Top 5 Reasons to Attend CommerceNext

In the rapidly evolving retail landscape of 2025, staying ahead is essential to success. Here are the top reasons why your fellow retail peers attend the CommerceNext Growth Show:

1. Take back actionable insights from top industry leaders.
2. Build valuable connections to grow your brand and career.
3. Explore the heart of commerce, NYC.
4. Keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends and emerging technologies.
5. Uplevel your skills, professional and personally.

1. Learn Real Strategies to Help You Move Your Brand Forward with Confidence

The 2025 CommerceNext Growth Show offers sessions from leading brands such as American Eagle, Tapestry, Amazon, The Vitamin Shoppe, IKEA and many more. Through keynotes, panels and breakout sessions from these experienced speakers with a diverse range of skill sets, you will leave CommerceNext inspired with new ideas to bring back to your business. 

These panels and many more will allow you to learn from industry experts and deep dive into the future of the retail and digital world:

• “Beyond the AI Hype: Turning the AI Buzzword into Real Growth” with speakers from Marc Jacobs and Wunderkind
• “Lacing Up for the Future: Empowering Teams and Igniting Sneaker Culture” with Global Chief Customer Officer from Foot Locker (interviewed by The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania).

Each session wraps up with CommerceNext Steps: clear, practical takeaways designed to help you apply what you’ve learned as soon as you return to work.

2. Network with experts and peers to boost your skills and confidence

With over 2,700 attendees, CommerceNext offers countless chances to connect. Join networking lunches, content breakfasts and other social events to meet new professionals and expand your network.

The CommerceNext Growth Show isn’t just another industry event—it’s a powerhouse of connections. It’s where conversations spark ideas, advice flows freely and partnerships are born. Whether you’re looking to level up with a mentor, pay it forward as a mentee or simply swap stories with fellow trailblazers, this is the place to do it. From hallway chats to curated meetups, networking here isn’t a bonus: it’s the main event.

And the connections don’t stop when the event ends. You can tap into the CommerceNext community year-round to swap ideas, share wins and keep learning from one another.

Check out our tips on how to network at a conference here. 

3. Mix, Mingle and Explore: The Social Side of CommerceNext in NYC

Held at the New York Hilton Midtown, CommerceNext blends high-impact retail insights with unforgettable social experiences. Think: an exclusive retailer-only Yacht Rock cruise on the Hudson, gourmet dinners at NYC hotspots and spontaneous moments that spark real connections.

And when the sessions wrap, the city becomes an extension of the event itself. Whether you’re grabbing a bite with new connections, catching a Broadway show or finding inspiration at a nearby museum, NYC offers the perfect backdrop to keep the energy going. Ready to network, nosh and navigate the heart of commerce? We created a map with our team’s favorite spots.

4. Stay Ahead in a Rapidly Changing Retail World

CommerceNext delivers cutting-edge insights on industry trends and emerging tech (AI, data, customer experience and beyond) straight from the innovators driving change. It’s your shortcut to smarter strategies, sharper tools and a future-ready business. We’re also not shying away from discussing how brands are tackling economic uncertainties (we know tariffs are on everyone’s minds).

Explore topics covering the newest trends in AI technologies and personalization with these sessions:

• Join 1-800-Flowers.com, Minted, The Vitamin Shoppe, Bluecore and The Executive Express for panel: “Human in the Loop: Collaborating with AI for Meaningful Ecommerce Experiences”
• Attend keynote session: “The Future of Retail: Blending Digital, Physical and Community” featuring Vuori’s CEO

In addition, learn from and connect with our 100+ solution providers at the Discovery Lounge, where innovation meets opportunity. Designed as a high-energy hub for retailers and tech trailblazers, it’s your go-to spot at CommerceNext to explore the latest retail solutions, spark meaningful conversations and uncover tools that can drive real growth. The Discovery Lounge brings the future of commerce to life, one connection at a time.

5. Boost Your Skills and Elevate Your Brand 

CommerceNext provides strategies to empower your team today and helps you build skills that will fuel your career growth long after the conference ends. Attend intimate roundtables with retail and ecommerce peers to tackle key industry challenges, share goals and connect in a focused setting. 

Tailored breakout sessions deliver hands-on strategies and practical tools designed to sharpen your expertise. Some topics include:

• Unlocking Customer Loyalty Through Seamless and Secure Digital Experiences 
• The New LTV Playbook: AI, Services & the Path to Profit
• Building a Winning Creator Strategy
• Converting Marketplace Shoppers into Direct Website Shoppers

On Day 3, dive into focused, intensive tracks covering retention, ecommerce or marketing—designed to give you hands-on skills and strategies that’ll help you crush your 2025 Holiday targets. It’s your chance to zero in on what matters most and level up your marketing game.

Be part of the action at CommerceNext! Sign up for the 2025 CommerceNext Growth Show today and dive into a dynamic experience filled with insights, networking and exciting growth opportunities.