Shoptalk Spring 2027: The business traveler's guide

Produced by Hyve Group, Shoptalk Spring brings together retailers, consumer brands, technology companies, startups, agencies, and investors to explore developments shaping retail and commerce.[1][2] Registration rates vary by attendee category, and qualifying retailers and consumer brands may receive complimentary admission and travel reimbursement through the hosted program.[1][3] With sessions, technology demonstrations, networking events, and Shoptalk's scheduled Meetup program at Mandalay Bay, planning ahead can help you make better use of your time and return with relevant insights, new contacts, and clear next steps.

What is Shoptalk Spring and who is it for?

Shoptalk Spring is an annual retail and commerce event produced by Hyve Group. The 2027 event will bring retailers, consumer brands, technology companies, startups, agencies, and investors to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.[1][2]

Attendees include retail executives, brand marketers, e-commerce professionals, technology providers, consultants, investors, and startup founders. They come to explore emerging technologies and retail trends, evaluate products and potential partners, attend educational sessions, and meet with others from across the industry. Shoptalk says approximately one-third of attendees are C-suite executives.[1]

The organizer expects roughly 10,000 attendees and 180 speakers at Shoptalk Spring 2027.[1] The most recent event also included Meetup, a scheduling program that generated more than 50,000 one-to-one meetings at Shoptalk Spring 2026.[1] These figures provide a useful sense of the event's scale, although the final 2027 attendance and programming may differ.

What makes Shoptalk Spring 2027 worth the trip

Shoptalk Spring gives attendees opportunities to evaluate retail technology in person, speak directly with potential partners, learn from industry leaders, and take part in scheduled meetings with professionals from across the retail and commerce ecosystem. The detailed 2027 agenda hasn't been published, but the event's confirmed format provides several ways to make the trip valuable.

Here are some of the experiences you may be able to expect:

• Meetup meetings: Assuming the event is like 2026, all registered attendees can participate in Meetup, which schedules 15-minute, one-to-one meetings through a mutual opt-in process. Qualifying retailers and consumer brands in the hosted program commit to up to eight meetings with technology providers they select.[3][5][6]
• Exhibit hall: Meet technology providers, watch product demonstrations, and compare potential solutions in one place. Build a prioritized exhibitor list once the 2027 floor plan becomes available, but leave time to explore companies you didn't plan to visit.
• Main-stage and educational sessions: Hear retail and consumer brand leaders discuss industry trends, emerging technologies, business strategies, and practical case studies. The organizer says AI will be incorporated across the event's content, conversations, and technology offerings.[2]
• Peer discussions: Participate in Tabletalks, if available for 2027, and other peer-to-peer experiences designed for attendees to exchange ideas and discuss shared business challenges.[2]
• Meals and networking events: Registration in 2026 included designated meals, receptions, and social events, including the annual Beach Party. Check the official agenda once it's published for the 2027 schedule and event details.[6]

Where to stay for Shoptalk Spring 2027

Choosing the right hotel can simplify your trip to Mandalay Bay, especially if the 2027 event follows the meeting-heavy format used in 2026. Staying within the Mandalay Bay complex provides an indoor route to the convention center, while nearby hotels may offer lower rates in exchange for a longer walk or tram ride.

Hotels by distance to Mandalay Bay Convention Center

Compare these areas by walking distance, transportation access, and current rates. Walking times are approximate and can vary considerably based on your hotel tower, room location, and convention center entrance.

If Shoptalk Spring 2027 schedules Meetup appointments and sessions throughout the day as it did in 2026, staying within the Mandalay Bay complex may make it easier to arrive on time and return to your room between commitments. Hotels along Dean Martin Drive, at Luxor, or at Excalibur may cost less, but factor the complete door-to-venue route into your decision.

For additional hotel options, estimated walk times, and loyalty-friendly choices, see our guide to hotels near Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

Hotel pricing at Shoptalk Spring 2027

Navan analyzed anonymized hotel bookings near Mandalay Bay for stays between March 18 and March 28, 2026, including the dates surrounding Shoptalk Spring 2026.[12] The figures provide context for planning a 2027 trip, but they don't predict rates during Shoptalk Spring 2027.

