Convenience retailers are facing unprecedented levels of crime and safety issues, which are having a significant impact on financial performance, employee safety, job satisfaction and customer shopping behavior. These losses have escalated to an unforeseen level and are having a significant impact on both bottom-line financial performance, and on the safety of store personnel and customers.
NACS is committed to delivering the information you need to protect against threats that can cripple your business. The NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium brings together industry experts to share how you can prepare to protect your people and your bottom line. In addition, hands-on learning and collaboration opportunities help connect you with industry peers and solution providers who can help you create a safer operation for the neighborhoods you call home.
This agenda is regularly updated. Check back often for updates.
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2:30 pm – 2:40 pm
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Opening Remarks
Byron Coleman, Managing Director, Security Consulting Services
Jeff Burrell, VP, Retail Engagement, Research & Education, NACS
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2:40 pm – 3:10 pm
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General Session
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3:10 pm – 3:40 pm
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Building the Case for Asset Protection & Loss Prevention
Bob Wright, Loss Control Manager, Kwik Trip, Inc.
Learn how to effectively advocate for AP/LP programs within your organization, with strategies to demonstrate ROI and operational impact.
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3:40 pm – 4:00 pm
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Break; Exhibits Open
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4:00 pm – 4:50 pm
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Technology Use Cases for Convenience Retail
Brian Gray, Managing Director, Global Head of Fuels & Convenience Retail, Accenture
Discover how new technologies are being applied in convenience retail to enhance safety and improve operational efficiency.
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4:50 pm – 5:30 pm
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Practical Technology Applications in Retail Security
Uncover real-world examples of how AI is transforming retail security—from predictive analytics to intelligent surveillance.
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5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
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Networking Reception; Exhibits Open
Connect with peers, speakers, and industry leaders in a relaxed setting to exchange ideas and build valuable relationships.
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8:00 am – 8:30 am
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Light Breakfast; Exhibits Open
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8:30 am – 9:20 am
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What Is Total Loss and How Can I Adopt the Framework?
Mark Stinde, VP, Asset Protection, Casey’s
Retail loss today extends far beyond the visible issues of drive-offs, theft, and physical damage and looks at the impact that food waste, administrative errors, supplier fraud, and markdowns all collectively contribute to your bottom line. Industry veteran Mark Stinde will unpack the details behind the Total Retail Loss (TRL) approach and highlight how to embrace this comprehensive solution to prevent loss, protect your profits, and examines the impact that food waste, administrative errors, supplier fraud, and markdowns and unlock organizational efficiency.
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9:20 am – 10:10 am
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Federal Policy Update: The State of Crime and Legislation
Margaret Hardin Mannion, Director, Government Relations, NACS
Retail and violent crime has grown in scope, scale, and sophistication, creating urgent challenges for convenience retailers nationwide. This session offers an inside-the-Beltway deep dive on federal efforts to address crime and public safety, along with other legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry. Learn how these policies could impact your stores and how we’re shaping the conversation in Washington.
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10:10 am – 10:30 am
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Break; Exhibits Open
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10:30 am – 11:15 am
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Teaching De-Escalation to Your Frontline Teams
Equip your staff with practical tools and training techniques to handle difficult situations calmly and effectively.
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11:15 am – 12:00 pm
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Breaking the Cycle of Fuel Theft
Explore innovative approaches to detect, prevent and respond to fuel theft in convenience retail.
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12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
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Lunch
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1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
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Roundtables & Scenario Planning
Engage in interactive discussions and problem-solving exercises that focus on real-world security challenges and response strategies.
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1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
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Retailer Panel: Tricks and Tips for 2026
Moderated by Byron Coleman, Managing Director, Security Consulting Services
Bob Wright, Loss Control Manager, Kwik Trip Inc.
Weston Pate Jr., Vice President, LP & Risk, Refuel Operating Company
Retail leaders share insights, lessons learned and forward-looking strategies to prepare for the evolving security landscape.
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2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
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Break; Exhibits Open
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3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
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Human Trafficking: How to Spot It and How to Respond
Cheryl Csiky, Executive Director, In Our Backyard
Learn how to identify signs of human trafficking and take appropriate action to protect victims and support law enforcement efforts.
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3:45 pm – 4:15 pm
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A Guide to Virtual Guarding
Aaron Duxbury, General Manager, Remote Services
Understand how virtual guarding solutions are reshaping retail security, offering cost-effective and scalable protection.
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4:15 pm – 4:30 pm
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Closing Remarks
Jeff Burrell, VP, Retail Engagement, Research & Education, NACS
Wrap up the event with key takeaways, next steps and a look ahead at future initiatives.
