2020's Top Retail Trade Shows and Conferences

For independent retailers, there’s a lot to gain from attending at least one retail trade show and conference per year. From networking opportunities to business advice and discovering new products, these events help keep your business current as your industry evolves. 

Before committing to an event, do some research to make sure they’re the right fit for your business.

Here are the top retail trade shows and conferences to attend in 2020:

1. NRF 2020: Retail’s Big Show & Expo (January 12 – 14)
2. Outdoor Retailer Snow Show (January 29 – 31)
3. MAGIC Show (February 5 – 7)
4. eTail West (February 24 – 27)
5. Dx3 (March 10 – 11)
6. Independent Retailer Conference (March 22 – 25)
7. Shoptalk (March 22 – 25)
8. JCK Vegas (June 2 – 5)
9. Astra Show (June 7 – 10)
10. Outdoor Retailer Summer Market (June 23 – 25)
11. eTail East (August 10 – 13)
12. SuperZoo (August 20 – 22)
13. CBD Expo South (April 17 – 18)

1. NRF 2020: Retail’s Big Show & Expo

• Where: The Javits Center, New York
• When: January 12 – 14

The National Retail Federation is one of the, if not the, largest retail association in North America. With over 100 years of experience bringing new insights to retailers of all sizes, NRF 2020 should be at the top of any retailer’s list of trade shows and conferences. 

With over 38,000 attendees, 16,000 retailers, 800 exhibitors from 99 countries, NRF 2020 operates at an unprecedented scale and gives attendees the opportunity to network and learn from their contemporaries. 

A few keynotes to mention: Gwenyth Paltrow, Founder and CEO of Goop will discuss her journey building a highly successful luxury lifestyle brand and the lessons she learned along the way. Plus, hear from Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, Best Buy CEO, Corie Barry, Starbucks CEO, Kevin Johnson and more. 

2. Outdoor Retailer Snow Show 

• Where: Colorado Convention Center, Denver
• When: January 29 – 31

The Outdoor Retailer Snow Show is for retail merchants specializing in winter sporting goods and equipment. It’s a great opportunity for suppliers to showcase their products and build relationships with the merchants in attendance. 

If you want to see the latest and greatest winter sports equipment and find new products to purchase for your retail store, this is the place to be. Plus, attend educational sessions on retail, manufacturing, sustainability, design, outdoor safety and environmental advocacy. 

3. MAGIC Show

• Where: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas 
• When: February 5 – 7

MAGIC is one of the largest and most comprehensive fashion marketplaces in the US that showcases women’s and men’s apparel, footwear, accessories and sourcing resources from all over the world. 

This show is an excellent space for buyers and brands to connect and forge relationships. With an extensive lineup of shows to explore, MAGIC also has many opportunities for attendees to learn, network and build partnerships with exhibitors and other attendees. 

4. eTail West

• Where: JW Marriott, Palm Springs
• When: February 24 – 27

eTail’s events are where the brightest minds in retail meet, collaborate and learn about the trends and technologies that are disrupting the industry both in the present and future. 

Unlike many conferences, eTail is the only event that brings in more buyers than sellers, meaning that for sellers, the opportunity to reach decision-makers and generate revenue is very tangible. 

Moreover, attendees can expect informative keynotes from industry heavyweights like Alegra O’Hare, SVP & CMO of Gap, Paul J. Walsh, Global CDO of Lenovo, Joshua Builder, CTO & Head of Product for Rent the Runway, Tim Degner, Lead Design Strategist for Nike, Abigail Jacobs, VP of Marketing for Sephora and many more. 

5. Dx3

• Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto
• When: March 10 – 11

Dx3 is a unique opportunity for retail industry professionals to meet, connect with and learn from retail experts in marketing and technology. Moreover, Dx3’s show floor is an excellent space to discover new tech that can help maximize your business’s potential. 

