ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Convenience retail has proven to be a robust format in challenging times. But how can we make the channel even stronger? How do we create the leaders of tomorrow to continue to drive the innovations forced upon us during the pandemic? An easy answer: the NACS Executive Leadership Program.

Graciously endowed by Reynolds to bring registration costs down, the in-person NACS Executive Leadership Program takes place July 25-29 at the Dyson School at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Customized specifically for the convenience industry, the program is renowned for developing c-store leaders. A virtual pre-program session on July 15 kicks things off before attendees gather on campus on July 25.

The full curriculum for the NACS Executive Leadership Program can be found here. 

Sessions focus on: 

• Storytelling for Leaders: Storytelling is one of the most important skills a leader can develop to inspire others.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Helpful leaders build more diverse, equitable and inclusive communities and organizations.
• Negotiation: As leaders develop negotiation skills, they will be better able to facilitate problem solving, build professional relationships and get support from the team.

Register today to ensure enough time to participate in the three leadership surveys and assessments that are a vital part of this experience. Each participant benefits from hour-long, one-on-one meetings with leadership coaches to review their 360-degree feedback surveys from their peers and colleagues. The program also includes the FIRO-B® (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior™) instrument, which helps individuals understand their behavior and the behavior of others, with the goal of improving workplace interactions.

This year, attendees also spend a few hours at the Hoffman Challenge Course—one of the largest collegiate challenge courses in the country, with over 50 low and high ropes elements—to put their leadership skills around team-building, negotiation, strategy and giving/receiving feedback into practice.

Registration is open for the 2021 NACS Executive Leadership Program—only a few spots left!