Event
June
2026
16-18

NACS Convenience Summit Europe

Warsaw, Poland

Date & Time

Jun 16-18, 2026

Location:

Warsaw, Poland
Hilton Warsaw City

Countdown:

00 d
00 h
00 m
00 s

The European convenience channel is growing at a rapid pace, with convenience and forecourt stores opening in large numbers throughout the continent. Together, we’ll explore the market trends spurring growth in the region and around the globe. See how retailers are redefining the shopping experience to meet new consumer demand for omnichannel experiences, hard discounts, food-to-go and food-for-later meal options. You’ll be immersed in the insights and strategies that can help your teams excel and reimagine your operations.

The 2026 NACS Convenience Summit Europe program and the NACS Convenience Retail Awards Europe ceremony will be held at:

Hilton Warsaw City
Grzybowska 63, 00-844 Warszawa, Poland
Hotel Gallery

Event Snapshot

  • 150+ senior leader delegates from 20+ countries
  • Thought-provoking speakers and panelists
  • Progressive convenience stores and petrol stations on expert-led retail tours

Event Features

  • Actionable Insights: Discover new ideas, products and solutions that are addressing the challenges and opportunities of today and the future.
  • Strategic Relationships: No other convenience industry event brings together leaders in store operations, marketing innovation, retail design, fuel delivery and other key performance retail areas. Meet leaders who can make a difference to your business and career.
  • Immersive Learning: Hear retailer case studies and success stories that showcase innovative convenience retail solutions. Exchange ideas and create relationships through casual and facilitated conversations with the best and brightest minds in our industry.
  • Awards Gala and Dinner: See which retailers will be recognized for their outstanding achievements in the European convenience industry. Congratulate each winner, watch their award submission videos and celebrate their success at the NACS Convenience Retail Awards Europe Gala and Dinner.

Who Attends

  • CEOs
  • Presidents
  • Executive Vice Presidents of Sales
  • Heads of Marketing & Sales
  • Heads of Retail Operations

View who attended the 2025 event in Copenhagen.

Past Participating Retailers

  • Albert Heijn New Markets (The Netherlands)
  • Carrefour
  • 7-Eleven
  • Circle K Europe
  • Maxol (Ireland)
  • Migrolino (Switzerland)
  • Opet Petroleum
  • PKN Orlen
  • Reitan Convenience AS Scandinavia & The Baltics
  • Repsol (Spain)
  • Total

June 16, 2026

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Registration Open

8:30 am – 8:45 am 

Welcome
Mark Wohltmann, Director, NACS Global

8:45 am – 9:15 am

What Is in Shopper’s Mind When We Talk Convenience in Poland? 
Dobrochana Lejnert, Customer Success Leader for Retail (Poland), NielsenIQ
Joanna Kwiczor, Commercial Director (Poland), NielsenIQ

9:15 am – 10:00 am

Ideas 2 Go Store Tour Briefing

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Ideas 2 Go: Warsaw (Bus & Walking Tour)

1:00 pm

Lunch

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm

Ideas 2 Go Store Tour Debrief

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm

Global Strategic Industry Issues
Henry Armour, Chairman Emeritus & CEO International, NACS
Session Description

What are the strategic issues shaping our industry, where are threats and opportunities the most mature, and what can we learn from different countries and regions? Henry will unveil the results of the latest NACS Global Issues Survey and provide an outlook on what retailers across Europe must focus on.

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm

Retailer Case Study: Orlen
Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, Member of the Board of Directors, Retail in CZ, HU, SK, AT for Orlen Unipetrol Group & Executive Director of Non-fuel Segment for ORLEN S.A. 
Session Description

Polish retailer Orlen operates more than 3,500 filling stations across Eastern and Central Europe and is a market leader in Poland with more than 1,900 sites and about 25% market share. Hear how Orlen is evolving from fuel to food to foodservice 2.0, and how the company’s premiumization strategy works in a discount-driven market.

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Networking Break

4:00 pm – 4:45 pm

The Future of Foodservice in Convenience Stores 
Alexandre Kleis, Partner, McKinsey 
Session Description

If foodservice is your company’s future, don’t give customers a reason to leave your store for the QSR down the street. Learn how to elevate food offerings through menu innovation, differentiation and digital integration to exceed consumer demands and deliver exceptional foodservice offers. Foodservice isn’t another category—it’s your business.

