South Florida delivered fresh energy, vision and momentum for the Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) spring PrimeTime event and expo, held March 21–24, 2026, at the newly renovated Broward County Convention Center. The new location brought over 3,000 attendees together, building on the power of connection and collective confidence across the independent channel. 

Photo credit: NMG

“Connection is how independents turn pressure into progress,” said Tom Hickman, CEO of Nationwide Marketing Group. “This channel is smarter, more connected and better positioned to win,” Hickman added. “We’ll navigate whatever comes next… together.” 

Hickman’s message set the tone for a thought-provoking keynote from Mike Bechtel, former Deloitte chief futurist and current professor of corporate innovation at the University of Notre Dame, who reinforced the importance of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies with curiosity, flexibility and experimentation. 

Mike Bechtel, Keynote Speaker (Photo credit: NMG)

This forward-looking mindset continued on the digital mainstage, featuring Mark Kinsley, CEO of The FAM and former CEO of Englander, and the economic mainstage, presented by Nicole Cervi, economist for Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Banking. 

Nicole Cervi, Economic Mainstage (Photo credit: NMG)

Other PrimeTime favorites returned, including Mattress University, Nationwide Learning Academy (NLA) sessions, CashBack, show-only specials and Palooza — a 90-minute buying frenzy featuring exclusive, limited-quantity deals. On the expo floor, No Child Hungry and NMG Gives partnered, once again, to host a meal-packing event, resulting in the donation of more than 40,000 meals to families in South Florida. 

PrimeTime Palooza (Photo credit: NMG)

No Child Hungry Meal Packing (Photo credit: NMG)

Member-led NLA sessions took a new approach, with the introduction of a “Member Voices” series on the expo floor, featuring game-changing business insights and actionable strategies for attending members to apply to their own operations.  

Also new to the expo this year, NMG’s Innovation Labs highlighted the latest technologies in cooking appliances, displayed by various vendor partners. Several outdoor vendors also provided food for the PrimeTime all-member party, held Monday night on the convention center’s brand-new waterfront plaza. 

“Balancing member favorites with fresh programming allows us to evolve with intention,” shared Melissa Stenson, vice president of member experience for NMG. “Every part of PrimeTime is designed to build a stronger network, rooted in shared experience, trusted expertise and value that extends far beyond the event.” 

Nationwide Marketing Group will return to Nashville for its next PrimeTime show, scheduled for August 23-26, 2026, at Music City Center. For more information, visit www.nationwideprimetime.com.

NMG Booth (Photo credit: NMG)