ConventionUpdated May 2026

Shoptalk

March 25, 2025 – March 27, 2025 | March 23, 2026 – March 25, 2026

Mandalay Bay Convention Center — 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

10,000+ estimated attendees

The premier retail and e-commerce conference, bringing together brands, retailers, and technology companies to discuss the future of shopping. Held annually at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas across four days of programming.

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Dates

March 25, 2025 – March 27, 2025 | March 23, 2026 – March 25, 2026

Venue

Mandalay Bay Convention Center

Address

3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Est. Attendance

10,000+

Type

convention

Guest List

Free Nightclub Entry

About Shoptalk

What Is Shoptalk?

Shoptalk is the premier conference for the retail and e-commerce industry, bringing together 10,000 brand executives, retailers, technology companies, and investors at Mandalay Bay Convention Center every March. The conference covers the full retail innovation landscape — omnichannel strategy, AI-powered personalization, social commerce, supply chain transformation, loyalty and customer data platforms, payments, fulfillment, and the evolving role of physical stores in an increasingly digital retail world. Keynotes feature CEOs from major retailers and brand leaders alongside technology innovators reshaping how consumers discover and buy products. What distinguishes Shoptalk from other retail industry events is the Meetup program: an algorithm-based one-on-one meeting system that matches attendees based on their detailed profiles, business objectives, and meeting preferences. Unlike most trade show encounters, Meetup meetings are scheduled in advance, making Shoptalk one of the most efficient business development environments in retail. Completing your profile early — weeks before the conference — is essential for getting the most relevant matches. March in Las Vegas is a comfortable time to visit. Spring temperatures have arrived (65–70°F days, 50–55°F evenings) without the intense heat of summer, and the convention calendar in early spring is lighter than the fall crush, which means hotel rates are lower and the Strip's restaurants and nightclubs are operating at full energy without being overwhelmed.

From the Attendee Guide

Badge Pickup & Show Hours

Badge Pickup

Badge pickup is at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center main registration area. Pre-registered attendees use QR code kiosks — the process is fast and lines at the kiosks move efficiently. Registration opens the Sunday before the conference begins. Picking up your badge Sunday afternoon is recommended, as Monday morning registration lines can be long before the first keynote. The Meetup meeting schedule is sent to attendees in advance through the Shoptalk platform — review your assigned meetings before you arrive and identify any that need to be rescheduled or declined through the platform's interface. Your Meetup meetings will be at specific tables in the dedicated Meetup area of the convention center at precisely scheduled times, so time management and preparation between sessions is essential for getting full value from the Meetup program.

Show Floor Hours

Monday, March 238:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday, March 248:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, March 258:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Quick Tips for First-Timers

  • Complete your Meetup profile at least 2–3 weeks before the conference. Shoptalk's matching algorithm assigns one-on-one meetings based on the detail and specificity of your profile — a generic profile generates generic matches. Be specific about your company's current initiatives, technology gaps you are evaluating, and the types of partners you want to connect with. The Meetup meetings are the highest-ROI activity at Shoptalk; the algorithm is genuinely effective when you give it enough information to work with. Review your assigned meeting schedule when it arrives and use the platform to reschedule or decline any matches that are not strategically relevant.
  • The Shoptalk keynotes feature retail CEOs from companies like Walmart, Target, Nordstrom, and other major brands alongside technology company founders and VC investors. Unlike most retail industry events, the speakers at Shoptalk typically share concrete strategic data and forward-looking roadmaps rather than general inspirational content. Arrive for keynotes 15–20 minutes early to secure a seat in the main hall — the sessions fill quickly and the most valuable content often comes in the Q&A portion, which is visible from the main floor but not always well-captured in recordings.
  • Mandalay Bay is at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, and the location shapes the logistics of the conference week. The free tram connecting Mandalay Bay to Luxor and MGM Grand is the most efficient way to reach the central Strip cluster for dinners and nightlife — plan your evenings around this transit option. If your budget allows, staying at a mid-Strip hotel (The Cosmopolitan, Caesars Palace, or The Venetian) and using rideshare to the conference each morning simplifies after-hours logistics significantly, as you are positioned between the conference and the nightlife venues rather than at the far south end.
  • Dress code at Shoptalk is smart casual — the retail industry is fashion-aware and dress standards here are visibly higher than at most technology conferences. Look polished and professional. Many attendees come from brand or retail backgrounds where personal presentation is part of professional identity, and the conference atmosphere reflects that. For evening events and club visits after the conference, a step up to smart business casual or cocktail-casual is appropriate at the major Strip nightclubs.
Read the full Shoptalk Attendee Guide

