With the dust now settling from the 2023 NACS show, retailers and suppliers alike are taking a breather.
But 2024 is just around the corner, and with it comes a fresh slate of trade shows and other events designed to give those in the industry a chance to network, learn about new products and share their experience and knowledge with one another.
NACS, the leading industry group for c-stores and an active entity in educating, connecting and advocating for retailers, could fill a list of c-store industry events all by itself — and it’s not the only one. Technology organizations, suppliers and other industry entities are planning their own shows and gatherings.
Below are eight of the top events for any c-store executives starting to make their 2024 plans.
Core-Mark Expo East
Feb. 29 at the Huntington Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland
Core-Mark Expo East is the first of five regional events hosted across the U.S. by Core-Mark, the largest marketer of consumer goods in North America. While foodservice topics and solutions may come up at many c-store events, it’s a particular focus of this show.
The company’s other expos are on March 5-6 in the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, California; March 21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta; March 28 at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois; and April 11 at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Montville, Connecticut.
NACS Leadership Forum
Feb. 13-15 at The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida
This event brings together prominent leaders of retailers and supply companies alike, focusing primarily on networking and working with industry peers to tackle emerging industry challenges. The goal is to help companies become more people focused, community centered and purpose driven, NACS noted on its website.
The speaker list for this invitation-only event includes a broad cross section of c-store, CPG and broader industry experts from companies like Coca-Cola, Alimentation Couche-Tard, Casey’s General Stores, Kwik Trip and more.
NACS Human Resources Forum
March 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida
This forum brings together HR professionals from across convenience retail to talk about questions and challenges facing the finding, hiring and retention of employees. Topics like generative AI, HR innovations and workplace safety are on the agenda.
In addition to experts from NACS, speakers for the 2024 forum also include Abby Curlin, recruitment coordinator for TXB; Julie Jackowski, former chief legal officer and secretary at Casey’s; and Shannon Trovinger, director of human resources for GPM Investments, the c-store arm of Arko.
NACS State of the Industry Summit
April 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois
This spring event gives attendees a peek at NACS’ annual State of the Industry report ahead of the official publication date.
For two days, those in attendance can learn about the shifting convenience and fuel retailing landscape, hear about burgeoning trends and get insights from retailers and industry experts on potential pitfalls and ways to optimize their businesses in light of these changes.
Conexxus Annual Conference
April 28-May 2 at the Lowes Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas
For those interested in the technology side of the c-store space, Conexxus brings together leaders from major convenience retailers at its annual conference for nearly a week of panels, keynotes, working groups and more.
Past events have included topics such as artificial intelligence, edge computing, innovation and others pushing the c-store industry forward.
Outlook Leadership Conference
Aug. 6-8 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California
CSP invites retail leaders to this three-day conference about the hottest topics in the c-store industry — with some time on the side for special events like golf or a spa day with peers.
The event includes more than 10 speakers and 400 attendees, according to the website. The 2023 conference included forums on such topics as next-gen loyalty, reducing the cost of innovation, M&A, liability laws and more.
McLane Engage
Aug. 28-30 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville
2023 was the first year that McLane, one of the top c-store distributors in the U.S., rebranded its National Trade Show to McLane Engage.
The invitation-only event for McLane’s customers includes over a hundred exhibitors, and this year it added a new product showcase to bring the latest developments to the forefront. The speaker lineup has included not just industry stars but also entrepreneurs, TV personalities and more.
The NACS Show
Oct. 7-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas
NACS is taking its flagship event back to Las Vegas in 2024.
Attendees can browse more than 400,000 square feet of show space highlighting technological innovations, an array of service demonstrations and a giant buffet of inventive new snacks and drinks. Additionally, the event offers a whole slate of educational sessions led by industry and supplier experts on topics that are top of mind for the industry.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on Nov. 28 with new information on the NACS Leadership Forum, NACS Human Resources Forum, NACS State of the Industry Summit and McLane Engage.