CSP’s parent company Informa Connect and NexChapter on Wednesday announced the Retail Media Network Forum 2026. What began as the industry’s first retail media gathering built for the convenience channel is now expanding to include all small-format retail, bringing together leaders from convenience, dollar, drug, and liquor for a unified industry platform.
The event will take place May 4-6 at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, an iconic venue on the lakefront with sweeping views of Lake Michigan and immediate access to Michigan Avenue. The new setting provides the scale, energy and connectivity needed for a broadened small-format community.
A broader industry conversation
Small-format retail shares similar shopper missions across channels: quick trips, high-frequency visits, impulse-driven occasions and strong everyday categories. As retail media networks continue to emerge across these sectors, the forum is expanding its content, community and partners to match this momentum.
“Small-format retail media has real scale, real influence, and real proximity to the point of purchase,” said Art Sebastian, founder and CEO of NexChapter, an advisory firm focused on loyalty, retail media and digital transformation for retailers. “This is the moment to create a unified voice, build shared standards, and unlock new brand investment across the entire small-format ecosystem.”
Confirmed featured speakers
The 2026 program will bring together influential leaders shaping the future of small-format retail and retail media, including:
- Ashley Gockstetter – vice president of customer marketing and product at Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
- Kevin Kuehl – vice president of merchandising at Love’s
- Abi Subramanian – group vice president, marketing, loyalty and Walgreens Advertising Group at Walgreens
- Austin Leonard – vice president and general manager, DG Media at Dollar General
These voices will be joined by a mid-sized retailer panel, consumer packaged goods leaders and exclusive education sessions led by NexChapter and leading technology companies.
A program built for engagement
The agenda blends peer learning, hands-on workshops and executive-level content, including:
- Exclusive annual RMN board dinner and meeting
- Featured speaker sessions
- Interactive table workshops
- Deep dives into in-store and measurement
- Dedicated 1:1 networking meetings
- Happy hour, networking dinner and nightcap
“This event has always been about creating real connection and sparking real progress,” said Amanda Buehner, executive vice president at Informa Connect. “With the expansion to all small-format retail, we’re raising the bar again. The 2026 program gives retailers, brands and tech partners more ways to engage, learn and build the relationships that move this industry forward.”
Driving industry momentum
The Retail Media Network Forum 2026 builds on two years of growth:
- Defining retail media for the convenience sector
- Launching the first Retail Media Glossary built for c-store
- Accelerating peer learning and best practices
- Supporting the rapid expansion of new retail media networks across convenience, dollar and drug stores
With small-format retail media now converging, 2026 represents the forum’s next chapter. Request an invitation for the event here.
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