Networking Breakfast
Location: CRU Product Gallery (Griffin Ballroom)Join us for a Networking Breakfast tailored for C-Store Women Power Team members and those interested in attending the CSW event in 2024! Hear the latest updates and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow CSW Power Team members. Don't miss the opportunity to continue building valuable relationships within the C-Store industry.
Innovation Forums (Choose 1 of 3)
We're all too familiar with buzzwords such as KPI, disruptor, synergy, thought leader, and others that we hear on a daily basis. Join us for a candid, unscripted conversation with your retail peers as we dive deep into real substance on these topics and more. Discover what industry leaders have to say about going beyond the buzzwords to share practical insights, experiences, and strategics for tangible success.
Co-Founder and President | Moderator
Rovertown
Director of Marketing
Duchess
Director of Trade Marketing
BeatBox Beverages
Chief Marketing Officer
Yesway
One in every three c-store customers are consciously searching for new brands and products to try. This session features McLane leaders discussing the latest trends and strategies in bringing emerging brands to c-store shelves to differentiate your product inventory, gain competitive advantage, and deliver a more personalized shopping experience to the communities your locations serve.
Vice President, Marketing and Communications | Moderator
McLane Company
Chief Marketing Officer
Honey Bunchie, LLC
Vice President, eCommerce
McLane Company
The list of demands to drive repeat customers, drive in-store traffic and delight customers grows year over year. Join the industry experts at Stinker’s and Punchh to learn how loyalty programs built five years ago can be (reimagined, refreshed, elevated) to help brands grow in the next five years. Learn what levers and plans Stinker’s is using to expand, evolve and refresh their loyalty programs to meet demands, stay competitive and delight customers.
Vice President, Marketing & Brand
Stinker Stores
Director of Convenience Retailing and Fuel
Punchh, a PAR Technology Company
Opening General Session
Location: Symphony BallroomThis presentation will delve into the remarkable potential of digital and technology transformation within the convenience store industry. As technology rapidly advances, convenience stores have an unprecedented opportunity to adapt and thrive in a digitally driven world. From automated checkout systems to personalized customer experiences, this transformative journey promises to revolutionize how convenience stores operate. We will explore innovative strategies, cutting-edge technologies, and real-world success stories that showcase how embracing these changes can enhance profitability and customer satisfaction in this ever-evolving landscape.
CEO
Nexchapter LLC
There may be no other time in history when the retail world has been rocked by so much change. Permanent shifts in consumer behavior and societal norms, a rapidly transforming technological landscape and unpredictable economic conditions, all present extraordinary challenges for retailers across categories and geographies.
Against this already volatile background, competition has reached unprecedented levels, offering consumers anything they want, wherever and whenever they want it. Thus, the traditional strategic cornerstones of convenience, selection, price, and even product exclusivity, have become shaky footholds from which to achieve enduring competitive success.
So how can the business win?
Based on research from his bestselling book Resurrecting Retail: The Future of Business in a Post-Pandemic World, futurist Doug Stephens will share a simple, yet profoundly effective strategy framework that enables any business or brand to cut through the chaos in their market, prioritize investments, forge radical consumer value and achieve uncontested dominance in their category.
Author and Founder
Retail Prophet
Category Breakouts CMOY (choose 1 of 6)
Convenience is under siege – and everyone knows it. Online retailing, third-party foodservice delivery and declining fuel fill-ups are challenging c-store retailers’ in-store performance. So maximizing category success has never been more important.
To help retailers grow sales amid this retail revolution, we’re providing Category Breakouts. Each forum will feature experts to inspire fresh ideas and new ways to engage customers. Whether you’re a one-store operator or work for a chain of 5,000 units, you are guaranteed to go home with new insights and actionable solutions.
The presentation tracks will include Candy/Snacks, Dispensed Beverages, Foodservice, Loyalty + Tech/Operations, Packaged Beverages NonAlcohol, Packaged Beverages Alcohol, and Tobacco+.
