Top 20 Industry-Specific Conferences for Ecommerce Executives (2025–2026)

Ecommerce leaders are increasingly seeking out curated, industry-specific conferences to gain deeper insights and build strategic partnerships beyond the usual retail trade shows. While mass-market events like Shoptalk or NRF draw broad crowds, more exclusive vertical-focused gatherings offer higher networking ROI – bringing together C-level and director-level peers facing similar market challenges. Below we highlight 20 top U.S.-based, in-person conferences across beauty, fashion, luxury, furniture, regulated products, travel, and electronics scheduled over the next 12 months. These events stand out for their thought leadership, intimate networking opportunities, and relevance to executives looking for deal-ready conversations in their sector.

Top 20 Industry-Specific Conferences

Note: These are our top 20 picks, but they’re not ranked in any specific order, simply sorted in a chronological order.

1. CEDIA Expo (Custom Electronics Design & Installation Association Expo)
   September 3–6, 2025, Denver, CO
   
   
   CEDIA Expo is the top conference and trade show for smart home technology and AV integration. It attracts home tech manufacturers, custom integrators, and electronics retailers to see the latest in home automation, high-end audio/video, IoT appliances and more. For an ecommerce executive in the electronics or home improvement space, CEDIA offers a focused look at the connected home market – from luxury home theaters to smart kitchen gadgets. Unlike CES’s broad scope, CEDIA is more specialized and networking is easier among the ~20,000 attendees who are all in the residential tech niche. It’s a great venue to identify innovative products (many luxury or custom-oriented) that could be added to your online catalog and to meet vendors who don’t always exhibit at general retail shows. The conference sessions delve into trends like the rising demand for integrated smart home solutions and emerging IoT standards, providing context that can guide product strategy. Plus, by attending as a retailer, you can gauge which new tech has installer and consumer buzz before it hits the mass market. In short, CEDIA Expo helps you forge partnerships in the smart home category and stay ahead in a segment that’s increasingly important for electronics ecommerce.
   
   
   
2. Fortune Brainstorm Tech
   September 8–10, 2025, Park City, UT
   
   This is an invitation-only retreat for top tech and business leaders, hosted by Fortune at the Montage Deer Valley resort. Brainstorm Tech gathers founders, Fortune 500 execs, investors, and thought leaders to discuss how technology is transforming business and society. The vibe is intimate and high-level: about 500–600 delegates only, with sessions interspersed with outdoor activities (hikes, skiing) that facilitate candid networking. For an ecommerce executive, Brainstorm Tech can provide inspiration and connections outside your usual industry silo – you might glean a new AI strategy from a cloud computing CEO, or chat with a media mogul about branding. Past Brainstorm Tech speakers have included big names (e.g. Mark Cuban, the CEOs of big tech firms, startup unicorn founders), and the collaboration among top executives is a hallmark. Deals do happen here; many partnerships and even acquisitions have roots in a Brainstorm Tech meeting. It’s particularly relevant for ecommerce leaders interested in the broader tech ecosystem – from funding to innovation trends – and who want to network with a mix of tech giants and rising stars in a relaxed, ideas-rich environment.
   
   
   
3. IAB Connected Commerce Summit
   September 9, 2025, New York, NY
   
   Hosted by the Interactive Advertising Bureau, this one-day summit brings together commerce execs, platform/media companies, and brands to dig into commerce media—data collaboration, retail media networks, and emerging ad-tech partnerships. For ecommerce leaders looking to harness the rise of retail media and integrated brand‑platform strategies, this is a focused, peer-driven experience.
   
   
   
4. Groceryshop
   September 28 – October 1, 2025, Las Vegas
   
   Groceryshop 2025 is where innovation meets opportunity. Don’t miss out on an entire ecosystem of retailers and brands looking for cutting-edge solutions by joining 450+ solution providers for efficient networking, hands-on experiences, curated networking events, and our signature party! Whatever your industry challenge, find your solution at Groceryshop 2025.
   
   
   
5. Skift Global Forum
   September 16–18, 2025, New York, NY
   
   Known as the travel industry’s premier thought leadership conference, Skift Global Forum is a must-attend for travel and hospitality executives seeking cutting-edge insights. The 2025 forum in NYC will bring together CEOs and innovators from airlines, hotels, OTAs, and travel brands to discuss the future of travel. For ecommerce execs at travel brands (or those selling travel-adjacent products like luggage or experiences), Skift offers high-level perspective on consumer trends, technology (think AI in travel booking, fintech, loyalty programs), and market outlooks in travel. The atmosphere is one of engaged brainstorming – keynotes from figures like airline CEOs or Expedia’s chief are followed by networking breaks where you might end up chatting with a boutique hotel founder or a venture capitalist in travel. With around 900+ attendees in an upscale NYC venue, it’s large yet curated. The exclusivity factor comes from Skift’s brand and content quality: you’re in the room with senior leaders shaping travel’s next chapter. New partnerships (for example, a luxury hotel chain linking with a luggage startup) have been known to spark here, thanks to the Forum’s mix of established players and disruptors.
   
