

Educational sessions, networking and fun in a single event, taking place in California. Retailers will meet for three days filled with presentations during the day and networking with their peers in the evening.

The event is aimed at retail marketing, technology, and digital innovation executives with the idea of creating lasting business relationships in a friendly atmosphere. Non-retailers can only attend the event through sponsorship, more info is available upon request.

Worth going if you want to:

• meet with fellow technology, marketing and digital innovators
• prefer less crowded events

10. Groceryshop

September 18-21, 2023 | Las Vegas, Nevada

A renowned conference and expo dedicated to innovation and technology within the grocery and CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industries brings together leading executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and disruptors from across the globe to explore and discuss the latest trends, strategies, and advancements shaping the future of grocery retail.

Participants have the opportunity to attend keynote presentations, panel discussions, and fireside chats led by industry experts and thought leaders. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including e-commerce, omnichannel retailing, supply chain optimization, personalized marketing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, sustainability, and emerging technologies.

Retailer ticket prices start from $$1,875 (with the possibility to score free tickets via their Hosted Program), solution provider tickets start at $975 for early stage startup, while general attendee tickets start at $2,750.

Worth going if you want to:

• learn more about innovations within the grocery and CPC industries
• network with 5,000+ of your industry peers
• speak with over 400 of the world's most innovative technology companies

10. NACS Show 2023

October 3-6, 2023 | Atlanta, Georgia

One of the largest conferences & expos for the convenience and fuel retailing industry professionals will take place in Atlanta in 2023. For four days, the attendees will be able to engage in educational sessions, networking, and fun activities. The 400,000 sq. ft. of the expo floor will provide enough space for suppliers from six categories: Fuel Equipment & Services, Food Equipment & Foodservice Programs, Candy/Snacks, Facility Development & Store Operations, Merchandise, and Technology.

Member ticket prices start from $595, non-members start at $845.

Worth going if you want to:

• learn more about innovations in the convenience and fuel retailing industry
• enjoy 45+ education sessions ideated and crafted by the Convention Content Committee
• get inspiration from over 1,200 exhibitors

Didn't you find your personal favorite in the list? Let us know!

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