
Your Ultimate NRF 2026 Survival Guide
Getting Big-Time Takeaways Out of Retail’s Big Show

December 18 at 1 PM ET /10 AM PT
⏰ 30 Minutes
NRF’s Big Show 2026 is called that for good reason. It’s a huge opportunity for retailers to learn from industry thought leaders, check out emerging tech and trends, connect with pros and peers from top brands, get practical tips and strategies for everything from retail ops to execution to engagement, and guzzle as much free coffee as your nerves can handle.
It’s an amazing event — with a lot to take in. So we’re getting some NRF veterans together for a fireside-chat webinar on making the most of your Big Show experience. From how to plan your agenda to finding your people to can’t-miss sessions to footwear strategies (your dogs’ll thank you). Join Dan Wittner of The Parker Avery Group, Georgina Nelson of TruRating, and Cathy Hotka of Cathy Hotka & Associates for a lived-and-learned NRF survival guide.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to navigate key sessions and emerging themes to find the right conversations in a sea of innovation.
- Planning your personal NRF agenda for what matters most to you— execution, operations, communications, or leadership.
- Strategies to connect with peers, tech partners, thought leaders, and make those relationships stick.
- Tips to maximize your time in NYC — where to be, when to be there, and aligning your NRF schedule with your 2026 priorities.
- Insider info (bathrooms, coat check, what to wear, FREE BAGELS!) you won’t find anywhere else.
Join us live on July 31 for tactics-driven conversations with industry experts designed to help your teams do more with less.
*This section is set up just in case you end up with 4 speakers - can be deleted if not
Featuring Matt Love, Country Supplier (potential replacement for Hollywood Feed’s Stephanie Mothershed, who we’ve been told is quite busy) and Kaleyn Combs, Tecovas. Both represent two brands who have launched Zipline Learning recently and they’ll talk about their strategy, how they built engaging content to drive adoption, and the lessons learned along the way.

Melissa Wong
CEO and Co-Founder, Zipline

Melissa Wong
CEO and Co-Founder, Zipline

Melissa Wong
CEO and Co-Founder, Zipline

Melissa Wong
CEO and Co-Founder, Zipline
Meet Your Pro Panel
Dan Wittner
Chief Revenue Officer
The Parker Avery Group
Georgina Nelson
Founder and CEO
TruRating
Cathy Hotka
Principal
Cathy Hotka & Associates, Connecting Retail Insiders
Save Your Spot to Join Live (and Get the Recording After)
RSVP to get in on the discussion, ask your own questions, and get a copy of the webinar sent to your inbox right after.
Meet your panelists
Beyond the Message: Launching Initiatives that Stick

Alisa Ingwersen
Change Management and Communication Associate, DoorDash

Ryan Holm
Divisional VP of Retail Innovation and Operations, Helzberg
Alisa and Ryan will take us through major internal changes they launched at their respective companies, leveraging different tools, communications channels, and creative approaches to drive meaningful action and store team success.
Meet your panelists
Two Brands, One Vision: Cross-Brand Execution with Zipline
Retail leaders from Filson and Shinola will talk about how they support separate brands supported under the same instance, enabling seamless learning for both orgs.

Melissa Wong
CEO and Co-Founder, Zipline

Melissa Wong
CEO and Co-Founder, Zipline

Melissa Wong
CEO and Co-Founder, Zipline