   
   
6. High Point Market
   October 25–29, 2025, High Point, NC
   
   The largest home furnishings trade show in the world, High Point Market is a biannual must-attend for furniture and home décor professionals. While it’s a trade market rather than a conference, its scale and exclusivity (open only to trade registration) make it a key networking arena. The Fall 2025 Market (Oct 25–29) and Spring 2026 Market will showcase thousands of exhibitors and new product launches. For ecommerce leaders in furniture or home goods retail, High Point offers the chance to scout emerging brands and designers, forge supplier relationships, and meet industry insiders all in one place. The serendipity of wandering through showrooms can spark deals – many retailers use High Point to discover products or exclusive lines. To maximize ROI, executives often schedule private showroom appointments and attend hosted dinners/events where C-level mingling happens organically. High Point is less about formal sessions and more about immersing in the industry’s ecosystem – an invaluable complement to strategy conferences for deal-ready execs.
   
   
   
7. WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit
   October 28–29, 2025, New York, NY
   
   This annual summit (hosted by WWD/Fairchild) brings together CEOs and presidents of leading fashion apparel, retail, and beauty brands. The 2025 event at Cipriani South Street is set for two days of high-level dialogue on topics like managing through market disruptions, sustainability in fashion, and omnichannel strategy. Known for its “who’s who” attendee list (past speakers include CEOs of Louis Vuitton, Kohl’s, and Shopify), the summit fosters candid discussions in a closed environment. Ecommerce executives will gain strategic perspectives on thriving amid change and can network with other brand leaders facing similar challenges in digital transformation and consumer behavior shifts.
   
   
   
8. Consumer Goods Sales & Marketing Summit (CGSM Tech Summit)
   October 28–29, 2025, Chicago, IL
   
   This summit is tailored to senior leaders at consumer packaged goods brands (food, beverage, health, beauty, and more) who are navigating evolving consumer expectations and rapid tech advancements in marketing and sales. The 2025 theme is “Elevating Experiences,” with two immersive days where senior sales and marketing executives gain cutting-edge insights and high-value networking. For an ecommerce executive at a CPG or omnichannel brand, CGSM provides a concentrated dose of best practices on omnichannel consumer experience, retail partnerships, and digital marketing innovation. Speakers (often from household-name brands and top solution providers) share how they’re leveraging AI, first-party data, and emotionally intelligent campaigns to drive growth. The networking environment is more intimate than a large expo – you’re sitting at roundtables with VPs from other brands, trading war stories and solutions. Discussions might spark ideas like a collaborative promotion with a non-competing brand or a new approach to retail media. By attending, ecommerce leaders will walk away with actionable strategies for consumer engagement and perhaps a few new friends in the industry to call upon – making it a worthwhile, intentional networking investment.
   
   
   
9. Glossy Beauty x Wellness Summit
   Newport Beach, CA – November 3-5, 2025
   
   Hosted by Glossy/Digiday, this exclusive retreat-style summit gathers beauty and wellness brand leaders to discuss cutting-edge strategies in a rapidly evolving market. Over three days at a luxury venue, decision-makers connect through panels and activities focused on topics like new DTC models, influencer marketing, and product innovation in beauty and self-care. The networking quality is high, with curated attendees (from indie brand founders to retail partners) exchanging ideas in an intimate setting. Ecommerce directors will find this valuable for forging partnerships in the wellness space and staying ahead on consumer shifts linking beauty and health.
   
   
   
10. Phocuswright Conference
    November 18–20, 2025, San Diego, CA
    
    Phocuswright is another top-tier event in the travel industry, with a particular focus on travel technology and distribution. The 2025 conference heads to Southern California, convening the most influential leaders in online travel, tourism, and hospitality. What makes Phocuswright stand out is its blend of C-level industry incumbents and emerging tech startups (the famous “Phocuswright Innovation Battleground” spotlights startups, and many have been acquired or funded through connections made here). For an ecommerce leader, attending Phocuswright offers a window into sophisticated digital strategies – whether it’s how travelers are shopping for experiences or the latest in booking platforms – and a chance to meet the people behind them. The agenda is packed with data-rich presentations and one-on-one interviews with CEOs of companies like Booking Holdings, Airbnb, major hotel groups, etc. But just as important are the networking receptions on San Diego’s waterfront: executives often form partnerships there (for example, a tour operator meeting an OTA exec to discuss direct listings). In short, Phocuswright is ideal for deal-ready networking in travel, backed by substantive market intelligence on where travel commerce is headed.
    