• Median hotel rate: The median nightly rate near Mandalay Bay during the analyzed period was $281.[12]
• Stay length: Business travelers booked an average stay of 2.8 nights.[12]
• Late bookings: Approximately 34.8% of stays were booked within two weeks of arrival.[12]
• Booking window: The lowest median nightly rate in the 2026 data was $176 for bookings made two to four weeks ahead, compared with $420 one to two months ahead. However, differences in hotel availability and room type mean travelers shouldn't assume that waiting will produce a lower rate.[12]

Shoptalk offered an official housing program for its 2026 event, and rooms at Mandalay Bay, W Las Vegas, Luxor, and New York-New York eventually sold out.[9] However, the travel page displaying the 2027 event dates still contains hotel availability, airline offers, and arrival guidance from 2026. Until Shoptalk publishes confirmed 2027 housing information, don't assume that the properties currently marked sold out reflect 2027 availability.

If you book before Shoptalk publishes confirmed 2027 room-block rates and availability, consider a refundable reservation that you can compare with the eventual room-block rates and policies. Shoptalk also warns attendees against unauthorized companies offering hotel reservations or attendee lists.[6]

Las Vegas flight trends

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the primary airport for travelers attending events at Mandalay Bay.[13] Navan flight data for the same late-March 2026 period includes 3,779 business travel bookings to Las Vegas, with 18.3% originating outside the U.S.[12] The most common origin locations were San Francisco, Austin, New York, Newark, and Chicago.

How Navan Edge helps you book your conference travel

Use Navan Edge, your travel assistant powered by AI and supported by human travel experts 24/7, to plan and book your Shoptalk Spring 2027 trip. Compare flights, hotels, and restaurants using live availability, personal preferences, and all the amenities that are important to you, then book everything in the same thread, without juggling multiple apps or websites.

Continue earning your usual airline miles and hotel loyalty points, earn applicable credit card multipliers, and get 5% back as Amazon Gift Cards on eligible hotel stays. See our travel rewards on business trips guide for how it works.

Set your Las Vegas budget before traveling

Plan your Shoptalk Spring 2027 budget around registration, lodging, transportation, meals, and other travel expenses. Registration costs vary considerably by attendee category, while staying close to Mandalay Bay may cost more than your company's usual lodging allowance.

Federal per diem for Las Vegas

The U.S. General Services Administration sets federal per diem rates for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. These rates apply to federal employees traveling on official business, although some companies also use them as benchmarks when setting travel budgets and reimbursement limits.

For Shoptalk Spring 2027, the FY2027 rates for Las Vegas and Clark County are:

• $259 per day combined: Includes $173 for nightly lodging plus $86 for daily meals and incidental expenses (M&IE)[11]
• M&IE breakdown: Includes $22 for breakfast, $23 for lunch, $36 for dinner, and $5 for incidentals[11]
• First and last travel days: Includes an M&IE allowance of $64.50, or 75% of the daily M&IE rate[11]

The $173 federal lodging allowance is $108 lower than the $281 median nightly rate in Navan's late-March 2026 hotel data.[11][12] If your company uses GSA rates as a benchmark, compare hotels outside the Mandalay Bay complex and account for additional transportation costs before choosing a lower nightly rate.

Other expenses to consider

Planning for these expenses before you book can make it easier to set a realistic budget and avoid surprises when submitting your expense report.

• Conference registration: Current published prices range from $1,250 for retailers and consumer brands to $3,245 for general attendees. Separate rates are available for marketing agencies, startups, investors, sponsors, and exhibitors. Qualifying retailers and consumer brands may receive complimentary admission and a $750 travel reimbursement through the hosted program.[3][5]
• Registration changes: Shoptalk says ticket prices increase periodically. Check the official registration page before requesting approval or purchasing a pass rather than relying on an earlier published rate.[3][4]
• Hotel fees and taxes: Resort fees, lodging taxes, parking, deposits, and cancellation policies vary by hotel. Compare the total stay cost rather than the advertised nightly rate.
• Conference-provided meals: If Shoptalk Spring 2027 follows the 2026 format, registration will include breakfast and lunch on designated event days. Confirm the 2027 meal schedule once the agenda is published and reduce your meal allowance if required by your company's policy.[6]
• Airport transportation: Budget for a taxi, rideshare, or public transit between LAS and your hotel. Mandalay Bay is a short drive from the airport, but travel time and fares can increase with traffic and demand.
• Meals and client dinners: Budget for dinners and any other meals not provided by the event. Restaurants at Mandalay Bay and elsewhere on the Strip may also require advance reservations during a major conference.
• Local transportation: If you stay outside the Mandalay Bay complex, include possible rideshare, taxi, public transit, or parking costs in your budget.
• After-hours networking: Shoptalk Spring has included receptions, partner events, and an annual Beach Party in recent years. Leave room for additional transportation and meal costs until the 2027 evening schedule is confirmed.[6]