Getting There

How to Get to Shoptalk

Parking

Use the Mandalay Bay parking garage. Self-parking is available on a first-come basis. During major shows, arrive early as the garage fills by mid-morning.

Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)

Uber and Lyft have a designated area at the Mandalay Bay main entrance on Las Vegas Blvd.

Public Transit / Monorail

A free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur. From Excalibur you can walk to the MGM Grand monorail station for service up the Strip. The tram runs every 3–7 minutes.

Walking from the Strip

Mandalay Bay sits at the south end of the Strip. It is a 20–25 minute walk to central Strip hotels. The free tram to Luxor and Excalibur helps, and from there you can connect to the monorail.

Vegas After Hours

Nightlife During Shoptalk

When 10,000 convention attendees descend on Las Vegas for Shoptalk, the nightlife scene shifts into a higher gear. The Strip's biggest clubs extend their lineups, book marquee DJs, and host industry-specific after-parties to capture the surge. Expect longer peak hours, busier dance floors, and an electric atmosphere that feeds off the energy of the convention crowd. Whether your group is celebrating a successful day of meetings or just looking to unwind, you will find every style of nightlife within minutes of your hotel.

Convention weeks create a unique dynamic in Vegas. The typical weekend tourist crowd blends with professionals who are in town on expense accounts and looking to make the most of their evenings. Bottle service tables sell out faster than usual, especially at venues like XS, OMNIA, and Marquee. If VIP seating is on your radar, booking early is strongly recommended. For everyone else, the guest list is the smartest move — it guarantees free entry and lets you skip the general-admission line that grows significantly during major convention weeks.

The best part of going out during Shoptalk is the social element. You will run into colleagues, competitors, and new contacts on the dance floor. Some of the most productive conversations at any convention happen after midnight over cocktails, not on the show floor. Strip clubs like Sapphire and Crazy Horse III are also extremely popular with convention groups — free guest list from your hotel and no cover through our guest list make it an easy choice for groups of any size.

Industry Guide

Nightlife for Shoptalk Attendees

March in Las Vegas is an excellent time for nightlife. Spring weather has arrived — daytime temperatures reach 65–70°F and evenings are comfortable at 50–55°F — but pool season has not started yet, which means the Strip's full entertainment energy concentrates into the nightclubs. Shoptalk's retail executive crowd is polished, fashion-aware, and accustomed to premium experiences, which aligns well with the top-tier options available on the Strip.

The Mandalay Bay location of Shoptalk creates a logistics consideration for nightlife planning. The major clubs — Hakkasan at MGM Grand, Marquee at The Cosmopolitan, OMNIA at Caesars Palace, XS at Wynn, and TAO at The Venetian — are all 2–4 miles north of Mandalay Bay. The free tram connects Mandalay Bay to MGM Grand in minutes, and Hakkasan is on the MGM property. For clubs further north, the most efficient approach is to plan a team dinner at a mid-Strip restaurant and then transition to the club from there, rather than making two trips from Mandalay Bay.

