The DSS, the premier international strategy conference for digital signage and DooH professionals, has revealed its speaker line-up and agenda highlights. Presented by invidis consulting in collaboration with Integrated Systems Events, The DSS aims to convene industry perspectives on how businesses are adapting to rapid structural and technological change.

Marking its 20th anniversary, the two-day programme at the Hilton Munich Airport (20th – 21st May) will feature keynotes, panel discussions and expert-led sessions focused on strategic and technological shifts.

Framed around “NextGen Signage”, senior executives from across the global digital signage ecosystem will examine the key forces reshaping the global market, including economic pressures, industry consolidation, intensifying competition, commoditisation, and the accelerating impact of AI.

Speaker & agenda highlights for 2026 include:

• invidis Keynotes & 20th Anniversary Moments: kicking off The DSS is invidis Keynote ‘NextGen Signage’ by Florian Rotberg, Managing Director of invidis and Stefan Schieker, Senior Partner of invidis, setting the event agenda and providing a clear view of where the industry currently stands. This will be followed by a second keynote ‘20 Years of Digital Signage’ reflecting on the past two decades of defining moments in the industry as well as what the future entails. Plus, evening networking and celebrations at Airbräu. 

• Market Update: DACH, Americas, India and Europe are some of the territories addressed throughout the two days. Panel discussions include ‘The European Leaders Panel: Outgrowing Local Markets – The New European Way’ and  ‘DSF Forum: Tariffs, Turmoil, Takeovers: The Real Challenges Facing the Americas’, a panel including Tamara Bebb, CEO at Spectrio and Rick Mills, CEO at Creative Realities to examine forces such as tariffs and AI reshaping digital signage. Jonas Lagerqvist, Deputy CEO and CFO at Vertiseit and Erik Wolff, COO ICT at Econocom will also delve into the deals, tensions, and trade‑offs behind digital signage consolidation, and what it means for valuation, innovation, and the future shape of the ecosystem.

• Operating Systems & Cybersecurity: the era when digital signage systems could operate without serious cybersecurity consideration is over. The session ‘Cybersecurity in Digital Signage – Unpatched, Unsecured, Unprotected’ will confront the uncomfortable truths surrounding this topic. Other sessions include OS selection and update policy, governance, resilience and risk, plus how platform choices influence security posture and total cost of ownership. 
• AI Spotlight: taking a new format for 2026, the AI spotlight will invite speakers to the stage individually to address their specialised topic and how developments in generative, analytic and agentic AI are affecting this. Speakers include Rick Mills, CEO at Creative Realities, Andy W. Bohli CEO at Imacuklix AG/Cingerine AG, Mathieu Yerle CEO at Intuiface, Viktor Petersson CEO at Screenly and Ron Levac, Managing Partner at Global Technology Investments LLC. 
• Retail Media: sessions focus on experience and growth opportunities across sectors, including the role of retail media networks and intersection of signage, adtech, audiences, analytics and commercial models. Jan Schoenmakers, Managing Director at HASE & IGEL explores how AI is transforming in‑store data from fragmented and underused into a powerful driver of insight, accountability, and commercial growth for retailers and brands in his session ‘Predict, Target, Monetize: The New AI Retail Playbook’. 
• Green Signage: turning sustainability into a measurable operating discipline including energy efficiency, lifecycle optimisation and reporting. Jesco Dayen, Siemens AG and others will outline how green signage is moving from concept to commercial reality in the session ‘The New Relevance of Green Signage’. 
• Tech Dialogue: Comprising of 10 dedicated sessions, the Tech Dialogue track is designed for technologist specialists, with sessions focusing on critical technology conversations that are influencing the industry, such as ‘The AI Tech Stack’, ‘The Architectural Shift’ and ‘Standardisation vs Complexity’. 
• Industry Recognition: invidis Strategy Awards & launch of the invidis Yearbook.
  

The agenda and speaker line-up are now available on The DSS App, which can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store. The app is the central place to browse sessions and speakers, bookmark favourites, and manage your personal schedule. It also allows attendees to request meetings during the summit and automatically add them to their agenda.