    
    
11. Furniture Today Leadership Conference
    December 2–4, 2025, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
    
    Billed as the home furnishings industry’s premier event, this conference convenes top executives from leading furniture retailers, manufacturers, and brands. The 2025 conference at PGA National Resort is all about “powering the future of furniture” in uncertain times. Expect immersive panels and peer-driven conversations on topics like supply chain resilience, omnichannel furniture retail, and consumer trends in home decor. With over 100 retail organizations represented (over $20.5 billion in buying power collectively), the networking opportunities are rich – think closed-door discussions between CEOs of major furniture chains and innovative DTC furniture startups. For an ecommerce executive in furniture or home goods, this conference provides both strategic insights and high-quality dealmaking opportunities, in a relaxed resort setting conducive to building lasting partnerships.
    
    
    
12. MJBizCon (Marijuana Business Conference & Expo)
    December 2–5, 2025, Las Vegas, NV
    
    As the world’s largest cannabis business event, MJBizCon is the mecca of the cannabis industry for entrepreneurs, operators, and investors. In 2025 it returns to Vegas, offering three days of expo, conference sessions, and networking for the “cannabis elite”. For executives in regulated products ecommerce (CBD, cannabis accessories, etc.), MJBizCon is a one-stop shop to make important connections and see what’s next in the cannabis space With state-by-state markets maturing, the show facilitates dealmaking – whether lining up distribution partners, sourcing new product lines, or finding investment. Despite drawing over 30,000 attendees, MJBizCon offers curated forums (e.g. an Executives’ Summit, Women in Cannabis networking, State Market meetups) to ensure you find relevant, high-level contacts. It’s an unparalleled venue to stay ahead of market trends and regulations while building relationships in a still-emerging (and tightly regulated) industry.
    
    
    
13. Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
    January 6–9, 2026, Las Vegas, NV
    
    CES is not only the largest tech trade show, it’s the global stage for consumer electronics innovation. Over 170,000 industry attendees converge to see breakthrough products in smart home, gadgets, AI, automotive tech and more. While massive, CES can be extremely valuable for ecommerce executives in electronics or adjacent verticals. It’s where new products and trends emerge first, allowing retail decision-makers to spot the next hot item (from 8K TVs to smart appliances) months before consumers do. Networking at CES happens in VIP suites, industry after-parties, and even on the show floor – it’s common for a buyer or ecommerce director to negotiate a distribution deal or exclusive launch during CES. The show also has conference tracks; an ecommerce leader might attend sessions on retail tech or consumer behavior, often rubbing shoulders with executives from Samsung, Amazon, Best Buy, etc. To get the most out of CES’s sprawl, many C-level attendees set up curated schedules (e.g. showstoppers events, private demos, hosted dinners). In essence, CES 2026 offers both a first look at tech that could shape consumer demand and a chance to solidify partnerships with manufacturers and innovators in the electronics space.
    
    
    
14. Luxury Outlook Summit (by Luxury Roundtable)
    January 2026, New York, NY
    
    A highly curated executive summit for the luxury industry, typically hosted at an upscale venue with limited seating. The 2025 edition in NYC (at UBS’s art-filled penthouse) gathered top luxury experts – from CEOs of ultra-high-end travel and fashion brands to luxury real estate and wealth managers – to chart strategies for the coming year. For an ecommerce leader dealing in luxury goods or services, this event provides a cross-sector view of the luxury market’s direction (e.g. how to attract new affluent customers while retaining loyal clientele). The networking is unparalleled: you’re in the room with people who rarely share a room elsewhere – 2025 speakers included executives from Rolls-Royce, Bain, Hanro, J.Crew, Moët Hennessy and more This fosters deal-ready conversations and partnerships across luxury verticals (fashion, beauty, hospitality, etc.) that can elevate your ecommerce strategy.
    
    
    
15. AAFA Executive Summit
    March 2026 (TBA; March 2025 in Washington, D.C.). 
    
    Organized by the American Apparel & Footwear Association, this summit brings together senior executives from U.S. apparel, footwear, and fashion accessory brands. It’s a C-suite forum focused on responsible growth and sustainable progress in the fashion industry – in 2025, topics ranged from ESG priorities to future-proofing supply chains. Attendees (typically CEOs, COOs, and digital heads of global brands) engage in off-the-record discussions and working sessions, making it ideal for high-quality networking. For ecommerce leaders in fashion, AAFA’s summit offers policy insights (trade, tariffs, compliance) and a chance to build relationships with industry peers and policymakers in a more intimate setting than large trade shows.
    
