The Shop! Association invites retail, brand, industry innovators and experts to submit speaker proposals for the fourth annual Shop! MarketPlace trade show taking place in New Orleans next May 6-7, 2026 (pre-con events like offsite tours and a welcome reception will take place May 5).
Shop! MarketPlace is a must-attend trade event specifically designed for retail industry professionals who are creating the experiential future of retail. Retail creators from every sector of the in-store experience will gather for three days of learning, networking and discovering the latest product innovations and solutions. Interactive displays and education sessions on the show floor will bring new concepts to life for brick-and-mortar retail. Shop! Marketplace is designed to inspire and challenge the status quo for retail design, pop-up display, fabrication and online.
Deadline for Submissions:
September 15
Our program includes:
· Thought-provoking, high-level presentations intended to challenge the norms and promote new ways of thinking to our retail design audience
· Industry-focused sessions devoted to exploring to strategic conversations about emerging trends; translating the latest, most innovative retail experiences; and looking ahead to what the future holds for this constantly changing industry
A few things to keep in mind when submitting your proposal:
We're looking for presentations that...
· tackle high-level, strategic topics with broad relevance (across channels, job functions) that break generational/stereotypical boundaries
· broaden our horizons beyond the world of retail…what can we learn from other industries like hospitality or gaming or technology?
· address critical topics like phygital, sustainability, experiential retail, BOPIS, AI/Metaverse, etc.
Please note:
We receive more proposals than we can accommodate in our program, therefore, not all submissions can be accepted.
Only submissions from retailers, brands (including CPGs) or design, architecture, visual merchandising and consulting firms will be accepted.
Please secure the participation of all presenters and the organizations they represent prior to submitting a proposal. Presentations that have been given previously, particularly at other U.S. retail industry events, are also ineligible for consideration.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Dina Meindl at dina@shopassociation.org.