My first NACS Show was in 2005 in Las Vegas—although it should’ve been in New Orleans. That was the year Hurricane Katrina hit in late August. As Katrina moved through the Gulf Coast states, at least 80% of New Orleans was under floodwater.
Having only been with NACS for six months, I was in awe of how our leadership and staff was able to relocate the NACS Show to Las Vegas on 10 weeks’ notice. I learned quickly how important the NACS Show is to our industry, and how the NACS leadership was willing to do whatever it took to ensure the industry came together that year, even when the odds didn’t look favorable. See how it all came together in this video: “Katrina 2005: Moving the NACS Show.”
In 2005, NACS also welcomed its third-ever president and CEO: Henry Armour. Kerley LeBoeuf retired in July of that year after 24 years at NACS. Armour, who had served on the NACS Board of Directors since 1994 and was the NACS chairman in 2002 and 2003, succeeded LeBoeuf … who had succeeded the first NACS president and CEO, Harry Hunter. (Are you today years old realizing that the Hunter Club is named after Harry Hunter? Aka the “Silver Fox” that’s in the logo?)
At the time, being a NACS Show newbie, I was not super aware of everything involved in having a NACS Show to begin with, let alone relocating it. Today I know better.
This year will be my 19th NACS Show. Nearly two decades of attending the most important, impressive and exciting event for the global convenience and fuel retailing industry.
What culminates in four days to NACS Show attendees is a year-round experience for the NACS staff. Before we close out 2024, Hunter Club booth selection for 2025 will be complete, and the Expo floor plan at McCormick Place in Chicago, home of the 2025 event, will be finalized. No rest for the weary.
The first time I saw the Expo under construction I thought there was no way it would be ready for attendees. For several days the Expo looks like 1,200 live “Extreme Home Makeovers” taking place at the same time. And then, magically, the carpet is rolled out overnight and by the morning, the doors are ready to open.
Here’s something you may not know. It’s a tradition for Armour to tour the Expo before it opens. A member of our Expo team hops in a cart with him and drives around the entire 435,000-square-foot Show floor so he can see the amazement that’s been created.
It’s also a tradition for the NACS staff to have breakfast at 6:30 a.m. and a staff meeting every morning at 6:45 a.m. Coffee, coffee, and more coffee please and thank you.
NACS staff is often asked what’s our favorite NACS Show memory. Honestly, I don’t have just one. That’s like saying pick your favorite kid. I love seeing celebrities and excitement in booths, trying new products and seeing how much convenience stores are changing. What I love the most is seeing the people—more than 22,000 industry stakeholders who are passionate about their business, their teams and this industry.
I’m biased, but the NACS Show is truly the greatest Show.
So, I ask you this: When was your first NACS Show? I’ll post this blog on LinkedIn so we can share our stories.
See you in Vegas!