Plan your Shoptalk Spring agenda

Shoptalk Spring 2027 is confirmed for March 22-24, but the agenda, session times, exhibit hall hours, speaker lineup, Meetup schedule, badge pickup hours, and evening events haven't been published. The official agenda and speaker pages currently feature the 2026 program, so don't use those details to plan your 2027 trip.[8][18]

Once the 2027 schedule becomes available, build your agenda around your highest-priority sessions, exhibitors, and Meetup appointments, leaving time for demonstrations and unscheduled conversations. Confirm the opening and closing times before finalizing your flights, and use our business trip planning guide to coordinate your travel plans around the event schedule.

What to pack and wear at Shoptalk Spring

Shoptalk recommended business or business casual attire for its 2026 event. Unless the organizer publishes different guidance for 2027, plan on clothing such as jeans or slacks, collared shirts, sweaters, and comfortable shoes. Consider bringing a blazer or another polished option for customer meetings, dinners, and evening events.[6]

March in Las Vegas typically brings daytime highs around 71°F (22°C) and overnight lows near 49°F (9°C), with limited rainfall and low humidity.[19] Pack layers that are easy to add or remove as you move between air-conditioned meeting rooms, the exhibit hall, and outdoor hotel routes.

Conference essentials

A few practical items can make long days of sessions, meetings, exhibits, and networking more comfortable. Add these essentials to your packing list:

• Two pairs of comfortable shoes: Rotating shoes can help when you're walking the exhibit hall and moving between Meetup appointments.
• Portable charger: The event app, Meetup schedule, messages, notes, and photos can quickly drain your phone's battery.
• Reusable water bottle: Las Vegas's dry climate makes it important to drink water throughout the day.
• Lip balm and moisturizer: Low humidity and long hours indoors can leave your skin and lips feeling dry.
• Throat lozenges and hand sanitizer: Crowded event spaces and hours of conversation can take a toll.
• Light sweater or jacket: Meeting rooms and exhibit halls may feel cooler than the temperature outside.
• Small backpack or laptop bag: Carry your charger, water bottle, meeting materials, and other essentials comfortably.

Getting from the airport to the Shoptalk Spring venue

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is approximately 3 miles from Mandalay Bay and is the primary airport for travelers attending Shoptalk Spring.[10][13] Badge pickup hours for 2027 haven't been published, so confirm the opening schedule before booking your flight. For most attendees, arriving Sunday, March 21, should provide time to check in before the event begins Monday.

For travelers with luggage, a rideshare or taxi is generally the simplest way to reach Mandalay Bay. Public transit offers a lower-cost alternative but requires more time and at least one transfer.

Traffic, airport congestion, and demand can increase travel times. Once you reach the south Strip, the free Mandalay Bay-Luxor-Excalibur tram can help with travel among those properties, but it doesn't serve the airport.[10]

Beyond sessions: Make time for exhibits and Meetup

Shoptalk Spring combines educational programming with technology exhibits, scheduled Meetup appointments, and informal networking. In 2026, the exhibit halls were located in Bayside at the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center, but the 2027 floor plan, exhibitor directory, event app, and operating hours haven't been published.[7] Wait for those details before planning routes or assigning activities to specific halls.

