Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2025 30 N ationwide Marketing Group (NMG) once again selected Nashville, Tennessee, as host city for its biannual PrimeTime event and expo, held August 17-20, 2025. With over 3,000 attendees and more than 120 exhibitors participating, the event continued to show strong engagement from both members and vendors. Feedback from NMG member retailers drove this decision and influenced the entire show agenda. "We read the surveys, we listen to our members, and we adjust accordingly," said NMG CEO Tom Hickman. "We also aim to capture the power of connection, something that feels so natural in Music City." "Nashville is built on connection. On creativity. On collaboration," Hickman told attendees during the opening keynote. "It's a city where people with different backgrounds, different skills, and different ideas come together to make something bigger than they could alone. And that's the spirit we're bringing into this event – and to every PrimeTime." The keynote also included a high-energy message from guest speaker Jesse Itzler, a serial entrepreneur, author, and endurance athlete. Itzler's enthusiasm and inspiration carried over into a post- session welcome reception and give-back opportunity, with volunteers packing 25,000 meal kits in partnership with No Child Hungry. NMG brought several popular PrimeTime experiences back to Nashville, including Palooza – a 90-minute buying frenzy featuring exclusive, limited-quantity deals – and other savings opportunities like CashBack and show-only specials. PrimeTime Backyard also returned to feature NMG's outdoor living vendors in a block party atmosphere complete with live music, lawn games, and vendor- provided food samples. "We are grateful for the passionate engagement and feedback we receive at every show," said Melissa Stenson, VP of member experience for NMG. "This time around, that feedback helped us reimagine several key sessions to add greater value and continue to elevate the experience for our members – and vendors, too." Among the refreshed programming were two mainstage sessions, one featuring an economic update from Wells Fargo economist Nicole Cervi, and another titled "Google AI: Shaping the Future of Discovery and Discussions," led by Google Principal Account Executive Layla Tavanger. Mattress University, a longstanding furniture and bedding event, debuted a new three-part format, where members took the spotlight, sharing strategies that have worked for them to grow their respective businesses. "We aim to strike a balance between tradition and newness for every PrimeTime event," Stenson added. "With Nashville complete, we are already focused on making our next one even better." Nationwide Marketing Group will host its spring PrimeTime show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from March 21-24, 2026. Please visit www.nationwideprimetime.com for more information. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S MEMBER FEEDBACK AND THE POWER OF CONNECTION AT THE HEART OF PRIMETIME NASHVILLE Nationwide Marketing Group balances refreshed programming with popular staples to fuel synergistic growth RO

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