NRF Foundation Student Program
January 8-11, 2026
Marriott Marquis, NYC
The NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City gives college students the unique opportunity to launch their future careers in retail and experience all that the industry offers. Retail executives in marketing, merchandising, talent, entrepreneurship, sustainability, supply chain, technology and more share their stories, insights, and what they learned in their careers, and students explore various careers paths in the retail industry, meet with dozens of recruiters from their favorite brands and create visions for their futures, all in just four days.
The NRF Foundation Student Program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students and all educators and staff at any U.S. college or university.
Attending Student Program 2026
Registration & Pricing
The NRF Foundation partners with over 125 university members and more than 6,500 students. Learn more about NRF Foundation University Membership.
NRF
University Member
Non-NRF University Member
Student
$285
$385
Educator
$535
$735
Hotel
The 2026 Student Program will take place at the Marriott Marquis in NYC. Attendees are encouraged to book accommodations for the hotel through the button below. The room rate is $276 per night, before taxes and fees.
Thursday, January 8
The top three NRF Foundation University Challenge teams present their concepts live to a panel of retail judges. Invitation only.
8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Join retailers across NYC for our exclusive NRF Foundation Tours & Talks at corporate offices & store locations. Tours & Talks are opened to students registered for the NRF Foundation Student Program.
All Day
Amperity Tour & Talk
Details coming soon!
Imagine That! Presented by Best Buy
Whether you're envisioning a future in Merchandising, Marketing, or Supply Chain, this is your chance to explore the dynamic world of retail consumer electronics. Twenty students will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Best Buy’s retail operations and our Best Buy Ads office in New York City.
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
11/30/2025
Brunch & Learn: Inside Burlington Stores
Juniors Only
Join us at the Burlington Stores New York City Buying Office! Learn about Burlington Stores careers and internship programs and get a glimpse into the off-price retail world! Burlington Stores are offering two interactive experiences.
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
12/19/2025
Swing & Spin with DICK'S Sporting Goods
Get ready to Swing & Spin with DICK’S Sporting Goods at Chelsea Piers! If you’re wrapping up college in Winter 2027 or Spring 2028, DICKS'S Sporting Goods invites you to join their University Relations team for an event all about career moves, wellness, and fun!
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
12/19/2025
Journey of the Sneaker
Step into the heart of New York City — where fashion, culture, and sport converge — and experience Foot Locker Reimagined, our flagship store on 34th Street. This isn’t just retail; it’s an immersive exploration of sneaker culture and innovation. tudents will embark on “The Journey of the Sneaker”, tracing how a concept evolves from design to production, distribution, and ultimately, the consumer experience.
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
12/19/2025
Kohl's Chats
The Kohl's Chats event is an opportunity for students to learn more about Kohl's and specific departments within Kohl's. You will get an inside look at how certain departments play a role in the journey a product takes to get from concept to customer and will also have a chance to tour the office!
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
01/01/2026
Macy's Tour & Talk
Details coming soon!
Tours & Talks with Nordstrom
Join us for an exclusive opportunity to go Behind the Brand with Nordstrom's Tours & Talks, designed especially for NRF students.
This is not a hiring event but an opportunity to connect directly with Nordstrom leaders as they share what drives our company culture, offer real-world career advice, and highlight exciting early career opportunities. This is your chance to see what makes Nordstrom stand out—from the inside.
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
December 30, 2025
Pandora Unboxed: Explore, Create, Connect
Behind the Brilliance: A Journey Through Pandora’s newly remodeled Bryant Park location! Step into our newly renovated Pandora Bryant Park location, an iconic space that brings our design concept to life.
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
12/08/2025
Lattes & Leverage: Warm Drinks + HOT Negotiation Insights from Ross Stores Buying Pros
Step inside Ross Stores' New York Buying Office for an exclusive event that takes you behind the scenes of retail negotiations. Watch a Mock Negotiation unfold and discover how Ross' Buyers score the best deals to deliver unbeatable value to our customers.
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
12/19/2025
Target Tour & Talk
Details coming soon!
Walmart Tour & Talk
Details coming soon!
Merging Brick-and-Mortar with Digital at Hudson Yards
The newest shopping center in the city, Hudson Yards represents the state of retail today. A vertical mall that’s easy to navigate, it’s a remarkable riff on the concept of New Retail pioneered in China by Alibaba founder Jack Ma. From out-of-the-box mindfulness to participatory experiences to luxury brands reinventing themselves, Hudson Yards offers in a single structure the best of what leading-edge retail has to offer.
Details & sign up
Sign up deadline
12/01/2025
Friday, January 9
At the NRF Foundation Student Program, hear directly from inspiring industry leaders and retail experts on the latest trends, strategies, and innovations taking place in retail today. Speaker Announcements Coming Soon.
ALL DAY
Welcome to the Student Program
9:30 A.M. - 9:35 A.M.
Navigating the Early Talent Landscape in the Age of AI
Walmart’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer Lorraine "Lo" Stomski and NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of early talent development. Together, they'll discuss emerging strategies for preparing the next generation of the workforce and the evolving role of AI in the hiring journey.
Featuring
Adam Lukoskie
Executive Director, NRF Foundation, Senior Vice President, NRF
Lorraine Stomski
Chief Talent Officer, Walmart
Barbra Bukovac
Partner & Vice Chair, Consumer Markets at PwC
9:35 A.M. - 10:20 A.M.
