What to Do in Palm Springs, CA, at eTail 2026 Conference as an Attendee

If you’re heading to eTail Palm Springs 2026, you’re about to be part of one of the most influential gatherings in the retail and eCommerce world. Taking place February 23–26, 2026, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA, this event brings together 3,000+ retail leaders, innovators, and solution partners from across the globe to shape what’s next in digital commerce.

What makes the eTail retail conference 2026 different is the vibe. It’s focused, practical, and surprisingly collaborative. You’ll leave with ideas you can actually implement, connections that turn into partnerships, and a much clearer view of where eTail eCommerce and modern retail growth are heading next.

And with the relaxed desert setting of Palm Springs, the learning doesn’t just happen in sessions – it happens over coffee, poolside conversations, and the kind of networking that moves your business forward.

About eTail Palm Springs 2026 Conference

The eTail retail conference 2026 has built its reputation as a working conference for retail operators, not just another industry event. The focus at eTail West is execution, what’s actually driving growth right now, and the agenda reflects that priority.

Across four days, you’ll find a tightly curated mix of executive keynotes, brand case studies, interactive roundtables, and small-group discussions designed to help retailers solve real business challenges.

The content is structured around the priorities shaping retail in 2026, with deep dives into AI-driven product discovery, customer retention and loyalty, omnichannel experience, personalization at scale, social commerce, and profitable growth strategies.

The sessions lean heavily toward practical frameworks, real performance data, and lessons learned from both wins and failures.

Rather than overwhelming you with theory, eTail West is built to help you pressure-test ideas, compare approaches with peers, and leave with strategies you can implement immediately.

Who will you meet at eTail Palm Springs, CA 2026?

Beyond the sessions, it’s the people that make eTail West stand out.

This is a room built for decision-making. Around 60% of attendees are at the VP, SVP, or Director level, with another 19% in the C-suite, meaning most conversations happen with leaders who actually control strategy and budget.

You’ll be connecting with leaders across marketing, eCommerce, customer experience, analytics, and technology, representing some of the biggest names in retail alongside fast-growing digital-first brands. Companies like Walmart, Sephora, Levi’s, Patagonia, Ulta Beauty, The Home Depot, Unilever, and hundreds more will be in the room.

eTail eCommerce isn’t about generic presentations; the stage features operators who are actively shaping retail right now. Here are a few of the leaders driving some of the biggest conversations this year:

1. Dawood Bukhari – CEO, Digital Web Solutions
2. Dana Tan – Director of SEO, Under Armour
3. Denise Incandela – EVP, Fashion, Walmart
4. Kelly Cook – CEO, David’s Bridal
5. Ashley Kechter – Global President, Vuori
6. Adeela Hussain Johnson – CEO, BÉIS
7. Brian Beitler – Chief Business Development Officer, QVC Group
8. Tracey Panek – Historian & Director, Levi Strauss & Co.

It’s the kind of crowd built for meaningful conversations, whether you’re looking to explore partnerships, exchange real-world strategies, or simply connect with people who understand the challenges you’re solving every day.

Like any major industry gathering, many sponsors and partners also use eTail West to share exclusive insights, tools, and event-only offers with attendees. That includes Digital Web Solutions, who are offering retailers a complimentary AI Optimization (AIO) Growth Plan (Worth $1,000) exclusive for eTail Attendees to help improve visibility across search engines, AI platforms, and emerging discovery channels.

Where Should You Stay During eTail Palm Springs, CA 2026?

Where you stay can shape your entire eTail experience. Whether you want maximum convenience, a private team setup, or something budget-friendly nearby, Palm Springs gives you solid options.

Venue – JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

If you want the easiest (and most immersive) experience, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is the obvious choice. Set against the backdrop of the Coachella Valley, the property feels more like a destination than a conference hotel.

You’ll find expansive conference facilities, multiple restaurants, outdoor spaces, and plenty of lounges where informal meetings naturally happen between sessions.

It’s the official venue for eTail Palm Springs, which means every keynote, summit session, and hallway conversation is just a short walk or elevator ride away. No commuting. No missed sessions.

Local Hotels Near the Venue

If the JW Marriott fills up, eTail has arranged discounted room blocks at two nearby resorts – both within a short drive of the venue.

Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
About 4 miles (8–10 minutes) from the JW Marriott, this full-service resort offers pools, dining, and a relaxed desert atmosphere.

DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs
Located roughly 6 miles (10–12 minutes) away, this is the most budget-friendly option and a solid choice if you want comfort and convenience without the resort price tag.

