2023 NGA Show ready to welcome independent grocers to Las Vegas

The National Grocers Association (NGA) has its lineup of events ready for this year’s 2023 NGA Show, to be held at Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas from Sunday, Feb. 26 through Tuesday, Feb. 28. 

Independent retail and wholesale grocers will gather in Las Vegas for the show, which is an opportunity for networking, educational workshops and a chance to showcase innovation that is taking place in the independent grocery retail space.

"From the education rooms to the exhibit hall, from planned special events to impromptu networking in the hallways, The NGA Show provides attendees with many ways to take away the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt and thrive in an industry that is always changing," said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO, in a statement. "From creative recruiting to multicultural marketing, to center store innovation and retail media networks, grocery retailers and wholesalers will leave the show with a perspective that address the current issues, along with a look into future trends allowing them to stay ahead of the curve." 

From the show’s Best Bagger Competition to the all-new booth crawl happy hour, this year’s three-day event lineup also includes a new feature: the technology summit, which is part of the show’s Sunday programming. It's designed to give independent grocery retailers a look at technology from multiple perspectives.

Highlights for day one of the show will include the keynote by Erik Weihenmayer who, having lost his vision at age 14, became the first blind person in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 2001.

Weihenmayer will share his powerful message about harnessing the power of adversity as fuel for greatness.

Also taking place on the show’s opening day is the WGA Networking Reception. This new event is open to all women show participants, and is an “opportunity for women leaders to connect, establish new relationships and share experiences,” NGA said.  

Day two of the NGA show includes the IGA Awards ceremony, which will honor members with awards such as IGA Retailer of the Year from the U.S. and global countries and wholesaler awards. Day two will also afford the opportunity for attendees of the show to visit the nearly 300 exhibitors and sponsors who will be showcasing products, services and technology to the independent grocer community.

Day three of the show will include a breakfast session discussing financial and market trends that independent grocers should keep an eye out for. The shows last day will also include the Student Case Study presentation.

In its bid to promote the show, NGA reached out to its staff for their top picks. NGA Foundation Director Chelsea Matzen is looking forward to the Student Case Study Competition, which brings students from across the country to The NGA Show where they will present solutions to an issue currently impacting the independent grocery industry.

“This year, the subject of the competition will be Dierbergs Markets with a focus on employee recruitment and retention. I can't wait to see what this year's students come up with,” Matzen said on NGA’s social media.

The Washington, D.C.-based NGA represents 21,000 independent grocers throughout the U.S.