4:45 pm – 5:30 pm

Retailer Case Study: Marks & Spencer
Louise Eckford, Head of Property, Transformation & Programmes Channels and Hospitality, Marks & Spencer
Nick Wright, Head of Convenience Operations, Marks & Spencer 
Session Description

Marks & Spencer is a quintessential British yet global retail player that operates in 70 markets around the world. Hear the success story of how Marks & Spencer has expanded its business with a focus on authenticity, branding and a food first strategy.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Off-Site Welcome Reception

  

June 17, 2026

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Registration Open

8:30 am – 8:45 am

Welcome

8:45 am – 9:30 am

Who Are Your Gen Z and Gen Alpha Customers and Employees? 
Konrad Waclawik, Retailer Services Director Poland, NielsenIQ
Thomas Bauer, GM Private, CCO at World Data Lab

Session Description

Explore how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping convenience retail with their distinct preferences, values and digital-native behaviors. This session will examine how these generations prioritize speed, personalization, sustainability and seamless omnichannel experiences.

9:30 am – 10:00 am

Ideas 2 Go Store Tour Briefing

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Ideas 2 Go: Warsaw (Bus & Walking Tour)

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm

Lunch

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm

Ideas 2 Go Store Tour Debrief and Smartest Store in the World 2026: Showcasing Innovation in Retail & Winner Reveal!
Mark Wholtman, Director of NACS Global
Dan Munford, CEO, Insight Research 

Session Description

The Smartest Store in the World Competition, hosted by Insight Research and NACS, showcases some of the most innovative retail concepts from around the world. Join us for the live reveal of the competition winner and celebrate the company that defines the future of intelligent retail.

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm

Interview With the 2026 NACS Industry Leader of the Year Europe
Henry Armour, Chairman Emeritus & CEO International, NACS

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm

Retailer Case Study: Zabka 
Żabka

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Networking Break

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Retailer Case Study: Moeve
Alvaro Vela Muñoz, Moeve
Session Description

A leading energy company in Spain, Moeve is redefining the role of the modern forecourt by transforming traditional fuel sites into multi-energy, customer-centric retail destinations. Learn how the company is also integrating foodservice and digital engagement to meet evolving customer needs while future-proofing its network.

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Convenience Retailing’s Role in the Customer’s Digital Journey 
Oktawian Zając, Managing Director & Senior Partner, BCG
Bartosz Krol, Partner at Boston Consulting Group, BCG
Session Description

As expectations for speed, convenience and personalization grow, convenience retailers must deliver seamless experiences across every interaction. This session explores how these technologies are redefining engagement and why meeting customers where they are is critical to staying competitive. Learn practical strategies for creating cohesive, customer-centric journeys, with examples of businesses successfully blending physical and digital experiences.

5:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Computer Vision AI - Use cases, Trends and Business Impacts
Lukasz Piotrowski, CEO, OmniShelf

6:45 pm – 7:45 pm

NACS Convenience Retail Awards Europe: Reception

7:45 pm – 10:30 pm

NACS Convenience Retail Awards Europe: Ceremony & Dinner

 

June 18, 2026

8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Registration Open

9:00 am – 9:15 am

Welcome

9:15 am – 10:00 am

Cyber Attacks and How to Prepare for Them
Antonio San Martino PhD. Cyber Risk Advisor, AIG
Georgia Windus, Cyber Associate, Lockton Companies LLP

Session Description

It’s no longer a matter of if, but when. Cyber threats are a daily reality. This session explores vulnerabilities in convenience retail and offers practical strategies for protection, response planning and resilience.

10:00 am – 10:45 am

Real AI Implementations in the Convenience Industry
Brian Gray, Managing Director, Accenture
Session Description

Artificial intelligence is already transforming retail—from pricing and inventory to HR and fuel forecasting. Hear real-world examples of AI in action across the convenience landscape and learn how to start or scale your own AI journey.

10:45 am – 11:15 am

Networking Break

11:15 am – 12:00 pm

Smartest Store in the World Competition Winner
Dan Munford, CEO, Insight Research
Brian Gray, Managing Director, Accenture

Session Description

See a curated selection of the entries that exemplify innovation, execution and their impact on the future of smart retail.

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm

What We Have Seen, What We Have Learned
Henry Armour, Chairman Emeritus & CEO International, NACS
Session Description

wrap-up of the key takeaways from store tours, presentations and discussions. What’s next for your business?

12:45 pm – 1:00 pm

Ideas 2 Go Store Tour Briefing and Final Remarks 

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm

Lunch

1:45 pm – 5:00 pm

Ideas 2 Go: Warsaw (Walking Tour)

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm        Networking Reception 
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NACS Convenience Retail Awards Europe

For more than a decade, the NACS Convenience Summit Europe has proudly hosted the NACS Convenience Retail Awards Europe. This prestigious competition recognizes outstanding achievements in the European retail communities. The awards—judged by the pillars of the convenience industry—provide one of the greatest benchmarks of global convenience retailing excellence. Winners are selected in four categories:

  • NACS Industry Leader of the Year Award
  • NACS Convenience Store of the Year Award
  • NACS Convenience Innovation of the Year Award
  • NACS Convenience Cares Award

Award submission deadline is May 12, 2026.

