SAVANNAH, GA
GHTA CONFERENCE 2026
2026 GHTA Conference | Savannah, GA
Join us in Savannah for the GHTA Annual Conference—bringing together the gift & home industry for connection, education, and inspiration.
When: October 4–7, 2026
Where: The DeSoto Hotel Savannah, GA
Price: Conference Rate - $975
Registration:
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!
There’s still time to join us in Savannah. Spots remain for the 2026 GHTA Conference, October 4–7.
Register via ACH Here
Register via Credit Card Here
Please consider helping GHTA save on credit card fees by paying ACH. Thank you.
Once registered for Conference, you will receive a link to book your hotel accommodations at the special GHTA Courtyard by Marriott rate.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
THE DESOTO GHTA ROOM BLOCK IS SOLD OUT.
Rooms may still be available directly through The DeSoto at the hotel’s current public rate.
NEED A ROOM?
The Courtyard by Marriott Savannah Downtown/Historic District is offering a special GHTA rate of $189 per night and is just a 5-minute walk from The DeSoto.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 | WELCOME TO SAVANNAH
1:00–4:00 PM | Give Back Volunteer Event: Meet in The DeSoto lobby at 1:00 PM; volunteer service at Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia from 2:00–4:00 PM.
4:00–6:00 PM | Registration
6:00–7:30 PM | Welcome Cocktail Reception
7:30–9:00 PM | NEW THIS YEAR: MAHJONG!
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 | ROOTED
8:00–9:00 AM | Breakfast + Registration
9:00–9:15 AM | Opening Remarks: Alison Blackmore, Just Got 2 Have It!
9:15–10:15 AM | Ron Tite: Rooted for Growth: How Industry Leaders Grow Through Purpose, Trust, and Alignment
10:15–10:30 AM | Break
10:30–11:30 AM | Leading with Trust: Building Alignment Across Our Industry; moderated by Kate Duff
11:30 AM–1:30 PM | GHTA Business + Lunch
1:30–2:30 PM | Kristen Ziman: Trust Is the Reckoning: How Broken Trust Gets Rebuilt
2:30–3:30 PM | Beyond the Gut Check: Turning Transactional Data into Product, Sales & Marketing Wins
3:30–3:45 PM | Break
3:45–4:45 PM | Choose Your Breakout Session!
4:45–5:00 PM | Closing
6:00–9:00 PM | AN EVENING TOGETHER: SAVANNAH RIVER QUEEN
• Dinner offsite – Riverboat Cruise
• 502 E River Street – next to River Street Marketplace
• 10-minute walk
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 | REIMAGINED
8:00–9:00 AM | Breakfast + Book Club: The Culture Code
9:00–9:15 AM | Opening Remarks: Alison Blackmore, Just Got 2 Have It!
9:15–10:15 AM | Meridith Elliott Powell: Thrive: Turning Uncertainty to Competitive Advantage
10:15–10:30 AM | Break
10:30–11:30 AM | Trade Show Evolution: Shows Reimagined; moderated by Thom Petrowski
11:30–11:45 AM | Conference Auction Update: Rebekah Moomau, The Portico Collection; Patrick Retzer, Streamline NYC
11:45 AM–12:00 PM | Give Back: Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia
12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch
1:00–2:00 PM | Robin Whalen: How AI Will Transform Retail, Discovery & the Customer Experience
2:15–3:30 PM | Choose Your Breakout Session!
3:30–3:45 PM | Break
3:45–4:45 PM | Rooted in What’s Next: What’s worth choosing, what needs to evolve and how we develop the leaders who will shape what comes next.
4:45 PM | Closing
6:00–9:00 PM | AN EVENING TOGETHER: SAVANNAH SMILES
• Dinner offsite – Savannah Smiles Dueling Piano Bar
• 314 B Williamson St, Savannah, GA
• 0.6-mile walk
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 | ALIGNED
8:00–9:00 AM | Breakfast
9:00–10:00 AM | Nicole Leinbach Hoffmann: Retail Reinvented: What’s Next for Independent Retailers in an Increasingly Competitive Commerce World
10:00–11:00 AM | Generational Snapshot: Welcoming Consumers Across Gen Z to Gen X; moderated by Nicole Leinbach Hoffmann
11:00–11:45 AM | Reimagining Partnerships: The Future of Collaboration; moderated by Emalee Hoffmann
11:45 AM–12:00 PM | Closing
Four days of connection, conversation and new ideas; all bringing us back to where we started: ROOTED. REIMAGINED. ALIGNED.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
WHAT TO EXPECT
The GHTA Conference is where the gift & home industry comes together to connect, learn, and grow. Over the course of a few days, you’ll experience a mix of meaningful conversations, practical insights, and opportunities to build lasting relationships.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Inspiring Keynote Speakers
Hear from industry leaders and experts who bring fresh perspectives and real-world insights.Valuable Education Sessions
Practical takeaways you can apply immediately to your business.Meaningful Networking
Connect with vendors, reps, retailers, and partners in a welcoming, collaborative environment.Give Back Opportunities
Start the week with purpose by supporting the local Savannah community.Unforgettable Experiences
From evening events to shared moments, this is more than a conference—it’s a community.
EXPLORE THE CONFERENCE WEB APP
Your schedule, speakers, event details and more—all in one place. Click the link or scan the QR code.
HOW TO NAVIGATE THE APP - WATCH HERE!
HOW TO ADD TO YOUR HOMESCREEN - WATCH HERE!
THE GHTA AUCTION IS NOW LIVE!
Spot something you have to have? Start bidding!
From vacation stays in Italy, Florida, North Carolina & Idaho to Atlanta Braves tickets, Kenny Chesney floor seats, shopping sprees, consultations, advertising opportunities and more — there’s plenty worth fighting for.
Scope out your favorites. Size up the competition. BID BIG at GHTA!
SAVE YOUR SEAT FOR MAHJONG — JOIN THE WAIT LIST
Join us Sunday, October 4, from 7:30–9:00 PM.
SAVE YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE — RSVP FOR BOOK CLUB Join us Tuesday, October 6, at 8:00 AM for The Culture Code. GIVE BACK — JOIN THE WAIT LIST Our Give Back event is currently full, but we are accepting names for the wait list.
GETTING AROUND SAVANNAH Parking, transportation and helpful information for getting around downtown.
THE DESOTO
15 East Liberty Street
Savannah, GA 31401Parking: GHTA guests receive a 20% discount on the hotel’s current daily valet parking rate (currently $48; discounted rate $38). Valet parking only; no self-parking.
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SAVANNAH DOWNTOWN/HISTORIC DISTRICT
Parking: Valet parking is $29 per day for both overnight guests and non-overnight attendees. Valet parking only; no self-parking.
RON TITE Big ideas, sharp insights and plenty of energy. Get a preview of what Ron Tite is bringing to the stage in Savannah.
MERIDITH ELLIOTT POWELL Uncertainty isn’t the obstacle. It’s an opportunity. Get ready to THRIVE and turn change into your competitive advantage.
KRISTEN ZIMAN Courageous leadership. Hard-earned lessons. The willingness to challenge the status quo. Get a glimpse of the perspective Kristen Ziman is bringing to Savannah.
NICOLE LEINBACH HOFFMANN Retail expert, educator and self-proclaimed “retail geek.” Nicole brings nearly two decades of industry insight and a passion for helping businesses better understand the consumers they serve.
ROBIN WHALEN How AI Will Transform Retail, Discovery & the Customer Experience
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE LINKS
