Welcome 2026 Sponsors & Exhibitors!
We are pleased to welcome you as a sponsor of the 2026 Convenience Retailing University conference. Our goal is to make this a successful and enjoyable event for you and your organization.
We’re very appreciative of your partnership and are excited to begin working with you. This portal page will serve as your sponsorship checklist, and include links to important deliverables - be sure to bookmark it!
Important Dates + Deadlines
Due Now
Register for Event
Book Hotel
Due by Friday, Jan 9
Marketing Materials
Due by Friday, Feb 6
Verify shipping/booth needs
Submit COI - Due Friday, Feb 13
Due Now - 100%
Sponsorship Payments
Sponsor + Exhibitor Checklist
Below is your pre-event TO-DO list. Please read through carefully and make note of the deadlines.
Register for the Event (Due Now)
Any one attending CRU from your company MUST be registered. Please complete ASAP.
- Please use this link to register as a Sponsor.
- Before proceeding with your registration, verify the registration type indicates sponsor. If it shows retailer or speaker, do not continue and contact us at fssponsorrelations@informa.com.
- This applies to anyone attending the event from your company including employees, booth staff, vendors, etc.
- Register using your company specific invitation code. You will need to enter that code on the last page before submitting to zero out the dollar amount.
Secure Hotel Reservation
The CRU room block at the Marriott Downtown Austin is sold out. We are currently operating on a waitlist - to join please send your full name, email and desired check-in/out dates to our events team.
Marriott Downtown Austin
304 E. Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
Group Room Rate: $320 + tax
Discounted group rate will be available until January 16, 2026. This rate is based on availability.
Cancellation Policy: To avoid a cancellation fee of one night room & tax, reservations should be cancelled in accordance with the hotel's policy, typically 72 hours in advance of check-in.
Alternately, nearby hotels can be located here.
Submit Marketing Materials (Due Friday, January 9)
The marketing materials will be included on the event website, app, and any applicable print and/or digital signage.
For any questions related to submitting your marketing materials, please contact Gina Cuff at gina.cuff@informa.com.
Custom Activations
For any custom activations that are included in your sponsorship, Cassaundra Washington will be working with you and will reach out to finalize details.
Product Gallery - Booth Information - Exhibitors Only
You will be receiving an email with the Exhibitor Kit from our exhibitions partner, Gulf Coast Expositions. The kit includes all information regarding shipping, set-up, tear-down, furnishings and electrical orders.
For any questions related to your booth space, please contact Gulf Coast Expositions at orders@gulfcoastexpositions.com.
Important Links:
- CRU Floorplan
- Exhibitor Kit & Hours
- Sponsor Setup Date/Time:
- Tuesday, February 24 | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Product Gallery Dates/Times:
- Tuesday, February 24 | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Wednesday, February 25 | 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM, 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM*, 1:15 PM - 3:30 PM*
- Sponsor Teardown Date/Time:
- Wednesday, February 25 | 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Sponsor Setup Date/Time:
*Speed Networking/1:1 Meetings
Attendee Swag Bag - Product Samples (Due Friday, February 6)
As a CRU sponsor, you have the opportunity to send in two (2) products/SKUs/swag items for our Attendee Swag Bags. Products will be on display in a designated area within the event space and attendees will have the opportunity to build their own swag bag.
To participate, fill out this form with more information on what you plan to send in.
Lead Retrieval
CRU utilizes LeadCapture by CVENT for scanning and qualifying leads at the event. This platform allows the admin of the exhibitor portal to login, purchase and assign licenses. It is not a separate device rental - users will download the LeadCapture mobile app and sign in.
The invitation to login is sent to the primary logistics contact for your company. Please let us know if we need to resend the login details.
To purchase and set up LeadCapture, please follow the below steps. LeadCapture will allow you to use the mobile app to scan conference badges, collect leads, and download them right from the app.
- On your dashboard, click on the button that says “Purchase Licenses” and follow the prompts.
- Purchase licenses buy selecting the number of licenses you would like to purchase (each device requires it's own individual license). Each license is $299 + tax. Submit your payment directly in the portal.
- After the licenses are purchased, you will be able to assign them to your team members. Please note that in order to assign a user, they must be registered for the conference.
- Click "Team" - Under "Booth Staff" you will be able to search and add the registered members of your team.
Once licenses are assigned, the team member will receive the Access Code directly via email.
