2026 CSRA Annual Meeting
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(program in development)
Monday, September 21, 2026
12 – 5 pm
Registration
Hotel Lobby
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
10 am – 5 pm
Registration
Hotel Lobby
1 – 4:30 pm
Amazon Briefing and Tour
CSRA SRA Annual Membership Meeting
(for CSRA State Retail Associations only)
Buses depart Hotel Washington at 12 Noon
Advance registration required.
Kick off the CSRA Annual Meeting with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential companies in retail. This off-site experience combines the CSRA Annual Membership Meeting with a private Amazon briefing and facility tour, offering attendees unique insights into innovation, operations, and the evolving retail landscape. This is a rare opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders while connecting with peers in a dynamic, real-world setting.
generously supported by
6 – 9 pm
Welcome Reception
Vue Monument Bar/Sky Room
Hotel Washington
Join colleagues and partners for an unforgettable evening overlooking Washington, DC. This welcome reception sets the tone for the week offering a relaxed, high-impact environment to reconnect with peers, meet new partners, and begin conversations that will carry throughout the conference.
generously supported by
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
7:30 am
Registration
Outside Grand Ballroom
8 – 9:15 am
Women Retail Leaders Networking Breakfast
Freedom Room (next to hotel check-in desk/main floor)
generously supported by
8 – 9:15 am
Breakfast
Outside Grand Ballroom
9:30 am – 12 pm
General Session
Grand Ballroom (ground floor)
generously supported by
9:30 – 10:30 am
The Future of the American Consumer / AI & Pricing Innovation
Jason Brewer, Senior Executive Vice President, Communications and Marketing, RILA
As consumer expectations evolve and technology accelerates change, retailers are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. This session will explore emerging trends shaping the American consumer, including the growing role of AI, data-driven decision-making, and the increasing scrutiny around pricing practices. Attendees will gain forward-looking insights to help anticipate where policy and market dynamics are heading next.
10:30 – 11 am
Break
11 am – 12 pm
From Statehouse to Courthouse: The Litigation Trends Reshaping Retail
Panelists: Monica Welt, President, Retail Litigation Center, Sr EVP & General Counsel, RILA
Josh Moore, Vice President of Litigation, Retail Litigation Center
Sponsored by the Retail Litigation Center
More and more of the fights that matter to your members are being decided in court — and the plaintiffs' bar is getting more creative about where and how it strikes. RLC President Monica Welt and VP of Litigation Josh Moore will walk through the litigation trends every state association should have on its radar, including a growing willingness by courts to limit relief to only the named parties — so a favorable ruling elsewhere may not protect your members. They'll share how the RLC picks its battles, where the state and federal fronts intersect, and how your associations can lend a hand where it counts. Expect a fast-moving tour of the year ahead in the courts, with plenty of real-world examples along the way.
12 – 1:15 pm
Luncheon Program
Grand Ballroom
Strategic Public Relations in a Changing Policy Environment
Bill Knapp, Founder and Senior Partner, SKDK Public Affairs
Moderated by Bill Thorne, SVP, Communications and Public Affairs, National Retail Federation
In today’s environment, how issues are framed can be just as important as the policies themselves. This keynote will explore how strategic communications and public affairs campaigns can influence outcomes, shape public perception, and support advocacy efforts. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies for navigating complex, and often sensitive, retail issues in the public arena.
generously supported by
1:15 – 4:30 pm
Rotating Roundtables
(For SRAs and Select Retail Partners)
Freedom Room 1/2
Moderators: Bruce Nustad, President, Minnesota Retailers and Wisconsin Retailers Alliance
Ryan Allain, Vice President, Government Relations, California Retailers Association
5 – 7 pm
Reception at the Offices of the National Retail Federation
Continue the conversation at the headquarters of the National Retail Federation. This reception offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships with national partners, engage in strategic dialogue, and expand your network within the broader retail advocacy community.
Buses will begin departing from Hotel Washington to the NRF reception, starting at 4:45 pm – on a loop. And will start returning to the Hotel beginning at 6:45 pm.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
8 – 9:30 am
Breakfast for Everyone
Outside Grand Ballroom
9 – 11:30 am
General Session
Grand Ballroom (ground floor)
9 – 9:45 am
Medicaid “Fair Share” Proposals: What Retailers Need to Know
Moderator: Elise Diedrich, Director Government Affairs, Target
Panelists: Ed Egee, VP, Government Relations & Workforce Development, National Retail Federation
Katie Wolf, President, Colorado Retail Council
John Holub, President, New Jersey Retail Merchants Association
States are increasingly considering Medicaid “fair share” proposals that would require large employers to help offset public healthcare costs based on employee enrollment in Medicaid. This panel will examine the evolving legislative and political landscape, the potential financial, legal, operational, and reputational implications for retailers, and lessons from states where these proposals have gained traction. This will be a collaborative conversation to build awareness and an effective response with employers, national associations and state business coalitions.