If you’d prefer to stay even closer, Palm Desert has several reliable business-friendly hotels within a 5-10 minute drive:

• The Westin Desert Willow Villas (Palm Desert) – About 1–2 miles from the JW Marriott, roughly a 5-minute drive. Spacious villa-style rooms with kitchens, pools, and golf course views, great if you want more space or are traveling with a team.
• Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert – Around 1.2 miles away, making it one of the most convenient off-site business hotel options.

Airbnb

Prefer something more private or traveling with your team? The Palm Springs area has a strong Airbnb scene, offering everything from modern desert condos to mid-century homes and full villas with private pools. It’s a great option if you want extra space, a kitchen to recharge between sessions, or a shared base for team planning after the conference.

Here are a few areas worth considering:

Palm Desert – The closest and most convenient option (about 5–10 minutes from the JW Marriott). Expect quiet residential communities, golf-course condos, and easy daily access to the venue. [Explore Palm Desert Airbnbs]

Rancho Mirage – About 10 minutes away, this upscale area offers larger homes and resort-style properties. Ideal if you want a quieter retreat after long conference days. [Explore Rancho Mirage Airbnbs]

Palm Springs (Downtown) – Roughly 20–25 minutes from the venue, but perfect if you want the full Palm Springs experience with restaurants, nightlife, and iconic mid-century stays. Great if you’re extending your trip. [Explore Palm Springs Airbnbs]

Indian Wells – Around 10–12 minutes away, this peaceful resort area offers spacious homes, scenic surroundings, and easy access to the conference. [Explore Indian Wells Airbnbs]

Pro tip: Try to stay within a 10–15 minute drive of the JW Marriott. eTail days start early, and the most valuable networking often happens before the first session and after the last one ends.

Best Things To Do During eTail Palm Springs 2026

By the time you arrive at eTail Palm Springs 2026, your schedule will probably already be packed, and for good reason. This isn’t the kind of conference where you “wander around and see what happens.” Every track is designed around the real challenges retailers are facing right now: rising acquisition costs, AI disruption, retention pressure, and the constant need to grow efficiently.

Across four days, you’ll find a mix of executive keynotes, brand case studies, interactive roundtables, and hands-on sessions that go far beyond theory. The real value? Practical strategies you can take back and implement the moment you’re home.

Here’s how to think about the must-attend themes and tracks.

1. AI Search & the Future of Retail Discoverability (Feb 23–26)

   On Search Day (Feb 23), Dana Tan (Director of SEO, Under Armour) breaks down Next-Gen SEO Metrics for an AI-Driven World – shifting the conversation from rankings to engagement, conversion, and visibility in zero-click environments.

   Leaders from companies like Lenovo, Lowe’s, Men’s Wearhouse, and HP explore how AI assistants, zero-click experiences, and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) are reshaping discoverability.

   And of course, Search Day includes a session you won’t want to miss:

   Dawood Bukhari, CEO of Digital Web Solutions, along with the co-host Mark Bietz, CMO, Halloween Costumes & FUN.com, will lead “Retail Visibility in 2026: What Google and AI Really Want,” showing how leading brands are building authority signals that drive visibility across search engines, AI platforms, and multi-surface discovery – backed by real campaign data and case studies.

2. Loyalty Is Now a Full-Journey Strategy (Feb 23)

   Retention is no longer about points; it’s about relationships.

   The Loyalty & Customer Retention Summit opens with Tracey Panek (Levi Strauss & Co.) sharing how Levi’s turns 170+ years of brand heritage into a modern digital storytelling engine.

   Later, a keynote panel featuring leaders from Anthropologie, ShopBack, Tea Collection, and PB5star explores how loyalty now begins at discovery – powered by data, personalization, and emotional engagement across channels.

   If acquisition costs are eating your budget, this is one of the highest-ROI rooms to be in.

3. Agentic AI & Autonomous Marketing (Feb 23–24)

   In interactive roundtables, Per Caroe and Pratik Bhadra (Netcore) demonstrate how brands are using agentic AI to detect intent in real time and trigger personalized actions automatically.

   Sessions across the expo floor also explore how AI is moving marketing from campaign execution to always-on decision systems, a major shift in how growth teams operate.

4. The Rise of Owned Channels: Email, SMS & First-Party Data (Feb 23)

   With paid media getting more expensive, many brands are doubling down on channels they control.

   In the session Why Email & SMS in 2026 Will Be What Google & Meta Were in 2022, Frank Field (Threadpoint) and Gina Potenza (Klaviyo) explain how AI-driven segmentation and first-party data are turning lifecycle marketing into a major revenue engine.

   For performance teams looking to reduce platform dependency, this one’s packed with practical takeaways.

5. Turning Post-Purchase Into a Growth Channel (Feb 23)

   Retention doesn’t start with your loyalty program; it starts after checkout.

   Julian Krenge (parcelLab) and Nancy Gurd (Caraway) lead a session on transforming shipping, tracking, and returns into engagement moments that drive repeat purchases and lifetime value.