    
    
16. PCPC Beauty Collective Summit
    March 23-25, 2026 – Key Biscayne, FL
    
    Formerly the Personal Care Products Council Annual Meeting, this is the premier gathering of beauty industry leaders, attracting executives from major cosmetics and personal care companies. The 2025 summit in Miami focused on collective industry impact – from AI tools to sustainability – and offered ample peer-to-peer engagement. For ecommerce leaders, the insights on regulatory trends and innovation are invaluable (the 2025 agenda included legal, tech, and market research updates). Equally important, the resort setting and social events enable intentional networking with C-suite peers from brands, manufacturers, and solution providers in a more relaxed, deal-friendly atmosphere.
    
    
    
17. WSWA Access LIVE (Wine & Spirits Industry Conference)
    February 2–5, 2026, Las Vegas, NV
    
    This is the flagship annual convention of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, rebranded as “Access LIVE.” The 2026 event will be held at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas gathering top executives from wine and spirits brands, distributors, and retailers. For anyone in alcohol ecommerce or DTC beverage sales (a heavily regulated but growing arena), Access LIVE is where you can network with the three-tier system’s power players. Expect tasting showcases, deal-making suites, and panels on industry issues like compliance, direct shipping laws, and digital marketing for alcohol. The networking is top-notch and intentionally facilitated – WSWA hosts networking receptions, competitions (like Brand Battle for new brands), and educational sessions that often lead to distribution contracts or partnerships. With 2025’s event in Denver drawing strong attendance, the 2026 Vegas conference promises an even bigger opportunity to engage with decision-makers in adult beverages. Ecommerce leaders can use it to secure product sourcing, negotiate distribution deals, and learn strategies for online alcohol sales in an environment geared toward forging business relationships.
    
    
    
18. Luxury Women Leaders Summit
    April 2026 TBA
    
    Another Luxury Roundtable event, this one spotlights the women executives in luxury across fashion, beauty, retail, hospitality, and more. It’s a one-day conference designed for knowledge sharing and networking among female leaders navigating a tech-driven, relationship-focused luxury business landscape. Sessions cover everything from understanding the high-net-worth female consumer to leadership skills for 2025 and beyond. For ecommerce professionals (male or female) in luxury sectors, attending offers a chance to learn from some of the smartest minds in luxury (the 2025 summit featured executives from Ritz-Carlton, The RealReal, and Moët Hennessy USA, among others). The networking environment is supportive and close-knit, encouraging mentorship and partnership discussions in an atmosphere focused on elevating women in leadership.
    
    
    
19. Home Delivery World USA
    May 20-21, 2026 – Nashville, TN
    
    A specialized platform for ecommerce leaders tackling fulfillment, packaging, routing, returns, and supply chain optimization. Co-locating with The Middle Mile amplifies visibility into operations across the logistics continuum. Offers focused networking with executives from delivery, warehousing, and fulfillment providers.
    
    
    
20. WWD Beauty CEO Summit
    New York, NY – TBD (May 2026)
    
    An invitation-only summit hosted by Women’s Wear Daily that convenes beauty industry CEOs and founders. The 2025 edition in NYC (May 7–8, 2025) set the tone with its theme “The New Leadership Mandate,” exploring global market shifts, biotech innovations in beauty, and the age of AI For ecommerce executives in beauty, it offers high-level peer insights into emerging consumer trends and actionable strategies to shape the future of beauty Networking is paramount – attendees include top executives from legacy brands and indie disruptors, providing a forum for partnerships and brainstorming beyond what virtual meetings allow.
    
    

Conclusion

In a landscape where time is money, ecommerce executives need conferences that offer quality over quantity. The 20 events above are curated to provide exactly that – targeted insights, exclusive networking, and environments conducive to forging partnerships that can drive your business forward. Whether you’re looking to learn about the latest in beauty and wellness, connect with apparel industry changemakers, explore luxury market trends, source new products in furniture or electronics, or navigate the nuances of regulated industries, there’s an event on this list for you. By planning to attend a few of these over the next year, you’ll position yourself to have more intentional, deal-ready conversations instead of wandering the usual massive expos. The key is to engage fully: go in with clear objectives, but also embrace the serendipity these intimate settings offer. The right conference can spark an idea or a relationship that transforms your strategy. So step outside the typical trade show circuit – you may find that the most valuable connections (and deals) happen in these focused forums of industry leaders.