Retail Media Network Forum is returning in 2026. The event, held by CSP in partnership with NexChapter, will take place May 4-6 at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.
What began as the first retail media gathering purpose-built for convenience retail has now expanded to serve the broader small-format retail community, bringing together leaders from convenience, dollar, drug, liquor and specialty retail for a unified industry platform.
As retail media networks continue to emerge across small-format retail, the forum is expanding its content, community and ambition to match the industry’s momentum.
A unified voice for small-format retail
Small-format retail shares distinct shopper dynamics: quick trips, high-frequency visits, impulse-driven missions, and proximity to purchase. These characteristics create powerful media opportunities that complement grocery and big box networks. Yet until recently, small-format operators lacked a dedicated platform to collaborate, align, and shape standards together.
“The next phase of retail media will not be defined by isolated pilots,” said Art Sebastian, founder and CEO of NexChapter, an advisory firm focused on loyalty, retail media and digital transformation for retailers. “It will be defined by leadership, collaboration, and clarity. Small-format retail has real scale and real influence. Now is the time to build a unified voice, establish practical standards, and unlock sustained brand investment across this ecosystem.”
The 2026 program will feature senior retail and brand leaders actively shaping the future of retail media. The agenda blends executive interviews, retailer-led panels, facilitated workshops and structured 1:1 meetings, designed to move beyond experimentation and into scalable execution.
For the full draft agenda, click here.
A retailer-led board driving the industry forward
The Retail Media Network Forum is guided by an expanded 2026 Retail Media Board composed of senior leaders across retail media, merchandising, marketing and ad sales. The board’s mandate is to elevate small-format retail media, strengthen cross-industry alignment and ensure the Forum remains retailer-led and outcome-focused.
For the full Retail Media Board list, click here.
CSP’s commitment to retail media leadership
“Retail media is no longer a niche conversation. It is central to the future of retail growth,” said Joe Donnelly, president of retail events at Informa Connect, CSP’s parent company. “CSP is committed to building serious, high-impact platforms where retailers, brands, and technology partners can come together to solve real challenges and accelerate progress. The expansion of the RMN Forum reflects both the momentum in small-format retail and our long-term commitment to supporting it.”
Building on momentum
Since its inception, the Retail Media Network Forum has helped define retail media for convenience, launched the first Retail Media Glossary purpose-built for c-store and created a peer-learning environment that supports retailers at every stage of network maturity.
In 2026, the Forum takes its next step. Attendance is expected to grow again, with increased retailer participation, expanded CPG engagement and new sponsor investment aligned to the broader small-format opportunity.
Event details
Retail Media Network Forum 2026
May 4–6, 2026
The Drake Hotel, Chicago
Registration details, speaker announcements and sponsorship information are available on the website: https://informaconnect.com/retail-media-network/
Retailers and CPGs interested can reach out to Mike Marino at Michael.Marino@informa.com
Sponsor interested can reach out to Jeanie Hornung at Jeanie.Hornung@informa.com
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