Florian Rotberg, Founder & Owner, invidis consulting GmbH, comments: “In our 20th year, The DSS returns to Munich with a programme that reflects where the market is heading into a new phase. The speaker line-up and agenda address the topics industry leaders are dealing with right now.”

Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, concludes: “The DSS has always been a forum where decision-makers come together with leading speakers to navigate a rapidly changing landscape. We’re proud to partner with invidis again and look forward to welcoming the industry to Munich in May.”

Use A1 Retail’s exclusive code dss2026-a1retail to receive 30 percent off your ticket. Register here.

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Bringing together 1,250+ exhibitors across both shows, Autumn Fair offers an unrivalled opportunity for retailers to source, discover and connect, all in one trip, at a critical time when Q4 ranges are being finalised.

A bigger, smarter buying opportunity

The co-location with Glee significantly expands the buying landscape, giving visitors access to a broader cross-category range and new supplier opportunities without additional cost.

With:

• 500,000+ products available for immediate purchase
• 20,000+ combined buyers
• £500m collective spend
• 80 percent of buyers holding buying power
• 10 percent increase in event footprint
• 34 percent rise in new buyers attending

Created for how retailers buy today, Autumn Fair 2026 is built for modern retail, and designed to help retailers make confident, commercially impactful decisions fast. Whether independent or multi-site, buyers can efficiently source new products, discover emerging brands, and secure stock ahead of the busiest trading period – over 25 percent of brands are new to the show and over 30% exhibit exclusively at Autumn Fair.

Buyers can finalise Christmas and Autumn/Winter ranges in one visit, discover exclusive, trend-led products and new launches, meet suppliers ready to fulfil immediate and flexible orders, and access expert-led content, workshops and buying tours. For time-poor independents, the show offers a focused, easy-to-navigate environment that removes risk and maximises return from every hour spent onsite.

Where the industry connects

More than just a buying event, Autumn Fair is where the retail community comes together to share insights, build relationships and spot what’s next. From trend-led seminars to 1-2-1 expert sessions, the show provides valuable opportunities to gain fresh perspectives and leave not just with stock, but with strategy, connections and confidence.

Autumn Fair is proven to deliver results. With 13,000+ buyers actively placing orders ahead of peak trading, the event continues to be a powerful platform for both buyers and exhibitors. For retailers, it’s a chance to source efficiently across multiple categories, stay ahead of competitors with early access to new ranges, and build relationships with trusted and emerging suppliers. For exhibitors, it’s an opportunity to get in front of high-intent buyers ready to order, build pipelines that convert both at and after the show, and showcase products in a high-energy, commercially focused environment.

“Autumn Fair is where the retail industry comes together at a critical moment in the buying calendar,” said Matthew Mein, Event Director of Autumn Fair. “With registration now open for 2026, we’re proud to co-locate with Glee to create Europe’s biggest buying moment. This gives buyers unrivalled access to a broader range of products, suppliers and opportunities, all under one roof. Independent retailers can’t afford to over-commit months in advance. Autumn Fair is designed for the way they actually buy – reactive, flexible and in-season. This is where they top up on proven sellers, test new ranges with manageable orders, and find ready-to-ship stock that gets them through the peak season without unnecessary risk. Whether you’re finalising your peak-season ranges or discovering new brands, Autumn Fair is designed to help retailers buy smarter, faster and with confidence.”

Retailers and buyers can now secure their place at Autumn Fair 2026 and be part of the industry’s most important buying moment of the year.

Register now at: www.autumnfair.com

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Retail Technology Show (RTS), the sector’s flagship event which connects leading retailers with cutting-edge technology providers, returned to London’s Excel last week, delivering its biggest innovation showcase.

RTS 2026 delivered wall-to-wall tech comprising over 450+ innovators on the expo floor, spotlighting new solutions powering the future of retail.  In what RTS speaker and Dragon’s Den star, Touker Suleyman, described as an “overwhelming” amount of innovation, the show floor was packed with a full spectrum of technologies, spanning AI, ecommerce and supply chain through to logistics, customer engagement and personalisation.

