As the c-store industry enters the second half of 2026, retailers, suppliers and other industry executives have checked many major events off their calendar and are turning their attention toward the NACS Show — the biggest convenience store conference in the U.S.
But there are a few other intriguing conferences still left in the year, including supplier-focused McLane Engage and events like Convenience Retailing University and C-Store TEC that can help convenience retailers network and improve all facets of their businesses.
Here’s a rundown of the c-store industry conferences to keep on your radar for the rest of 2026.
Top convenience store conferences in 2026
Outlook Leadership Conference
Aug. 4-6
Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
CSP’s Outlook Leadership Conference gives c-store retailers three days to unpack some of the biggest trends and top challenges within the industry. The 2025 forum featured education sessions on c-store tech strategies, engaging younger consumers in the workforce, coffee trends and flavor-focused foodservice innovation.
McLane Engage
Aug. 25-27
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas
This invitation-only event held by McLane, one of the top c-store distributors in the U.S., brings together over 100 exhibitors for three days of networking, education sessions and new product launches.
Speakers for the 2026 expo include McLane executives, including president and CEO Tony Frankenberger, and the schedule shows an expo hall, customer educational sessions and a supplier summit.
The NACS Show
Oct. 6-9
Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas
The c-store industry’s biggest annual show heads back to Las Vegas in 2026. Every year, the NACS Show attracts more than 23,000 industry leaders from around the globe, who gather for educational workshops, for buying and selling opportunities and to eat as much jerky as humanly possible.
Speakers at the 2026 show include Jay Ellingson, chief operating officer of Kwik Trip; Brian Ferguson, chief marketing officer for EG America; and Elizabeth Hoffer, vice president of Weigel’s.
C-Store TEC
Oct. 27-29
Westin Chicago Lombard in Chicago
CSP’s C-Store TEC forum is back in 2026 to help convenience retailers learn about new technologies and strategies they can use to evolve their businesses.
The lineup for the 2026 show includes top tech leaders from retailers including 7-Eleven, Refuel Operating Company, RaceTrac, Circle K and Royal Farms, discussing topics like AI, store modernization and retail media.
NACS Innovation Leadership Program
Nov. 1-6
MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Massachusetts
NACS’ innovation-specific program helps c-store retailers learn research-based management frameworks. It also gives them the chance to participate in hands-on applications that will help them improve their businesses.
Main topics include building an innovative culture, recognizing and overcoming mental hurdles, leveraging design thinking and developing digital business models.
Disclosure: CSP is part of Informa, the company that owns a controlling stake in Informa TechTarget, publisher of C-Store Dive.
