The Bedding Industry is Always Evolving. So Are We.

A Premier Event of

furniture-today

05.12.26

  • May 12–14, 2026
  • Sunseeker Resort | Charlotte Harbor, FL

What is SleepNXT?

SleepNXT is the premiere event for innovation in the sleep industry. We unite retailers, manufacturers, and service providers in one dynamic space to exchange ideas, test products, and build what’s next for sleep.

  • Exchange ground-breaking ideas
  • Test next-gen products
  • Shape the future of retail

Who Attends?

SleepNXT attracts leaders from across the bedding, mattress, and home furnishings ecosystem—including traditional and hybrid retailers, ecommerce brands, and major big-box stores.

The Decision Makers

C-suite executives, VPs, and Directors overseeing merchandising, sales, sourcing, and engineering.

The Innovators

Product innovation leads and R&D specialists looking for the next breakthrough.

OPERATE & GROW
MERCHANDISE & INNOVATE

What to Expect

Practical strategies, industry connections, and data-driven insights you can’t get anywhere else.

Retailer-Led Content

Sessions rooted in real challenges: marketing, staffing, product innovation, and CX.

Tactics for Tomorrow

Practical strategies, tools, and scripts designed to boost conversions immediately.

Ecosystem Connection

A rare environment where manufacturers and retailers actually solve shared challenges.

Data-Driven Answers

Guidance to refine assortments and margins powered by Furniture Today intelligence.

20+ Sessions

Actionable insights covering retail strategy, consumer shifts, and emerging tech trends.

25+ Speakers

Hear directly from C-suite leaders and disruptors shaping the future of sleep retail.

2 Content Tracks

Targeted learning paths designed specifically for Merchandising and Operations leaders.

Innovation Zone Exhibits

Experience next-gen materials and smart-sleep technology before it hits the market.

Interactive Workshops

Roll up your sleeves in collaborative sessions to solve real-world retail challenges.

Dedicated Meetings

Private networking blocks designed to foster meaningful partnerships.

Agenda

May 12

  • 12:30pm — Golf Tournament – Aileron Golf Club @ SunSeeker Resort
  • 5:00pm – 7:00pm — Sunset Party – Tide’s Edge @ SunSeeker Resort

May 13 — Conference Day 1

  • 8:00 — Registration, Exhibits & Breakfast

  • 8:55 — Opening Remarks

  • 9:00 — Opening Keynote: “The AI Awakening — How Technology is Rewriting the Rules of Selling Sleep”

  • 9:30 — Keynote Panel: From Mattress to Ecosystem: Building a Sleep Brand Consumers Trust

  • 10:15 — Networking, Meetings & Exhibits

TRACK 1 — Operate & Grow (People • Process • Profit)

  • 10:45 — Hire / Fire / Inspire: The New Labor Playbook

  • 11:05 — Panel: Moving Sleep: Solving the Supply Chain for Bulky, High-Expectation Products

  • 11:45 — Upsell Like a Pro: Turning Every Ticket into a Treasure

  • 1:20 — After the Sale: The Forgotten Profit Center

  • 1:40 — Panel: Is Mattress Manufacturing Over-Engineered — or Not Engineered Enough?

  • 2:20 — Workshops — “The Sleep Sessions”

    • Operational Excellence: Streamline fulfillment, delivery, and returns.

TRACK 2 — Merchandise & Innovate (Assortment • Experience • Margin)

  • 10:45 — Sleep Disrupted: What Consumers Want in 2026

  • 11:05 — Panel: Smart Sleep Tech — Turning Data, Sensors & AI into Consumer Value

  • 11:45 — Whatever Happened to Sustainability?

  • 1:20 — From Bedrooms to Boardrooms: The B2B Boom

  • 1:40 — Panel: AI in the Sleep Business — From Demand Forecasting to Final Delivery

  • 2:20 — Workshops — “The Sleep Sessions”

    • Social Selling Bootcamp: Build your influencer and video toolkit.

    • SleepAI: Test AI tools that personalize customer journeys.