“Every retailer should walk this show, decide what’s right for them and invest,” Suleyman added, while Iain Robertson, Chief Operating & Innovation Officer at Fortnum & Mason said RTS remains an invaluable platform for evaluating “what’s hype and what’s not” when making tech investment decisions.

From standout innovation to unmissable insights on the conference programme, RTS saw 125+ retail leaders, brand powerhouses and industry luminaries take to the stage to discuss the topics redefining the sector.  From the BRC’s Helen Dickinson opening the show on Day 1, to headliners, including M&S Chair Archie Norman, TALA Founder Grace Beverley and Sephora’s Sarah Boyd, the event took a pulse on the trends reshaping retail.

The discussions from the stages spilled over into conversations across the wealth of networking opportunities at RTS 2026.  From its annual industry get-together, Retail’s BIG Party, to satellite events, roundtable lunches and after-hours socialising, RTS provides a “place to have a safe conversation and understand where you should focus your efforts for your business,” said Dan Chasle, Chief Data Officer from New Look.

RTS’ Founder & Event Director, Matt Bradley, commented on the growing role of the event in bringing the retail community together: “Despite the Tube strike, RTS 2026 once again delivered standout brand attendance, with strong levels of senior, c-suite audiences attending the sessions and walking the show floor, underlining the show’s central role in bringing together senior retailers with tech innovators.”

“RTS not only gets bigger and better every year, but it’s become the place where people can connect, converse and collaborate, and make those long-term connections that matter,” said Bradley.  “RTS 2026 has been another barnstormer – full of the energy, insight and innovation that reminds us how vibrant the retail sector remains.”

“The RTS team have been absolutely relentless in their mission to deliver the very best event platform for the retail industry, and we can’t wait to be back – even bigger and even better – next year,” he added.

RTS returns to London’s Excel on 21st and 22nd April 2027 and promises more unmissable insights, future-forward innovation and unrivalled networking opportunities.

For more information or to register your interest for next year’s show, visit: Retail Technology Show.

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Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of cult beauty retailer Sephora UK, is confirmed to speak at the Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading event that connects forward-thinking retailers and leading tech innovators, which takes place at London’s ExCeL on 22nd & 23rd April 2026.

On track to expand its footprint to 20 UK stores this year, Sephora’s well-documented momentum has been underpinned by strong omnichannel performance, high-profile regional rollouts and a community-first approach, cementing it as a cultural force in retail.

Speaking on the Spark Stage on Day 1 at 11:40am, Sarah Boyd will join Consumer Champion, Martin Newman, for a fireside chat on how Sephora’s community-first approach is shaping the beauty zeitgeist while driving hype and growth. From ambitious store expansion to viral social campaigns, Boyd will share how Sephora intends to build on its high-octane momentum, strategies for managing virality with customer trust, and how retailers can adapt to meet the needs of next-gen shoppers.

“I am looking forward to being part of the Retail Technology Show at a time when British beauty retail is so dynamic and culturally influential,” said Sarah Boyd, MD of Sephora UK.  “The UK customer is highly engaged, curious and trend-aware, and we’re seeing a real shift towards experiences that go beyond transaction.

“Technology is a critical enabler of personalisation and community building, sharper curation and deeper product discovery. It will be great to share how we are bringing that to life here at Sephora UK as we continue on our exciting journey,” Sarah Boyd added.

“Already the ‘It’ brand of beauty retailing, the rise and rise of Sephora has been nothing short of meteoric, and it has quickly become the poster child for how community-led commerce can supercharge growth, viral engagement and steadfast loyalty,” Matt Bradley, Founder & Event Director at RTS, commented.  “With its wide-reaching appeal – and its ability to tap into Gen Alpha – Sarah’s session will be another unmissable addition to the RTS conference programme.”

