While we still have a few big events left in 2026, the time is approaching for c-store leaders to start planning their schedules for 2027 — including what trade shows and conferences they may want to attend.
There’s a conference for just about every side of the c-store business. Convenience retailers wanting to cover the full gamut of c-store operations can look to events like NATSO Connect or the NACS Show, the biggest convenience store conference in the U.S. The National Restaurant Association Show focuses on food, C-Store TEC offers a technology-based lineup and SIGMA holds its annual fuel-centered event.
Here’s a rundown of convenience store trade shows, conferences and other events to keep on your radar for 2027.
Top convenience store trade shows in 2027
Conexxus Annual Conference
Jan. 26-29
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach in Newport Beach, California
The industry’s slate of 2027 events kicks off with the technology and innovation-focused Conexxus conference. This annual event offers nearly a week of panels, keynotes, working groups and more.
While the agenda for this event has not yet been released, topics discussed at the 2026 conference included AI, innovation and industry advocacy.
NATSO Connect
Feb. 24-26
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas
The National Association of Truck Stop Owners’ annual show puts travel centers, truck stops and other off-highway fuel stops in the spotlight. The event brings together leaders representing more than 16,000 locations across the country, as well as 75 vendor partners.
Topics for the 2027 event include what a new congress will mean for travel centers, how operators can chart a smart growth path and a forum covering the latest industry technology.
Convenience Retailing University
March 2-4
Austin Marriott Downtown in Austin, Texas
Informa’s category-management-focused forum, CRU, offers c-store retailers a chance to explore innovation and best practices in areas like technology, food and beverage, loyalty and category management.
Planned speakers at the three-day event include Kevin Smartt, CEO of TXB; John Pszeniczny, director of operations at Nouria; and Adit Gupta, CEO at Lula Commerce.
NACS State of the Industry Summit
April 21-23
Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas
NACS unveils its annual “State of the Industry” report at this event each year. Attendees can access insights from retailers and industry experts on potential pitfalls and ways to optimize their businesses.
The 2026 summit included speakers from Wawa, Kwik Trip, Weigel’s and Cubby’s.
National Restaurant Association Show
May 22-25
McCormick Place in Chicago
The NRA Show focuses on the restaurant world, but with foodservice growing increasingly central to c-stores’ value proposition, this massive expo can offer inspiration and insights for convenience retailers.
Attendees can sit in on educational tracks covering food and beverage trends, improving operational efficiency, technological innovations and more, or stroll the show floor in search of the next big idea.
Outlook Leadership Conference
Aug. 3-5
Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Informa’s invitation-only Outlook Leadership Conference gives participants three days to unpack some of the biggest trends and top challenges within the c-store industry.
The 2027 forum is set to feature education sessions on the future of foodservice, c-store licensing, the importance of the in-store experience and the power of creative thinking.
McLane Engage
Aug. 10-12
Location TBD in Orlando, Florida
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.
While the company has not yet offered additional details on the 2027 expo, the 2026 show shared the latest updates to McLane’s products and held sessions with experts from the distributor on topics like AI adoption and the art of staying relevant.
The NACS Show
Oct. 5-8
Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta
Every year, the NACS Show — the c-store industry’s biggest event — attracts more than 23,000 industry leaders from around the globe to gather for educational workshops, buying and selling opportunities and to sample way too much fried chicken and energy drinks.
The organization has not released much information on its 2027 show yet, but speakers at 2026 included leaders from retailers like Cumberland Farms, Casey’s General Stores, Wawa and QuikTrip.
C-Store Connect
Oct. 14
Location TBD
C-Store Connect is a relatively young show, having held its first gathering in 2021. Run by the Horizon Retailers Association, which focuses on the Southeastern U.S., this event features networking opportunities and innovations.
Details about the 2027 show will be forthcoming, but the 2026 C-Store Connect featured more than 200 vendor booths and 2,500 attendees.
C-Store TEC
Dates TBD
Location TBD
Informa’s C-Store TEC forum is focused on broadening the convenience store industry’s perspectives on technology, helping retailers figure out what to prioritize and how to attract top talent.
Although the 2027 date and schedule have not yet been released, the 2026 show — taking place at the end of October in Chicago — is set to feature education sessions that feature tech experts from several major retailers, including RaceTrac, Circle K, Sheetz and BP.
SIGMA Annual Conference
Nov. 2-4
Location TBD in Tucson, Arizona
The Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America’s conference centers on information for fuel marketers, the group that keeps the gas flowing to c-stores across the country. .
The schedule for SIGMA’s 2027 Annual Conference has not yet been set, but the 2026 event offers sessions on topics like market pressures, AI use and the future of the global oil market.
Disclosure: Informa owns a controlling stake in Informa TechTarget, publisher of C-Store Dive.