As one of the strongest traffic drivers for convenience stores, today’s consumer wants innovation and variety. Hear how your CMOY Finalists are attacking some of the biggest topics and trends in their category. What innovation is coming this year and how will it affect your store?
Senior Category Manager COS | Moderator
bp
Category Manager | Panelist
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Category Manager - Snacks/Candy | Panelist
Circle K
Senior Category Manager | Panelist
Top Star Express
As one of the strongest traffic drivers for convenience stores, today’s consumer wants innovation and variety. Hear how your CMOY Finalists are attacking some of the biggest topics and trends in their category. What innovation is coming this year and how will it affect your store?
Editor | Moderator
CSP
Senior Category Manager - Beverages | Panelist
Tex-Best Travel Centers
Category Manager | Panelist
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
As one of the strongest traffic drivers for convenience stores, today’s consumer wants innovation and variety. Hear how your CMOY Finalists are attacking some of the biggest topics and trends in their category. What innovation is coming this year and how will it affect your store?
Director of Store Operations | Moderator
Wawa Food Markets
Senior Sales Manager | Panelist
Sheetz
Senior Category Manager - Roller Grill, Nachos & Condiments | Panelist
7-Eleven
Category Manager- Foodservice | Panelist
EG America
As one of the strongest traffic drivers for convenience stores, today’s consumer wants innovation and variety. Hear how your CMOY Finalists are attacking some of the biggest topics and trends in their category. What innovation is coming this year and how will it affect your store?
Vice President, Retailer Relations & Event Content Director | Moderator
Informa Connect
Vice President of IT
Refuel Operating Company
Director of Retail Technology | Panelist
High's of Baltimore
As one of the strongest traffic drivers for convenience stores, today’s consumer wants innovation and variety. Hear how your CMOY Finalists are attacking some of the biggest topics and trends in their category. What innovation is coming this year and how will it affect your store?
Senior Category Manager | Moderator
bp
Category Manager | Panelist
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Category Manager | Panelist
MAPCO
Category Manager - Cooler | Panelist
Pilot Company
Assortment Manager | Panelist
Wawa, Inc.
As one of the strongest traffic drivers for convenience stores, today’s consumer wants innovation and variety. Hear how your CMOY Finalists are attacking some of the biggest topics and trends in their category. What innovation is coming this year and how will it affect your store?
Senior Editor | Moderator
CSP
Category Manager | Panelist
MAPCO
Senior Category Manager - Cigarettes | Panelist
7-Eleven, Inc.
Editor Table Talks
Location: CRU Product Gallery (Griffin Ballroom)During your breaks from 1:1 meetings, stop by the Editor Table Talks located in the Product Gallery. These are small table discussions with our editors and other retailers on category hot topics.
CRU's Country Bash at JW Marriott followed by After Party at Honky Tonk Central
6:15pm - 7:30pm
Saddle up as we celebrate the outstanding talent of category management in CSP’s 9th annual Category Manager of the Year Awards. The CMOY awards honor category managers who are pushing the convenience-store industry forward. All attendees are welcome to join us for a plated 3-course dinner while we recognize c-store professionals from across the industry in eight major product categories. Come raise a glass with us in honor of all the nominees!
Vice President of Content Strategy | Emcee
Informa Connect
Senior Manager Industry Engagement | Emcee
Altria Group Distribution Co
Saddle up, y'all! Get ready for a rip-roaring good time at the After Party of the Year – hosted at none other than the honkiest, tonkiest joint in Nashville: Honky Tonk Central! This ain't your ordinary shindig – it's a leap year extravaganza that comes around only once in a blue moon! From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, we'll be turning the bar into a foot-stompin', heart-pumpin' haven of good vibes and great tunes. Dust off those dancing boots, because we're about to two-step our way into a night you won't forget! Buses will depart from the JW Marriott Lobby at 8pm.