The Real ROI of Retail Media Events: Are Work Trips Still Worth It in 2026?

Today I’m taking you behind the scenes of a packed stretch of travel — three major industry events in just a few days — and using it as a jumping-off point to unpack a bigger question: are work trips and in-person events still worth it in today’s commerce media landscape?I dive into fresh data from my LinkedIn poll and explore the growing divide between those constantly on the road and those opting out entirely. I talk about budget pressures, decision fatigue, and the real, often unspoken value of being in the room. If you’ve ever felt torn between FOMO and JOMO when it comes to industry events, this episode will give you a clearer lens on how to think about where and when to show up.This episode is sponsored by Mirakl AdsTimeline[00:00] – A whirlwind week: juggling three major commerce media events across multiple cities[01:00] – Why I ran a LinkedIn poll on event attendance and what sparked the question[01:45] – The surprising stat: 28% of industry professionals aren’t attending any events[02:45] – The real reason behind declining attendance: budget pressure vs. calendar overload[03:30] – The explosion of commerce media events and why choosing is harder than ever[05:00] – Decision fatigue, FOMO vs. JOMO, and the emotional side of skipping events[06:00] – What makes an event truly worth attending in 2026Links & ResourcesRead my related articles:Writing From the Middle of the RoomMy Media DietGet On The Damn StageI am sharing comedy skits on Instagram about retail media! Follow along: @retailmediabreakfastclubSubscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn