City at night with light trails
VIP Awards 2027 · NYC

Celebrating Retail Innovation & Strategic Partnerships

The VIP Awards honor the vendors, partners, and people who are shaping the future of retail, through bold collaboration, real innovation, and principled relationships.

Awards Gala
Jan 8, 2027
New York City

Nominations Hub

Overview of the process

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Guidelines for a great entry

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Benefits across the entire Awards season

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WHAT ARE THE VIP AWARDS?

The VIP Awards aren't about stuffy speeches or checking a box. They're about celebrating the people, your friends, and shaping retail with the heart of partnership. We're different. We're bold, fun, and create the kind of experience you want to be part of. The night, the warmth, the reunion that everyone wants in on.

Awards & Categories

What to Expect during the VIP Awards Season

JUDGES

Rooted in Retail Leadership

Our panel of judges are seasoned retail leaders who have built, managed, and transformed industry businesses. They recognize genuine innovation because they’ve lived it. Each judge participates out of a shared belief in our ethos: celebrating principled partnerships, transparent collaboration, and solution strategists who deliver real value to the retail community.
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EVENT SCHEDULE

NYC VIP: Jan 8, 2027
Join us for a magical evening of cocktails, networking, fabulous attire, winners, & awards!

06:00 Arrival & Cocktail Reception
07:00 Award Ceremony Commences
08:00 Dinner & Keynote Address
08:45 Award Ceremony Continues
10:00 Awards Evening Concludes
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EMCEE: Billy May

Billy is the CEO and Board Director of Brooklinen, committed to delivering high-quality, affordable home essentials. With extensive retail experience, he has held leadership roles at URBN, J. Crew Group, Sur La Table, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Adidas Group, where he helped drive major business transformations and brand growth. At J. Crew, he played a key role in steering the company through a successful Chapter 11 restructuring, and at Sur La Table, he revitalized the brand and executed a successful refinancing effort. In recognition of his leadership, Billy was named to the NRF Foundation’s 2026; List of People Shaping Retail's Future. He also serves as a Senior Advisor at 35 West Group and sits on the Board of Advisors for the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at The Wharton School. With a passion for innovation and collaborative leadership, Billy continues to make a lasting impact on the retail industry.
VENDORS IN PARTNERSHIP

Key Dates & Awards Milestones

Follow the journey from nominations to our culminating evening of celebration.

Friday, September 16, 2026

Early Bird Ends

Friday, October 16, 2026

Nominations Close

Monday, November 2, 2026

Voting & Judging Opens

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Voting & Judging Closes

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Finalists Announced

GRAND FINALE

Thursday, January 8, 2027

VIP Awards Night

VENDORS IN PARTNERSHIP

Key Dates & Awards Milestones

Follow the journey from nominations to our culminating evening of celebration. Mark your calendars for the premier event honoring retail partnerships.

Friday, September 16,
2026

Early Bird
Ends

Friday, October 16,
2026

Nominations
Close

Monday, November 2,
2026

Voting & Judging Opens

Saturday, November 21,
2026

Voting & Judging Closes

Wednesday, December 2,
2026

Finalists Announced

Thursday, January 8,
2027

GRAND FINALE

VIP Awards Night

In Case You Missed It

The Moments That Made Last Year Unforgettable

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