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• CAMPUS STORE CONNECT: Systems, Software, & Tools

  • When
    10 Mar 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Virtual (Zoom)

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  Campus Store Connect:

  Systems, Software, & Tools

  Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

  FREE for store members! You must be logged in to register.
  

  Campus stores rely on a wide range of systems and tools to support operations, communication, and decision-making, and those tools can look very different from campus to campus. Join fellow NCSA members for a collaborative discussion focused on the systems, software, and tools used across campus retail, and how they support different functions within the store.

  This session is designed as an open exchange of experiences and perspectives, guided by participant questions and topics. Members will share what tools they use, how systems work together, and what has been helpful or challenging when navigating technology within the campus retail environment.

  Connect with colleagues from stores of all sizes to compare approaches, gain insight into how others use technology to support their work, and build shared understanding around the role systems and tools play in campus retail.

  Format: Interactive round-table discussion and idea sharing — participation is encouraged.

  Who Should Attend: All NCSA store members — directors, managers, buyers, operations, marketing, e-commerce, and anyone involved in selecting, using, or managing systems and tools in campus retail.

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• CAMPUS STORE CONNECT: Visibility, Awareness, & Campus Presence

  • When
    24 Mar 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Virtual (Zoom)

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  Campus Store Connect:

  Visibility, Awareness, & Campus Presence

  Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

  FREE for store members! You must be logged in to register.
  

  Maintaining visibility and relevance on campus requires more than promotions or product launches. Join fellow NCSA members for a collaborative discussion focused on how campus stores build awareness and maintain a strong presence within their campus communities throughout the academic year.

  This session is designed as an open exchange of ideas and experiences, guided by participant questions and shared examples. Members will discuss ways they stay visible and connected through events, partnerships, communication strategies, and involvement in campus life — beyond direct sales or revenue-driven efforts.

  Connect with colleagues from stores of all sizes to share approaches, gain inspiration, and explore how campus stores can strengthen their role and presence across campus.

  Format: Interactive round-table discussion and idea sharing — participation is encouraged.

  Who Should Attend: All NCSA store members — directors, managers, marketing, merchandising, operations, and anyone involved in outreach, engagement, or building campus connections.

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• WEBINAR - From Ideas to Impact: What’s Hot & Trending in Campus Retail

  • When
    31 Mar 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual (Zoom)

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  webinar

  From Ideas to Impact: What’s Hot & Trending in Campus Retail

  Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 2:00 PM EST | Virtual via Zoom

  Presented By: Robb Faust, Director, Learning & Program Development, NACS

  FREE for all members! You must be logged in to register.
  

  Join your colleagues for an energizing dive into the latest trends shaping collegiate retail. This session will unpack fresh ideas, bestselling products, and shifting consumer behaviors based on key data results from OnCampus Research’s student panels as well as trends still popular in campus stores. Plus, expect student data insights curated specifically for the NCSA region! 

  Format: Educational webinar featuring a presenter-led session with insights, examples, and data-driven takeaways, followed by time for questions.

  Who Should Attend: Campus store directors, buyers, merchandising, marketing, and leadership teams interested in understanding current retail trends, bestselling categories, and student-driven insights shaping campus retail.

  About the Presenter:

  Early in his career, Robb worked in a mom-n-pop shop and immediately knew the retail space was for him. In college and beyond, he gained over seventeen years of invaluable experience at the campus store as student worker (3), textbook manager (3), and store director (11). Since then, he has worked and developed skills in direct-to-consumer marketing, events, brand management, and business development. Robb is grateful for the opportunity to now use his experiences and creativity to serve the collegiate retail industry through NACS Education: presenting sessions, providing learning support, and pushing for IMPACT: Intentionality. Movement. Passion. Artistry. Communication. Trust.

  Robb brings joy to the topics he presents and does so with a unique approach. You will get practical insights to support your work - and you might even giggle a little too. We could all do with a little more smiles in life, right?

  Robb is an ambivert, which means he gets a lot of energy from hanging out with people and he appreciates the space to be alone. He enjoys daily walks, playing piano, listening to loud music, completing difficult 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles, and seventy-degree days in the shade.