Hakkasan at MGM Grand is the most logistically convenient nightclub for Shoptalk attendees. The free tram from Mandalay Bay stops directly at MGM Grand, and Hakkasan is on the property. The Ling Ling Lounge inside Hakkasan runs hip-hop and R&B in a cocktail-lounge format — lower volume, better for conversation — while the main room runs EDM with top headliner bookings. For retail executive groups that want a sophisticated nightlife experience without committing to full dance-floor energy, the Ling Ling Lounge is the right environment. NoCoverVegas offers free guest list at Hakkasan all week.

Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan is the premium choice for Shoptalk's fashion-forward retail crowd. The Cosmopolitan's design aesthetic is the closest thing to a fashion brand in Las Vegas hospitality — the hotel itself is a reference point for retail executives, and the club reflects that sensibility. Three areas (main room, Library lounge, and outdoor Bungalows) give groups flexibility. The Cosmopolitan is also home to some of the best cocktail programs on the Strip — Velvet bar, The Henry, and Ghost Donkey — which are excellent pre-club options before Marquee opens at 10 PM.

XS at Wynn Las Vegas is open in March (XS closes August through October for renovation; March is fully operational) and is the gold standard for Strip nightclubs during spring months. The outdoor pool deck at XS is not open in March temperatures, but the indoor main room, indoor/outdoor bar areas, and production quality make XS a strong choice for Shoptalk groups who want the best EDM programming in Vegas. Walk from the tram at MGM Grand to XS via The LINQ or rideshare in about 10–12 minutes.

For retail executives planning corporate entertainment during Shoptalk, bottle service at a reserved table handles group management without the need to coordinate throughout the night. Most major clubs offer tables for groups of 6–20; for larger Shoptalk groups, reserved areas with multiple tables can be arranged in advance through NoCoverVegas — text (725) 999-9293 with your preferred venue, night, and group size. March is one of the less expensive months for bottle service minimums in Las Vegas, as demand is lower than summer.

Pool parties are not available during Shoptalk week. March in Las Vegas is still too cool for pool venues, which do not open until late April or May. This means the full entertainment energy that would be split between dayclubs and nightclubs in summer concentrates entirely into the clubs during March — which tends to produce better DJ bookings, fuller rooms, and more accessible venues than the peak summer months.

XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas is the gold standard for Vegas nightlife and is fully operational in March (the August–October 2026 renovation closure does not affect Shoptalk week). For Shoptalk groups that want the single best nightclub experience in Las Vegas, XS is the answer. The combination of the outdoor pool deck area (cool in March but still dramatic), the indoor main room, the production design, and the headliner DJ programming makes XS the most complete nightclub experience in the city. Wynn Las Vegas is also one of the best-designed hotels on the Strip — for retail executives who are evaluating the hospitality industry, Wynn represents the highest standards of service and design in Las Vegas. A team dinner at SW Steakhouse (Wynn's flagship restaurant) followed by XS is a complete and high-quality evening without leaving the Wynn property.

ONE Nightclub at Resorts World is worth knowing about as a newer option for Shoptalk groups that want a different experience from the established clubs. Resorts World opened in 2021 and represents the most recent major Strip development — the hotel complex is particularly relevant as a retail and hospitality reference point for attendees from consumer brands and retail technology companies. The property houses multiple entertainment venues including Zouk Nightclub (EDM-focused, strong booking calendar) and offers a more contemporary alternative to the established Wynn, Caesars, and Cosmopolitan club options.

Night-by-night logistics for Shoptalk nightlife: Monday is the opening evening and sponsor events run at full capacity. Most attendees attend 1–2 official or sponsor events (6:00–9:00 PM) before transitioning to Strip nightlife. Tuesday is the peak nightlife night of the week — the majority of attendees are present, Meetup meetings have generated specific people to follow up with, and the conference energy is at full momentum. Wednesday afternoon closes at 4:00 PM, making Wednesday evening a slightly lighter night as some attendees begin their departure, but still an excellent time for a focused group dinner and club visit.

