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Conference

Registration Now OpenSeptember 21st - 23rdKnoxville, Tennessee

Fall 2026 National Training Conference

Hear from experts in the thrift industry at this 3-day training conference in Knoxville, TN. Check out the schedule below for a list of topics being covered.

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What to Expect

Practical training for operators who need usable next steps.

SMCo Thrift hosts this semi-annual training conference to equip leaders to Do Thrift Better with practical sessions covering the full thrift workflow, from donations and pricing to retail operations, leadership, and metrics.

What You'll Learn

How donations, sorting, pricing, merchandising, and retail performance fit together operationally.

What stronger donor, customer, and volunteer experiences look like in day-to-day execution.

Which metrics matter most when leaders need to make informed operating decisions.

How leadership, real estate, and team systems affect sustainable thrift growth.

What Past Attendees Say

“This was hands down the best run and most useful conference I have ever attended in my career.”

“Overall a fantastic experience. It's a gift to be able to remove yourself from daily operations and have dedicated time and space to analyze and reflect.”

“I'd say that's a homerun from my standpoint. It was incredibly helpful and even enjoyable!”

“Great information presented in a simple and easily understood manner.”

Schedule

Three days of sessions, workshops, and peer conversation.

Register

Bring your team and reserve your spot.

This event is built for organizations that want both strategy and practical implementation. Teams with mixed experience levels tend to get the most value.

  • Limited seats

    We cap attendance so every operator gets real interaction.

  • Built for teams

    Bring leadership and store staff together for shared context.

  • Refundable up to 14 days

    50% refund outside the cancellation window — see policy.

Conference Registration

$550per seat
  • Admittance into the conference
  • Invitation to the first-day reception
  • Access to slides after the conference

There will be no refunds inside 14 days of the conference start date. If canceling outside of 14 days, 50% will be refunded to the card used to register. Registrations cannot be transferred to future events.

Accommodations

Hampton Inn Knoxville-West at Cedar Bluff

SMCo Thrift has a room block reserved nearby so attendees can stay close to the venue. Reserve early to take advantage of the discounted group rate.

Conference venue: Bridgewater Place, 205 Bridgewater Rd., Knoxville, TN 37923.

Book your stay

Planning your trip

  • There are several other hotels in close proximity if your team prefers another option.
  • Knoxville has strong restaurant options near the venue for dinners and informal team meetups.
  • If you stay an extra day, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains are within driving distance.

Vendors

Support the conference and connect with attendees.

Vendors play a practical role in helping attendees discover the tools and services that support stronger thrift operations. Conference vendors who attend will have a 6-foot table and booth space to interact with attendees and will be included in the attendee booklet.

  • Booth at the conference for up to two team members
  • Invitation to the attendee reception
  • Half-page advertisement in the conference workbook
  • Connection opportunities during lunch and reception
Become a vendor