With more than 50 years of convenience industry data, analysis and strategic insights behind it, the NACS State of the Industry (SOI) Summit provides the data-powered answers you need to help set the course forward for your business. Each spring, we bring together top business speakers, industry experts, and top-performing c-store retailers to help break down the latest consumer, financial and operational data across the convenience channel—live from the stage.
Held over two fast-paced days, the SOI Summit is the industry’s only event where convenience retailers gain access to the newest metrics—as well as industry trends, opportunities and watchouts—in key topic areas such as finance, labor, store operations, foodservice, merchandising and fuels.
- Get an exclusive first look at financial and operational data before the NACS State of the Industry Report® is published in June
- Benchmark your business against competitors in your region and across the United States
- Stay ahead of trends before they get ahead of you with the latest economic, consumer, convenience and adjacent channel trends
- Identify the changes in shopper behavior that impact merchandising, dayparts and product discovery
- Retailers and industry experts share insights that help you capitalize on trends, avoid pitfalls and optimize the performance of your business
- Unlock new thinking that will elevate the role your store(s) play in exceeding shoppers needs and build bigger baskets
Leading convenience retailers and industry partners who want to make data driven decisions and know the value of using insights and benchmarking to improve their businesses. Retailers and their supplier partners know this event not only builds new connections and opportunities, but is the premier opportunity to upskill future leaders who can impact performance as they grow and develop their industry knowledge.
See who attended in 2025 (PDF)
- CEOs, Presidents, Owners
- C-Suite Leaders, Decision Makers
- Key Staff Across Your Enterprise:
- Analytics/Data/Insights
- Category Management
- Finance
- Food Safety/Quality Assurance
- Foodservice
- Fuel
- Marketing
- Merchandising
- Operations
- Real Estate
The NACS State of the Industry Summit is the only event that delivers insights—not just facts—on the latest financial, operational, categorical, regional market, and consumer trends in convenience.
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12:00 PM - 6:30 PM
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Registration Open
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| 4:00 PM - 4:10 PM |
Welcome |
| 4:10 PM - 4:40 PM |
Master of Convenience Awards Ceremony
Brandi Mauro , NACS |
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4:40 PM - 5:30 PM
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Turn the Page: Innovative Thinking for Better Results
Tucker Bryant, Poet & Innovation Keynote Speaker
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5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
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Reception
Technology Solutions Center Open
NACS Executive Education Alumni Reception
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7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
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Registration Open
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7:15 AM - 8:15 AM
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Networking Breakfast
Technology Solutions Center Open
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8:20 AM - 8:30 AM
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Welcome by the NACS Research & Technology Committee Chair
Charles McIlvaine, Chairman/CEO Coen Markets; Chairman, NACS Research and Technology Committee
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8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
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U.S. Economic Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
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9:30 AM - 9:50 AM
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Networking Break
Technology Solutions Center Open
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9:50 AM - 10:45 AM
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Financial and Operational Lessons from 2025
Randy Quinn, SVP, Merchandising - Vault and Proprietary Beverages, 7-Eleven, Inc.
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10:45 AM - 11:40 AM
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In-Store Performance Lessons from 2025
Andrew Baill, Senior Category Manager - Fresh Beverages, Wawa
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11:40 AM- 12:40 PM
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Lunch
Technology Solutions Center Open
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12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
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How the Top Convenience Operators Performed in 2025
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1:30 PM - 2:10 PM
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Turning Pump Stops into Meal Stops: Unlocking Foodservice
Session Description
The future of convenience isn’t only faster - it’s fresher, hotter, and a lot more craveable. This session explores how leading c-stores are evolving from quick in-and-out pit stops to true meal destinations, competing head-on with QSRs. We'll also explore strategies from leading QSR brands to plug foodservice leakage and win loyalty along the way. Walk away with actionable plays to turn every fuel trip into a foodservice trip.
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2:10 PM - 2:30 PM
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Break
Technology Solutions Center Open
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2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
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Regional Performance Insights from 2025: Northeast, Midwest and West
Session Description
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3:30 PM - 4:10 PM
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Regional Performance Insights from 2025 Continued: Southeast, South Central and Central
Session Description
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4:10 PM - 4:30 PM
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Networking Break
Technology Solutions Center Open
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4:30 PM - 5:20 PM
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Creating Superfans: How to Turn Customers Into Lifelong Advocates
Brittany Hodak, Award-winning Entrepreneur and Customer Experience Expert, Author of Creating Superfans
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5:20 PM - 5:30 PM
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Closing Statements
Charles McIlvaine, Chairman/CEO Coen Markets; Chairman, NACS Research and Technology Committee
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5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
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Reception
Technology Solutions Center Open
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9:00 PM - 11:30 PM
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NACSPAC Lounge Open
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7:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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Registration Open
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7:15 AM - 8:15 AM
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Networking Breakfast
Technology Solutions Center Open
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8:20 AM - 9:00 AM
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TBD
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9:00 AM - 9:35 AM
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TBD
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9:35 AM - 10:00 AM
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Networking Break
Technology Solutions Center Open
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10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
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Fuel Deep Dive with OPIS
Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS
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10:45 AM - 11:25 AM
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The Latest Key Metrics of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
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11:25 AM - 11:45 AM
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Closing Remarks
Frank Gleeson, President & CEO, NACS
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2026 Speakers
Show Bio...