Boyd joins fellow headliners, including M&S Chairman Archie Norman, TALA-founder and digital broadcaster Grace Beverley, and Dragon’s Den star Touker Suleyman, who take to the stage at RTS to discuss retail’s hottest topics.

During the two-day event, 125+ of retail’s brightest minds, including leaders from Currys, Aroma Zone, the BRC and Frasers Group, will join six dedicated RTS conference tracks offering sector-shaping insight.

To register to attend RTS 2026, visit: https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com.

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Returning to the Hilton Munich Airport, Germany, on 20th – 21st May for its 20-year anniversary edition, The DSS is the leading strategy conference for digital signage, driving exchange between senior executives, technology leaders and the brands investing in the next wave of connected experiences. In 2026, The DSS, presented by Integrated Systems Events and invidis consulting GmbH, takes on an even more international scope, reflecting its position as a truly global platform for the industry.

To mark this anniversary, The DSS 2026 programme will look back at the breakthroughs that have shaped the industry over the past 20 years and look ahead to what will define the next decade of digital signage strategy.

From small beginnings to the global stage 

In 2006, invidis consulting set out to create a platform for sharing industry intelligence, learning from leaders and helping the market navigate change. The Munich Digital Signage Conference was born at the Systems IT trade fair with just 40 guests – but with enough proof that the appetite for practical strategy and real-world insight was there.

invidis also began bringing its established conference format to major AV trade shows and in 2008, it debuted at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) under the name “DiSCO”. By 2009, the conference had progressed to a standalone event held at the International Congress Centre Messe Munchen (ICM), and, under the patronage of the OVAB Digital (Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau) was known as the OVAB Digital Signage Conference, Munich.

A year later, the conference moved to Munich Airport – its long-term home – then known as the Kempinski Airport Hotel, and by 2014, attendance had reached 350 industry representatives, reflecting the event’s growing influence and the market’s accelerating pace.

A major growth phase followed in 2015 as invidis and Integrated Systems Events formed a joint venture, with the event organisation acquiring a majority stake in the series, strengthening global reach and deepening the event’s connection with the wider ISE community.

“Reaching 20 years is a remarkable milestone for The Digital Signage Summit. What began as a small gathering of industry professionals has grown into the definitive platform for strategic insight, innovation, and collaboration, ” says Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events. “The DSS continues to connect the leaders shaping the future of digital signage worldwide, and this anniversary edition reflects both the evolution of the market and the opportunities ahead.”

The event connecting the digital signage industry 

The Digital Signage Summit series has expanded its reach by launching sister events – such as DSS MENA in Dubai in 2025 and DSS events at InfoComm shows in North and Latin America – reinforcing its role as a premier gathering for the global digital signage and DOOH industry. During the pandemic in 2020, the conference had to pivot to a virtual format, with ‘DSS The Show’ broadcast live for eight hours to more than 2,500 participants.

Today, The DSS attracts influential business leaders from around the world, alongside major brand names as headline sponsors. Reflecting where the market is heading, the programme includes a dedicated forum for CTOs and developers, making it a unique opportunity for technology providers to engage both commercial and technical stakeholders in one place.

“The DSS has always been about more than just digital signage. It’s about strategy, connection, and driving meaningful business outcomes, ” says Florian Rotberg, Founder & Owner of invidis consulting GmbH. “Looking back over two decades, it’s incredible to see how the industry has matured, and we’re excited to bring together the brightest minds and innovators to explore what the chapter of digital signage will hold.”

The DSS 2026 – The anniversary edition

This May, the event returns with a vibrant, insightful programme, cementing 20-years as the must-attend digital signage business event. This milestone edition will focus on NextGen Signage, centred around 9 conferencing themes: Managed Signage, Digital Signage in Retail and Beyond, Converged Communications, Operating Systems and Cyber Security, Green Signage, Future-Proofing Digital Signage, AI in Signage, The Future of CMS, and Retail Media.

Across two days of keynotes, panel discussions, and expert-led sessions, The DSS 2026 will offer critical insight on the transformative forces impacting the industry from global politics and artificial intelligence to climate change and market maturity which are reshaping the operational and strategic foundations.