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Read bio >>
Jeff leads the NACS Retailer Engagement, Research and Education Teams and engages with other NACS teams that drive and support industry engagement.
Jeff has extensive industry experience, with senior executive positions at Travel Centers of America, Alimentation Couche-Tard/Circle K and BP. He earned a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix, and a master's in marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
25 Years experience in Retail with experience in Retail with executive-level roles at BP and Circle K, running businesses, Executive level roles at BP and Circle K running businesses but also in Sales, Marketing, operations, and Fuels. Currently running Retail engagement and membership at NACS as well as Research and Education.
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Cheryl Csiky, Executive Director of In Our Backyard, has led anti-trafficking efforts since 2011. A survivor, she brings lived experience, trauma-informed leadership, and over a decade of mobilizing communities, training law enforcement, and supporting survivors. Cheryl has led national recovery efforts and major event operations, advocating that everyone has a role in ending human trafficking.
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Byron Coleman, based in Fairhope, AL, US, is currently a Managing Director at Security Consulting Services, LLC. Byron Coleman brings experience from previous roles at Wawa, Inc., Kirkland's, Inc., Security Risk Consultant Group, LLC and Macy's. Byron Coleman holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership @ Middle Tennessee State University. With a robust skill set that includes Asset Protection, Internal Investigations, Interviews, Inventory Control, Leadership and more.
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Brian is a Managing Director and currently leads Accenture’s Global and North America Fuels & Convenience Retail practice. He has spent the last 19 years working with 20+ fuels and convenience retailers around the world. Brian is passionate in helping to drive innovation throughout the business and ultimately setting clients up to capitalize on future trends. His experience stretches across customer experience, mobility, AI / GenAI, analytics, loyalty, retail site systems, payments, M&A, and large-scale complex deployments – spanning all channels of trade including Company Owned & Operated, Branded Wholesalers, Dealer, and Franchisee models.
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Mark Stinde is the Vice President of Asset Protection at Casey’s, overseeing Asset Protection, Inventory, and Safety. With over 35 years of retail experience, Mark has held executive leadership roles in asset protection, operations, and safety. Before joining Casey’s, he led Asset Protection programs for Kroger, JC Penney, 7-Eleven, and Circuit City. His extensive experience also includes various leadership roles in Asset Protection at The Home Depot.
Mark is actively involved in several retail industry organizations. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Loss Prevention Foundation, an Editorial Board Member for LP Magazine, and a Board Member of the Asset Protection Leadership Council for the Retail Industry Leaders Association. Most recently, Mark has engaged with the NACS LP Working Group. Mark earned his MBA from Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business.
Read bio >>
Bob Wright is the Loss Control Manager for Kwik Trip, Inc, bringing over 20 years of experience in corporate loss prevention, safety, and public service. In his current role, he successfully developed and launched Kwik Trip’s Loss Control Department, leading efforts over the past 3 years to implement proactive strategies that reduce shrink and enhance coworker safety. Prior to this leadership role, Bob held positions within Kwik Trip’s safety and workers compensation teams, contributing to the company’s strong safety culture. His career began with 12 years at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, where he built a solid foundation in incident response, interviewing techniques, and operational safety.
The 2025 NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium is an open event for all retailers and suppliers who seek the knowledge, connections and solutions critical to making stores safer. Membership in NACS is not required for this event.
Pricing:
- $399/person for NACS Members
- $799/person for non-members
Register Now
If you have questions regarding registering for the Symposium, please contact saferstores@convenience.org for assistance.
All 2025 NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium events and accommodations will take place at:
Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport
2334 North International Parkway,
Dallas, TX 75261
855-516-1090
Attendees are responsible for booking and guaranteeing their own hotel accommodation at the Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport, which is conveniently located within the DFW International Airport. For room reservations, visit 2025 NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium - Hotel Reservations to secure your room online.
Reservation deadline is November 11 to receive the NACS group rate of $177 plus tax, per room per night. Remember to book early! Rooms are based on availability and are not guaranteed until you confirm your own reservation.
Book your reservation today!
December weather in the Dallas Area is typically pleasant, with average temperatures in the low to mid-50s during the day and the 30s overnight. The meeting rooms may get chilly, so bring layers just in case.
Now in its second year, the NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium is designed specifically for the convenience industry. This two-day event connects solution providers, technology vendors, and other suppliers directly with operations, loss prevention and store safety leaders. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to network, collaborate and showcase solutions to protect people, safeguard inventory and reduce losses.
This event draws key retail decision makers actively seeking answers. If you have solutions to share, email SaferStores@Convenience.org.
See who attended (PDF) the inaugural NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium in 2024.