Submit Your Entry

Congratulations to the 2025 winners!

NACS Convenience Retailer of the Year Europe
avec Freiestrasse | SWITZERLAND
In partnership with  Verifone Logo

NACS Convenience Industry Leader of the Year Europe
Mariette Kristenson, CEO, Reitan Convenience Group

NACS Convenience Retail Sustainability Award Europe
Reitan Convenience | Nordics | Baltics
In partnership with  Coca Cola Logo

NACS Convenience Retail Technology Award Europe
Circle K | Europe
In partnership with  Conexxus Logo

What are the NACS Convenience Retail Awards? +

The NACS Convenience Retail Awards recognize and promote convenience retailing excellence and provides retailers with the opportunity to showcase their innovation and creativity to the global retailing community.

Who can enter the NACS Convenience Retail Awards? +

Convenience and fuel retailers from the award regions may submit entries. Supplier partners and advertising, design and PR agencies are welcome to submit entries on behalf of their retail partners, but they must have the approval of the retailer for which they provide services.

What are the award regions? +

NACS will offer Convenience Retail Awards in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

  • Latin America includes retailers from Mexico, Central America, and South America.
  • Asia-Pacific includes the continent and islands of Asia, including India, New Zealand and Australia.
  • Europe includes the entire European continent, from Iberia to the Caucasus and Scandinavia to Malta.
What are the award categories? +

Convenience and fuel retailers can showcase their innovation and leadership in four prestigious award categories:

  • Convenience Store of the Year
    Our global recognition honors the most innovative and successful convenience and petroleum retail store of the year. The winner earns the accolade of “the best convenience store in their region” This award honors flagship stores that break new ground and set new innovative standards for the industry. All-sized businesses can enter, and entries can refer to broader initiatives or format roll-outs in a wider business. Successful entries will focus on one particular store as the central showpiece.
  • Convenience Industry Leader of the Year
    Industry progress is not only driven by innovative companies, but by the energies, determination and inspiration of the individuals who lead them. This award recognizes and honors the contribution of the most successful and influential convenience industry leader of past year.
  • Convenience Cares Award
    This award recognizes companies that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to doing good for people—whether customers, employees, communities, or the environment. This award honors meaningful initiatives that reflect compassion, social responsibility, and a genuine dedication to improving communities while creating positive, lasting impact.
  • Convenience Innovation Award
    This recognizes a company, product, or idea that transforms the convenience retail experience. This award celebrates creativity, fresh thinking, and real impact—honoring innovations that make convenience stores more efficient, engaging, and future-ready.
Are there any fees for entering? +

There are no fees to enter the NACS Convenience Retail Awards.

What are the important dates for the awards program? +

Region

Presented at

Entry Open

Entry
Close

Winner Announced!

Latin America

2025 NACS Show
McCormick Place,
Chicago, IL

June 30, 2025

September 10, 2025

October 15, 2025
Global Colleagues Reception
at the 2025 NACS Show

Asia-Pacific

Convenience Summit Asia
Tokyo, Japan

closed

closed

February 26, 2025

Europe

Convenience Summit Europe
Copenhagen, Denmark

February 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

May 29, 2025

What are the entry requirements? +
AwardOn Site Contact/NomineeCompany LogoDescription of success in award areaPowerpoint overview of solution or successHigh-Res photos of nominee or solution2-5 Minute video of nominated store
Retailer of the Year
 

 

 

 

 

 
Industry Leader of the Year
 

 

 
OptionalOptionalOptional
Retail Sustainability Award
 

 

 

 
OptionalOptional
Retail Technology Award
 

 

 

 
OptionalOptional
Who are the judges? +

Each year, a grand jury panel of industry experts consisting of former retail executives, consultants, subject-matter-experts, and NACS representatives judge the award winners based on criteria specified for each award.

How are award winners selected? +

Convenience retailers, their suppliers or their customers are invited to nominate convenience retailers that are pursuing noteworthy and meaningful business initiatives. In each confidential submission, the advocating organization should share a proven business case. The judges use a rubric consisting of the criterion below to evaluate all submissions and select an award winner from each award category.