9:45 – 10:30 am
Shaping the Future of Agentic Commerce: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape While Promoting Open Standards and Industry Best Practices
Moderator: Cailey Locklair, Maryland Retailers Alliance
Panelists: Angelika Dorvel, Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager for Commerce in the US, Google
Jeff Sadosky, Head of U.S. Government and Public Affairs, Shopify
Kevin Thompson, Group Director, State and Local Government Relations, Walmart
In this panel discussion sponsored by Google, retailers and tech partners will explore how industry collaboration can help build a responsible foundation for the future of Agentic Commerce. We will discuss proactive ways to establish self-regulatory best practices and open technical standards that foster innovation, maintain consumer trust, and support a unified regulatory environment.
Together, we’ll examine how to navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, including data privacy, consumer protection, and anti-fraud measures, so Agentic Commerce technologies can launch seamlessly, accelerate commercial expansion, and drive scalable value for retailers.
generously supported by
10:30 – 10:45 am
Refreshment Break
10:45 – 11:30 am
The Affordability Test: Designing Sustainability Policy That Works at the Shelf
Moderator: Andrea Albersheim, Director, Plastics Sustainability Policy, American Chemistry Council
Panelists: Kelly Smith, VP Head of Institutional Affairs, Ferrero
Mark Bescher, Principal, Legacy Public Policy
Adam Peer, Senior Director, Plastics Sustainability, American Chemistry Council
Colby Sholler, Corporate Affairs Manager, Nestlé
Sustainability policy is moving quickly across the states, and retailers are where it meets the customer. Packaging requirements, recycling programs, and new reporting obligations all arrive at the same place: the shelf, the price tag, and the shopper deciding what they can afford this week.
Retailers see the end of that chain. The companies making and packaging those products see the beginning of it, where design decisions, material availability, and producer obligations get worked out years before anything reaches a store. Bringing both views into one room is the point of this session, and the question it takes up is one industry and policymakers are increasingly asking together: how do we achieve real environmental progress while keeping everyday goods affordable and available?
Rather than rehashing familiar debates, this conversation will focus on a more urgent and practical lens: Does the policy pass the affordability test?
We will look at:
-
Where state programs are producing measurable results, and what is making those programs work
-
How packaging decisions get made upstream, and what producers are learning as registration, reporting, and fee obligations come online in the first wave of states
-
How compliance costs move through the supply chain, and the design choices that keep them manageable
-
What differing state requirements mean for pricing, operations, and sourcing, and where greater alignment would help everyone
-
What effective policy design looks like when environmental outcomes and economic impact are weighed together from the start
Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for evaluating sustainability proposals, engaging constructively with policymakers and program administrators, and advocating for approaches that deliver environmental results while protecting affordability and consumer access. The best sustainability policy is the kind that holds up in practice, and the companies living with it every day are well positioned to help get it there.
generously supported by
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Luncheon Keynote
Elevation Room (on Rooftop level)
Electoral Analysis & Prognostication
Nathan Gonzales, Editor & Publisher, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales
Elections Analyst for CQ Roll Call
With the midterm elections approaching, understanding the political landscape has never been more important. This keynote will provide a sharp, data-driven analysis of the upcoming elections, key races to watch, and what the results could mean for retail policy at both the state and federal levels.
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Interactive Roundtable Discussion (SRAs only)
Grand Ballroom
Aligning Strategy Across States
This highly collaborative session brings state association leaders together for a candid, solutions-oriented discussion. Participants will share insights, identify common challenges, and explore opportunities for greater coordination across states. The goal: leave with a stronger, more aligned strategy to support retailers in an increasingly complex policy environment.
4 – 6 pm
Closing Reception at the Loft in the Hamilton Restaurant (Old Ebbitt Grill)
across the street from the Hotel Washington
Wrap up the CSRA Annual Meeting at one of Washington’s most iconic venues. This closing reception offers a final opportunity to connect, reflect on key takeaways, and solidify relationships built throughout the week ensuring the conversations and collaboration continue well beyond the conference.
generously supported by
Adjourn
Charging Stations generously supported by
Beverage Stations generously supported by
