Network makes the dream work. Or was it teamwork…? The point is, it’s no less true. In today’s business landscape, connections are the hottest currency. They could lead to a foot in the door for a new job, a seat at the table for a new project, or an introduction to a potential client/business partner.
We’ve collected the 12 most important loyalty events, customer retention summits, and global customer loyalty conferences you should put in your calendar right away. From Shoptalk to the BIG Handshake and Loyalty Summit Americas, all 12 retail, CX, and customer loyalty conferences are offering invaluable opportunities for networking, exchanging ideas, connecting with brands and solution providers through workshops, panel discussions, and even after-hour events and parties.
If you run into some compelling loyalty technology vendors, but don’t know how to rank or compare them, then look no further! Our comparison worksheet provides you with the necessary blueprint to help you make an informed decision.
#1. International Leaders In Loyalty Summit 2025
- Date: 10–11 September 2025 (2 days)
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Loyalty event website
The International Leaders in Loyalty Summit 2025 is Africa’s largest customer loyalty conference, designed for those who want to stay ahead of emerging trends. The gathering will explore new technologies and best practices for building customer loyalty, offering invaluable insights to help brands improve engagement and retention.
The event will feature:
- Deep‑dive discussions on emerging loyalty trends, new technologies, and best practices.
- Expert panels, interactive sessions where industry leaders share invaluable insights.
- Fireside chats with top brands.
#2. Loyalty Summit Americas Chicago 2025
- Date: 10–11 September 2025 (2 days)
- Location: Chicago, IL, USA
- Loyalty event website
Loyalty Summit Americas returns to Chicago with the theme “Miles Ahead: Innovating Loyalty in Travel & Hospitality.” This year’s focus is on breakthrough digital technologies and value‑driven strategies that will reshape airline and hotel loyalty programs. Sessions of the customer loyalty conference will explore how data, dynamic partnerships, and future‑focused thinking can reinvent customer engagement.
The event will feature:
- Exploration of new digital technologies, leveraging analytics, and strategic partnerships in travel loyalty.
- Insights from travel‑industry leaders such as Brett Catlin, Vice President, Loyalty, Alliances, and Sales at Alaska Air Group.
- Networking opportunities with airline and hotel executives.
#3. Shoptalk Fall 2025
- Date: 17–19 September 2025 (3 days)
- Location: Chicago, IL, USA
- Loyalty event website
Shoptalk Fall brings thousands of retail change‑makers together to map out the future of commerce. The 2025 agenda covers data‑driven retail intelligence, AI‑augmented product curation, brand identity, and customer experience in a shifting world.
The event will feature:
- Sessions on AI‑augmented retail intelligence, product innovation under pressure, and loyalty in a changing marketplace.
- 160+ senior leaders sharing retail strategies, including James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO of ThreadUp, and Grace Weingard, President of Coterie.
- Shoptalk’s Meetup program enables thousands of curated meetings to foster partnerships and collaborations.
#4. eTail Nordic 2025
- Date: 7–8 October 2025 (2 days)
- Location: Malmo, Sweden
- Loyalty event website
eTail Nordic gathers e‑commerce, digital and marketing leaders from across the Nordics to share strategies that drive growth and customer loyalty. Attendees will hear insights on implementing AI technologies, leveraging first‑party data, and using omnichannel tactics to personalise communications across all touchpoints.
The event will feature:
- Interactive workshops and small‑group discussions that offer hands‑on learning experiences.
- Deep dives into omnichannel strategies and personalised communication across digital and brick‑and‑mortar channels.
- Renowned speakers from top retailers (e.g., Pandora, Flying Tiger, Coca Cola, Swedbank, ATEA) sharing actionable insights.
#5. The BIG Handshake Loyalty 2025
- Date: 13–15 October 2025 (3 days)
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Loyalty event website
Billed as “loyalty’s friendliest meet‑up,” Big Handshake combines hands‑on education with debate and celebration. The 2025 edition introduces the ELA Loyalty Toolkit Masterclass, an intensive workshop to refine or relaunch loyalty programs, as well as Debate & Challenge Cards for scenario‑based discussions.
The event will feature:
- New formats: The disruptive “Loyalty X™” anti‑conference, and Geek Out deep dive sessions.
- ELAbrations™ awards ceremony, celebrating brands doing amazing in loyalty.
- Speaker line-up includes: Ben Freeman, Marketing & Experience Director – Nike Membership, Nike, and Luise Daniel, Head of CRM, Domino’s Pizza UK & Ireland.
#6. Loyalty & Awards 2025
- Date: 20–22 October 2025 (2.5 days)
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Loyalty event website
Returning to Amsterdam, Loyalty & Awards is the world’s premier conference for travel loyalty experts. Over 80 companies and 200+ attendees gather to discuss new trends, achievements, and innovations in airline and hotel loyalty programs. The 2½‑day event culminates with a gala dinner and the Golden Loyalty Awards ceremony.
The event will feature:
- Presentations and panels featuring airlines, hotels, rental car companies, banks, and other travel‑industry leaders.
- Networking opportunity with more than 200 attendees representing 80+ companies.
- Speakers include: Mehdi Hemici, Chief Loyalty & Ecommerce Officer, Accor, and Maria Romero Panizo, Global Loyalty Director, Meliá Hotels International.