- Download the Cvent LeadCapture app to your device and login
- Enter the access code you received in your email inbox
- Tap "Yes, Activate Device"
- Scan QR code on attendee badges to gather leads
- Score leads and take notes
- Export leads to any database on demand
Submit Your COI (Due Friday, February 13) - Exhibitors Only
A Certificate of Insurance is MANDATORY for all sponsors who have a booth/display in the Marketplace. Please email a copy of your COI to Sales@rainprotection.net.
A COPY OF THE INSURANCE FORM MUST BE ON FILE BY February 13, 2025.
Certificate of Insurance Specifications:
Insurance Certificate must be issued prior to the 1st day of the month of the conference and should expire after the last day of the month of the conference.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence; $2,000,000 aggregate.
2. Workers Compensation & Employers' Liability: Must meet statutory requirements.
3. Automobile Liability: $500,000 per occurrence.
Winsight LLC (an Informa Owned Company) must be listed as the additional insured on the Sponsor Insurance Form
300 S. Riverside Plz, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60606
Retailer Invitations
Mike Marino will reach out to you directly regarding Retailer invitations. For any questions, please reach out to michael.marino@informa.com.
Social Media Kit
Here’s how it works:
1. Click the link to access the graphics. You’ll be prompted to log into your LinkedIn account.
2. Each template comes with a pre-made caption that you can edit to your liking. If you choose to edit the caption, please be sure to keep the link so people know how to register.
3. Choose the graphic option you like best.
4. Click "Post & Continue" and you're all set!
Sponsorship Contract Payment: Due Now
Please note that our payment terms have been updated for 2026. Any delays in payment may result in a delay in the activation of your benefits, including onsite access to the event.
Account & Remittance Information
REMIT TO ADDRESS:
Winsight, LLC
PO Box 844641, Boston, MA 02284-4641
EIN: 36‐4735138
DOMESTIC ACH/WIRE TRANSFER:
Bank Name: Webster Bank NA
Account Name: Winsight, LLC
Routing #: 221970443
Account #: 1918056990
Please send payment notes or questions about your invoice to AR at achremittance@informa.com
Speed Networking
- Date: Wednesday, February 25
- Time: Meetings will take place between 10:45am – 12:10pm, and 1:15pm – 3:25pm. Meetings are 10-minutes long and followed by a 5-minute passing period. You’ll receive a total of up to 15 meetings.
- Location: Meetings will take place at your booth (Moontower Hall). View Floorplan
Timeline
- January 23 – Deadline to confirm preference designator
- January 28 – Retailer preference selections begin, choose your top 40 retailers. The designator will receive an email with instructions.
- February 11 – Deadline to select retailer preferences
- February 17 – View your preliminary meeting schedule
- February 25 – Speed networking meetings
How it works: You’ll have a series of up to 15 10-minute meetings with retailers and a 5 minute passing time between each meeting. As you rotate through your meetings, we’ll make an announcement when you should move on to your next meeting. Meetings are scheduled with a singular retailer attendee. They may have a colleague join them.
How are the schedules created: You will select your top 40 retailers. Using this list, the technology creates your schedule based on a score of how effective that meeting will be. The highest score is when a Retailer and Sponsor select each other to meet with and the system prioritizes that match to result in a scheduled meeting. Then the system uses other data like “Must Meet”, “Meets” and similar interested categories to curate the rest of the meetings. On top of that, the CRU Operations team has reviewed every attendee’s individual schedule to ensure the correct meetings are taking place.
Tips: Before your meetings, research the retailers you are meeting with, have your elevator pitch’ ready. If there’s a connection there, set up more time. We will not be providing the retailer’s contact details, so we recommend exchanging this information during your meeting.
Download the App: We highly recommend downloading the CRU Event App prior to getting onsite & you’ll have access to the entire event right in your hand – agenda, meeting schedule and more!
Link and QR code for app COMING SOON!
Need assistance? Contact jenilee.dulay.us@informa.com
Contact Information
Cassaundra Washington, Sponsor Relations Manager
Gina Cuff, Senior Administrator
Contact Gina for anything related to your marketing materials; company logo/profile, etc.
Registration & Housing Questions
Contact the Foodservice Events team for any questions related to your CRU registration and/or housing questions.
Invoice & Billing Questions
Contact Kimberly LeSueur for any questions related to your sponsorship invoice, billing, payment, etc.