May 13 — Conference Day 1

  • 12:05 — Lunch, Meetings & Exhibits

  • 3:05 — SleepNXT and WITHIT Panel: Breaking the Glass Ceiling in the Bedding Industry — Women Leading Change

  • 4:05 — End of Day 1 Programming

  • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM — Cocktail Party (Sponsored by Ashley Furniture)

  • Awards Dinner

May 14 — Conference Day 2

  • 8:00 — Registration, Exhibits & Breakfast

  • 9:00 — Fireside Chat: “The State of Sleep”
    An economist and a leading retailer decode consumer spending, housing, and retail demand for the next 18 months.

  • 9:30 — Marketing That Works (and What Doesn’t)
    A crash course in campaigns that actually move mattresses—from influencer collaborations to geo-targeted ads and local events.
    You’ll leave with: A ready-to-run content and ad checklist.

  • 10:00 — Networking, Meetings & Exhibits

  • 10:30 — Closing Keynote: “The Frictionless Future”
    A look ahead at how the business of sleep will evolve—from predictive logistics to AI-driven comfort personalization—and what it means for every link in the supply chain.

Sponsors & Supporting Companies

Join Us at the Sunset Party

Join us at the opening night reception in sunset style at the SunSeeker Resort’s top event space, situated right on the water and west facing for picturesque sunsets

Innovation Zone Exhibits

The Innovation Zone will feature exhibits from the industry’s most cutting-edge companies.

  • Retail & Consumer Experience
  • Bedding, Materials & Manufacturing
  • AI & Tech

Each innovation zone exhibit will be visited by a panel of judges, who consist of retailers and advisory board members Based on a scoring sheet, the judges will compile their results and select the most innovative product/company from each of the 3 categories (1 winner per category).

Winners will be announced later that evening at the awards dinner. Each winner will be given the opportunity to go on stage and give a short acceptance speech. Each winner will also receive a free branding opportunity at SleepNXT 2027.

Swing Into SleepNXT

Level up your game at Aileron Golf Club. French for “little wing,” Aileron takes its name from the trailing edges of an aircraft wing, which help stabilize and steer during flight — and just as ailerons guide a plane, this world-class course will guide your golf game to new heights. Home to lush greens, year-round sun, and distinctive course design, this golf experience is the perfect way to kick off your SleepNXT event experience with attendees for optimal networking and fun.

Workshops

Hands-On, Interactive Workshops That Drive Real Results
SleepNXT’s interactive workshops are designed to move beyond theory and into real-world application. These highly engaging, small-group sessions give attendees the opportunity to roll up their sleeves, ask questions, and walk away with practical strategies they can implement immediately.

Our workshops focus on three critical pillars shaping the future of sleep and retail:

AI & Technology

Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming everything from demand forecasting and personalization to customer engagement, inventory planning, and operational efficiency. These sessions demystify AI and focus on real use cases, tools, and next steps.

Operations & Supply Chain

Dive into strategies for optimizing logistics, improving margins, increasing speed to market, and navigating today’s complex supply-chain environment with confidence and resilience.

Merchandising & Retail Strategy

Learn how to build smarter assortments, tell better product stories, optimize floor sets, and align merchandising decisions with evolving consumer expectations.

Led by industry experts and practitioners, these workshops encourage open discussion, peer-to-peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving. Whether you’re a retailer, manufacturer, supplier, or service provider, SleepNXT’s workshops are built to deliver actionable insights, meaningful dialogue, and tangible takeaways — making them one of the most valuable experiences of the conference.

Venue

We’re thrilled to host SleepNXT at the spectacular SunSeeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio Collection by Hilton, a premier waterfront resort destination that perfectly complements the energy and innovation of our conference.

Set on scenic Charlotte Harbor with breathtaking water views and luxurious coastal-inspired design, the SunSeeker Resort delivers a blend of relaxation, style, and world-class amenities that make every stay memorable. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in comfort — with beautifully appointed guest rooms and signature Sunsuites™, premium bedding, and thoughtful touches throughout.
After a day of sessions, unwind with a choice of seven on-site restaurants, multiple bars and lounges, two outdoor pools (including a rooftop oasis), and a full-service spa and wellness center. Stay active in the 24-hour fitness facility, enjoy waterfront strolls, or simply soak in spectacular sunsets over the harbor.
Whether you’re attending sessions, meeting with peers, or exploring downtown Punta Gorda, SunSeeker sets the stage for a truly exceptional SleepNXT experience.