SPECS - Store Planning, Equipment, Construction and Facilities Services Seminars 2027
Event Date
March 14–16, 2027
Location
Grapevine, TX
About This Show
AI-drafted summarySPECS (Store Planning, Equipment, Construction and Facilities Services Seminars) is a long-running B2B conference for the store development and facilities community. Organized by Chain Store Age, SPECS is a three-day trade show focused on the store development industry, bringing together leading retailers and solution providers involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants.
The program is built around education, networking and business partnering. As it enters its seventh decade, SPECS combines educational content — featuring dozens of retail experts across targeted sessions — with dynamic keynotes and plenty of networking opportunities. A hallmark of the show, the SPECS Solution Center/Exhibit Hall, spotlights products and services designed to maximize operational efficiencies and provide a better in-store experience.
The event is designed for professionals across retail, restaurant and non-traditional concepts. Past editions have attracted attendees across all sectors of the industry — from discounters, specialty stores and supermarkets to convenience stores and home-improvement centers, with restaurants and specialty concepts including financial and health care also in attendance. For decision-makers in construction, design, real estate and facilities management, SPECS offers a concentrated forum to source solutions and forge partnerships.
Show Highlights
- Educational program: SPECS 2026 combined educational content featuring more than 50 retail experts across 25 targeted sessions with dynamic keynotes and networking opportunities.
- SPECS Solution Center / Exhibit Hall: a signature feature spotlighting products and services designed to maximize operational efficiencies and provide a better in-store experience.
- Session topics have spanned emerging store-development trends. Recent educational sessions have included Construction Innovations: 3D Concrete Printing, Robotics and More; Renewable Energy Trends: Emerging Technologies; and Dark Space Management: Avoiding Lease Liabilities.
- Keynote programming: past shows have featured high-profile keynotes, including business and celebrity speakers.
- Business partnering: structured opportunities for retailers and solution providers to make connections with high-level decision-makers across the industry.
Registration
Registration for SPECS is handled through the official show website, specsshow.com, where attendees can register online ahead of the event. SPECS is a trade event and is not open to the public.
For registration questions, the show lists a dedicated contact: Farida Batuta at Chain Store Age (212.756.5269). Specific 2027 pass types, pricing and deadlines had not been published at the time of writing — check the official website for the latest details.
History
SPECS was first held in 1965, and the 2026 event marked its 62nd edition. The show is organized by Chain Store Age, a three-day trade show focused on the store development industry. Over the decades it has become one of the retail industry's longest-running and most impactful events, covering the full gamut of the physical space.
The conference has rotated among major Gaylord resort venues, including the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas (2022, 2023, 2025) and the Gaylord National near Washington, D.C. (2026). Chain Store Age produces the show under its EnsembleIQ media umbrella.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is SPECS 2027 taking place?
SPECS 2027 is scheduled for March 14-16, 2027, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, just outside Dallas.
Who should attend SPECS?
SPECS is designed for retailers and solution providers involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants, including professionals in construction, facilities management, real estate, design and engineering. It is a trade event and is not open to the general public.
Who organizes SPECS?
The show is produced exclusively by Chain Store Age, which is part of the media company EnsembleIQ.
How do I register for SPECS?
Registration is handled online through the official website at specsshow.com. For registration questions, the show lists Farida Batuta at Chain Store Age (212.756.5269) as the contact.
What makes SPECS worth attending?
SPECS offers three days of educational sessions, keynote presentations and dedicated business partnering, plus the SPECS Solution Center/Exhibit Hall showcasing products and services for store operations. It is one of the retail industry's longest-running events focused entirely on physical retail space.
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