Disruption has caused convenience retailers to rewrite the rulebook for how they serve their customers, hire employees and lead teams. It’s now more important than ever to develop leadership skills and uncover personal strengths at the district, regional and territory levels to increase store profitability and retain workers.
The NACS Leadership for Success program provides rising leaders at the district manager and supervisor level an opportunity to discover personal strengths to grow their career while creating a more positive, profitable, and performance-oriented environment in their company.
NACS Leadership for Success is an immersive, six-day course, where new and emerging leaders come together to learn and enhance leadership skills they can immediately put to use.
Before attendees arrive onsite, they take a DISC assessment, (specifically the Taking Flight approach) which identifies their personal strengths and leadership skills. Then, throughout the week, facilitators coach the class on leadership topics through a convenience lens. In addition, attendees review personal feedback assessments and receive coaching from a facilitator. Participants also complete the Emotional Intelligence 2.0 assessment, which allows them to see their strengths in four core EQ skills: 1) Self-Awareness, 2) Self-Management, 3) Social Awareness, and 4) Relationship Management.
One of the most beneficial aspects of the program are the opportunities for participants to take a step back and self-reflect on who they are as a leader.
Convince your boss.
This program supports retailers with various levels of experience (i.e. those who have been in the industry for 10+ years along with those who are new to the industry or a leadership role).
Ideal Participants:
- District, regional, territory managers with multi-unit and team member responsibility.
- Team members with leadership potential, looking to hone their leadership skills.
- Leaders who are comfortable in their role, and want to continue to invest in their development.
Participants complete group work throughout the on-site program, and leave with an action plan to attack a specific issue—and they’re not alone. Attendees are divided into peer groups of three to five, and the teammates help each other with projects (an estimated 3-4 team calls during the summer). An in-person report-out at the NACS Show and a reception to culminate the program. Leadership for Success attendees receive free NACS Show registration and the program endower, Hershey, hosts a reception in their honor.
- One week for the on-site program in the spring
- 3-8 hours during the summer for team project and NACS Show presentation work
- 2-3 days at the NACS Show in October
Please contact Keonna Sims, Education Program Manager, with questions at ksims@convenience.org or (703) 518-4269.
The 2021 NACS Leadership for Success class reduced store turnover, promoted team members, and increased employee engagement.
“The NACS program really helped me be the best version of myself, to learn what I was doing well and not doing well. It was a reason why I was able to get my new position.”
—Tanya Beach, (former) general manager, Kum & Go
NACS Leadership for Success Class of 2023
“I looked at how can I teach my team to think of themselves as a customer instead of a team member. It helped my team drive better results, and we saw a 50% mystery shop improvement.”
— Jeff Gamm, district manager, Love’s Travel Stops
Individual/Self Awareness
- Deepen your understanding of the scope of your role and its impact on your company’s success.
- Define a vision of your ideal leader-self that leads to business success.
- Increase your understanding of how the way you act affects your personal effectiveness and how you work with others.
Intrapersonal Relationships
- Discover how others perceive you (your superiors, direct reports, and peers).
- Explore how your perceptions of yourself differ from others and what that means for your effectiveness as a business leader.
- Examine behaviors that enhance or detract from business results.
Team Building
- Increase skills in leading people and teams.
- Manage conflict better and learn how to conduct difficult conversations.
- Gain additional tools for setting goals, coaching, delivering feedback and rewarding employees.
Organizational Results and Effectiveness
- Identify key challenges or opportunities in your business and potential solutions from learning with colleagues from the industry.
- Integrate self, intrapersonal and team effectiveness to deliver business results.
- Chart a course of action to become the leader you want to be and your business needs you to be to achieve results.
Please contact Keonna Sims, Education Program Manager, with questions at ksims@convenience.org or (703) 518-4269.
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Program starts at 1pm EST
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Afternoon:
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Introductions, Leadership Traits, Leadership Values, DISC Assessment Debrief
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Evening:
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Life Map Activity, Reception, Speed Networking, and Evening Assignment
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Morning:
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Your Role as a Middle Manager, 360 Feedback Report Out, Creating Your Leadership Brand and Vision, Introduction to Your Project
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Afternoon:
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Hershey Gardens Scavenger Hunt
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Evening:
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Life Map Activity, Evening Assignment
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Morning:
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Wellness Management, Performance Management, Project Team Assignments, Feedback and Difficult Conversations
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Afternoon:
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High Performing Teams, EQ and Coaching
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Evening:
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Life Map Activity and Evening Assignment
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Morning:
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Wellness Management, Motivating Employees, Recognition
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Afternoon:
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Storytelling, Project Work
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Evening:
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Life Map Activity, Reception and Team Activity
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Morning:
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Max Your NACS, Change Management, Leadership Vision, Project Teams
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Afternoon:
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Presentations, Wrap Up
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Departure by 3:00 PM
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Show Bio...
