Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) has announced Mike Bechtel as the keynote speaker for its upcoming PrimeTime event and expo, March 21-24, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale. 

Mike Bechtel

Former Chief Futurist at Deloitte and current Professor of Corporate Innovation at the University of Notre Dame, Bechtel has delivered thousands of keynotes worldwide, helping business leaders understand and prepare for the future with confidence, curiosity and clarity. 

“Mike invites leaders to pause, look up from the day-to-day and think differently about change,” said NMG CEO Tom Hickman. “He brings a fresh perspective that helps leaders creatively connect technology to growth in thoughtful, practical ways.”  

Bechtel’s keynote will explore trends shaping today’s retail landscape, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and other technical and business innovations. The session will focus on helping independent business owners embrace change and test new ideas with confidence and agility. 

“His message reinforces that retailers don’t need to predict the future perfectly, they just need to be ready to learn, adapt and lead through it,” said Melissa Stenson, vice president of member engagement at NMG. “And with dedicated AI sessions spread throughout the show, members can dive deeper and learn how to apply the latest technologies to their day-to-day business operations.” 

Bechtel will headline the PrimeTime opening mainstage on Saturday, March 21, 2026. All PrimeTime attendees are invited to join the session, and registration is free for NMG members. Visit www.nationwideprimetime.com for registration details, the full agenda, and more.