Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
7:30 am – 8:00 am | Committee Breakfast |
8:00 am – 12:00 pm | NACS Retail Engagement Committee Meeting |
8:00 am – 12:00 pm | NACS Research & Technology Committee Meeting |
11:00 am – 5:30 pm | Registration Open |
1:00 pm – 4:55 pm | Top-to-Top Business Appointments (by invitation only) |
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Welcome to the 2026 Leadership Forum
Kristin Seabrook, Chief Legal Counsel, Global Partners LP |
5:15 pm – 5:30 pm | Convenience Has Heart: Spreading Love Through Convenience Cares
Kevin O'Connell, Executive Director, NACS Foundation, NACS At the NACS Leadership Forum, we believe leadership is not only about driving business results—it’s also about building community and giving back. In this interactive session, attendees will take part in a hands-on activity to create Valentine’s Day cards for first responders and food pantry clients. These small but meaningful gestures will brighten the day for those who are facing difficult challenges. This initiative is part of the broader Convenience Gives Back movement, underscoring the positive role our industry plays in communities around the world. By dedicating time to create and share kindness, participants will experience firsthand how acts of compassion can strengthen teams, inspire leadership, and remind us of the bigger purpose that drives the convenience industry forward. |
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Humans Powered by AI – The New ROI
Sol Rashidi, World's 1st Chief AI Officer with 10 Patents; Forbes “AI Maverick of the 21st Century”; Former Amazon Tech Exec, C-Suite Exec & Bestselling Author in AI AI isn’t coming—it’s already reshaping the way convenience retail operates, from forecasting foot traffic to optimizing labor hours. This session challenges executives to get ahead of the curve, showing how to use AI to supercharge productivity, cut costs, and unlock new customer experiences—without losing the people-first culture that drives loyalty. |
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm | NACS Welcome Reception
Dirty Soda Bar Hosted by Keurig Dr Pepper |
Evening | Open Evening for Dinner |
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 |
8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Registration |
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Leadership Breakfast |
9:00 am – 10:00 am | Unlocking Human Potential, Powering Performance
Matt Havens, International keynote speaker, Former corporate leader Today’s workplace is divided by generations, burnout, and competing priorities. Matt Havens shows leaders how to cut through complexity and focus on what unites people, not what separates them. Attendees will leave with simple, practical strategies to strengthen culture, drive engagement, and unlock the full potential of their teams. |
10:00 am – 10:45 am | Inside OXXO: How FEMSA Built a Retail Powerhouse
Constantino Spas, CEO, Proximity Americas & Mobility, OXXO Discover how FEMSA scaled OXXO into Latin America’s largest convenience chain and is now expanding into the U.S. This session covers OXXO’s rapid growth model, customer-centric “need-state” approach, digital and operational innovations, and leadership principles that drive agility. |
10:45 am – 11:15 am | Networking Break
Featuring Dirty Soda Bar by Keurig Dr Pepper |
11:15 am – 12:00 pm | Powering Financial Performance with Fuels
Jeff Burrell, Vice President, Retail Engagement, Research & Education, NACS
John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute
Casey Thomas, Head of Supply North America, Circle K
Jeff Mansfield, Vice President, Branded Wholesale Supply, Global Partners
Matt Durand, Deputy General Counsel, NACS Fuel remains a cornerstone of profitability for convenience retailers, yet it also represents one of the most complex and dynamic parts of the business. In this session, senior leaders will provide insights into how to optimize fuel’s contribution to overall financial performance—from strategic pricing and supply negotiations to balancing traditional fuel revenue with emerging financial opportunities. Explore how leading companies are rethinking fuel as both a revenue engine and a long-term growth platform, positioning their organizations for resilience and competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. |
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch |
1:00 pm – 1:40 pm | Always On, Always Convenient: Meet the AI Agents Powering C-Store Growth