Joanne M. Loce, Managing Partner of Fortify Leadership Group and President of Loce Consulting LLC, is an executive coach, consultant and speaker on topics related to strategic human resources, organization and leadership development, culture, change management, and talent management. She brings over 25 years of experience partnering with business leaders to create Human Resources strategy and delivering people related processes that contribute to the bottom line in a variety of industries, including financial services, automotive, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, insurance, chemicals, non-profit, and public agencies and education. Her current coaching and consulting clients include Fortune 500 companies in various industries, state government, and leaders in small to mid-sized firms.
Ms. Loce served as a Program Director for The Conference Board, leading ten industry conferences on talent management, performance management, and the development of emerging leaders. Her most recent corporate role was the Vice President of Talent Management and Organizational Development for Genworth Financial. Ms. Loce was responsible for leading talent management strategies and processes, recruiting, succession planning, and leadership development across global Genworth. Prior to joining Genworth Financial, Ms. Loce worked for Capital One Financial, General Motors, and the Federal Reserve System where she held a variety of roles in which she coached and consulted with senior executive leadership, provided Human Resources strategy and support for her clients, and led enterprise-wide talent management, leadership development, and cross-functional change efforts.
Ms. Loce holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Providence College, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and a Leadership Coaching Certificate from Georgetown University. She resides with her husband and four children in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Show Bio...
Lisa Dell’Alba was born into the world of retail at Square One Markets. As a young child her father disallowed her to partake in the operation of their family business, but there was no way to diminish her determination. Her persistence and drive finally paid off and she joined the Square One Staff as the manager of the family’s flagship site.
Dell’Alba’s role in the family business led to management of multi-facilities, category manager and later catapulted her into the position of human resource director. She assumed the title of vice president of operations at the age of 28, where she developed innovative concepts such as a team-based approach to operations management, a redefinition of customer service excellence and implemented the concept of multi-person interviews to strengthen her team’s approach to operations. She became president of Square One Markets in 2009 and continues to strive for the core values that have been a part of the family business for over four decades. Her hands-on approach to all facets of the operation continue to lead her into new programs, policies and challenges that give her the job satisfaction each and every day.
The 2025 NACS Leadership for Success class is full and registration is closed at this time, please sign up below to join the waitlist.
By joining the waitlist, you will be the first to know if a seat opens up for 2025 class (first come, first served). In addition, you will get priority access to register for the 2026 program.
For questions, please contact:
Keonna Sims
Education Program Manager
ksims@convenience.org
(703) 518-4269
NACS takes care of arranging your hotel accommodations as part of your event registration.
Hershey Lodge
325 University Dr
Hershey, PA 17033
Complimentary self-parking as well as electric vehicle charging stations available.
Harrisburg International Airport
The closest airport is Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) located in Middletown – just 12 minutes from Hershey.
Transportation service is available from Hershey Lodge for a nominal fee.
- Participants are expected to attend a Kickoff call with their supervisors.
- Participants are expected to complete all pre-work assignments before arriving at Hershey Lodge on Monday, May 12th, 2025.
- Participants will complete the five-day on-site program from Monday, May 12th, 2025, through Friday, May 16th, 2025.
- During the on-site program, four teams will be formed. Participants are expected to meet with their teams and coaches periodically in the months following the on-site program to implement their project goals and plans.
- To successfully complete the program, each team is expected to facilitate a report-out at the 2025 NACS Show. More details will be provided during the on-site program.
Yes, Leadership for Success participants are required to attend the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago, IL, October 14-17, 2025. NACS will cover the participants' NACS Show registration, but the attendee is responsible for their hotel and travel. Leadership for Success participants are required to present the group projects to complete the program successfully. They are also invited to attend a reception and graduation ceremony during the NACS Show. Specific details will be provided later.
No. Once you submit payment for the program registration fee, your room is booked for you at the Hershey Lodge for the program dates (arriving Monday, May 12th, and departing Friday, May 16th). Education Program Manager , Keonna Sims, will be following up closer to the program dates with a request to complete a travel survey, where she will ask about any special accommodations requested.
Transferring registration to another person within your company may be possible and will be considered case-by-case. Registration cancellations must be emailed to ksims@convenience.org. All cancellations received on or before March 17th, 2025, will be charged a $250 administrative fee. After March 17th, 2025, the full amount of the registration fee will be forfeited.
Depends, if you do need an early arrival or late departure due to travel, then you may be able to extend your stay at Hershey Lodge. However, you are responsible for any additional nights. Please communicate this request to Keonna Sims prior to March 17th, 2025.