   It’s a powerful reminder that operational touchpoints are often your most overlooked marketing assets.

6. Social Commerce & Live Selling at Scale (Feb 24)

   On the main stage, Brian Beitler shares how QVC is reinventing its live-selling model for TikTok – blending creator content, entertainment, and instant commerce.

   The future of conversion is interactive, community-driven, and built where customers already spend their time.

7. Reinventing Legacy Brands for Modern Growth (Feb 24–25)

   Some of the most valuable sessions come from brands transforming at a massive scale.

   • Denise Incandela (EVP, Fashion, Walmart) explains how the retail giant is repositioning its apparel business to compete on style and brand perception.
   • Kelly Cook (CEO, David’s Bridal) shares how a 75-year-old company became an AI-powered ecosystem built on first-party data and predictive personalization.

8. Omnichannel Growth Without Losing the Human Touch (Feb 25)

   Scaling globally without losing authenticity is the challenge many brands face.

   In a C-level fireside chat, Ashley Kechter (Global President, Vuori) discusses how the brand is expanding through experiential retail, community engagement, and localized strategies, while staying deeply human-centric.

   For brands balancing scale with brand identity, this conversation is worth the early morning.

9. Product Data for the AI Shopping Era (Feb 25)

   If AI is becoming the new storefront, your product data determines whether you show up.

   In the Innovation Theater, Amay Aggarwal and Ray Iyer (Co-Founders, Anglera) explain what “AI-ready” product catalogs actually look like and how retailers are already seeing measurable traffic gains by restructuring their data.

   This is one of the most actionable sessions for eCommerce teams.

10. Brand Storytelling That Drives Revenue (Feb 26)

    On the final day, the focus shifts to growth through brand and content.

    Adeela Hussain Johnson shares how authentic storytelling and founder-led content helped scale the brand to over $200M, turning everyday customer moments into a powerful acquisition engine.

    Additional sessions explore how creator partnerships, TikTok Shop, and community-led growth are becoming core revenue drivers.

11. C-Level Strategy: Scaling, Funding & Leading Through Change (Feb 26)

    Executive panels featuring leaders from Society6, Polysleep, Laundry Sauce, and Spot & Tango focus on what it takes to scale in a volatile market, from funding strategies to operational agility.

    There are also leadership sessions on navigating uncertainty, preventing burnout, and building resilient teams in an AI-driven environment.

12. Networking, Retailer-Only Sessions & Real Conversations

    Beyond the stage, some of the most valuable moments happen in:

    • Retailer-only Q&A Lounges
    • Peer roundtables
    • Expo networking breaks
    • Meet-and-greet lunches

    There are even wellness sessions like morning Pilates and yoga – because at eTail 2026, relationship-building happens everywhere, not just in sessions.

Popular Attractions in Palm Springs, CA

If you’re arriving early for eTail 2026 or planning to stay a day or two after the conference, Palm Springs makes it easy to turn a business trip into a quick recharge. The area is known for its mix of outdoor adventure, design culture, and low-key luxury, perfect for clearing your head after four days of sessions and networking.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

One of the most iconic experiences in the area, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you from the desert floor up to the cooler alpine environment of Mount San Jacinto State Park. In about 10 minutes, you’ll move from palm trees to pine forests, with hiking trails and panoramic views waiting at the top. It’s an easy half-day reset if you need some quiet after the conference intensity.

Indian Canyons & Tahquitz Canyon

If you prefer something more active, the Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon offer scenic hiking through palm oases, waterfalls, and dramatic desert landscapes. Guided walks and horseback tours are also available, making this one of the best ways to experience the natural side of the Coachella Valley

Midcentury Design & Art Culture

Palm Springs is a hub for midcentury modern architecture and desert art culture. The Palm Springs Art Museum, local galleries, and self-guided architecture tours are great options if you want something cultural but relaxed. Public art installations and design-focused neighborhoods make even a casual walk feel like an experience.

Shopping & Dining: El Paseo District

Often called the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert,” El Paseo in nearby Palm Desert is the go-to spot for upscale shopping, boutique brands, and excellent restaurants. It’s also a popular informal networking spot where conference conversations often continue over dinner or drinks.

Relax the Palm Springs Way: Mineral Spas & Hot Springs

Nearby Desert Hot Springs, known as California’s “Spa City,” offers mineral-rich waters perfect for relaxing between busy event days. Try The Spa at Séc-he for modern soaking pools, Azure Palm Hot Springs for scenic mountain views, or Two Bunch Palms for a peaceful, adults-only retreat. Even a few hours here can recharge you before heading home.