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• WEBINAR - GM Assortment Planning: Strategies & Tactics

  • When
    7 Apr 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Virtual (Zoom)

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  webinar

  GM Assortment Planning: Strategies & Tactics

  Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

  Presented By: Denise Walsh, Vice President of Programs & Services, ICBA

  FREE for all members! You must be logged in to register.
  

  Do you know what your customers want? Are you building assortments that ensure you will satisfy your customers’ wants and achieve your sales targets? We will discuss effective assortment planning activities, how to organize your products, and develop a calendar to keep you on track. Topics that will be addressed include:

  • How to establish fundamental assortment principles from the ground up
  • How to manage your assortments for maximum sales and efficiency
  • How to innovate and try new products/categories without overbuying

  Format: Educational webinar featuring a presenter-led session with insights, practical assortment frameworks, real-world examples, and actionable planning tools, followed by time for questions.

  Who Should Attend: Campus store directors, buyers, merchandise planners, inventory managers, and merchandising teams responsible for product assortment, sales performance, open-to-buy management, and category growth.

  About the Presenter: 

  With over 30 years of experience in specialty retail and the collegiate market, Denise R. Walsh serves as Vice President of Programs & Services at ICBA. Since 2014, she has partnered with independent retailers and college stores to strengthen their business strategies, improve profitability, and enhance operational efficiency. In 2021, she joined ICBA, where she continues to champion the success of independent college stores through innovative programs, education, and data-driven insights.

  Recognized for her analytical expertise and engaging leadership, Denise is a frequent industry speaker and remains deeply committed to supporting the long-term growth and competitiveness of independent college retailers.

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• CAMPUS STORE CONNECT: Special Orders: Process & Partnership

  • When
    21 Apr 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Virtual (Zoom)

  Register

  Campus Store Connect

  Special Orders: Process & Partnership

  Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

  FREE for store members! You must be logged in to register.
  

  Special orders are a unique and often essential part of campus retail. While margins may differ from traditional sales floor merchandise, special orders play a critical role in building relationships, supporting campus departments, and student organizations, and strengthening the store’s overall presence and value.

  Join fellow NCSA members for a collaborative discussion focused on how campus stores structure, promote, and maximize their special order business. Together, we’ll explore pricing and margin strategies, operational workflows, risk management, and how stores position themselves as the preferred campus partner — even when departments have the option to order directly from outside vendors.

  This session is designed as an open exchange of ideas and experiences, guided by participant questions and shared examples. Members will discuss how they communicate their special order services across campus, protect profitability, streamline processes, and compete effectively while maintaining strong relationships.

  Connect with colleagues from stores of all sizes to share approaches, gain insight, and explore how special orders can serve as both a strategic revenue stream and a powerful relationship-building tool.

  Format: Interactive round-table discussion and idea sharing — participation is encouraged.

  Who Should Attend: All NCSA store members — directors, managers, operations, merchandising, marketing, and anyone involved in special orders, custom programs, or campus partnerships.

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• WEBINAR: Unlocking Psychological Messaging and Pricing

  • When
    28 Apr 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Virtual (Zoom)

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  webinar

  Unlocking Psychological Messaging and Pricing

  Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

  Presented By: Paul Erickson, Director of Mentorship, Management One

  FREE for all members! You must be logged in to register.
  

  An inquiry into how to influence our customers buying habits

  Campus stores can’t always win on price—but you can win on psychology! In this session, Paul Erickson will show you how to:

  • Use proven psychological pricing tactics to boost sales
  • Craft messages that connect emotionally with shoppers
  • Apply these insights immediately in-store and online

  Format: Educational webinar featuring a presenter-led session on psychological pricing and persuasive messaging strategies, followed by time for questions.

  Who Should Attend: Campus store directors, buyers, marketing and creative teams, e-commerce managers, and front-line leaders interested in increasing conversion, improving promotional effectiveness, and influencing customer buying behavior both in-store and online.

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