The

GOLDEN CART

Awards
Inaugural Awards//September 17, 2026//Cipriani Wall Street
Curated by CartStars. Presented by Klaviyo.
Press Room
press@cartstars.com
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High-resolution logos, judge headshots, venue photography, and pre-written blurbs available on request.
By the Numbers
749
Brand-Side eCommerce Leaders
15
Awards
1 in 3
C-Level Executives
1 in 3
At $100M+ Companies
3.5
Years in the Making
1 Night
September 17, 2026
The Ecosystem
Steve Madden· Betsy Johnson· Cuyana· PSD Underwear· Vera Bradley· Milk Makeup· BEARPAW· Felina· Vans· New York & Company· Bonobos· Phoenix· Klaviyo· Steve Madden· Betsy Johnson· Cuyana· PSD Underwear· Vera Bradley· Milk Makeup· BEARPAW· Felina· Vans· New York & Company· Bonobos· Phoenix· Klaviyo·
Story Angles
Three Stories
You Can Write
"eCommerce Gets Its SAG Awards"
For the first time, the eCommerce industry has a peer-nominated, independently judged awards ceremony. No pay-to-play, no sponsored categories. Every nominee chosen by peers who have seen the work firsthand.
"The more limitations we put on, the more we struggle. These awards should be open -- let the work speak for itself and let the judges decide. That's what makes it real." Colleen Waters, Vice President, E-Commerce, Steve Madden
"Inside the 749-Brand Community Behind the Golden Cart"
CartStars spent 3.5 years building an ecosystem of 749 brand-side eCommerce leaders -- 1 in 3 are C-Level executives, 1 in 3 are at $100M+ companies, and 3 in 4 are on Shopify. The Golden Cart Awards are the public expression of what that ecosystem built behind closed doors.
"What makes these awards different is that they come from the ecosystem itself. The nominations, the signals -- they come from people who have actually seen the work. That is the most powerful form of validation there is." Joan Morales, Americas Field & Global Partner Marketing, VP, Klaviyo
"Cipriani Wall Street Hosts First-Ever Peer-Nominated Commerce Awards"
The same venue that hosted the Peabody Awards and the Gotham Awards will host the inaugural Golden Cart Awards on September 17. Red carpet, seated dinner, 15 awards -- a signal that eCommerce has arrived as an industry that celebrates its own.
"The people who win awards like these usually have their hands in multiple buckets. That is what makes them recognizable -- they touch more parts of the business than anyone expects. This ceremony is about celebrating exactly that." Laura Cantor, VP of Marketing & Ecommerce, New York & Company
The Event
Inaugural Ceremony
Date
September 17, 2026
Venue
Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street, NYC Built in 1910. Sixty-foot vaulted ceilings. Corinthian columns. 25,000 square feet. Previously hosted the Peabody Awards, Gotham Awards.
Format
Red carpet, VIP cocktail, seated dinner, awards ceremony
Awards
15 categories -- People, Brand, Vendor, Event, Golden Cart
Presented by
Klaviyo
Curated by
CartStars
The Panel
Independent
Judging Panel
Colleen Waters
Colleen Waters
Vice President, E-Commerce, Steve Madden
One of the most respected digital commerce leaders in the industry. Colleen transformed Steve Madden's direct-to-consumer business and brings deep expertise in omnichannel strategy and brand-building at scale.
Available for interview -- press@cartstars.com
Joan Morales
Joan Morales
Americas Field & Global Partner Marketing, VP, Klaviyo
Representing Klaviyo at the intersection of technology and brand growth, Joan brings deep relationships across the eCommerce ecosystem and a unique vantage point on how the best brands scale.
Available for interview -- press@cartstars.com
Laura Cantor
Laura Cantor
VP of Marketing & Ecommerce, New York & Company
A seasoned operator spanning performance marketing, loyalty, retention, and digital transformation across major brands. Laura brings both strategic perspective and hands-on experience at the highest level of eCommerce leadership.
Available for interview -- press@cartstars.com
Additional panel members will be announced in the coming weeks.
About
CartStars

An ecosystem of 749 brand-side eCommerce leaders. 1 in 3 are C-Level executives. 1 in 3 are at $100M+ companies. 3 in 4 are on Shopify. Built over 3.5 years on one principle: the people actually doing the work should be learning from each other. The Golden Cart Awards are the public expression of what this ecosystem has known all along -- the people shaping how the world shops deserve to be recognized.

Visit CartStars.com
Calendar
Key Dates
June 1
Nominations Open
July 6
Nominations Close
August
Finalists Announced
Late August
Winners Notified
Confidential
September 17, 2026
The Ceremony
Cipriani Wall Street
Press Room
press@cartstars.com
Request Press Kit Request Interview
Interview requests with judges, founders, and nominees can be arranged through press@cartstars.com.