An estimated $300 billion of incremental enterprise revenue will be created from AI in 2025. The evolution of traditional AI and the advent of generative AI represent a sea change for retail and foodservice, and opportunities abound for c-store retailers. But how do you begin to take advantage of what AI can do?

Who is your food offering competition? For many, the answer is other convenience operators. However, if the chain has an MTO program, it includes QSR outlets. Further, and more encompassing, with our ability to offer perishable foods and some exceptional center store items for ready to eat, ready to heat or ready to prepare, the competition may also be the grocery deli, café or bodega down the road.

Foodservice & Food Retail Marketing must become a more strategic focus if convenience operators are going to effectively compete with their identified competitive set, whether QSR, Fast Casual, grocery, other convenience outlets or something else. With better food offerings and in many instances great value for consumers, retailers have a tremendous opportunity to market their foodservice, perishable grocery items and other retail food products in a more succinct manner.

During this panel discussion, our guests will discuss the steps to foundational marketing strategy development, organizational opportunities to foster marketing strategy, Consumer identification (the basis of marketing strategy), use occasions and marketing strategies, and how marketing influences merchandising tactics.

The 2024 Elections and the Industry: Federal and state elections in 2024 could bring substantial changes to your business. A bipartisan panel of political experts with decades of campaign experience will preview the 2024 elections and discuss recent polling of issues that are important to your business that could be affected by the outcome.

In lieu of a traditional store-tour, we have prepared an overview of non-convenience/non-fuel retail innovations near the event hotel that offer unique features and offers that c-store operators can use as inspiration for their own growth. There is dedicated time for attendees to explore the retail sites through out the week! Walking directions will be provided. Grab a friend and add a learning moment to your walk to dinner. What you'll see: 1. Grocery format with made to order food stalls 2. Small format with a quirky planogram 3. Shipping containers used as food stalls in a flexible community space

Ensuring the success of the next generation of leadership in your company can be a long and robust training process. When your business is family run, the process can be even more intricate. Hear from prominent family run convenience leaders on how they’ve approached the organization and implementation of change when it’s time for generational transitions. We’ll discuss strategy, successes, and potential hazards that all leaders can learn from as they work to safeguard business continuity for generations to come.

This session will run concurrently with the Leadership Discovery Program.

When you chose to attend an industry conference, you're investing time and money towards developing your business and yourself.  NAG Convenience is a group that is passionate about returning on that investment. We're much more than an annual conference and while we are celebrating 40 years of NAG,  this is our opportunity to accelerate the commitment we make to support you and the industry all year round. 

This session will contain (3) 25-minute interactive segments:

1. The National Advisory Group 

2. The Next 40 Years 

3. First Timer's Deep Dive 

Staffing shortages continue to pose major challenges for c-store retailers. This session explores staffing trends in the industry and how some retailers are positioning themselves to attract and retain employees in today’s tough labor market. Managing scheduling, appealing to Gen Z, investing in training and offering sought after benefits is just the start. In this session we will zoom out on best practices and explore strategies to empower your workforce as an asset to your company.

Some car manufacturers have pledged to become 100% electric while power grids around the country struggle to endure extreme summer heat and winter frosts. Will looming policies make it easier to own an EV? How will convenience retailers be empowered to compete as a fuel provider even if EV is not in high demand in their community? This session will be a deep dive into the complex world of operating a convenience store amongst electric vehicle policies, threats, and unexpected opportunities.

Before you go, we'll review the key take aways from the event and send you off with tips and tricks to keep the learnings top of mind when you get home.