Northeast Campus Stores Association upcoming events

CAMPUS STORE CONNECT: Graduation Regalia and Campus Partnerships (9 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Graduation Regalia and Campus Partnerships

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST | Virtual via Zoom

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

Graduation regalia programs can vary widely from campus to campus — from fully store-managed operations to institution-led processes with limited store involvement. Whether coordinating ordering and distribution, hosting grad fairs, managing vendor relationships, or supporting commencement-related merchandise, campus stores often play an important role in the graduation experience.

Join fellow NCSA members for a collaborative discussion focused on how campuses approach graduation regalia and related programs. Together, we’ll explore vendor partnerships, store involvement, grad fair strategies, operational workflows, communication with students and administration, and lessons learned from what has — and hasn’t — worked across different campus models.

This session is designed as an open exchange of ideas and experiences, guided by participant questions and shared examples. Members will discuss how regalia programs are structured, how responsibilities are divided across campus departments, and ways stores can strengthen their role in supporting commencement activities and graduate engagement.

Connect with colleagues from stores of all sizes to share approaches, gain insight, and explore strategies for creating smoother, more successful graduation experiences for both students and campus partners.

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

Who Should Attend: Directors, store managers, operations staff, buyers, commencement coordinators, and anyone involved in graduation regalia, grad fairs, or commencement-related programs.

Annual NCSA K-12 Meeting (16 Jun 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | Loomis Chaffee School | Windsor, CT

FREE for K-12 store members! Must be logged in to register.

Non-members are welcome to attend for a small fee (which can be applied to membership for the coming year).

Join fellow K–12 school store leaders for the Annual NCSA K–12 Meeting, a full-day, in-person event designed to connect, collaborate, and share ideas in a supportive and engaging environment. Hosted by Raina Cox at the Alexander Bookstore on the Loomis Chaffee School campus, this annual gathering provides a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day operations and engage with peers facing similar opportunities and challenges.

The day will include a sponsor presentation, interactive group discussions, a campus store tour, and dedicated time for sharing product ideas, best sellers, and new initiatives. Attendees are encouraged to bring samples or photos for a “show and share” session, making this a highly practical and idea-driven experience.

Whether you’re looking for fresh product inspiration, operational insights, or simply the opportunity to connect with other K–12 store professionals, this meeting offers a collaborative space to learn, contribute, and build lasting connections within the NCSA community.

Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost to attend for NCSA members. Notes from the meeting will be shared on the website following the event.

Location Details

Host:

Raina Cox

Bookstore Manager

Alexander Bookstore

Loomis Chaffee School

4 Batchelder Road

Windsor, CT 06095

Map of the Loomis campus - parking areas are indicated with pathways to the bookstore in the Scanlan Center.

See planned schedule.

CAMPUS STORE CONNECT: Value-Priced Merchandise and Vendor Strategies (30 Jun 2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Value-Priced Merchandise and Vendor Strategies

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | 2:00 PM EST | Virtual via Zoom

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

Offering affordable merchandise continues to be an important priority for many campus stores, particularly as students and families become increasingly price conscious. At the same time, finding reliable vendors, maintaining product quality, and protecting margin can present ongoing challenges — especially within lower price-point categories.

Join fellow NCSA members for a collaborative discussion focused on sourcing, merchandising, and managing value-priced products in campus retail. Together, we’ll explore vendor experiences, successful product categories, pricing strategies, assortment balance, and approaches to meeting customer expectations while maintaining operational and financial sustainability.

This session is designed as an open exchange of ideas and experiences, guided by participant questions and shared examples. Members will discuss which vendors and products have performed well, challenges they’ve encountered, and strategies for building strong value assortments without sacrificing perceived quality or campus brand standards.

Connect with colleagues from stores of all sizes to share approaches, gain insight, and exchange practical ideas for offering affordable merchandise that resonates with students and families.