Connect with speakers, attend informative keynotes, participate in hands-on workshops and use the event’s app to network with other attendees. The theme for this year’s iteration is growth. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or take your business to another level, there are companies, people and innovations in attendance that can help. 

6. Independent Retailer Conference

• Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
• When: March 22 – 25

Catering specifically to independent retail store owners, the Independent Retailer Conference is a promising event for anyone looking to discover new market data, insights and tech solutions to help their business grow. 

With over 50 keynotes and sessions, attendees have an opportunity to learn from proven experts on store operations, marketing, publicity, merchandising and more, and use those insights to achieve your business objectives. 

7. Shoptalk

• Where: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
• When: March 22 – 25

Shoptalk brings brands, retailers, direct-to-consumer and tech startups, venture capital investors, real estate developers, equity analysts and media professionals together to create the future of retail.   

Shoptalk’s agenda of over 100 sessions promise to cover the latest retail tech, trends and business models as well as how consumers discover, research, shop and buy is changing. Learn from the likes of Stephenie Landry, VP of Grocery Delivery at Amazon, Cathey Curtis, Global VP of Women’s Marketing for Billabong, Karin Tracy, Head of Industry, Retail/Fashion/Luxury for Facebook, Fatemeh Khatibloo, VP and Principal Analyst for Forrester Research and more. 

8. JCK Las Vegas

• Where: Sands Expo Convention Center & The Venetian
• When: June 2 – 5

Considered the jewelry industry’s largest North American trade show, JCK Las Vegas is an opportunity for suppliers and buyers to connect, discover what’s new, forge partnerships and learn. 

9. ASTRA Marketplace & Academy

• Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
• When: June 7 – 10

Focused specifically on the specialty toy industry, ASTRA Marketplace & Academy’s lineup of speaker sessions aims to help merchants and vendors tackle the most pressing issues that impact their business growth. 

10. Outdoor Retailer Summer Market

• Where: Colorado Convention Center, Denver
• When: June 23 – 25

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is for retail merchants specializing in winter sporting goods and equipment. It’s a great opportunity for suppliers to showcase their products and build relationships with the merchants in attendance. 

If you want to see the latest and greatest winter sports equipment and find new products to purchase for your retail store, this is the place to be. Plus, attend educational sessions on retail, manufacturing, sustainability, design, outdoor safety and environmental advocacy. 

11. eTail East

• Where: The Sheraton, Boston
• When: August 10 – 13

eTail’s events are where the brightest minds in retail meet, collaborate and learn about the trends and technologies that are disrupting the industry both in the present and future. 

Unlike many conferences, eTail is the only event that brings in more buyers than sellers, meaning that for sellers, the opportunity to reach decision-makers and generate revenue is very tangible. 

Moreover, attendees can expect informative keynotes from the likes of Katie O’Brien, Head of Creative Lifestyle Brands for Wayfair, Adriana Knackfuss, Senior Global Market Category Director for Coca-Cola and many more. 

12. SuperZoo

• Where: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
• When: September 1 – 3

For pet professionals, SuperZoo is a must-attend. Discover the latest products, learn the latest marketing strategies and grooming techniques and connect with over pet professionals specializing in grooming, manufacturing, distribution and wholesale, pet services, importing and exporting and veterinarians from around the world. 

Plus, attendees have the opportunity to get insights from the likes of Brad Boldridge, Retailer Director for The Nielson Company, David French, Senior VP of Government Relations for the National Retail Federation and more. 

13. CBD Expo South

• Where: Hilton Houston North, Houston 
• When: April 17 – 18

CBD Expo South offers cannabinoid professionals the opportunity to connect with one another, attend presentations from industry changemakers and participate in interactive activities.

Learn what’s pushing an industry still in its infancy forward: from medical research to regulations and compliance. Marketers, growers, mixologists and CBD chefs alike can learn something new. 

With over 200 exhibitors, consumers, dispensaries and bix-box buyers alike will walk away with tangible insights to help grow their business.