The most efficient nightlife strategy for Shoptalk: plan a team dinner at a mid-Strip restaurant as your primary dinner plan each evening (book in advance — key restaurants fill up during convention weeks), then transition to the club from the restaurant rather than returning to Mandalay Bay first. The Cosmopolitan is the best single-destination choice — excellent dinner options (Zuma, Estiatorio Milos, Wicked Spoon), a centrally located Strip position, and Marquee Nightclub on-property. One rideshare from Mandalay Bay to The Cosmopolitan for dinner-and-club covers the full evening efficiently.

For retail brand teams and technology companies using Shoptalk for corporate entertainment — client dinners, vendor entertaining, team nights out — the major Strip clubs are equipped for exactly this purpose. Reserved bottle service tables at Hakkasan, Marquee, XS, and OMNIA range from $600–1,500 minimum depending on venue and night. March minimums tend to be lower than summer conventions due to lower overall demand. NoCoverVegas handles all coordination — text (725) 999-9293.

After the Show

Shoptalk After Dark — Nightlife Picks

Shoptalk brings a polished, business-savvy crowd to Vegas. Evening receptions, sponsor dinners, and networking events fill the early evening from 6–9 PM throughout the conference week. After those wind down, the Strip offers everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to world-class nightclubs. Mandalay Bay's south-Strip location means nightlife logistics require a plan, but the free tram to MGM Grand and a short rideshare to the central Strip makes every major club accessible within 15 minutes. March in Las Vegas is genuinely pleasant — evenings are cool at 50–55°F, making the city comfortable to navigate between venues.

See all Shoptalk nightlife recommendations

Skip the Cover Charge

How to Get Free Entry During Shoptalk

Cover charges at Las Vegas nightclubs typically run $30 to $75 per person during convention weeks, and lines can stretch past an hour. Here is how to skip both.

  1. 1

    Sign Up for the Guest List

    Fill out the form at the bottom of this page with your name, phone number, group size, and hotel. It takes less than thirty seconds.

  2. 2

    Get Your Confirmation

    You will receive a text message confirming your spot on the guest list along with details about your free guest list entry from your hotel.

  3. 3

    Show Up and Walk In

    Your car arrives at the scheduled time. When you reach the venue, give the host your name — you bypass the general-admission line and enter with no cover charge. That is it. No catch, no minimum spend required.

Make the Most of Your Trip

Insider Tips for Shoptalk Attendees

Balance Your Schedule

Convention days are long and draining. If you plan to go out at night, map out which sessions and booths are must-sees so you can leave the show floor by late afternoon. A short break at your hotel between the convention and dinner makes a massive difference in your energy level for the evening ahead.

Pick the Right Nights

The first night of Shoptalk is usually the wildest — everyone has just arrived and the excitement is high. The final night tends to be more relaxed as attendees pack and prepare for early flights. For the best club lineups, Friday and Saturday nights always deliver regardless of the convention calendar.

Recovery Game Plan

Hydration is everything in the desert. Keep a water bottle on you during the convention and match every cocktail with a glass of water at night. Order room service breakfast or grab a quick bite at your hotel before heading to the venue — skipping breakfast after a late night is a recipe for a miserable afternoon on the show floor.

Book as a Group

Heading out with colleagues or clients? Larger groups get better treatment at every venue in Las Vegas. When you sign up for the guest list, include your full group count so we can arrange a ride that fits everyone and ensure your party walks in together. Groups of six or more can often request reserved seating at no extra cost.

Pool Parties During Shoptalk

Convention sessions typically wrap by 5 PM. That leaves the perfect window for a pool party before dinner. Las Vegas dayclubs operate March through October with free guest list entry — a popular choice for networking or blowing off steam after a full day of sessions and exhibits.

See all pool parties →

Gentlemen's Clubs

Strip Clubs During Shoptalk

Las Vegas strip clubs are a popular after-hours option during convention week. Most offer free guest list entry and complimentary transportation from your hotel — no cover, no minimums.