What Makes Life Better?
We are living in the midst of the greatest change in human history. How will you respond to this cultural storm? Is it important to find meaning in your life’s work? How could a radical concept called LifeWear possibly be a source of inspiration and creativity for your future? As our world is increasingly focused on optimization and efficiency, where can you still be human? Are you willing to unlearn in order to learn again?
Join John C. Jay in a conversation not about a job, but the possibility to work towards a future you can be proud of.
Featuring
John Jay
President of Global Creative, Fast Retailing Co.
10:25 A.M. - 11:10 A.M.
Break
11:10 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Young Professionals Panel
Drawing from their personal journeys, these dynamic young professionals will share what inspired their passion for retail, how participation in NRF Foundation scholarship programs shaped their careers, and the key steps they took to prepare for the transition from college to full-time work. The panelists will also explore how early-career professionals can drive change, the lessons they've learned, and the valuable advice they have for students preparing to enter the workforce.
Featuring
Kelsey Chrysostomu
Brands Manager of Sales & Product Strategy, Haddad Brands
Brenna McKeown
Marketing Manager, Target Corporation
Mariah Taylor-Judd
Retail Sales Lead, Vuori
Cody Villaneuva
Senior Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis, LVMH North America
11:35 A.M. - 12:10 P.M.
Lunch
12:10 P.M. - 1:10 P.M.
Challenge. Grow. Repeat. A Career in Retail
Detria Courtalis, VP of Sales at Pandora North America, brings her signature spark to this energizing session about what it really means to build a career in retail. With bold insights, real talk, and a people-first leadership style, she shares how embracing challenges, staying unapologetically authentic, and leading with purpose has helped her thrive in a fast-moving industry. Her story mirrors the evolution of modern retail; ever-changing, deeply human, and full of opportunity. Get ready to bust outdated myths, celebrate the teams who keep the industry moving, and be reminded that growth isn’t a destination; it’s a mindset!
Featuring
Detria Courtalis
Vice President Sales for U.S., Pandora
1:15 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Main Stage Session
Featuring
Lisa Yammer
Co-Founder & Chief Brands Officer, Daydream
2:05 P.M. - 2:50 P.M.
Break
2:50 P.M. - 3:10 P.M.
Retail as a Catalyst: Building a Better World Through Fashion
Retail is undergoing a transformation — and it needs bold thinkers like you. In this session, Julia Furnari, Executive Director of the Tapestry and Coach Foundation, explores how the industry is tackling big challenges — from sustainability to supporting the next generation — and how today’s leading brands are actively engaging with the issues that matter most.
Whether you're interested in product development, merchandising, planning, or just discovering your path, learn how your career in retail can contribute to a more purpose-driven future. Julia will take you inside her daily work, share real-world challenges, and show how every role in retail—no matter the title—can be a force for good.
If you're curious, creative, and ready to make an impact, this session will inspire you to see retail not just as a job, but as a platform for change.
Featuring
Julia Furnari
Executive Director, Tapestry Foundation & Coach Foundation at Tapestry
3:15 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Break
4:00 P.M. - 4:20 P.M.
Main Stage Session
Featuring
Dilip Patel
President, Inditex / Zara USA
4:20 P.M. - 5:05 P.M.
The Future of Retail: Integrating Technology and Supply Chain Solutions
Marriott Marquis Times Square - Westside Ballroom
This breakout session is for our NRF Foundation Ray Greenly Scholarship recipients. Limited spots will be made available for additional students registered for the Student Program.
Presented by
1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Saturday, January 10
Breakfast
7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M.
Our NRF Foundation Educator Meeting features exclusive sessions designed for university educators attending the NRF Foundation Student Program, including a networking breakfast with retail recruiters.
8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Over 100 retail industry leaders join students at their tables for in-depth discussions on career navigation, industry insights and networking at the NRF Foundation Executive Mentor Experience presented by American Express.
Presented by
8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Lunch
11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Meet with over 30 retail companies hiring for internships & full-time opportunities at the NRF Foundation Career Fair. Check out the job listings to prepare. More listings added weekly.
11:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Professional Development Session AI x Retail: The Rise of the Next Gen Merchant
PwC will lead an energetic and interactive 60-minute session designed to inspire the next generation of retail leaders and explore how AI is reshaping merchandising. Through storytelling, live discussion, and hands-on problem solving, students will discover how creativity, data, and empathy combine to define the 'merchant of the future’.
Presented by
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Sunday, January 11
At NRF Foundation Get Hired, retail companies host on-site interviews with students they met at the Career Fair. Invitation Only.
8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Inspiring speakers, data-driven industry trends, strategies from the field and focused workshops NRF ’26: Retail’s Big Show has it all. Your one-day pass is included with your NRF Foundation Student Program registration.
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Made possible by our
generous supporters
Relive the 2025 New York Student Program
Retail executives in marketing, merchandising, talent, entrepreneurship, sustainability, supply chain, technology and more share their stories, insights, and what they learned in their careers, and students explore various careers paths in the retail industry, meet with dozens of recruiters from their favorite brands and create visions for their futures, all in just four days.
Experience last year's Student Program for yourself through photos and videos.