2026 agenda

Wednesday, November 4, 2026
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Opening Remarks
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Registration
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Opening Keynote
12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
Using AI to Support—Not Replace—Your Grocery Teams
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Creating a Culture Where Grocery Associates Thrive
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
The Reality of Running a Connected Grocery Store
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM
Networking Break
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM
Reimagining In-Store Discovery & Innovation
3:05 PM - 3:35 PM
Today’s Circular Economy
3:35 PM - 4:05 PM
Tapping Into Today’s Consumer Mindset
4:05 PM - 4:25 PM
Networking Break
4:25 PM - 4:55 PM
The Gen Z Perspective
4:55 PM - 5:25 PM
How to Compete in the Era of Disappearing Channels
5:25 PM - 5:55 PM
The Agentic Commerce Edge
5:55 PM - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Thursday, November 5, 2026
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Registration
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:05 AM
Opening Remarks
9:05 AM - 9:35 AM
Opening Keynote
9:35 AM - 10:05 AM
Rewriting the Perimeter Playbook
10:05 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking Break
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Doing Good: High-Impact ESG Imperatives
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
In-Store Execution & Merchandising
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The ROI of Well-Being: Workplace Innovations for Retail Teams
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
KEYNOTE | Integrity as a Competitive Advantage: The Importance of Building Trust Among Customers

National Co+op Grocers CEO Tandy Harvey will highlight how food co-ops have earned enduring customer trust through embracing the cooperative movement Values and Principles. Harvey will address the importance of leading with purpose not just price, being radically transparent, and investing in local communities. This keynote explores practical strategies innate to food co-ops that have made them trusted community institutions for decades.

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
The Conscious Cart: What Today’s Shoppers Expect on the Shelf
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
The New Private Label
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Networking Break
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
GenNext Awards
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
GenNext Reception
Friday, November 6, 2026
7:00 AM - 7:30 AM
Registration
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast
8:30 AM - 8:35 AM
Opening Remarks
8:35 AM - 9:05 AM
Opening Keynote
9:05 AM - 9:35 AM
The K-Shaped Economy & Today’s Value Consumer
9:35 AM - 10:05 AM
The Health & Wellness Imperative
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM
The Next Generation of Grocery Loyalty Ecosystems
10:35 AM - 11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Store Managers Roundtable
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Session
12:00 PM - 12:05 PM
Closing Remarks
12:05 PM - 6:00 PM
FREE TIME
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Top Women in Grocery Gala Reception
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Top Women in Grocery Gala Dinner
9:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Hershey's Top Women in Grocery After Party