Buyer info

Collaborate 2026

Now in its 14th year, Collaborate is taking place Sept 13-15 at the Seaport Hotel Boston.

What is Collaborate?

It's a one-on-one format where store planning and design professionals can meet with leading producers over two-and-a-half days. It's a hosted buyer model, so that means suppliers have stepped forward to pay for qualified buyers to attend at no charge for transportation and lodging. All meals and educational sessions are included during our time together, so Collaborate 2026 is easy on the budget.

So how does it come together?

The event begins with a casual cocktail reception on Sunday that's great for networking. We follow with an opening dinner that’s always a big hit since we really take our first meal together pretty seriously. We also have breakfast and lunch for the group on Monday and Tuesday. Of course, we’re known for educational sessions that tackle the industry’s most pressing issues.

We think Collaborate 2026 provides the industry with a productive event that is only a day and a half but you can accomplish what would take months in office

We like to call Collaborate the “smart and simple way to source.”

We’re also aware of what buyers are looking for as retail environments are evolving so we’re always looking for the latest and greatest products such as customer-facing technology including touchscreens and kiosks. But we don’t sacrifice the basic elements that go into physical stores. So, we have leading manufacturers and distributors of custom architectural elements, custom lighting, millwork and fixturing, flooring options from carpeting to stone and tile, furnishings, digital and printed signage, surfacing materials, decor and more.

In short, we have a carefully edited assortment of everything needed to create the latest customer-driven retail environments for today's leading brands.

Who else will be there?

We expect to host 65 buyer attendees, and we have a great group already registered but space is limited.

How can you learn more?

Call Tia Potter at 917-846-5185, or email -- tpotter@connectevents.biz