The DSS Anniversary Keynote, “20 Years on Screen: The Stories, the Shifts, the Future” will offer a unique chance to reflect on the industry evolution and highlighting the pivotal moments, technologies, and market forces that have shaped 2 decades of digital signage innovation. It will also look ahead to the opportunities and challenges defining the next chapter of the sector, offering a forward-thinking perspective that sets the tone for this special 20th anniversary edition of the summit.

Networking and learning at The DSS roll straight into the evening at Airbräu, in what promises to be a standout occasion, complete with 20th‑birthday surprises and lively celebrations.

Join the decision-makers shaping digital signage projects worldwide. Reserve your space at The DSS to connect with qualified buyers and influencers, and secure senior-level meetings in a results-driven environment.

Use A1 Retail’s exclusive code dss2026-a1retail to receive 30 percent off your ticket. Register here.

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• Pennies, the charity and trusted leader in micro-donations, marks a 10-year partnership with Retail Technology Show 

• More than £65 million raised through 275 million micro-donations since the partnership began 

• Pennies CEO Alison Hutchinson CBE to take to the stage with Mamas & Papas, Debenhams Group and RedCat Pub Group

Pennies, the trusted leader in micro-donations, will return as the official Gold Charity Partner for Retail Technology Show 2026 on 22nd – 23rd April at Excel London, marking 10 years of partnership, during which more than £65 million has been raised for charities through digital micro-donations.

With just two weeks to go until Retail Technology Show 2026, the event is set to bring together leading voices from across retail, hospitality and technology.

Attendees can visit Pennies at Stand Z55 across both days to discover how digital micro-donations are driving impactful change for charities across the UK, Ireland and beyond.

Pennies will also take part in a panel discussion on 22nd April at 13:55 on the Spark Stage, ‘Small Change, Big Loyalty: How Digital Micro-Donations Can Power Better Customer Engagement’, featuring leaders from Mamas & Papas, Debenhams Group and RedCat Hospitality.

Panellists include:

• Sarah Ashby, Interim CEO & COO at Mamas & Papas Ltd

• Sophie Rycroft, Group ESG, Sourcing & Quality Director at Debenhams Group

• Richard Lewis, Group Chief Executive at RedCat Pub Group

• Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO at Pennies

• Martin Newman, Consumer Champion & Founder at The Customer First Group

Over the course of its partnership with the Retail Technology Show, Pennies has enabled more than 275 million micro-donations, raising over £65 million for charities and supporting more than 980 charitable organisations. This contributes to more than £78 million raised by Pennies overall since launch in 2010.

During the two days of the Retail Technology Show, Pennies expects to see around 345,000 micro-donations made through its network of retail and hospitality partners across the UK, Ireland and beyond, raising over £85,000 for charity.

Since first attending in 2017, Pennies has grown significantly – from around 60 partners to more than 200 today, with Retail Technology Show playing a key role in that journey. Pennies will be joined by more than 15 of its technology partners exhibiting at this year’s show, demonstrating the breadth of its partner network across the event floor.

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With a month to go until the 2026 Retail Technology Show (RTS), retail’s flagship event has announced a series of new innovation-led features.

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EuroShop has always been a useful snapshot of where retail is heading, but this year the shift felt particularly clear. The conversation is no longer about whether physical retail has a future – it’s about how stores are evolving into smarter, more adaptable and more experience-driven environments.

Walking the halls in Düsseldorf, five themes stood out.

1. The store is becoming an intelligent environment

Retail technology was everywhere, but the difference this year is how seamlessly it’s being integrated into the physical environment. Instead of isolated screens or gimmicky interactions, brands are embedding intelligence into fixtures, shelving and service points. From AI-assisted product discovery to smarter stock visibility and digital merchandising tools, the store is increasingly behaving like a connected system rather than a static space.

