Conference: Feb 1 -3, 2026
Exhibits: Feb 2-3, 2026

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Call for Content

NGA Show 2026 Call for Content is NOW CLOSED!

Thank you to everyone who submitted proposals for The NGA Show 2026! We’re excited about the diverse and insightful ideas we’ve received for the more than 50 education sessions planned for next year’s agenda.

If you have a timely or high-priority topic you believe is especially relevant, feel free to reach out. While space is limited, we’re always open to hearing from industry voices.

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2026 Topic Areas

Technology & AI

Explore how cutting edge technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping the grocery landscape. Sessions will cover innovations in automation, data analytics, customer engagement tools, and supply chain optimization. Sessions will showcase practical tech applications, vendor solutions and future facing trends that help grocers work smarter and stay competitive.

Business Strategy

Designed for owners, executives, and decision-makers, these sessions will focus on high-level strategies for long-term success. Topics will include market positioning, competitive analysis, financial planning, succession, and growth opportunities. Learn how to navigate industry disruptions, maximize profitability, and build a resilient business in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Fresh Foods

The fresh departments remain a cornerstone of the independent grocery experience. Sessions will dive into best practices for sourcing, handling, and marketing fresh produce meat, seafood, deli, and bakery items. Sessions will highlight local sourcing sustainability, quality control and innovations that elevate the fresh perimeter.

Merchandising

Discover merchandising tactics that drive sales, deepen customer loyalty and enhance the in-store experience. From planogramming to seasonal sets, these sessions cover visual merchandising, product mis optimization, private label strategies, and effective vendor collaboration. Emphasis will be placed on data informed decision making and creative execution.

Operations

Tackle the day-to-day realities of running a successful independent grocery store. These sessions address everything from store layout and equipment to loss prevention, inventory management, store design, and sustainability initiatives. Gain insights into operational efficiencies, compliance, and cost-saving measures to streamline your business.

Omnichannel Marketing

Connect with today’s consumer wherever they are. These sessions will focus on integrating digital and in-store experiences through seamless marketing strategies. Topics include social media, e-commerce, loyalty programs, personalization, email marketing and customer journey mapping- all with a focus on measurable impact and ROI. 

Personnel Development

People power every store- invest in their success. These sessions will center on workforce development, leadership training, recruiting and retention, building community identity, and a strong brand culture. Learn strategies to motivate teams, reduce turnover, and cultivate talent across all levels of your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of content can I submit?

The NGA Show 2026 agenda has been built with over 50 session opportunities for attendees to gain insights and inspiration from thought leaders in the industry. We are looking for session proposals within these formats:  

  • Panel Discussion - 3-5 panelists are engaged in conversation by one moderator. Diverse perspectives are presented on a topic while themes are pulled out and analyzed in real time.  
  • Breakout session - Most often 45 minutes in length including time for Q&A. Breakout sessions typically have 1 or 2 speakers. These sessions present targeted in-depth content to smaller groups, while providing tangible takeaways.  
  • Workshop - Presented in a small group format. These sessions have a high degree of interactivity with attendees and the option for hands-on experiential learning.  
  • Case Study Presentation - a presentation showcasing practical, actionable lessons from a real-world scenario. This presentation highlights successes and challenges while providing insight into the approach & execution. 
  • Other - if your proposal is a combination of formats listed above, or it just doesn’t quite fit into the boxes above, select ‘Other’ and tell us more.  

Content reviewers will review each submission and may decide to combine certain overlapping abstracts into single sessions. Reviewers will consider a variety of factors when evaluating content submissions.  

  • Clear and Concise - does your proposal get to the point and explain the value proposition to the audience? Is it technical, relevant and not attempting to fit too many unrelated topics together?  
  • Deliver Value - How is your message different from the rest? What makes it innovative? How is it pushing the industry and dictating what it should be talking about if it isn’t already? 
  • Non-Commercial - Sessions should be non-commercial, speaking to a challenge faced by the industry. Shifting towards a case study format, or panel of diverse perspectives can be a good way to weave in market solutions without placing too much emphasis on the sale. 

The NGA Show attracts over 3,500 attendees each year from a variety of roles and career levels. When designing your content you will select your target audience level from: 

  • Introductory 
  • Intermediate 
  • Thought Leadership/Executive 

  • Panelists that are diverse in gender, background, industry roles and perspectives 
  • Moderator that can pull out themes and connect dots throughout the conversation.
  • Can emphasize points to drive home intended learning objectives for the attendees.  

Confirmed speakers at the time of your submission will improve your acceptance rate. However, please use  perspective descriptor and TBD if you are awaiting confirmation from panelists (i.e. Retailer TBD).

Submissions are made through our official speaker management system, SessionBoard. Follow this link to read the welcome info, complete the Session Info Page, Enter Speaker details, and submit

  • Call for Content opens May 14, 2025 
  • Call for Content will close June 27, 2025 at 11:59 PDT  
  • Submitters will be notified of their acceptance status by early September. 
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