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NORTHEAST CAMPUS STORES ASSOCIATION

Upcoming events

    • 29 Jul 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Virtual (Zoom)
    Register

    SHOW & SHARE

    Product Success Stories

    Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 10:30 AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

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

    Every campus store has that product, collection, category, or unexpected item that exceeded expectations. Whether it was a top-selling new release, a surprising trend, a strong-margin item, or a product that generated excitement and engagement, there is tremendous value in learning from what has worked for peers across the industry.

    Inspired by member feedback and one of the most popular interactive sessions at the NCSA Fall Conference, Show & Share is a new member-driven virtual series focused on sharing practical ideas, real-world successes, and inspiration from campus stores across the region. This inaugural session, Product Success Stories, will spotlight products that have delivered strong results, generated customer excitement, or exceeded expectations in campus retail environments.

    Participants are encouraged to bring product samples, photos, screenshots, sales insights, or other examples to help tell the story behind their success. From apparel and gifts to technology, supplies, food, and unexpected best sellers, all product categories are welcome.

    This session is designed as a highly interactive exchange of ideas and experiences. Attendees will have the opportunity to showcase products, discuss what contributed to their success, ask questions, discover new merchandise opportunities, and walk away with practical ideas they can apply in their own stores.

    Format: Member-led show-and-share session featuring participant examples, product showcases, discussion, and idea exchange. Participation is encouraged but not required.

    • 6 Aug 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Virtual (Zoom)
    Register

    VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

    Summer Product Showcase III

    Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 10:00AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

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

    Join NCSA vendor partners for a fast-paced showcase of products, programs, and ideas designed for campus retail. Through a series of brief presentations, participating vendors will highlight new merchandise, seasonal opportunities, best sellers, promotions, and other offerings that may be of interest to campus store buyers and teams.

    Attendees will have the opportunity to learn directly from participating vendors, ask questions, and discover new products and resources in an efficient virtual format. A tentative agenda is included below to provide an overview of the session schedule and participating vendors. Please note that details are subject to change.

    A tentative session agenda is included below to help attendees understand the session structure and presentation timing. Please note that the agenda and participating vendors are subject to change.

    This session will include presentations from the following vendor partners: 

    • SmashCharge
    • Foy Outfitters
    • Neil Enterprises
    • CollegeWear


    View Agenda

    Agenda subject to change. 

    Format: Virtual vendor showcase featuring brief presentations from participating vendor partners, followed by attendee questions and member discussion.

    • 20 Aug 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Virtual (Zoom)
    Register

    Campus Store Connect

    Fall Rush Planning & Store Readiness

    Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 10:30am ET | Virtual via Zoom

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

    As campus stores prepare for the return of students and the start of a new academic year, the weeks leading into fall rush often involve balancing inventory, staffing, merchandising, events, communication, and operational logistics — all within a fast-moving and high-pressure environment. Careful planning and preparation can play a critical role in creating a smoother and more successful rush season.

    Join fellow NCSA members for a collaborative discussion focused on preparing stores, teams, and operations for fall rush and back-to-school traffic. Together, we’ll explore topics such as staffing preparation, inventory readiness, floor set planning, operational workflows, move-in coordination, customer flow, event preparation, and lessons learned from previous rush seasons.

    This session is designed as an open exchange of ideas and experiences, guided by participant questions and shared examples. Members will discuss strategies that have helped improve organization and efficiency during peak periods, common operational challenges, and practical approaches for preparing stores and staff before students arrive on campus.

    Connect with colleagues from stores of all sizes to share ideas, gain insight, and exchange practical strategies for building a more organized, prepared, and successful fall rush experience.

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

    • 1 Nov 2026
    • 9:00 AM
    • 2 Nov 2026
    • 4:00 PM
    • Amherst, MA
    Register

    november 1 & 2, 2026

    Campus Center, UMass Amherst | Amherst, MA

    REGISTER

    You must be logged in to register as a member. 

    Connect. Learn. Explore. Together.

    The Northeast Campus Stores Association (NCSA) Fall Conference & Trade Show is back—and this year, we're bringing the conference experience directly to one of our member campuses.

    Built around NCSA's mission of connecting and empowering members to create success, this year's event has been thoughtfully shaped by the feedback, survey responses, and conversations we've had with members since our last conference. We heard what you wanted more of, and we've worked hard to deliver a conference that provides greater value, more opportunities to learn from one another, and more ways to strengthen your operations.

    Whether you're a campus store director, buyer, marketing professional, operations leader, frontline manager, or vendor partner, this conference is designed to help you Connect, Learn, and Explore alongside peers who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of educational retail.

    View Agenda

    Subject to change. Updates will be reflected in real time.

    More Programming. More Learning. More Value.

    This year features our most robust educational lineup yet, including two bonus sessions newly added to the schedule to provide even more opportunities for discussion, idea sharing, and practical takeaways. From industry trends and operational best practices to merchandising, marketing, technology, and campus partnerships, our programming is focused on the topics that matter most to today's stores.

    A Unique Member Campus Experience

    For the first time in recent years, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the conference on a member campus. This setting creates a unique opportunity to see another store operation firsthand, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen the connections that make the NCSA community so valuable.

    Expand Your Network and Discover New Opportunities

    One of the greatest strengths of NCSA is the willingness of members to share ideas, successes, and lessons learned. Throughout the conference, you'll have dedicated opportunities to connect with fellow store professionals, exchange strategies, and build relationships that continue long after the event ends.

    The trade show remains one of the most valuable parts of the conference experience, giving stores the opportunity to meet with vendor partners, explore new products and services, discuss industry trends, and take advantage of conference specials and purchasing opportunities. A strong turnout from both stores and vendors creates value for everyone—helping members maximize purchasing opportunities while strengthening the network that supports campus retail across the Northeast.

    Join Us

    If you've attended before, you'll notice the enhancements. If this will be your first NCSA conference, there's never been a better time to join us.

    Visit the Fall Conference page to explore the full schedule, educational sessions, trade show details, registration information, and everything else you'll need to plan your visit.

    We hope you'll join us as we come together to Connect. Learn. Explore. and continue building a stronger future for campus stores across the Northeast.

    REGISTER

    hotel information

    Hotel UMass

    Start Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

    End Date: Monday, November 2, 2026

    Special Group Rate: 169.00 USD per night

    Last Day to Book : Friday, October 2, 2026



    BOOK YOUR ROOM



    Hotel UMass

    Campus Center, UMass Amherst

    1 Campus Center Way

    Amherst, MA 01003

    hotel@umass.edu

    (413) 549-6000



    GET DIRECTIONS


    THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

    Conference Program Sponsors




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