Nationwide Marketing Group’s (NMG) PrimeTime event made its San Antonio, TX, debut March 15-18, 2025, drawing over 3,000 attendees—a 20% increase from last year—and 120 exhibitors to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. TWICE was in attendance at the show, and the members’ enthusiasm mirrored PrimeTime’s theme of “Power of Connection.” The event provided independent retailers with economic forecasts, digital marketing strategies, and peer-driven insights, all while fostering community engagement.
A Focus on Connection and Business Growth
NMG CEO Tom Hickman set the tone during the opening general session, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building in the independent retail industry. “This event is all about building and making connections,” he told attendees. “We want you to have conversations with your peers, vendor partners, and us.”
Matthew Leiser of Cleveland Research Center followed Hickman with a keynote address that provided an economic overview, touching on inflation, consumer spending, and key trends shaping the retail landscape in 2025. Given the economic uncertainty of the past few years, retailers in attendance were particularly interested in Leiser’s data-driven predictions and the implications for independent businesses.
“It’s a pretty interesting environment out there. Some say tough, some say challenging,” Hickman remarked in his address. “Let’s face it, the decisions we are making right now are more important than ever. The conversations and the connections that you have here at PrimeTime will shape the choices and the strategic initiatives that you put in your business for at least the next year, and certainly in what is a pretty pivotal year.“
“We know tough, right?” Hickman continued. “Our superpower is resilience and agility, the ability to turn on a dime, the ability to do things that other people won’t do for our community, for that last week, to get that customer, to build those customers for life.”
Education and Peer Insights at the Forefront
Education always plays a central role at PrimeTime, and Nationwide Learning Academy (NLA) offered over 30 member-led sessions during the show. In addition to vendor-led courses, this year’s program introduced real-world success stories from NMG members, offering practical, market-tested strategies for navigating retail challenges.
Two mainstage presentations provided additional expert insights: one from Wells Fargo on economic trends and another focused on digital marketing strategies for independent retailers. A panel discussion featuring NMG members wrapped up the digital session, highlighting the advantages of NMG OneShop, the group’s suite of digital marketing and advertising tools.
Community Engagement and Giving Back
Beyond business discussions, NMG PrimeTime emphasized corporate social responsibility through its newly formalized initiative, NMG Gives. Expanding on its previous work with No Child Hungry (NCH), NMG Gives now includes two additional charitable organizations: Smile Together and Destination Hope.
Attendees were encouraged to participate in on-site volunteer opportunities, contributing to the assembly of over 32,000 relief kits for victims of the California wildfires. This hands-on involvement reinforced the event’s broader theme of connection, not just among retailers, but within communities in need. It was uplifting to see attendees, including families with children, helping pack kits during the expo.
Exclusive Deals and Networking Events
PrimeTime also delivered on one of its biggest draws: exclusive deals. The 90-minute Palooza buying event returned, offering limited-time discounts from vendors. Other savings programs, including CashBack and show-only specials, added further value for attendees looking to maximize their purchasing power.
Outside the expo floor, the return of PrimeTime Backyard provided a relaxed atmosphere for networking and featured live music, outdoor cooking demonstrations, and lawn games, allowing attendees to engage with vendors in a more informal setting.
In a nod to San Antonio’s vibrant downtown, Nationwide hosted a River Walk block party across five restaurants on St. Patrick’s Day, creating yet another opportunity for attendees to connect outside the conference hall.
Nationwide PrimeTime will return to Nashville’s Music City Center on August 17-20, 2025.