• Review the exhibitor directory: Once the 2027 directory becomes available, identify the companies and technologies most relevant to your work and group nearby booths together.
• Complete the Meetup process: Meetup uses a mutual opt-in process to schedule 15-minute meetings. Complete each registration and selection step by the organizer's deadlines, which haven't yet been announced for 2027.[6]
• Schedule additional meetings: Contact exhibitors, partners, customers, and colleagues about two weeks before the event to arrange booth meetings or coffee chats outside your scheduled Meetup appointments.
• Use the event app: If Shoptalk releases a 2027 app, use it to save sessions and exhibitors, review schedule changes, navigate the venue, and track Meetup appointments.
• Take notes after each conversation: Record relevant product details, questions, contacts, and agreed-upon next steps while the discussion is still fresh.
• Follow up within 48 hours: Send a brief email or LinkedIn message that references the conversation and confirms the next action.
• Build in short breaks: Three days of sessions, exhibits, meetings, and networking can be tiring. Leave time to eat, drink water, organize your notes, and recharge between commitments.

What to eat at Shoptalk Spring 2027

If Shoptalk Spring 2027 follows the 2026 format, registration will include breakfast and lunch on designated event days.[6] Confirm the meal schedule when the 2027 agenda is published, and keep a snack in your bag for periods when sessions, exhibits, and Meetup appointments leave little time to eat.

When it's time for a client dinner, team meal, or quick lunch, these options are convenient to Mandalay Bay Convention Center:

• Client dinner: Border Grill at Mandalay Bay serves Mexican cuisine and offers group dining near Mandalay Bay Beach. Reserve ahead if you're planning a customer or partner dinner.[17]
• Team meal: Mandalay Bay has several full-service restaurants suitable for groups, including Libertine Social, Caramá, and House of Blues Restaurant & Bar. Compare menus, availability, and group policies before choosing.
• Quick lunch: The Mandalay Bay Food Court and convention center concessions provide faster options when you don't have time for a full meal. Confirm concession locations and hours once the 2027 event details are available.[10]

Restaurants and operating hours may change before March 2027, so check current information when making reservations. Navan Edge can book Las Vegas restaurants in the same chat where you arrange your flight and hotel.

Finish strong on departure day

Before you check out, take a few minutes to organize your receipts, notes, and new contacts so you're not sorting through everything after you return home. Allow enough time to reach LAS, check your bags, and clear security before your flight.

• Pack the night before: Charge your devices, organize your receipts and notes, and check the room for chargers, badges, and other belongings.
• Confirm late checkout: If you have an evening flight, ask the front desk about late checkout or have Navan Edge coordinate the request on your behalf.
• Arrive early at the airport: LAS can be busy after a large convention, so allow at least two hours for a domestic flight and three hours for an international departure.
• Submit expenses early: Upload receipts while hotel, meal, and transportation charges are still easy to identify, following your company's expense policy.
• Begin your follow-ups: Use time at the airport or on your return trip to organize contacts and send brief messages confirming agreed-upon next steps.
• Schedule a debrief: Block time early the following week to share relevant findings, review potential partners, and decide which ideas or conversations require further action.

Make the most of your Shoptalk Spring 2027 trip

Shoptalk Spring brings thousands of retail and commerce professionals together for three days of sessions, exhibits, meetings, and networking. Register and book your hotel early, set clear priorities for the trip, and revisit your plans as the 2027 agenda, floor plan, and Meetup schedule become available. Leaving room for both scheduled appointments and unexpected conversations can help you return with useful insights, relevant contacts, and clear next steps.

Heading to Shoptalk Spring 2027? Use Navan Edge to book your flight, hotel, and restaurant reservations in one chat.

Navan is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Shoptalk Spring or their organizers, and this guide is not an official Shoptalk publication. Shoptalk Spring 2027 and all other third-party trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and descriptive purposes only. All schedules, pricing, venue details, and program information are subject to change; verify current details with the official organizers before you travel.

Navan publishes this guide as part of its Navan Edge content series. Navan Edge is a Navan product referenced throughout this post. Card benefits, fees, loyalty program thresholds, earning structures, reward values, and AI capabilities described in this article are subject to change and were accurate as of the date of publication. Verify current terms with your card issuer, loyalty program operator, or the relevant program's website before making decisions. Amazon Gift Card rewards are subject to Navan Edge Terms and Conditions for eligible hotel bookings.

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