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Agenda

Schedule At-a-Glance

Below is an abbreviated three-day agenda to give an overview of our program offerings.

Tuesday, May 5

Networking Events
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Retail Inspiration Tours
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Welcome Reception
Located in Meeting Room D1, Main Floor of Convention Center

Wednesday, May 6

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Trade Show Hours

Main Stage Keynotes/Opening Discussions
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Opening Keynote
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Keynote #2
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Keynote #3
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Keynote #4

SmartStation Presentations
10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. – Station 1
10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. – Station 2
12:00 p.m – 12:20 p.m. – Station 1
12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. – Station 1
2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. – Station 1
2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. – Station 2

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Show Floor Happy Hour

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Shop! Awards Reception (A separate ticket is required for this event)
Located on the Show Floor

8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – PAVE Social (A separate ticket is required for this event)

Thursday, May 7

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Trade Show Hours

Main Stage Keynotes/Opening Discussions
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. –  Opening Keynote
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Keynote #6

SmartStation Presentations
9:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. – Station 1
11:00 a.m – 11:20 a.m. – Station 1 
11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. – Station 2

Your Agenda for Shop! MarketPlace

SPECIAL EVENTS & SHOW FEATURES

Shop! MarketPlace Offsite Inspiration Tours

Tuesday, May 5, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Begin at the Registration Desk

Explore New Orleans through a retail lens during the Shop! MarketPlace Offsite Tours this May 5. Just steps from the venue, attendees can experience the Arts/Warehouse District offering a mix of cultural destinations and retail. Another short walk brings you to Canal Place, home to luxury brands and an elevated shopping environment, and nearby Magazine Street delivers a more eclectic, neighborhood-driven retail experience filled with independent boutiques and local flair. Make sure to then stop by the iconic French Quarter and Jackson Square, which showcase some of the city’s most historic and vibrant storefronts. Each tour destination highlights how New Orleans blends heritage, hospitality and commerce into unforgettable retail experiences.

Industry Welcome Reception

Tuesday, May 5, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Located in Meeting Room D1 | Main Floor of Convention Center

Start your Shop! MarketPlace experience during our Welcome Reception, held the evening before the show opens. This festive gathering sets the tone for the days ahead with an open bar, appetizers, and live entertainment that brings the spirit of NOLA to life—including a live DJ hosted by SNIPES.

It’s the perfect way to ease into the event—meet new people, reconnect with industry friends, and enjoy a lively, social atmosphere before the busy show begins.

Included with your trade show pass.

Shop! Awards Reception

Wednesday, May 6, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Located on the Show Floor

Celebrate the industry’s top projects and talent during an evening of awards, networking, dinner, and complimentary cocktails. This event honors winners of the OMA Awards, Design Awards, and Global Awards and takes place in a beautifully appointed space within the New Orleans Convention Center, in the heart of Shop! MarketPlace!

A separate ticket is required for this event. 

Opening Keynote

Wednesday, May 6, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2026 keynote speaker.

Exhibits

Wednesday, May 6 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, May 7 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Our trade floor will have the industry suppliers, manufacturers and service providers that offer goods and services to facilitate in-store consumer experience. Meet with vendors on the cutting edge of retail solutions.

Included with your trade show pass.

Education

Wednesday, May 6 & Thursday, May 7

We’re serious about providing you with inspiring, meaningful, actionable content. Check out the Shop! MarketPlace conference lineup and make plans to join us.

Included with your trade show pass.

Show Floor Happy Hour

Wednesday, May 6, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

New for 2026, all show goers have an extra opportunity to connect and mingle during the Wednesday afternoon Happy Hour on the show floor. Enjoy open bars, light bites and lively networking while you walk the exhibit hall. Included with a show badge.

2026 PAVE Social

Wednesday, May 6, 8:30 p.m. 

Sip, socialize and support student design during Wednesday evening’s PAVE Social networking event. Your ticket includes cocktails, tasty bites and boutique bowling at Fulton Alley. All proceeds benefit PAVE’s educational and student aid programs. Purchase tickets here.