Golf, Hiking & the BMW Experience

Palm Springs is known for the outdoor experiences that make it easy to turn a business trip into something memorable.

World-class golf is one of the area’s biggest draws. With more than 100 courses across the Coachella Valley, the desert landscape delivers wide fairways, mountain backdrops, and year-round play. Courses around Palm Desert and La Quinta are especially popular for early-morning rounds before the conference day begins.

Trails in Indian Canyons, Tahquitz Canyon, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway area offer everything from short scenic walks to more challenging climbs. The views alone are worth the effort, especially at sunrise or sunset when the desert light hits the mountains.

For something completely different, the region is also home to the BMW Performance Driving School West at the Thermal track. This isn’t a showroom experience; it’s a full hands-on driving program where you can test high-performance BMW vehicles on a closed course, learning advanced handling, braking, and control techniques.

Set against a mountain backdrop, it’s one of the more unique corporate-trip add-ons in the area and a great option for team outings or post-event adrenaline.

Nightlife: Where the City Comes Alive

Palm Springs nightlife is more social and stylish, making it ideal for networking, team outings, or relaxed evenings after conference sessions.

Downtown Palm Canyon Drive is the main nightlife hub, offering:

• Cocktail lounges
• Wine bars
• Live music venues
• Late-night restaurants

Popular nightlife spots:

• Bootlegger Tiki – Craft tiki cocktails in a fun, intimate setting.
• Seymour’s – A hidden speakeasy-style cocktail bar behind Mr. Lyons Steakhouse.
• The Village Pub – A casual local favorite with dancing and late-night energy.
• Chill Bar – Open-air cocktails and a lively social crowd.
• Rooftop 262 – One of the few rooftop venues with great mountain views.

Local Favorites & Food Experiences

Palm Springs has a food scene that perfectly matches its vibe – relaxed, stylish, and built around fresh California flavors. Expect seasonal ingredients, outdoor dining, and menus influenced by Mexican, Southwestern, and modern American cuisine. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast before sessions or planning a team dinner after a long day, the city makes eating well easy.

Here are a few local experiences worth working into your schedule.

Start with the brunch culture.

Brunch is practically a Palm Springs ritual. Think avocado-forward dishes, house-made pastries, craft coffee, and sunny patio seating, the perfect way to ease into a conference day or recover after a late night of networking.

Try something with local Medjool dates.

The Coachella Valley is famous for its date farms, and you’ll find the region’s signature fruit everywhere, from classic date shakes to desserts and even savory dishes featuring locally grown Medjool dates.

Lean into modern Mexican and Southwest flavors.

Fresh tacos, ceviche, house-made salsas, and strong margaritas are staples here. The cuisine reflects the desert’s bold, vibrant character and is ideal for casual team meals or post-session meetups.

Look for farm-to-table menus.

Many Palm Springs restaurants highlight locally sourced produce and seasonal ingredients, giving the dining scene a fresh, California-first feel that changes throughout the year.

Popular Dining Spots Near Downtown

• Workshop Kitchen + Bar – A standout for upscale farm-to-table dining, set in a striking industrial-modern space that’s great for client dinners or team outings.
• Tac/Quila – One of the city’s top Mexican restaurants, known for authentic flavors and an impressive tequila selection.
• Cheeky’s – A local brunch favorite. Go early – the line is part of the experience.
• The Tropicale – A lively, retro-style spot with strong cocktails and a diverse menu that works well for groups.
• Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge – Bright, modern, and ideal for larger dinners or informal networking with colleagues.

Visit Digital Web Solutions at eTail Palm Springs, CA 2026

If you’re attending eTail Palm Springs, CA 2026, we’d love to connect. Digital Web Solutions is proud to be a sponsor this year, and our team will be on-site throughout the event to meet retailers, marketers, and growth leaders looking to stay ahead in an AI-first search landscape.

Digital Web Solutions has been driving measurable SEO growth since 2005, partnering with agencies and direct brands to build authority that translates into real revenue impact. Today, we support scalable link acquisition and Digital PR campaigns powered by 250K+ publisher connections and advanced competitor intelligence.

As discovery shifts toward ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and zero-click search experiences, traditional SEO alone is no longer enough. Rankings are influenced by brand authority, credible mentions, and how often your brand is surfaced across trusted publications and AI systems.

To support eTail attendees, we’re offering an exclusive Free 90-Day AIO Growth Sprint Plan (worth $1,000). In a 30-minute session, you’ll receive a live AI visibility audit, competitor insights, and a custom roadmap to help your products get recommended by AI within 90 days. Only 10 spots are available, and the offer expires March 10.

Book your session here: https://lunacal.ai/team/dws/dws-meetings

Our global team is excited to meet, exchange ideas, and explore how we can help you grow your brand’s visibility in the AI era.