CRS Planning and Travel Tips

Customer Response Summit (CRS) is where the world’s foremost customer experience leaders come together to shape what exceptional care means. Over three days in beautiful Amelia Island, February 25–27, 2026, you’ll connect with peers from the world’s most admired brands to exchange hard-earned insights, challenge assumptions, and explore innovative approaches that raise the bar for every customer interaction.

As you plan your trip, here are some tips to help you get the most from your CRS experience.

Before You Go

What your registration includes:

  • Full access to the three-day summit: general sessions, breakouts, welcome reception, Innovations Lab, evening events, and networking opportunities.
  • Box lunch on Day 1.
  • Breakfast, networking breaks, lunch on Days 2 and 3, and dinner during the Welcome Reception and Red Carpet Gala.

What’s not included: transportation to/from the summit and hotel accommodations.

Planning Tips

Early-Bird Registration Deadline: If you haven’t already registered, register by January 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT to lock in discounted rates.

Arrivals and departures: Join us for the Networking Nightcap on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30 PM. The first session, Leader’s Choice, begins Wednesday, February 25, and the event concludes after lunch at 12:30 PM on Friday, February 27.

Book Your Hotel Early: Stay where the action happens at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Booking within the official CRS room block gives you our discounted rate. It keeps you steps away from keynotes, breakouts, the Innovations Lab, and networking events like the Welcome Reception and Red Carpet Gala. Book by January 30, 2026, to secure our exclusive room rate.

Book Your Flight: The closest airport is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), about 30 minutes from The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Book flights early for the best schedules and fares, especially if you plan to arrive in time for the Networking Nightcap on Tuesday evening. Taxis, rideshare services, and rental cars are all readily available once you land.

Arrive Early, Stay for the Entire Conference: Many attendees arrive a day early to settle in, meet peers, or enjoy a bit of downtime before sessions begin. Consider coming in for the Networking Nightcap to ease into the week, and staying through Friday afternoon to fully experience the closing sessions and lunch before you depart.

Set Clear Goals

Before you arrive, define what success looks like for you. Are you focused on:

  • Building new partnerships and a trusted peer network?
  • Learning how others are using AI, agentic systems, and data to transform CX?
  • Gathering case studies and playbooks you can bring back to your leadership team?

Setting 2–3 clear goals will help you prioritize keynotes, panels, workshops, and conversations that matter most.

Review the Agenda

Take a few minutes to browse the conference agenda beforehand. Highlight sessions tied to your goals but leave room for discovery. Some of the best ideas come from sessions or hallway conversations you didn’t plan on.

As we get closer to the event, you’ll receive an email from [email protected] to select your optional sessions. These choices will appear in the event app when it goes live (about two weeks before the conference).

You can view the speaker lineup here.

Stay Organized with the Conference App

Download the official CRS app once it’s available. Use it to:

  • View the full agenda and build your personal schedule
  • Learn more about speakers and session details
  • Receive real-time updates and room changes
  • Track social events like the Welcome Reception, Innovations Lab, and Red Carpet Gala
  • Connect with other attendees and partners

Participate and Engage

Ask questions, share your wins and challenges, and lean into the candid Q&A. The most impactful learning often happens through peer-to-peer dialogue and the hard-won lessons leaders don’t usually share at larger conferences.

Attend the Networking Events

Connection is at the heart of CRS. Be sure to check out:

  • Networking Nightcap: Ease into the week with relaxed conversation the evening before sessions begin.
  • Welcome Reception: Kick off the Summit with lively conversation and introductions.
  • Innovations Lab: Explore live demos, compare notes on real-world CX solutions, and meet partners and peers.
  • Cocktail Hour + Red Carpet Gala: Celebrate 15 years of CX excellence with live music, great food, and memorable conversations.

These touchpoints are where long-term relationships and future collaborations are born.

Attend the Sessions

Every session is designed to deliver practical, actionable value. You can view the sessions here.

  • Inspiring Keynotes: Bold ideas and real stories from leading CX voices.
  • Panel Discussions: Diverse perspectives on today’s toughest CX challenges and future opportunities.
  • Breakout Sessions: Hands-on workshops, tech forums, and shop talks that dig into the “how.”
  • Case Studies: Partner-customer stories with real metrics, lessons learned, and what they’d do differently.
  • Opening-Day Sessions: Focused 60-minute sessions with clear objectives, discussions, and exercises.

You’ll leave with strategies, frameworks, and next steps you can implement.

Pack with Purpose

There’s no official dress code, but here’s what most attendees choose:

  • Daytime: Business casual is ideal for conference sessions.
  • Evening: Business attire, semi-formal, or formal wear is appropriate for the Red Carpet Gala.
  • Leisure: Don’t forget to pack for those beach walks or exploring historic downtown.

Experience Amelia Island

Build in time to enjoy the setting:

  • Relax along 13 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline.
  • Dine at award-winning seafood restaurants or local favorites in Fernandina Beach.
  • Play oceanfront golf or tennis at the resort.
  • Stroll the charming shops and historic streets downtown.
  • Unwind at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, inspired by the healing power of the sea.

You’ll return home not just with new ideas, but with a true leadership reset.

Connect with the CRS Community

Your CRS experience doesn’t end when the Summit does. Start engaging with the community before you arrive and keep the momentum going afterward:

You’ll leave the conference with a trusted network you can tap into for candid feedback, brainstorming, and ongoing support long after CRS concludes.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Amelia Island!