About Us

One Focus: Connecting Top Leaders in Retail

At Cathy Hotka & Associates, our mission is simple: to connect retail leaders, enabling them to share ideas that drive the industry forward. Through exclusive events and industry-informed content, we create opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and meaningful engagement among retail executives and technology leaders.

For Retailers: Gain unique perspectives and forge valuable connections with peers across the retail landscape.

For Technology Sponsors: Showcase offerings, strengthen industry relationships, and discover new ways to empower retailers and connect with consumers.

Cathy Hotka & Associates: Connecting Leaders, Driving Innovation

Founded in 2002, Cathy Hotka & Associates specializes in building meaningful connections between retail and technology leaders. Our mission is simple yet impactful: to create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation that move the retail industry forward.

We achieve this by:

Empowering Technology Companies: Helping them craft unforgettable retail marketing strategies and connect with the right decision-makers.

Fostering Retail Communities: Hosting exclusive events like the Store Operations Council, where senior leaders exchange insights, solve challenges, and drive transformative solutions.

Our History

Cathy speaking at the VIP Awards

Cathy Hotka’s journey in retail began in 1996 when she created the NRF CIO Council at the National Retail Federation (NRF). This groundbreaking initiative transformed how retail CIOs collaborate and innovate. During her 7 years at NRF, she also launched NRFtech, setting the stage for future industry collaboration.

After NRF, Cathy expanded her influence by working with organizations such as RILA and the Food Marketing Institute, where she continued to unite retail leaders through strategic advising and events. Her creation of the Store Operations Council further solidified her role as a leading connector in the retail industry.

Accolades and Leadership Highlights

Cathy Hotka & Associates is built on a foundation of experience, expertise, and industry recognition:

Recipient of the Computerworld Premier 100 Award

Recognized as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert

Member of the Retail AI Council Executive Leadership Council

Honored by RIS News as a Top PaceSetter

Three-time honoree on Vend’s Most Influential List

Partnerships & Impact

Cathy Hotka & Associates is proud to contribute to and partner with organizations that share our passion for innovation and community building:

Cathy serves as a Braintrust Panelist, contributing insights to one of the retail industry's leading platforms for dialogue and thought leadership.

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Bringing together key retailers and AI companies to explore advancements in technology and practical applications for the retail sector.

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Supporting events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and providing solutions for vulnerable children worldwide.

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Cathy is on the Board of Advisors for the Retail Orphan Initiative, a nonprofit coalition within the retail industry that aims to raise awareness and provide real solutions for the more than 400 million vulnerable children worldwide. Retail ROI has three main objectives:

Raising Awareness: Highlighting the global crisis of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Encouraging Corporate Programs:

Inspiring retailers, vendors, and manufacturers to create internal initiatives to help address these challenges.

Raising Funds: Supporting impactful charities through direct donations, corporate matching programs, special product campaigns, and consumer-driven initiatives like point-of-sale round-ups.

Cathy Hotka & Associates is committed to fostering impactful partnerships, driving innovation, and making meaningful contributions to the retail community and beyond.

What We Do

Cathy Hotka & Associates, LLC is a boutique marketing firm specializing in connecting cutting-edge technology companies with senior retail leaders.

We empower technology companies to craft unbeatable marketing strategies, participate in standout events, and stay front and center with the right retail decision-makers. For retailers, we curate exclusive events that bring senior leaders together across industry segments to share insights, exchange best practices, and build lasting connections.

With a global presence and clients spanning five continents, Cathy Hotka & Associates is where innovation meets opportunity in the retail world.