1:00 - 2:45 pm     

NGA Foundation Board of Regents Meeting (Board Members Only)

3:00 - 5:00 pm     

NGA Executive Committee Meeting (Committee Members Only)

7:30 - 9:00 pm     

Welcome Reception (All Attendees)

7:00 - 8:00 am

NGA Board of Directors Breakfast (Board Members & Invited Guests Only)

8:00 am - 10:45 am     

NGA Board of Directors Meeting (Board Members & Invited Guests Only)

8:00 am - 11:30 am

Chicago Discovery Store Tour (optional add-on experience for attendees)

11:30 am

The Independent Advantage: What 5,000 Shoppers Reveal About Grocery's Next Chapter

Consumers are telling us two things at once; they love what makes independent grocers different, and exactly where we need to evolve. This session will reveal findings for the first consumer sentiment study, conducted by NGA & The Feedback Group. 

12:15 pm               

Awards Presentation Lunch

Presentation of the Industry Service Award & Pinnacle PAC Award

1:15 pm

Economic Industry Outlook

Decode today's most important economic indicators, explain how they affect consumer purchasing behavior, and provide a forward-looking assessment of the risks and opportunities likely to emerge over the coming year.

Zack Fritz, Chief Operating Officer, Sage Policy Group, Inc. 

2:00 pm                 

The New CPG Playbook: Consolidation, Scale and Winning the Shelf

The consumer packaged goods landscape is changing rapidly. This session will unpack insights into how scale, innovation, category growth strategies, and retailer partnerships are evolving in a new era of CPG competition.

2:30 pm                  

Networking Break

3:00 pm

The Conscious Consumer: Wellness, Values & Emerging Product Trends

This session explores the rapid evolution of health-focused shopping behaviors, functional foods, transparency expectations, and premium natural product growth opportunities.

Megan Nelson, Vice President, Strategic Partners, SPINS

3:45 pm

Five Trends that will Define the Next Decade 

For decades, industry experts have predicted that technology would fundamentally change grocery retail. While technology has transformed operations, consumers continue to seek trust, relationships, service, and a sense of belonging. This thought-provoking discussion examines why human connection remains grocery retail's most valuable asset and how technology should be used to strengthen—not replace—that connection.

5:00 pm

Networking Reception

6:30 pm

NGA Board of Directors Reception & Dinner (Board Members & invited guests)

7:30 – 8:00 am     

Networking Breakfast

8:00 – 9:45 am   

General Session

Topics & speaker details to come. 

9:15 - 10:30 am     Breakout Sessions

Topics & speaker details to come. 

10:45 - 11:30 am     Networking Break

11:30-12:30 pm     

Keynote Session: Leadership Under Pressure An Astro SEAL's Perspective

Chris Cassidy, NASA Astronaut & Navy SEAL

12:30-1:15 pm     

Lunch

1:15 - 2:00 pm     

Breakout Sessions

2:15 - 3:00 pm     

Beyond the Family Business: How Women are Building the Next Generation of Grocery 

For many independent grocers, ownership transitions are among the most important decisions they'll ever make. This panel brings together female owners and operators who have inherited, purchased, expanded, or transformed grocery businesses. 

Kristie Maurer, Vice President, Maurer's Market

3:00 - 5:00 pm     

NGAF Fundraiser Event: Lake Michigan Cruise

7:30am – 8:00am     

Networking Breakfast

8:00 am  

The Political Landscape Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections

Doug Heye, Founder of Douglas Media; Former Republican National Committee Communications Director; Former Deputy Chief of Staff to the House Majority Leader. 

9:00 am  

Government Relations Update: Navigating a Pivotal Election Year

NGA's Government Affairs Head Stephanie Johnson, RDN will brief executives on where the association's advocacy stands heading into the 2026 midterms and what a shift in Congressional control could mean for the road ahead. The session will cover NGA's federal engagement and the launch of its new state affairs function, funded by Board investment earlier this year, including progress made to date and what members can expect next.

Stephanie Johnson, Senior Vice President, Head of Government Affairs, NGA

9:30 am     Networking Break

10:00 am

What's Next in Grocery Technology: Innovation Showcase

A fast-paced interactive showcase featuring emerging technologies transforming grocery retail. This session will identify near-term retail innovations while evaluating the practical implementation challenges & opportunities.

10:45 am

From Information to Influence: The Strategic Power of Retail Data

Data has become one of the most valuable assets in retail, yet many organizations are not fully capitalizing on its potential. Join this session for an executive-level discussion on how retailers can transform data from an operational byproduct into a strategic advantage.

11:15 am

The New Rules of Consumer Engagement

As consumer expectations evolve, leading organizations across hospitality, dining, sports, travel, and entertainment are being forced to rethink how they attract customers, earn loyalty, and create value.