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.

Retail in coastal communities comes with seasonal traffic swings, visiting shoppers, and constant pressure to make the most of peak moments. In this keynote, Kathy Cruz shares a practical approach to turning those waves of customers into steady, sustainable profit. You’ll walk away thinking differently about how buying, pricing, in store messaging, and day to day operations work together to help your store stay profitable year round, not just when it’s busy.

Speaker: Kathy Cruz, Savvy Shopkeeper

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. 

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.

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.

Speaker:  Ciara Stockeland, The Inventory Genius 

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.

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. 

Speaker: Cathy Donovan Wagner, RETAILMavens

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.

Speaker: Patrick Keiser, Heart on Main Street

Speaker: Casey Smith, One Amazing Find / Gifted

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. 

Speaker: Michael Hale, Retail Rehab

Discover practical ways to stand out in a competitive tourist market, generate word-of-mouth buzz, and give shoppers a reason to choose your store over the one next door. Expect tangible ideas for elevating customer engagement, increasing dwell time, and designing experiences that drive both immediate sales and long-term customers.

Speaker: Jennifer Johnson, The Confident Entrepreneur