2026 CSRA Annual Meeting
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(program in development)
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
10 am – 5 pm
Registration
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
8 am – 5:30 pm
Registration
8 – 8:45 am
Women Retail Leaders Networking Breakfast
Start your day with a powerful gathering of women shaping the future of retail. This curated networking session is designed to foster meaningful connections, share leadership perspectives, and create space for candid conversation among executives across the retail ecosystem.
generously supported by
8 – 8:45 am
Breakfast
9 am – 12 pm
General Session
generously supported by
The Future of the American Consumer / AI & Pricing Innovation
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.
Litigation Landscape: What’s Ahead for Retail
From privacy and pricing to emerging regulatory challenges, litigation is becoming an increasingly important front in retail policy. This session will provide a clear, practical overview of key legal trends impacting the industry, what’s coming next, and how retailers and associations can prepare. Expect actionable insights from leading experts on how litigation is shaping the broader policy environment.
12 – 1:30 pm
Luncheon Keynote
Strategic Public Relations in a Changing Policy Environment
Bill Knapp, Founder and Senior Partner, SKDK Public Affairs
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
1:30 – 3:45 pm
Concurrent State Issues Discussion
(For SRAs and Select Retail Partners)
Dive deep into the most pressing issues facing retail today in these highly interactive, small-group discussions. Designed to encourage candid dialogue, these sessions allow participants to compare notes across states, share real-time intelligence, and problem-solve alongside peers. Topics will reflect the most urgent and emerging challenges - from privacy and pricing to labor, sustainability, and beyond.
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.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
8:45 – 10 am
Continental Breakfast for Everyone
9 – 10 am
Concurrent State Issues Discussion, continued
(SRAs breakfast will be available outside their assigned rooms)
10 – 11:30 am
General Session
10 – 10:45 am
Navigating the Regulatory Horizon:
Future-Proofing Retail Partnerships in an Era of Change
In this panel discussion, Google will discuss how to address current regulatory headwinds to avoid obstacles and create greater opportunities for agentic commerce technologies to launch and flourish. If we begin building the groundwork today to avoid future regulatory overreach while establishing responsible best practices, we can ensure our society reaps the full rewards of revolutionary agentic capabilities.
generously supported by
10:45 – 11:30 am
The Affordability Test: When Sustainability Policy Collides with the Real World
Across the country, sustainability policy is moving fast, and expectations are only getting higher. But for retailers and the customers they serve, there is a fundamental question that too often gets overlooked: What happens when sustainability policies make everyday goods more expensive or harder to access?
This session challenges the status quo and puts a spotlight on the growing tension between environmental ambition and economic reality. From packaging mandates to recycling frameworks and compliance regimes, retailers are navigating a rapidly evolving policy landscape that can carry real consequences at the shelf.
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 take on:
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Where sustainability policy is working and where it is falling short in real-world retail environments
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The hidden cost drivers behind well-intended proposals, and how they ultimately show up for consumers
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The risk of a fragmented, state-by-state patchwork, and what it means for pricing, operations, and supply chains
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How innovation and investment can deliver environmental progress without driving up costs
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A smarter path forward, where policies are designed with both environmental outcomes and economic impact in mind
This session will equip state retail association leaders with a sharper framework for evaluating sustainability proposals, engaging policymakers, and advocating for solutions that deliver actual results - without putting affordability, access, and consumer trust at risk. Because if a policy does not work in the real world, it does not work at all.
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Luncheon Keynote
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
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 – 5:30 pm
Closing Reception at the Historic Old Ebbitt Grill
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
