ALEXANDRIA, Va. – How can retailers show hard workers that making the convenience store industry a career is a smart choice? By recognizing and nominating these rising industry leaders for a scholarship through the NACS Foundation. Since 1991, the Foundation’s Scholarship Program has awarded more than $430,000 to employees of NACS retail member companies who show leadership potential.

Created nearly 30 years ago to recognize and support industry workers who demonstrate the potential and determination to become leaders in the industry, the NACS Scholarship Program honors the memory of industry icons Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores and former NAC chairman, and David Erickson, former CEO of Erickson Oil Products.

Each year, the scholarship awards up to 11 applicants with $3,000 toward undergraduate career education, college or community college expenses. Scholarship recipients also receive a stipend to attend the NACS Show. During this year’s Show in Chicago, the 11 recipients of the 2017 scholarships will be recognized on October 19 at 5 p.m. during a special ceremony.

It’s not too early to encourage the promising members of your team to participate in the scholarship program—it’s an investment you won’t be sorry you made.