Andrew joined Wawa in January 2016 and has held roles focused on identifying savings opportunities and driving greater efficiency, increasing productivity in Wawa’s stores, and developing Wawa’s long term corporate strategy. Most recently, Andrew led Wawa’s Consumer Insights & Strategy team, with responsibility for studying consumer behavior through research and customer data analytics. Andrew transitioned into a new role in July 2025 with P&L ownership of Wawa’s Fresh Beverage categories, including hot coffee, self-serve cold dispensed beverages, and full-serve beverages (smoothies, espresso drinks, etc.).
Prior to joining Wawa, Andrew worked as a management consultant at Bain and Company in Chicago, where he focused his time across multiple industries, including foodservice and retail. Andrew earned an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and earned his bachelor’s degree from Wharton as well. In his free time, Andrew enjoys exploring Philadelphia with his wife and three children, and playing tennis and ultimate frisbee.
After years at Stanford and Google, Tucker Bryant uncovered a surprising truth: the skills that fuel world-class innovation aren’t confined to the boardroom—they’re also found in the mindset of a poet.
Tucker Bryant worked at Google as a Product Marketing Manager, where he focused on building go-to-market strategies for some of the company’s major products. His work involved helping launch and position tools for businesses, contributing to cross-functional leadership, and driving innovation initiatives—skills that now inform his insights on creativity, communication, and leadership in the corporate world.
Once a teenager who thought poetry and business had nothing in common, Tucker came to realize that the creative practices he once set aside were the very tools that helped him thrive in Silicon Valley. Today, as a nationally recognized poet and speaker, he bridges the gap between creativity and corporate strategy, helping leaders embrace discomfort, challenge assumptions, and unlock bold, transformative ideas. Tucker equips audiences with a powerful, poetic posture that drives innovation—and he’s ready to help audiences write what's next.
Show Bio...
Denton has been with OPIS since 2001 and serves as the Chief Oil Analyst, responsible for the day to day operations of OPIS’ news and analysis division. In his role, Denton also provides big picture views to OPIS subscribers on a variety of topics from supply and demand trends to anticipating price moves in the futures, spot and retail markets in North America.
During his time at OPIS, Denton has covered a variety of markets from Natural Gas Liquids to U.S. refined spot markets. Before becoming the Chief Oil Analyst, Denton was leading the OPIS refined spots team.
He has been widely quoted and interviewed as an expert forecasting the price of oil and retail gasoline and diesel explaining what moves can mean for the consumer as well as the industry as a whole. Denton is a frequent contributor for major media outlets such as Fox Business, CNBC, MSNBC and CBS News.
Denton is a graduate of Rutgers University and football letter winner.
Show Bio...
On January 1, Frank becomes the fourth CEO in NACS’ 64-year history. Frank previously served on the NACS International Board for 19 years and was on the NACS Board of Directors for 11 years, including his term as 2018-19 NACS Chair of the Board.
Frank has deep experience in foodservice and convenience retailing. As president & CEO of Aramark Northern Europe from 2017 to 2024, he oversaw a team of over 20,000 employees across 2,800-plus locations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), which served an estimated 1 million meals a day. Before Aramark, Frank was retail director at Topaz Energy Group, the largest importer, distributor, and retailer of transportation fuel in Ireland with over 330 convenience stores and service stations, sixty distribution depots and four import terminals. Prior to that, he was vice president retail of Statoil Ireland (now Equinor), where he led the development of the first American-style convenience store in Ireland. Most recently, he served as chair of the National Oil Reserve Agency in Ireland. In addition, Frank was a board member and chair of Retail Ireland (the leading business organization representing the retail sector in Ireland), a board member and president of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and a board member of the Irish Transport Authority.
Frank and his wife Marian are the parents of four children: Aoibhinn, Michael, Jack, and Ella. Frank is passionate about all sports and played Gaelic football, touring Australia with a Dublin Colleges GAA team led by Ireland football legend Niall Quinn and featuring subsequent All Ireland winner Paul Clarke
Show Bio...
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and customer experience expert who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. Her SUPER Model™ framework has empowered thousands of organizations’ employees to transform customers’ apathy into advocacy.
When her debut book, Creating Superfans, was released, Forbes declared: “If you have customers, you need this book. Period.” A recognized authority on customer experience, Brittany has authored more than 350 articles for top media outlets, including Success, Adweek, and Inc.
As an entrepreneur, Brittany founded and scaled an entertainment agency to eight figures, collaborating with global icons including KISS, Taylor Swift, and Dolly Parton. She created 250 unique collectibles, which collectively sold over 10 million copies worldwide and won dozens of awards. Her work even landed her on Shark Tank, where she received four investment offers.
