In just two weeks, thousands of retail innovators will come together for four days at Mandalay Bay’s South Convention Center in Las Vegas to shape the future of the industry. This year, Shoptalk will host more than 10,000 retail professionals, and feature 275+ industry leaders as speakers. It’s a fantastic opportunity to stay on top of emerging trends and technologies, increase brand awareness, and generate leads. 

But it will be, without a doubt, exhausting. Whether you’re an exhibitor or an attendee, getting through each day may feel like crossing the finish line at a marathon—and don’t forget about the social events each night. So we put together a guide to make Shoptalk a little easier to navigate. From can’t-miss interviews and panels to the best places to carb-load and caffeinate, here’s how to survive and thrive at Shoptalk this year.

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The Agenda

The Shoptalk schedule is loaded and the speaker line-up features industry perspectives and insights you won’t find anywhere else. This year is all about new technologies, trends and business models, and the rapid transformation of how consumers discover, shop, and buy across every vertical. And if you’re overwhelmed by the agenda, we’ve got you covered.

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Speaker line-up

The Shoptalk schedule is loaded and the speaker line-up features industry perspectives and insights you won’t find anywhere else. This year is all about new technologies, trends and business models, and the rapid transformation of how consumers discover, shop, and buy across every vertical. And if you’re overwhelmed by the agenda, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re a marketer for a beauty brand, don’t miss CNBC’s Melissa Repko interview ULTA Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell on Monday at 10:30am, or that afternoon’s deep dive on catering to today’s beauty consumer.

For apparel marketers, be sure to attend CNBC’s Sara Eisen interview with Chip Bergh, President and CEO of Levi’s on Monday at 10:50am. And you can catch Stitch Fix SVP Manju Thomas on a panel about using customer data to surprise and delight at 2:00pm on Sunday.

For brands in the pet space, Fortune’s Phil Wahba will interview Chewy CEO Sumit Singh about scaling a startup into a household brand on Sunday at 5:40pm. And don’t miss Kristin Shane, SVP and CMO of Petsmart, on a panel at 4:05pm on Tuesday.

And at Tuesday’s afternoon’s Technology Spotlight, our CEO, Melissa Bridgeford, will talk about how Wizard's conversational commerce technology is making shopping easier and more convenient via text. It’s a discussion that DTC brands looking to stand out in today’s crowded landscape can’t afford to overlook.

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Event schedule

To stay on track on site, download the Shoptalk 2023 app. It’ll help you not only manage your schedule, but navigate the floor, too. Festivities kick off with badge pick up opening at 8:00am on Sunday, but the fun begins at 1:00pm with a coffee break to get you energized for the rest of the day. At 2:00pm, the conference kicks into full gear with speakers and exhibitors, although opening remarks aren't until 4:50pm. 

Monday and Tuesday the doors open for breakfast at 7am. Just be there by 8:20am if you're counting on eggs and OJ! The day is packed with speakers and engagements until the 5:25pm happy hour, which is held right at the venue. 

You'll have time to sleep in on Wednesday, because breakfast isn't until 8am. By 8:45am, the speaker's agenda is back in business. But the day is a short one, with activities ending around 12pm. If you've got anything left in you, and you have some time before your flight, grab your suit and hit the pool, or the tables if the casino is calling your name.

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Where to refuel

Whether you’re looking for your first jolt of the day or a mid-afternoon refuel, there are a few coffee shops to choose from in Mandalay Bay. Be sure to check out 3940 Coffee + Tea, or Hazel Coffee and Cocktails—and of course, there’s a Starbucks. If you’d rather have your coffee on the house, grab it in the conference center. 

There’s no shortage of food options for a lunch break in the hotel. You can’t go wrong with the lunch menus at Citizens Kitchen or Seabreeze Cafe, a burger from Burger Bar, or Mexican food from Border Grill. But if you’d rather get some fresh air, walk down the strip and pop into the nearby Luxor for more restaurant options or a quick bite at the food court. No time to leave your post? No problem. Take advantage of Mandalay Bay’s exhibitor service and have food from the hotel delivered to your booth.

To wind down and celebrate making it through a long day, check out some of Mandalay Bay’s lounges and bars. Grab a cocktail with a view at the Skyfall lounge, sip some bourbon at 1923 Bourbon Bar, or cool off with a frozen treat from Big Chill. For something casual and laid back, head to Ri Ra Irish Pub and enjoy a beer in a pub that was—no joke—restored and shipped from Ireland.

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Meetup

A Shoptalk first, there’s going to be a Meetup that includes 15-minute pre-scheduled meetings between attendees who’ve both opted in. The goal is to maximize your time by making it a lot easier for the thousands of retailers and brands in attendance to network, learn about other companies, and create potential partnership opportunities.

The meetings will take place in the Exhibit Hall near the General Session stage. Here’s the schedule: 

Monday March 27, 2023: 12.15pm - 1.30pm 

Monday March 27, 2023: 2.35pm - 3.50pm 

Tuesday March 28, 2023: 12.15pm - 1.30pm 

Tuesday March 28, 2023: 2.35pm - 3.50pm

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Party time

When the conference comes to an end each day, this is Vegas, so the party has really only just begun. The after-hours, invitation-only events at Shoptalk are just as valuable as the conference itself, offering a unique opportunity to connect with your peers and potential new partners in a smaller group setting.

And don't snooze on Shoptalk's Beach Party at the Mandalay Bay Pool on Tuesday night with Special Guest Nelly for all you Y2K kids. It starts at 8pm, and only goes until 10:30, so don't linger too long at dinner if you want to join the party.

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