2. Flexibility is now a core design principle

Retailers are under constant pressure to evolve their offer, and the store environment needs to keep up. Across EuroShop there was a clear move toward modular display systems, reconfigurable fixtures and adaptable lighting solutions. The best concepts allow brands to refresh storytelling, seasonal campaigns or product launches quickly – without the cost and disruption of a full refit.

3. Experience is the new competitive advantage

Convenience is largely owned by ecommerce, which means the role of the store is shifting toward engagement and discovery. The most compelling environments on show were those designed to be explored: tactile materials, sculptural forms and layouts that invite customers to interact with the brand rather than simply browse shelves.

4. Sustainability is becoming a technical discipline

Sustainability has been a talking point for years, but what stood out this time was the growing focus on practical implementation. From recycled materials and lightweight fabrication techniques to more efficient lighting systems, sustainability is increasingly being engineered into store environments rather than simply communicated through messaging.

5. Stores are becoming content platforms

Perhaps the most interesting shift is how brands now think about stores as media spaces. Retail environments are increasingly designed with photography, video and social sharing in mind. Whether it’s a striking feature installation or a highly curated product moment, the store is becoming a place where brands create content as well as transactions.

If EuroShop 2026 made one thing clear, it’s that physical retail is far from standing still. The most successful stores will be those that combine intelligence, flexibility and experience – creating environments that can evolve as quickly as the brands they represent.

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Marking its 20th anniversary, The Digital Signage Summit (The DSS) 2026, organised by invidis in a joint venture with Integrated Systems Events (ISE), will bring together the sector’s most senior leaders for a strategic examination of the forces reshaping digital signage and DOOH. Over two decades, the Summit has evolved into the industry’s principal platform for executive-level exchange, providing a neutral environment for high-level insight, peer dialogue, and long-term vision setting.

As the pre-eminent forum for the market’s most influential decision-makers, The DSS presents strategic perspectives from the world’s leading innovators and solution providers. By fostering cohesion across Retail Digital Signage, DOOH, and Retail Media, the Summit establishes shared priorities, guides capital allocation, and defines the sector’s next phase of sustainable growth.

Under the theme NextGen Signage, The DSS 2026 will bring together leaders to reimagine, rethink, reinvent, recalibrate, and reset digital signage in a time of transformation. This milestone edition will examine the strategic and technological forces reshaping the global market, from economic shifts and consolidation to new competitive pressures and the accelerating impact of AI, while redefining content workflows, operations, and the broader value chain. Attendees will hear the Anniversary Keynote, “20 Years on Screen: The Stories, the Shifts, the Future”, reflecting on the industry’s evolution and looking ahead to the next chapter, with evening networking and 20th‑birthday celebrations at Airbräu.

“Twenty years of DSS is the perfect moment to look back at the first two decades of digital signage and to do it in an entertaining way,” says Florian Rotberg, Founder & Owner of invidis consulting GmbH. “Our industry has grown from a niche built on CRT tubes to a business-critical ecosystem powered by LEDs, commoditized screens, and increasingly sophisticated software and service platforms. The old silos are gone, and the future is wide open – intelligent, connected, and AI driven. We’re excited to celebrate some of the best moments from 20 years of digital signage and to share our perspective on where the next five years will take us.”

Reflecting on the sector’s current trajectory, Stefan Schieker, Senior Partner of invidis consulting GmbH, adds: “Digital signage has matured. With easier tech and AI accelerating everything from content to analytics, we can finally focus on real value and future-ready business models. Despite global challenges, this moment is a turning point full of disruption, but even more full of opportunity.”

Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, emphasises the Summit’s ongoing significance: “As we mark twenty years of Digital Signage Summit, the event remains the definitive forum for industry leaders to assess shifting priorities and emerging challenges in digital signage. This is where the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders converge, and where the next big ideas take shape.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay at the forefront of the digital signage revolution. Early bird tickets are available for a limited time. Accommodation options for one or two nights at the Hilton Munich Airport are also available.

Plus, use A1 Retail’s exclusive code dss2026-a1retail to receive 30 percent off your ticket. Register here.

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