As the c-store industry enters the home stretch for this year, retailers, suppliers and other industry executives are planning their event schedules for 2025.
Leaders have quite a few conventions and other programs to choose from. NACS, the main association for c-stores and an active advocate for retailers, could fill a list of industry events all by itself, from focused seminars for executives in areas like leadership and human resources all the way up to the NACS Show — the biggest convenience store conference in the U.S.
But the NACS Show it’s not the only industry event worth attending. Notable vendors like McLane and Core-Mark, as well as focused events like Convenience Retailing University or the National Restaurant Show, can help convenience retailers network and learn strategies to improve their businesses.
Here’s a rundown of the c-store industry conferences to keep on your radar for 2025.
Top convenience store conferences in 2025
Conexxus Annual Conference
Jan. 26-30
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona
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 covered artificial intelligence, edge computing, innovation and other tech topics at the forefront of the c-store industry.
NACS Leadership Forum
Feb. 11-13
The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida
This event brings together prominent leaders of retailers and suppliers, focusing on networking and working with industry peers to tackle emerging industry challenges.
Speakers for 2025 include John Eichberger, executive director of the Transportation Energy Institute; Brian Hannasch, former president and CEO of Alimentation Couche-Tard; and Tom Brennan, chief merchandising officer for Casey's General Stores.
Core-Mark Expo West
Feb. 12-13
The Anaheim Convention Center: Hyatt, Sheraton and Westin Hotels in Anaheim, California
Core-Mark Expo West is the first of six 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 the core focus of this show.
Core-Mark’s other regional expos will be held between Feb. 27 and April 9.
Convenience Retailing University
Feb. 26-28
JW Marriott in Nashville, Tennessee
CSP’s category-focused form, CRU, offers c-store retailers a chance to explore innovation and best practices in category management. The three-day event features educational sessions on evolving trends and consumer habits relating to foodservice, dispensed beverages, center store, general merchandise and more.
NACS Human Resources Forum
March 24-26
Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee
This forum brings together HR professionals from across convenience retail to ask questions and discuss the industry’s challenges with finding, hiring and retaining employees. Topics like legal concerns, quality job listings and building benefits packages are on the agenda.
Among the speakers for 2025 is Julie Jackowski, former chief legal officer and secretary for Casey’s General Stores and NACS chairman from 2020 to 2021.
NACS State of the Industry Summit
April 8-10
The Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport in Dallas
This spring event gives attendees a first look at NACS’ annual “State of the Industry” report ahead of the official publication date. Attendees will learn insights from retailers and industry experts on potential pitfalls and ways to optimize their businesses.
The 2024 summit included representatives from most of the U.S.’s top c-store companies, as well as a variety of tech and product vendors.
National Restaurant Association Show
May 17-20
McCormick Place in Chicago
The NRA Show isn’t just for restaurant professionals. With competition between restaurants, convenience retailers and grocery store chains hotter than ever, this massive expo — whose show floor covered over 700,000 square feet in 2024 — is for all foodservice professionals.
Last year’s show featured more than 900 categories, ranging from food and beverage to equipment, technology and AI-powered solutions. The show also featured over 600 international exhibitors representing countries such as Canada, China, Brazil and India.
NACS Executive Leadership Program
Aug. 3-7
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
The week-long program is designed to help improve senior-level retail management’s leadership skills.
The program is administered by faculty in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. Participants will take part in group case studies, network and receive “360-degree feedback assessments and individual executive-level coaching.”
Outlook Leadership Conference
Aug. 19-21
The Terranea Resort in 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 2024 forum featured education sessions on consumers’ influences on macroeconomic trends, using AI to improve the customer experience, and growing digital footprints.
McLane Engage
Dates TBD
Location TBD
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, educational sessions and new product launches.
While the company has not updated its website with information on the 2025 expo, the 2024 show held sessions on topics like the future of retailing and how to embrace technology like AI. Speakers included NexChapter CEO Art Sebastian, Bona Design Lab president and founder Joseph Bona and a number of experts from McLane.
The NACS Show
Oct. 14-17
McCormick Place in Chicago
The c-store industry’s biggest annual show heads back to Chicago next year for the first time since 2021. 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.
NACS Innovation Leadership Program
Nov. 2-7
The MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Massachusetts
NACS’ five-day, 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 to innovation, leveraging design thinking and developing digital business models.