See all Las Vegas strip clubs →

Shoptalk — FAQ

Where is Shoptalk 2026?

Shoptalk 2026 is at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

What are the Shoptalk 2026 dates?

Shoptalk 2026 runs Monday, March 23 through Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

What is the Shoptalk Meetup program?

Meetup is Shoptalk's curated meetings program that algorithmically matches attendees for one-on-one meetings based on their profile and interests. Complete your Meetup profile as early as possible before the conference — the more detail you provide, the better the algorithm's matches. Your schedule of Meetup meetings is assigned before you arrive, so check it in advance and plan your conference days around your meeting blocks.

What should I wear to Shoptalk?

Smart casual. The retail industry is fashion-aware — look polished and professional. Comfortable shoes for walking the convention center are important. For nightclubs after the conference, dark jeans and a button-down or blouse are appropriate at every major Strip venue. Avoid athletic wear, shorts, flip-flops, and baseball caps at clubs.

How do I get to Shoptalk from mid-Strip hotels?

Mandalay Bay is at the south end of the Strip. A free tram connects to Luxor and then MGM Grand. From MGM Grand, a rideshare or a 10-minute walk reaches the central Strip cluster (The Cosmopolitan, Caesars, Wynn). Rideshare directly from Mandalay Bay to mid-Strip costs $8–15 in March, with minimal surge pricing compared to peak summer months.

What nightclubs are best for Shoptalk 2026 attendees?

Hakkasan at MGM Grand is the most convenient — one free tram stop from Mandalay Bay, on the MGM property. For a more fashion-forward experience aligned with the retail crowd, Marquee at The Cosmopolitan is the premium choice. XS at Wynn is open in March (XS closes August–October for renovation) and is the gold standard for EDM programming and production quality. OMNIA at Caesars Palace is excellent for groups — three levels with a kinetic chandelier and a Strip-view terrace. NoCoverVegas offers free guest list at all four.

Are there pool parties during Shoptalk 2026?

No. Shoptalk runs in late March and Las Vegas pool season does not start until late April or May. The Strip's major dayclubs — Encore Beach Club, Marquee Dayclub, TAO Beach, and OMNIA Dayclub — are all closed during Shoptalk week. The upside is that all nightlife energy concentrates into the clubs in March — rooms tend to be fuller and DJ bookings tend to be stronger than summer nights when the crowd is split.

What are the best restaurants for Shoptalk dinners?

Mandalay Bay has excellent on-property dining: Aureole (American, upscale) and Border Grill (casual Mexican, good for large groups). One tram stop away at MGM Grand: Joël Robuchon (the most acclaimed restaurant in Las Vegas, book weeks ahead) and Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill (group-friendly). For a dinner-then-club evening at The Cosmopolitan: Zuma (Japanese-Peruvian), Estiatorio Milos (Greek seafood), or the Chelsea food court for casual pre-club options. Book upscale restaurants 3–5 days in advance during Shoptalk week.

How do I get free nightclub guest list for Shoptalk 2026?

Sign up using the guest list form on this page. NoCoverVegas provides free guest list access to Hakkasan, Marquee, XS, OMNIA, TAO, LIV, and other major Strip nightclubs during Shoptalk week. No cover charge, no minimum spend tied to your entry. Processing takes up to 24 hours, so sign up before your target night. For retail executive groups planning corporate entertainment or team nights out, text (725) 999-9293 with your preferred venue, date, and group size.

Can I go to nightclubs during Shoptalk?

Absolutely. Las Vegas nightclubs operate year-round and convention weeks are some of their busiest periods. Most venues open at 10:30 PM and run until 4 AM. Sign up for a free guest list to skip cover charges and long general-admission lines.

Free Guest List for Shoptalk Attendees

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Free nightclub entry + free guest list entry at your hotel during Shoptalk

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