Retail Fest 2026 brings together founders, CEOs and retail leaders ready to build smarter, faster and more efficient businesses. Held in Gold Coast, this premier event focuses on practical growth strategies, AI adoption and operational excellence for modern retailers. It is far more than a standard trade show; it is a high-energy convergence of the brightest minds in Australian e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail, designed to dismantle silos and foster genuine industry evolution. In an era where consumer behaviour shifts overnight, Retail Fest provides the critical insights and technological roadmaps required to stay ahead of the curve.

Designed as a community-first experience, Retail Fest combines curated networking, deep-dive workshops and an interactive exhibition hall. With 2,000+ attendees and 100+ exhibitors, the event creates meaningful opportunities for solution providers to connect directly with retailers actively seeking new tools and partnerships. The atmosphere is deliberately vibrant and collaborative, moving away from stuffy corporate formalities to encourage honest dialogue, peer-to-peer learning, and the formation of long-term strategic alliances that extend well beyond the three-day program.

Event Website | Visitor Registration | Exhibitor Information

• Retail Fest attracts more than 2,000 attendees and 100+ exhibitors, delivering concentrated access to retail decision-makers in one high-energy environment.
• 98% of attendees rate their experience as high quality and very useful, reflecting strong engagement and serious intent to learn and invest.
• The Hosted Meeting Programme facilitates curated double opt-in meetings between retailers and solution providers, driving focused, outcome-led conversations.
• With 100+ speakers, seven content tracks and practical workshops, attendees remain onsite and engaged, increasing exhibition hall traffic.

Who Attends Retail Fest?

• Founders, CEOs and retail executives seeking strategies to scale efficiently and adopt AI-driven solutions.
• eCommerce and digital leaders focused on automation, performance marketing and operational optimisation.
• Retail marketing and operations professionals researching tools to improve customer experience and profitability.
• Investors, consultants and industry partners connecting with innovative brands and technology providers.
• Supply chain and logistics managers looking for ways to streamline the last-mile experience and reduce overheads through smarter fulfillment tech.
• Product developers and category managers hunting for the latest trends in sustainable sourcing and tech-integrated consumer goods.
• Customer success advocates intent on exploring new CRM capabilities and personalised communication tools to drive higher lifetime value.
• Social media and content strategists looking to integrate shoppable media and creator-led commerce into their existing funnels.

• Retail technology and SaaS providers
• AI and automation solution companies
• Marketing and growth agencies
• Payments, logistics and fulfilment providers
• CRM and customer experience platforms
• Data analytics and optimisation specialists
• Digital service and e-commerce solution providers

Tips for Exhibitors

• Be clear on ROI. Retailers attend looking for measurable growth outcomes, so lead with case studies and results.
• Maximise the Hosted Meeting Programme. Prepare tailored presentations for pre-scheduled one-on-one sessions.
• Stay aligned with content themes. Echo key topics from workshops and panels to reinforce relevance.
• Engage beyond the stand. Networking receptions and social events offer additional touchpoints to strengthen relationships.
• Create an open, welcoming space. Interactive elements and clear messaging help draw retailers into conversation.
• If you have multiple shows in a year, pick reliable displays that move with you. From lightboxes to non-illuminated frames, and from foldable and fabric tube types to modular displays for your event needs.

As much as Exhibit Central loves trade shows, we are not the event organisers. Let the organisers know you’re interested in participating.

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