October 12, 2026
You've got your eye on CBS 2026, or you've already booked. Either way, this guide covers the practical side: where to be, when, and how to leave Chiang Mai with more than a stack of business cards.
If you want the bigger picture behind this year's "Fellowship" theme, Mike Michelini explains it in this Global From Anywhere article. What follows here is the nuts and bolts.
The essentials at a glance
- Event: Cross Border Summit 2026 (CBS 2026), "Fellowship" edition
- Dates: November 3–5, 2026
- City: Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Venue: Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel
- Language: All sessions are in English
- Who it's for: Amazon and multi-channel sellers, cross-border brand founders, and the agencies and service providers who work with them
Why Chiang Mai works for this crowd
CBS has a long history. It started in Shenzhen and has met in Chiang Mai every year since 2023, so CBS 2026 is the summit's fourth edition in the city. The city suits a gathering like this. It's big enough to have good hotels, cafés, and coworking spaces, and small enough that you'll keep running into other attendees after hours.
Chiang Mai has also been a base for remote founders and online sellers for years, so plenty of people in the room know the city well and will happily share their favourite spots. Early November usually lands at the start of northern Thailand's cooler, drier season, which is a comfortable time to visit. Check the forecast before you pack, though. A light layer for air-conditioned rooms and cooler evenings is a smart addition.
How the three days work
The summit has two parts, and your ticket decides which you attend.
Tuesday, Nov 3: Pre-Event VIP Mastermind
The first day is an invite-only roundtable for VIPs. It's built around strategic collaboration, networking, and high-level brainstorming, and it ends with a small VIP dinner. If partnerships and a quieter setting with the most experienced people in the room matter to you, this is the day to aim for.
Wednesday–Thursday, Nov 4–5: Core conference
Both conference days follow a similar pattern, according to the live schedule:
- Opening and day alignment with host Mike Michelini
- Operator talks
- Round table discussions and networking
- Rapid-fire intros
- An interactive afternoon panel or closing session
- An evening activity or afterparty
The format is meant to be interactive. Round tables and rapid-fire intros happen every day, so expect to talk as well as listen.
Getting there
Most international visitors fly into Chiang Mai International Airport. That usually means connecting through Bangkok or another regional hub, though some direct regional routes exist, so compare options when you book. Coming from elsewhere in Thailand, you can also take the overnight train or a long-distance bus from Bangkok if you have the time.
Visas: Requirements depend on your nationality, so check with the relevant Thai embassy or consulate well ahead of time. If you need an invitation letter for your application, the CBS team can provide an official one. Email support@crossbordersummit.com with your registration details and passport information.
Where to stay
Your ticket does not include a hotel, and CBS doesn't arrange or manage reservations. You have two simple options:
- Stay at the venue. Book directly with Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel or through your preferred booking site. Rolling downstairs to the morning session (and the afterparty) is hard to beat.
- Stay nearby. Plenty of other hotels and serviced apartments are close to the venue. This can suit longer stays or attendees who want a kitchen or a workspace.
Book early. Early November is a busy time of year in Chiang Mai, and the best-located rooms tend to go first.
Getting around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is easy to get around. Ride-hailing apps are widely used and are often the simplest way to get from your hotel to the venue or dinner. You'll also see red songthaews (shared pickup-truck taxis) and tuk-tuks. For those, agree on the fare before you get in. Some neighbourhoods are walkable, but sidewalks can be uneven, so give yourself extra time.
A local SIM or eSIM is cheap, and it makes ride-hailing, maps, and messaging new contacts much easier from the moment you land.
How to get the most out of CBS 2026
The attendees who get the most from CBS tend to plan ahead. A few habits help.
Decide on your two or three goals
Before you fly, write down what would make the trip worth it. Maybe it's a new 3PL contact, an answer to a PPC problem, a sourcing partner, or advice on a possible exit. Goals help you choose which conversations to start.
Prep your questions
Speakers include 7-figure sellers and operators who share real numbers. Bring specific questions about your own business, such as current ACoS, margins, or the market you're trying to enter. You'll get far better answers than you would with general ones.
Plan which speakers to catch
The lineup has 17 confirmed speakers. Talks announced so far include:
- Chip Ge (Founder, 7-figure Travel Brand): Building In-House Tools for an Ecommerce Brand
- Nick Katz, "The Japan Guy": PPC Automation, Seller Intelligence & Technical Ecommerce
- Gianmarco Meli: Human Performance Hacks for Ecommerce Operators
Also on the lineup are Tomer Rabinovich, author of Ride the Amazon Wave, China sourcing expert Lyden Smithers, e-commerce compliance consultant Leah McHugh, and supply chain strategist Jengis Gonzalez, among others. See the full lineup on 2026.crossbordersummit.com and mark the people you want to meet.
Treat round tables and intros as the main event
Talks are where you learn. Round tables, rapid-fire intros, and the evening events are where partnerships start. Have a one-sentence description of your business ready, and say clearly what you're looking for and what you can offer.
Follow up within a week
Take a quick note right after each good conversation. Send a short, specific follow-up while people still remember the conversation.
Tickets
Tickets for CBS 2026 are sold directly on the official site, and anyone can buy them:
- General: both conference days, Nov 4–5
- VIP: adds the Nov 3 VIP Mastermind and VIP dinner
- Program: includes Empower The Seller, a post-summit coaching and implementation track
At the time of writing, early-bird prices on the official site are General $725, VIP $1,329, and Program $4,299. Coming with a team? Group orders of 3–4 public tickets save 10%, and groups of 5 or more save 15%.
Questions? Email support@crossbordersummit.com. A real person replies within a day. See you in Chiang Mai.