Technology & Sustainability Awards will be scored on:

  • Leadership and management of the initiative
  • Customer engagement with the solution
  • Impact of the initiative on organizational performance, financial performance or the customer experience
  • Degree of creativity, uniqueness and innovation exemplified by the initiative

Retailer of the Year will be scored on demonstrated excellence in:

  • Format Innovation
  • Technology/loyalty/payments
  • Product Range
  • People Development (HR)
  • Customer Service Initiatives
  • Results/Performance
  • General Impression & Relevance

Industry Leader of the Year will be determined by:

  • Impact the individual has had on organizational performance, financial profitability, and the customer experience
  • Influence the individual has had on improving the convenience retailing industry overall
  • Demonstrated commitment to their community
What tips should I keep in mind for developing a “winning” awards entry? +

Convenience retailers, their suppliers or their customers are invited to nominate convenience retailers that are pursuing noteworthy and meaningful business initiatives. In each confidential submission, the advocating organization should share a proven business case. The submission must include supporting justification as to:

  • Why the convenience retailer deserves to be recognised
  • What makes the initiative truly innovative and differentiated
  • How leadership and management of the initiative is conducted
  • How the retailer has demonstrated a company-wide commitment to the initiative
  • What the impact of the initiative has been to organizational performance, financial profitability or the customer experience
  • How customers have interacted with the solution

While fun, the submission development process can take time to complete. So, begin early. You will need to collect and provide photos and evidence that will make your submission stand out from the competition. Keep in mind that only complete submissions will be judged.

There are other industry award programs, why should we enter the NACS Convenience Retail Awards? What are the benefits? +

The NACS Convenience Retail Awards program is recognised by your peers and partners across the globe for its prominence and selectiveness. An award win heightens your credibility as an industry leader and elevates your brand’s profile as an innovative trailblazer.

Whether you win or are one of our esteemed participants, you will receive unparalleled global exposure and visibility through trade, national and international media coverage. Winners will receive:

  • Recognition in NACS and Insight Research social, print and digital publications, which collectively reach an audience of 50,000+ global retailers, and various industry trade publications to extend the news even further.
  • International press release announcing all award winners.
  • Recognition at the NACS Show.
  • And most importantly, celebrating your victory with global retailers, suppliers and colleagues at the Awards Reception!

*Travel and hotel not included in Summit registration rate. Visit www.xe.com for the latest exchange rate information.

Hotel

Attendees must book their own hotel accommodations. Cost of accommodations are not included in the event registration fee. A group/event discounted rate is available until May 15, 2026

The 2026 NACS Convenience Summit Europe program and NACS European Convenience Retail Awards ceremony will be held at:

Hilton Warsaw City
Grzybowska 63, 00-844 Warszawa, Poland

Group Rate: PLN 700 (single)/night; PLN 760 (double)/night
Room rate includes complimentary breakfast but excludes the 8% VAT.

Book Your Accommodations

Flight Information

Attendees must book their own flight accommodations. Cost of flights are not included in the event registration fee.

Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)

  • 7 km / 4.3 miles from hotel

Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI)

  • 41.4 km / 25.7 miles from hotel

Ground Transfers/Additional Information

The following ground transportation is included in your registration fee (if applicable).

  • All necessary transportation for the scheduled Bus Store Tours

All other transfers must be arranged by the attendees and are not included in the registration fee.

Connection from WAW airport to Hilton Warsaw City hotel

  • Approximately 15 Minutes by Taxi/Uber

The NACS Convenience Summit Europe is proud to partner with industry suppliers for this global event. Opportunities for company/brand visibility and connections vary.

Our thanks to the 2026 NACS Convenience Summit Europe Sponsors:

Award Sponsors


Coca-Cola

NACS Convenience Cares Award

Conexxus

NACS Convenience Innovation of the Year Award

Summit Co-Sponsors


A2iComarchPDI

Ideas 2 Go Warsaw Store Tour Sponsor


Coca-Cola

Reception Sponsor


Lekkerland NIQ

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
Leigh Walls
Director, Supplier Relations
[email protected]


Register Today

Join Us

Rate: €2395

Your full registration will include:

  • Access to all store tours, presentations, lunches, and receptions
  • A ticket to the 2026 NACS Convenience Retails Awards Europe, where we’ll celebrate award-winning solutions and meet the people who made them happen
  • Access to best-in-class strategies that are all focused on unlocking growth
  • Dynamic conversations and renewed strategic connections with 175+ senior leader delegates from 25+ countries
  • A first look at innovations in store design and robust technology solutions

Cancellation Policy

Registration cancellations must be emailed to Melissa Paul. All cancellations received on or before May 19, 2026 will be assessed a €135 administrative fee. After May 19, the full amount of the registration fee will be forfeited. Transfer of registration to another person within your company for the same event can be done at any time without penalty.

Contact

Melissa Paul

Meetings & Events Manager

NACS

(703) 518-4208


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