EXPO Tours Programs 2026

EXPO TOURS in the Age of AI
January 10-13, 2026

“Artificial intelligence is a game changer, and experts predict that it will change the way we work,” said Daniel Hodges, Consumer in Motion Group's Chief Executive. “We have dedicated an entire tour, which is "Engaging Consumers with Generative AI: Best Practices & Road Map” for EXPO Tours 2025."

The EXPO Tours are created in partnership with CIM Tours (cimtours.co) and NRF 2026; Retail's Big Show each year, based on the priorities identified by retailers around the world. Retailers say that Expo Tours are like guided treasure hunts for retailers—helping them uncover the latest innovations, strategies, and fellow retailers' partnerships in a fast-moving industry. Each EXPO Tour is designed based on feedback from retail industry leaders worldwide and is a unique and immersive program available only at the NRF 2026: Retails’ Big Show. The EXPO Tours are unique in that the topics are created by retailers for retailers.

• Curated exploration of tech and trends: EXPO Tours at NRF’s Retail Big Show are designed to spotlight cutting-edge retail technologies—from generative AI to connected commerce and smart loyalty systems.
• Expert-led insights: Retailers are guided by industry veterans who explain how each featured company or product solves real-world challenges, making complex tech more approachable.
• Time-efficient learning: Instead of wandering aimlessly through massive expo halls, participants follow a focused path that maximizes exposure to relevant innovations in just a couple of hours.
• Retailer only tours

Background: The NRF Big Show 2026 is held in New York City.

The 2026 EXPO Tours programs are offering exceptional networking and immersive learning experiences to celebrate the ten-year anniversary as we rapidly enter the Age of AI.

The EXPO Tours 2026 focus is on AI, the Customer Journey and Operations. We selected five key topics identified by retailer are top priorities for 2026 customer-centric personalized shopping journeys, supply chain transformation, retail media, generative AI (identify use cases), people hiring, training & retaining.

EXPO Tours programs are outlined below.

EXPO TOURS DECADE OF EXCELLENCE
The 2026 EXPO Tour programs are created each year based on extensive conversations and feedback from retailers worldwide. The EXPO TOURS topics are selected by retailers to help them understand the technology, best practices and trends driving retail success in 2026 and beyond. This is a retailer only program which fosters connection and unmatched networking among retailers from around the world.

The EXPO Tours are expert led, time efficient, curated, cost and time efficient and available in multiple languages.

The EXPO Tours are available for retailers.

1. Intelligent Retail & Customer-Centric Experiences:
Customer-centric experiences in retail are about recognizing the value of customers and aligning products, services, and processes to match and show appreciation. The benefits of customer-centricity include happier customers, more revenue, streamlined operations, and customer loyalty.

• What Is It? Best practices, innovation, and customer AI-centric experiences in retail.
• Who Should Tour? Executive, Marketing, Technology, Investors.
• What Will I Learn? The latest AI technologies which support customer-centric experiences.

2. Operational Experience, Logistics Supply Chain + Business Transformation:
How to make AI investments and AI platform decisions for optimum ROI across your supply chain in a dynamic environment.

• What is it? Learn best operational practices across your supply chain.
• Who Should Tour? Those responsible for supply chain, executives.
• What Will I Learn? Best practice, technology to maximize supply chains.

3. Engaging Consumers with Generative AI: Best Practices & Road Map 
Retailers will review the technology road map of generative AI to provide insights on generating value, including higher revenue and streamlined efficiencies. We will review the practical applications and uses, including innovative decision-making.

• What is it? Learn the Generative AI technology roadmap.
• Who Should Tour? All companies’ executive who wishes to learn about the latest potential with generative AI.
• What Will I Learn? How to utilize AI for operations and consumer engagement.

4. Creating A Winning In-Store Experience:
Learn how to create a winning experience in the store with technology, training to delight shoppers, improve employee satisfaction, and deliver a superior customer experience and service.

• What is it? Using Retail Media & Employee Training to deliver a superior customer journey.
• Who Should Tour? Operations, Technology, Executives.
• What Will I Learn? How to set a new standard for customer engagement and experiences while improving front-line team members to deliver a Superior customer journey.

5. Future Tech:
What is next in 12-24 months? Learn about game-changing technology and trends on the AI technology road map and what it means to your company. Utilizing operational excellence creates value, such as cost reduction, quality improvement, or customer satisfaction. A practical understanding of the technology road map will guide resources and help in the deployment of technologies and resources needed for implementation.

• What is it? What are the key trends and technologies important to your business.
• Who Should Tour? All company functions, IT, HR, Senior Executives, AI leads
• What Will I Learn? How to understand the technology road map and applying that knowledge to your business.
  

Contact dan@cimtours.co with further information on which tour is right for you.