Afif Khoury, Founder and CEO, SOCi AI-powered search is transforming how customers choose which convenience store to visit. Retailers that maintain accurate and consistent online information stand out in this new landscape, ensuring their locations are easily discoverable and trusted. By keeping store details visible and up to date, businesses can drive more foot traffic and stay ahead of evolving customer behaviors, positioning themselves for success in the future of local search. |
1:40 pm – 1:45 pm | Explanation of Breakout Activities |
2:00 pm – 3:55 pm | Top-to-Top Business Appointments (by invitation only) |
2:00 pm – 3:55 pm | Digital Catch-Up |
4:15 pm – 6:00 pm | Breakout Activities: Powering Your Network
Get ready to elevate your connections in a setting that’s anything but ordinary. Powering Your Network is a curated networking experience designed exclusively for leaders in the convenience retail industry. This dynamic session features three unique breakout activities that blend relaxation, creativity, and conversation — all facilitated to spark meaningful relationships and peer-to-peer collaboration. During registration, you will be able to choose one of the following immersive experiences: - Cocktails Around the World – Outdoor Activity. Step into a passport-free journey of flavor and flair. Cocktails Around the World is a luxurious tasting journey where guests explore globally inspired cocktails crafted by expert mixologists. Each station features a signature drink from a different region paired with cultural touches and elegant ambiance. This is more than a tasting—it's a celebration of global elegance, curated for the executive palate. Hosted by The Coca-Cola Company
- Leadership Games – Outdoor Activity. Join us for a series of lighthearted, team-based challenges designed to inspire leadership, collaboration, and a little friendly competition. With sun, laughter, and strategic fun, it’s the perfect setting to connect with fellow industry leaders. Hosted by Eternal Water
- Custom Valentine's Gift Experience – Get creative with building a candy bag/box for a spouse/partner or a loved one.
Each experience is facilitated to ensure conversations flow, introductions happen, and your network grows with purpose. Whether you're looking to build strategic partnerships, explore collaborative opportunities, or simply expand your circle within the industry, Powering Your Network offers the perfect environment to do just that — with a touch of style and a lot of connection. |
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | NACS Networking Dine-Around
Network through the night - escape to Havana for a night of bold flavors, vibrant music, and spirited connections. Enjoy a dynamic evening of strolling food stations, handcrafted cocktails and lively entertainment with fellow leaders in the convenience and fuel retail industry.
Specialty Cocktails by Altria Group Distribution Company, Ferrara, and Primo Brands
Dessert Bars by The Hershey Company and Mondelez |
9:00 pm – 10:30 pm | NACSPAC VIP Party
(Must be a current Friends of NACS member to attend, please contact Katie Bohny with any questions) |
Thursday, February 12, 2026 |
8:00 am – 11:00 am | Registration |
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Leadership Breakfast |
9:00 am – 10:00 am | The Spark Effect: Energizing Leaders for Extraordinary Outcomes Without Burnout
Erin Stafford, Best-selling author, burnout survivor, high-performance strategist, and Cambridge social psychologist In today’s fast-moving convenience retail landscape, executives are under pressure to deliver results while navigating disruption, fueling innovation, and keeping teams motivated. In this dynamic keynote, leadership expert Erin introduces a framework to help leaders ignite purpose, lead with resilience, and create cultures where teams are energized and engaged. Leaders will walk away with clarity and confidence to spark meaningful change, empower their people, and drive extraordinary outcomes across their organizations. |
10:00 am – 11:00 am | A Conversation on the NACS Vision for the Future
Frank Gleeson, President & CEO, NACS
Annie Gauthier, Co-CEO, St. Romain Oil Company
Join Frank for a candid conversation as he reflects on his first month as CEO of NACS and shares his vision for the future of both the organization and the convenience industry. From immediate priorities to long-term opportunities, this session provides insight into how today’s leadership is shaping tomorrow’s growth. |
11:30 am – 12:30 pm | NACS Supplier Board Lunch (for committee members only) |
12:00 pm – 12:15 pm | NACS Supplier Executive Committee Meeting |
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | NACS Supplier Board Meeting |
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | NACS Supplier Board Executive Session & Debrief |
