friday, september 18, 2026

Mingle with seaside retailers and Boardwalk vendors at the Coastal Connections Conference Welcome Party! Join in on the fun with cocktails and live entertainment and get to know fellow attendees in a laid-back atmosphere.

Start your day off with a delicious breakfast and enjoy conversation with fellow attendees.

Set sail on a journey to maximize your store’s potential! Today’s coastal shopper is more intentional, value-aware, and experience-driven than ever before. This keynote explores how seaside retailers can adapt to changing customer expectations while protecting margins — through smarter assortment planning, confident pricing, strategic storytelling, and operational decisions that turn traffic into sustainable profit.

Running out of best-sellers or overstocked shelves can sink your sales. In this session, you'll learn practical strategies for tracking, ordering, and managing inventory so you always have the right products at the right time. Discover techniques to reduce waste, improve cash flow, and keep your store operating smoothly — all while maximizing sales opportunities.

Seaside Retailer honors past recipients of the Starfish Award recognizing each winner for their contributions to charitable causes and conservation efforts in their communities and beyond. 

Enjoy a mouth-watering, Margaritaville inspired lunch while exchanging information and reflecting on the morning's insights.

Discover practical ways to streamline social media, strengthen your online sales, and use AI-driven tools to run your store more efficiently. The session will focus on realistic strategies that bridge your in-store and digital presence, helping you stay visible, relevant, and competitive without adding complexity. Expect clear examples, smart shortcuts, and ideas you can put into action immediately. 

Get the inside track from top beach, coastal and nautical wholesalers about their latest product offerings, industry trends, buying advice and more during informal sit-down interviews with the vendors who are exhibiting at Coastal Connections Conference’s Boardwalk event. 

Explore exciting new products and get to know some of the industry’s hottest brands in an exclusive buying experience with a fun and laid-back vibe. A perfect opportunity for building relationships with vendors and getting a head start on placing orders! 

Unwind after a day of learning and product sourcing at the Sunset in Margaritaville party. Take this opportunity to continue making meaningful connections with retailers and wholesalers while sharing ideas and experiences. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers and live entertainment! 

Start the day off with a delicious breakfast while deepening the connections you've made with retailers, vendors and speakers.

Learn fresh, high-impact merchandising strategies that turn every inch of your sales floor into a selling opportunity. Learn how to build eye-catching displays, maximize valuable space, and energize the customer experience—using proven techniques that spark discovery, boost engagement, and drive measurable sales results. 

From severe weather to sudden disruptions, coastal retailers face risks unlike any other market. In this powerful session, retailers share firsthand stories of navigating catastrophic events, the hard lessons learned along the way, and the strategies that helped them recover stronger. An industry expert will also provide practical guidance on how to prepare in advance —so when challenges arise, your business is ready to respond, recover, and move forward with confidence.

Turn your store into a revenue-generating oasis! Learn how to ride the waves of customer engagement, merchandising, and smart promotions to maximize sales and profits. From boosting basket size to attracting customers and creating irresistible in-store experiences, you’ll leave this session with practical strategies that keep both your register and your customers happy — all while staying in island mode.