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Event
August
2026
2-6

NACS Executive Leadership Program at Cornell

Ithaca, NY, United States
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Date & Time

Aug 02-06, 2026

Location:

Ithaca, NY, United States
Dyson School, Cornell University

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During the week-long program, NACS Executive Leadership Program attendees get to experience Cornell’s campus, in addition to immersive convenience-industry-specific classroom learning and collaboration with a network of peers.

Designed for senior-level retail management, this program will enlighten, inform and level up your leadership skills. Foster new ways of thinking, respond to the challenges of an evolved marketplace today and own your position as a visionary leader.

This program helps convenience leaders:

  • Reflect on and refine their leadership skills
  • Prepare for the demands of key company roles
  • Access 360-degree feedback assessments and individual executive-level coaching
  • Engage in group case studies that build a network of peers to help address tomorrow’s business challenges
  • Hear from top industry leaders speaking to today’s biggest challenges in leadership and the workforce

The program has been customized for the convenience and fuel retailing industry, and is administered by faculty in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, recently ranked in the top 15 best business schools by U.S News and World Report – providing a once-a-year opportunity for high-potential convenience industry executives to engage in peer case studies and prepare for the demands of key company roles.

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Endowed byReynolds

The course was amazing, from start to finish. The content is top notch! The Cornell faculty did an amazing job keeping all participants fully engaged— which is not an easy task given our fast-paced and ever-changing landscape.”
Matthew Solly, Fuel Operations Director, Circle K Stores, Inc.

Who Should Attend?

Geared towards high-potential convenience industry executives preparing to take on key leadership roles in NACS retail member companies. This program provides opportunities to supplement experience with formalized instruction on skills needed to drive long-term organizational performance. Past participants include:

  • Presidents and CEOs
  • CFOs and Controllers
  • Vice Presidents
  • Directors of Store Operations
  • Operations Managers
  • Territory Managers

Participant Roles

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Participating Companies Include

  • Casey’s
  • Circle K
  • Love’s Travel Centers
  • OXXO
  • Sheetz
It was one of the most educational trainings I’ve ever had. Meeting so many people from the industry, from across the globe, made the experience truly unique!”
Kerstin Meier, Head of Key Account Management, Lekkerland SE & Co. KG

The NACS Executive Leadership Program will take place on Cornell’s campus Sunday, August 2 through Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Here is a sample curriculum and schedule (PDF) for an idea of what to expect. Attendees should plan to arrive no later than 4 PM on Sunday, August 2 and depart after 12:30 PM on Thursday, August 6.

During the week, attendees will 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. In addition to the hands-on elements, the curriculum will explore key leadership competencies: how to think critically and how to motivate others effectively. Attendees will gain practical tools to make sound decisions amid uncertainty and shifting priorities, avoid analysis paralysis, and coach their teams to do the same. They’ll also uncover what truly drives performance—learning how to recognize and adapt to different motivational drivers to bring out the best in each team member.

Attendees will also attend a live-virtual kick-off webinar scheduled to take place in June. During that time, attendees will receive an introduction to the Benchmark Assessments that will be an integral part of their one-on-one feedback and coaching session to take place prior to arriving to campus. Specific details will be shared with participants once confirmed. Cornell will work with participants directly to schedule their individual coaching sessions.

The NACS Executive Leadership Program is administered by faculty in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, recently ranked number three in Bloomberg BusinessWeek's rankings of undergraduate business programs.

This program combines the exclusivity of an Ivy League education with world-class experts tailoring the training specifically towards the convenience industry. Meet the professors lined up to present at the program.

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Cornell-buildingClassroom & Lodging
Cornell University
Statler Hotel
130 Statler Drive
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-254-2500

Lodging at Cornell’s Statler Hotel and scheduled meals are included in the total cost of the program. NACS will handle the booking of your room for program nights only. The program fee includes 4 nights (Sunday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 5). If an Early Arrival (the evening of Saturday, August 1) or Late Departure (the evening of Thursday, August 6) is needed, then contact Brandi Mauro at [email protected]. The Cornell team will also collect travel information via a travel survey as the program approaches. Evenings outside of the program dates are at the participant’s expense. Payment for the additional night is due at the time of check-in.

Classes are scheduled to take place within the Statler building as well.

Transfer of registration to another person within your company may be possible and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Cancellations received on or before June 1 will be charged a $250 administrative fee. After June 1, the full amount of the registration fee will be forfeited. Registration cancellations or transfer requests must be emailed to [email protected] by June 1, 2026.

Your hotel is reserved when you register for the Executive Leadership Program. If you are unable to attend the program, need to cancel, and have alerted Brandi Mauro ([email protected]) of your cancellation request, then NACS will handle the cancellation of your hotel. However, if you made a reservation for nights outside of the program dates, then you will need to notify the hotel directly.

All registered participants will be notified of updates or changes via direct email as soon as they are made. In addition, the program’s webpage will also be kept up to date.

The recommended attire is business casual. The receptions follow the same dress code. However, you will need to bring appropriate clothing for the outdoor ropes course. The instructors suggest pants and tennis shoes.

Yes, as long as rooms are available, guest may check-in early.

Yes, there are several planned receptions and group dinners. There is also an afterhours lounge on the main floor of the Statler Hotel where attendees can go to continue to the conversations.

Yes, this program requires that attendees complete several pre-work assignments prior to arrival. One assignment requires feedback from your team, so we recommend sending it out 6 weeks prior to the start of the program. In addition, each participant will have a one-on-one coaching session with a professor prior to arrival. More details will be shared during the pre-arrival virtual orientation to be scheduled for June.

Yes, attendees have complimentary access to the gym in the Statler Hotel.

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The NACS Master of Convenience designation acknowledges the hard work and investment NACS members have made in their personal leadership development. It is awarded to convenience retailers who have attended 3 or more of the 5 NACS Executive Education programs. For questions, contact Brandi Mauro, NACS Education Program Manager: [email protected] or (703) 518-4223.

Now Open

Registration

NACS Member Pricing - $4,995

A tuition endowment from Reynolds makes this program most affordable for all NACS retail member companies. With financial support from Reynolds, program tuition is $4,995, which includes instruction, course materials, assessments, lodging, scheduled meals and entertainment. A portion of each registration fee goes to support NACS Alumni Network activities.



Please note: Registration is limited to retailer, distributor, and state association member companies only. State Associations, please contact Brandi Mauro at [email protected] to register.

Contact

Brandi Mauro

Program Manager, Executive Education

NACS

(703) 518-4223

Brandi Mauro combines her project management expertise with a passion for building meaningful relationships and creating opportunities for growth. She leads the development and execution of NACS education programs, including five Executive Education programs, the HR Forum, and the Food Safety Forum, and supports educational programming for the NACS Show. She oversees program design, production, and delivery, while cultivating strategic partnerships that enhance key events and create meaningful experiences for attendees.

In her free time, she enjoys family time with her husband, Chris, and their three active boys, Alex, Sam, and Teddy.

Not sure which program to attend?

Please contact NACS Education to schedule an advising session.

Schedule Consultation >

(703) 518-4223

NACS serves the global convenience and fuel retailing industry by providing industry knowledge, connections and issues leadership to ensure the competitive viability of its members’ businesses.

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