Future Commerce is heading to The Lead Summit 2026 in New York City. From on-site podcast recordings and session coverage to an exclusive executive dinner with Klaviyo, we're bringing our full editorial operation to Pier 36. Whether you're a mid-market retailer, a DTC founder, or a commerce executive — this is your guide to making the most of The Lead Summit this May.
The Lead Summit — formerly known as The Lead Innovation Summit — is one of the premier commerce and retail conferences in the United States. Held annually in New York City, it brings together over 3,000 senior executives from across the retail and ecommerce ecosystem, with 85% at director level or above and 23% in C-suite roles.
Unlike broader industry events, The Lead Summit (also referred to as The Lead Conference) focuses specifically on mid-market and direct-to-consumer brands. It’s where commerce leaders go to hear what’s actually working — not just what’s trending. Alongside Shoptalk and NRF, it’s become a must-attend event for anyone serious about the future of retail.
The Lead Summit 2026 takes place May 20-21 at Pier 36 in New York City — a world-class waterfront venue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO. Over 3,000 senior retail and ecommerce executives are expected to attend across two days of programming, networking, and deal-making.
The DTC Symposium 2026 is co-located on May 21 and is included with your Lead Summit registration, making this a two-for-one event for brands operating in both mid-market retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
Co-located with The Lead Summit on May 21, the DTC Symposium is a focused track designed specifically for direct-to-consumer brands. It’s included with your Lead Summit registration — no separate ticket required. The programming covers DTC-specific challenges: customer acquisition costs, retention strategies, scaling beyond digital-first, and omnichannel expansion.
If you’re a DTC founder or operator, plan to attend both days. Day one (May 20) gives you the broader retail landscape at The Lead Summit. Day two (May 21) narrows the focus to what matters most for your business at the DTC Symposium.
Future Commerce is bringing its full editorial operation to The Lead Summit 2026. We’ll be on-site at Pier 36 capturing media, covering key sessions, and recording live podcast episodes with the retail and DTC leaders shaping what comes next in commerce.
We’re also co-hosting an exclusive executive dinner with Klaviyo on the evening of May 20th. This is an intimate, invite-only gathering for retail and brand executives — the kind of conversation that doesn’t happen on a conference stage. Limited seats available.
Register for the Executive DinnerWant to stay connected during the event? Follow our coverage for session recaps, podcast drops, and trend reports delivered straight from the floor at Pier 36.
The Lead Summit 2026 agenda covers AI-driven commerce, brand building, supply chain resilience, omnichannel strategy, and DTC growth. With over 150 speakers across two days, here are the sessions Future Commerce is watching most closely — the ones we think will shape how retail leaders think and operate in the year ahead.
This is the session the industry actually needs. Every brand is being pitched AI tools, but Vans and Tapestry are two of the few with the scale and sophistication to separate signal from noise. Lajoie rebuilt Vans' merchandising playbook; To runs omnichannel at Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. If you want to know which AI investments are actually driving margin, this is it.
Weinswig is one of the sharpest analysts in retail, and this research presentation covers the intersection of tariffs, supply chain disruption, and forward planning. With trade policy shifting under every administration and logistics costs still volatile, this is the kind of data-driven session that changes how you budget for Q3 and Q4. Don't skip it.
Stitch Fix has been at the bleeding edge of AI in retail longer than almost anyone — and they've had the scars to prove it. Bacos leads their product and technology strategy at a moment when the company is rebuilding around AI-human hybrid workflows. This isn't theoretical; it's operational. Essential for anyone managing a team that's being asked to "do more with AI."
TikTok Shop, Instagram, Pinterest — every platform wants to be your next sales channel. Beekman 1802 built a cult DTC brand that crossed into mass retail; Rainbow Shops operates 1,000+ stores serving a value-conscious consumer. Two completely different playbooks for social commerce, on the same stage. This is the session that will save you from betting on the wrong platform.
Three brands, three entirely different loyalty challenges. Clarins is luxury beauty with high repeat purchase rates. J.Crew is a heritage fashion brand in the middle of a renaissance. Samsung is consumer electronics where purchase cycles are measured in years. What loyalty means to each of them is completely different — and that's exactly why this panel is worth your time.
The resale economy and private label are two of the biggest shifts in how consumers manage their budgets. Macy's private brands SVP and the CEO of Archive (powering branded resale for The North Face, Oscar de la Renta, and more) together on one stage. This is the conversation about value that goes beyond discounting — it's about fundamentally rethinking how brands serve a consumer who refuses to overpay.
Jake Karls turned a chocolate bar into one of the most-followed brand stories on social media. Zuppke runs Whisker (Litter-Robot) — a brand that built a passionate community around a product nobody thought could be exciting. This is the DTC Symposium session for founders who know that brand is the moat, not performance marketing. If you're only going to one DTC session, make it this one.
For the full Lead Summit 2026 agenda, visit summit.the-lead.co/agenda.
The Lead Summit draws a uniquely senior audience: 85% of attendees are director-level or above, and 23% hold C-suite titles. With over 3,000 executives attending, the conference is built for mid-market retailers and DTC brand leaders who are making purchasing decisions and shaping strategy.
Expect to see VPs of ecommerce, CMOs from emerging brands, heads of digital transformation, and founders scaling from DTC into wholesale and retail. If you're looking for a conference where you can have real conversations with decision-makers, The Lead Conference delivers.
Pier 36 is located at 299 South Street on the Lower East Side waterfront in Manhattan. The venue sits right on the East River with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO — one of the best conference backdrops in New York City.
By subway, the closest stations are East Broadway (F) and Delancey-Essex (F/J/M/Z). Rideshare drop-off is straightforward along South Street. If you're driving, there are parking garages nearby on Pike Street and Allen Street. For out-of-town attendees, hotels in the Lower East Side, SoHo, and Financial District are all within a short ride.
Find answers to common questions about The Lead Summit 2026
The Lead Summit is the premier commerce and retail conference held annually in New York City. Formerly known as The Lead Innovation Summit, it draws over 3,000 senior executives focused on mid-market and direct-to-consumer brands. 85% of attendees are director-level or above.
The Lead Summit 2026 takes place May 20-21, 2026 at Pier 36 in New York City. The DTC Symposium is co-located on May 21.
Pier 36, a waterfront venue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan at 299 South Street, New York City. The venue features views of the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO.
The DTC Symposium is a co-located event on May 21 focused specifically on direct-to-consumer brands. It's included with your Lead Summit registration — no separate ticket required.
Pricing varies by registration tier and timing. Visit the official Lead Summit registration page at summit.the-lead.co for current pricing and early-bird availability.
Yes. Future Commerce will be on-site with podcast recordings, session coverage, and media capture. We're also co-hosting an exclusive executive dinner with Klaviyo on the evening of May 20th. Register for the dinner to join us.
We're building a library of Lead Summit content — guides, analysis, and on-the-ground reporting from New York City. Check back as we publish.
- What to Expect at The Lead Summit 2026 (coming soon) - The DTC Symposium 2026 Guide (coming soon) - The Lead Summit 2026 Agenda Highlights (coming soon) - The Lead Summit Side Events & After-Hours Guide (coming soon) - Future Commerce at The Lead Summit 2026 (coming soon) - Top Retail Conferences 2026: The Lead Summit vs Shoptalk vs NRF (coming soon)
May 20-21, Pier 36, New York City. The conversations that matter happen after hours. Don't miss the Future Commerce x Klaviyo executive dinner — an intimate gathering for the leaders shaping the next era of retail and DTC.
Register for the Executive Dinner