NACS Human Resources Forum

Kick off the HR Forum with a fast-paced, interactive session that tackles the most pressing legal issues impacting HR leaders today. Our moderator, Julie, will guide you through key updates on AI applications in the workplace, ADA and disability compliance, and E-Verify/ICE readiness. You’ll leave with: A clear understanding of emerging legal risks and trends; Practical steps to strengthen compliance in your organization; and Insights from peers during roundtable discussions.

The labor market continues to shift, and understanding the forces shaping 2025 is essential for HR leaders. After years of volatility, marked by wage pressures, talent shortages, and evolving workforce expectations, what’s different this year? In this session, the NACS Research team will break down the latest macroeconomic labor trends, share fresh insights from NACS 2025 Talent Insights survey, and highlight what these changes mean for the convenience industry. Walk away with actionable insights to navigate today’s labor challenges and prepare for what’s ahead.

In today’s fast-paced, screen-driven workplaces, many leaders fall into the trap of running transactions instead of building connections. The result? Rising disengagement,higher turnover, and teams that do the bare minimum. In this session, we’ll explore the cultural and technological trends that push leaders away from authentic connection—and practical ways to reverse it. You’ll walk away with simple, actionable tools to transformeveryday interactions into moments of trust, loyalty, and engagement.

Learn how to position your benefits package as a competitive advantage. This session explores strategies for communicating value to employees, demonstrating ROI to leadership, and highlighting unique perks that drive engagement and retention. Walk away with practical tips and real-world examples to make your benefits program stand out.

How can L&D move beyond traditional training programs to create meaningful career development opportunities and stronger leaders? This session dives into fresh approaches by leveraging AI for smarter learning, developing structured career pathways, and reimagining store manager development. With insights from hospitality and hotel training models, you’ll leave with practical ideas to strengthen your people strategy and future-proof your workforce.

Discover how Circle K is redefining employee engagement through gamified training. In this case study, you’ll learn how the retailer integrated game mechanics into its learning programs to boost participation, improve knowledge retention, and drive measurable business results. The session will cover: Why gamification works in today’s workforce; Circle K’s approach to designing and implementing gamified learning; and Lessons learned and best practices for scaling across multiple locations.

The competition for talent is fierce, and the convenience industry faces unique challenges in attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders. This session explores how structured internship programs and strategic college recruitment can become powerful tools for building a sustainable talent pipeline.

Explore how AI can transform HR and learning strategies in this interactive workshop. Using real-world case studies from retailers, participants will see practical examples of AI in action. Then, in a hands-on session, attendees will apply these tools themselves, experimenting with approaches that can be implemented immediately in their own organizations. Walk away with actionable insights, new ideas, and strategies to leverage AI for stronger people and business outcomes.

Learn how emotional intelligence can elevate HR leadership and strengthen team performance. This session provides practical strategies to improve self-awareness, foster empathy, and enhance collaboration across your organization.

In this engaging, entertaining, and actionable presentation, Matt Havens will bring decades of experience helping organizations navigate generational differences to audiences looking to finally understand how to truly engage each other and how to simplify (not complicate) the solutions.

Attendees will learn how to understand, recognize, and resolve their generational issues by harnessing the power of Simplicity.

What attendees come away with:

• Tools for replacing the complicated five-generation model with a workable dichotomy between older, more experienced workers and their younger, less-experienced counterparts.
• An understanding of the key cultural, technological, and social changes that have conspired to create a disconnect between team members from these two groups.
• Practical strategies for reducing complexity and maximizing action capital.
• Methods for navigating and thriving in change across age-diverse groups.
• Tactics for hiring and retaining the best talent, regardless of their age.