#7. Shoptalk Luxe 2026
- Date: 27–29 January 2026 (3 days)
- Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Loyalty event website
Shoptalk Luxe defines the future of premium retail by helping brands and retailers stay ahead in an era where elevated, personalised experiences are a consumer expectation. It gathers more than 2,500 decision makers, one‑third of them C‑suite executives. The event also includes luxury store tours, VIP dinners, and access to over 200 innovative retail‑tech providers.
The event will feature:
- The famous Meetup program facilitates 20,000+ pre‑scheduled meetings in a beach setting.
- Insights from 180+ speakers on premiumisation, digital transformation, and evolving customer expectations.
- Speaker line-up includes: Mona Kattan, Founder & CEO of Kayali Fragrances, and Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik.
#8. Antavo’s Annual Global Customer Loyalty Report Webinar 2026
- Date: 3 February 2026
- Location: Online
- Loyalty event website
Antavo’s annual webinar unveils key findings from its 2026 Global Customer Loyalty Report. The 2025 Report highlighted how AI is transforming loyalty programs, 39.6% of consumers are more likely to join an AI‑powered program, and 37.1% of program owners use AI to manage loyalty. It also identified emerging trends like reward customisation, gamified data collection, and family accounts. The 2026 edition is expected to reveal fresh data, case studies, and expert insights.
The event will feature:
- Presentation of new survey data revealing how consumers and businesses view loyalty.
- Deep dives into impactful emerging trends.
- Expert commentary and a live Q&A with Antavo leaders providing actionable recommendations.
#9. DACH Loyalty Days 2026
- Date: 24–25 March 2026 (2 days)
- Location: Frankfurt, Germany
- Loyalty event website
DACH Loyalty Days, coupled with the Bonus Awards ceremony, is the premier two‑day congress for loyalty and CRM experts in the DACH region. The event combines workshops and panels with networking and new‑business opportunities.
The event will feature:
- Main topics will cover the latest customer‑loyalty trends and innovations.
- Inspiring speakers from leading German, Austrian, and Swiss brands sharing successful loyalty strategies.
- The Bonus Awards ceremony honours outstanding loyalty programs and initiatives.
#10. Advanced Customer Loyalty & Retention 2026
- Date: 23 April 2026 (1 day)
- Location: London, UK
- Loyalty event website
This conference offers fresh approaches to retaining customers, increasing repeat purchases, and enhancing loyalty. Attendees will learn how new technology, AI, and data innovation can drive customer‑first strategies. Twenty‑six loyalty leaders will share insights and case studies, with 13 different industries represented, including retail, travel, consumer goods, hospitality, etc.
The event will feature:
- Sessions on using automation, AI, and advanced data analytics to create sophisticated loyalty and retention strategies.
- New format: Speed Networking, plus 3 interactive panel discussions.
- Speakers include. Emma Collins, Head of Loyalty & Engagement at Poundland & Dealz, and Andrew Land, CRM Director of Condé Nast.
#11. Forrester’s CX Summit North America 2026
- Date: 28 June – 1 July 2026 (4 days)
- Location: Nashville, TN, USA
- Loyalty event website
Forrester’s CX Summit North America is renowned for research‑backed insights and practical strategies. The 2025 theme, “The Total Experience: Your Brand, Their Journey,” debuted the Total Experience Score, a new metric linking customer and brand experience to revenue growth. Attendees heard from industry leaders at companies like Hilton, AT&T, and American Express. The 2026 summit promises even more transformative insights, dynamic workshops, and powerful keynotes.
The event will feature:
- Research‑based sessions led by Forrester analysts.
- High focus on measuring and optimising every customer interaction.
- Interactive experiences, speakers from industry-leading brands, and strategies for remarkable results.
#12. The MarTech Summit Hong Kong 2026
- Date: 7 July 2026 (1 day)
- Location: Hong Kong
- Loyalty event website
With the theme “Charting MarTech from Practicality to Real Impact,” The MarTech Summit Hong Kong addresses high‑performance MarTech solutions crucial for success across the Greater Bay Area. The summit features a curated speaker lineup tackling both Hong Kong and Mainland China marketing challenges.
The event will feature:
- Dedicated sessions on the Greater Bay Area’s unique marketing ecosystem and cross‑border digital strategies.
- 30+ speakers, including Neil Patel, Co-Founder, NP Digital, and Constance Cheung, Head of Marketing at GoGoX
- Networking with senior‑level executives across marketing, technology, customer experience, data, and e‑commerce.
Let’s Meet Up – Beyond Customer Loyalty Conferences!
I hope I managed to showcase at least one customer loyalty conference that’s close to your location. If not, let me know! We can give you advice on other channels as well. We organize webinars all year long. So, if you are in learning mode and wish to know more about loyalty and customer retention here are some ebooks and case studies on topics related to customer loyalty programs.
Also if you’re thinking about launching or revamping a loyalty program and require assistance, book a demo with our experts, who are more than happy to discuss your options with you.
And if you ever find yourself in a need to compare loyalty program providers, then make sure to let our handy worksheet guide your work!
Zsuzsanna is a Loyalty Specialist and Certified Loyalty Expert™ with years of experience in digital marketing and e-commerce. Zsuzsanna is known for having an analytic approach and high-level communication skills, helping her deliver engaging content. In her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1 and listening to endless Taylor Swift playlists.
