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)

11:30 am

Welcome Remarks & Opening Keynote Session: What Advantages do Independents Still Own & What Should Retailers Prioritize Now?

12:15 pm               

Awards Presentation Lunch

Presentation of the Industry Service Award & Pinnacle PAC Award

1:15 pm

Tariffs, Trade & Supply Chain Disruption: How your Aisles are Impacted

Industry economists and supply chain experts discuss transportation volatility, sourcing risks, trade policy and inventory planning strategies.

2:00 pm                 

General Session

Topics & speaker details to come. 

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.

3:45 pm

Five Trends that will Define the Next Decade 

And Why Humans are Still at the Center of it All

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

8:0o – 9:15 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 - 3:15 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. 

3:15 - 3:30 pm

Catalyst for Independence Award Presentation 

3:30 - 5:00 pm     

Off-site Excursion & NGAF Fundraiser Event

7:30am – 8:00am     

Networking Breakfast

8:00 – 9:00 am     

What the Future Holds with Mid-Terms at our Doorstep

9:00 - 9:30 am

Government Relations Update

Presented by: Stephanie Johnson, Group Vice President of Government Relations, NGA

The landscape of public policy is constantly shifting, with new regulations, tax laws, and industry standards emerging from Washington. This session will provide an update on the latest federal policies impacting the grocery sector, from labor laws and food safety regulations to sustainability initiatives and tax reforms.

9:30 am     Networking Break

10:00 - 10:45 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 - 11:15 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 - 12:00 pm

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.