NACS Announces Initial Speaker Lineup for SOI Summit

At the NACS State of the Industry Summit, learn how you can use benchmarking to improve category management and store offerings to grow your business.

January 30, 2014

ALEXANDRIA, VA – When it comes to helping industry leaders identify opportunities and winning strategies for success, NACS State of the Industry (SOI) Summit is the benchmarking authority. For more than 10 years, top performers across the convenience and fuel retailing industry have relied on this event for the latest metrics to help guide the direction of their companies. Reserve your seat at the upcoming SOI Summit, April 1-3 in Chicago, and learn how top performers stand above the rest.

Live from the stage, experts will provide you with the first look and analysis of the latest industry data and offer insights into the trends, opportunities and watch-outs that matter most to your business.

This year, David Nelson, Ph.D., professor of Economics at Western Washington University and founder and president of Finance & Resource Management Consultants, returns to the SOI Summit to break down the newest macroeconomic data. Helping to keep your business healthy, Kevin Smartt of Kwik Chek Food Stores will deliver a first look at the most current category numbers and identify valuable areas to which you can benchmark against the best.

On Thursday, Tom Kloza of GasBuddy will provide an energetic overview of the motor fuels sector, followed by an insider’s perspective on the rapid growth of mobile commerce from Gray Taylor of the Petroleum and Convenience Association for Technology Standards (PCATS). Plus, you will not want to miss an in-depth presentation from consumer research experts at Nielsen on today’s convenience shopper — the “Superconsumer” — with specific insights for the convenience channel.

On Wednesday and Thursday, customized breakout sessions explore hot topics in five key performance categories: Beer, Candy & Snacks, Foodservice, Electronic Cigarettes and Packaged Beverages. Workshops on Wednesday afternoon are tailored to our industry and devoted to the current state of three critical market segments: Human Capital/Operations, Fuels and Finance.

The SOI Summit provides you with the right data and brings you face-to-face with the right people to propel your business forward. Over the course of three days, you will be surrounded by more than 200 executives from the industry’s top companies. This is an excellent opportunity to develop powerful connections that will build your network and help to create a stronger convenience industry.

Now through March 29, you have the opportunity to attend the 2014 SOI Summit for free, just by participating in the NACS State of the Industry survey. Companies that submit their confidential data will receive up to three complimentary passes to the SOI Summit and one published copy of the NACS State of the Industry Report of 2013 Data® (a $1,200 value).