Apple invites retail workers to pitch in with iPhone event support

Macworld As Apple prepares for what is rumored to be one of the biggest iPhone events of all time, it’s turning to retail employees for support. In a memo to U.S. retail stores seen by Bloomberg, Apple announced a lottery system to give workers “the opportunity to participate in the Event Support Experience Program.” It’s not clear whether this is a new program, but Mark Gurman of Bloomberg notes that Apple has “relied on retail employees to help staff major product launches for years.” However, the report suggests that the lottery is new for 2026, so perhaps previous events were limited to California retail workers. In the memo, Apple says it is “excited” to offer U.S. retail workers this opportunity. The lottery doesn’t mean this year’s event will be a return to the in-person keynotes that were common before the COVID pandemic. In fact, Gurman reports that they will simply help “help organize lines, check in guests, greet attendees, offer directions