As we approach the midpoint of 2024, several major c-store events have come and gone. However, there’s still time for convenience retailers to book a spot at some of the remaining conferences to learn, network and see what’s going on in other parts of the industry.
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 the five top events remaining this year as well as a look ahead at what 2025 will bring. We’ve also included a look back at the top events from the first half of this year.
NACS Executive Leadership Program
July 28 – Aug. 1 at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
The week-long program, designed for senior-level retail management, is focused on leveling up participants’ leadership skills.
The program is administered by faculty in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, recently ranked in the top 15 best business schools by U.S News and World Report. Participants will take part in group case studies, network and receive “360-degree feedback assessments and individual executive-level coaching.”
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.
NACS Innovation Leadership Program
Nov. 3–8 at MIT Sloan School of Management, Cambridge, Massachusetts
As innovation becomes more vital to convenience retailers, this program aims to help senior executives embrace change and apply it effectively to their store operations and customer experience.
The speaker list includes a number of MIT lecturers who can help participants learn how to build innovation into company culture, overcome mental blocks to innovation and develop tools to properly respond to disruptive competition.
Coming up in 2025
Conexxus Annual Conference
Jan. 26-30 at 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 at The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida
This event brings together prominent leaders of retailers and supply companies, focusing on networking and working with industry peers to tackle emerging industry challenges. The speaker list for this invitation-only event has not yet been released.
A look back at the top trade shows from the first half of 2024
Core-Mark Expo East
Feb. 29 at the Huntington Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland
Core-Mark Expo East was 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.
NACS Leadership Forum
Feb. 13-15 at The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida
This event brought 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 was to help companies become more people focused, community centered and purpose driven, NACS noted on its website.
NACS Human Resources Forum
March 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida
This forum brought 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 filled out the agenda.
NACS State of the Industry Summit
April 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois
This spring event gave attendees a peek at NACS’ annual State of the Industry report ahead of the official publication date. Attendees learned about the shifting convenience and fuel retailing landscape, heard about burgeoning trends and got 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
Conexxus brought 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.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on May 22 with new information on the Outlook Leadership Conference, McLane Engage and The NACS Show, as well as new events for both 2024 and 2025.