Brittany’s agency clients included Walmart, Disney, Amazon, and Johnson & Johnson, among other Fortune 100 brands. She was the first Chief Experience Officer at Experience.com and previously led marketing initiatives at Sony Music.
Brittany’s high-energy keynotes blend research-backed insights, compelling storytelling, and real-world applications to inspire attendees at every level of an organization to leverage customer experience as their ultimate competitive advantage.
Her deep pre-event customization and interactive delivery ensure that no two keynotes are alike—yet every one is memorable, actionable, and fun. That’s why organizations including American Express, Keller Williams, Mathnasium, PURE Insurance, and PrimeLending have invited her back to speak time and time again.
Show Bio...
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.
Show Bio...
Caitlin Root leads Datassential's Customer Experience team and has 15+ years of market research experience in both custom and syndicated research methodologies. For the last ten years she has partnered with food and beverage manufacturers, distributors, and foodservice operators to deliver impactful, data-driven insights about the foodservice landscape and consumer behaviors. She holds a master's degree in business management and bachelor's degree in business marketing.
Registration for the 2026 NACS State of the Industry Summit is open to both NACS members and non-members. For information on registration options and pricing, please click the appropriate category below.
Association/Academia Attendee
Pricing: $499/person
Association/Academia Attendees require approval prior to registering for the 2026 NACS State of the Industry Summit. Please contact soireg@convenience.org for assistance.
Media individuals/organizations are not eligible to attend/participate in the NACS State of the Industry Summit.
If you have questions regarding registering for the SOI Summit, please contact soireg@convenience.org for assistance.
If you have questions regarding SOI Summit marketing and advertising opportunities, contact Stacey Dodge at sdodge@convenience.org for assistance.
If you have questions regarding the Technology Solutions Center, please contact cwise@convenience.org for assistance.
This special session is open to supplier members only and seating is limited. Hunter Club Gold members can register up to 4 attendees, Hunter Club Silver & Bronze members can register up to 3 attendees and supplier members can register up to 2 attendees.
This session provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from five of the industry's leading retailers directly in a closed, supplier-only format. Presenting successively, leadership from invited retailers will share top strategic initiatives and priorities—and address supplier-generated topics—in an intimate session. Registered attendees will provide topics via a pre-event survey. Sessions will be closed to external media and other retailers, assuring the insights and transparent dialogue are clear and actionable.
The 2025 retailer speakers included:
The Technology Solutions Center features 15 technology businesses that have solutions specialized to the convenience industry.
The Technology Solutions Center at the SOI Summit allows exhibitors to connect directly with hundreds of convenience retail leaders. The Center will be available to Summit attendees during all networking breakfasts, lunch, session breaks, and evening receptions.
As SOI Summit attendees focus on identifying solutions that meet their business goals, the Center is a timely opportunity for strategic planning and learning more about the innovations available in the technology space.
If your company is would like to exhibit at the 2026 NACS SOI Summit Technology Solutions Center, contact Chris Wise at cwise@convenience.org.
Conveniently located close to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel serves as the location for the 2026 NACS State of the Industry Summit. For room reservations, visit 2026 NACS SOI Summit Hotel Reservations to secure your room online. Reservation deadline is March19, 2026, to receive the NACS group rate of $175 plus tax per room per night. Remember to book early! All rooms are based on availability and are not guaranteed until you confirm your own reservation.
Book Your Hotel
NACS has partnered with the following airlines to provide attendees for the 2026 NACS State of the Industry Summit discounts on flights to and from Chicago.
United Airlines is offering flight discounts for NACS State of the Industry participants. Discounts will vary based on fare class, flights, departure city, etc. and are not guaranteed for all flights. Valid travel dates are April 6, 2026 – April 24, 2026, for flights going to/from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). You can book your reservation by visiting United.com. If the code does not pre-populate, you will need to enter the offer code: ZRXG910638 under promotions/certificates. You may also call the United Reservations Meetings Desk at (800) 426-1122 and provide the offer code to secure your reservation over the phone.
Airports:
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Weather:
April weather in the Chicago area is typically pleasant, with average temperatures in the low to mid-50s. However, the meeting rooms may get chilly, so we recommend bringing layers.
As a first-time attendee, is there anything I should know about the event before attending?
The NACS research team will host a free, 20-minute webinar in the weeks leading up to the SOI Summit to help you better engage with the data and event. The webinar will answer frequently asked questions, explain where the data comes from and how to best use it.
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations received on or before Friday, March 6, 2026, will receive a refund (less a $100 administrative fee). From March 6 through March 27, 2026, a fee equal to 50% of any registration fees paid or due will be assessed. After March 27, 2026, the full amount of any registration fees paid or due will be forfeited. Transfer of registration to another person within your company for the same event can be done at any time without penalty. Please remember to cancel your hotel reservation directly with the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel by calling (847) 303-4100.
How do I change my registration/replace with a colleague?
If you need to make a change/substitution to your registration, please submit your request to soireg@convenience.org.
How do I access my invoice/confirmation after I register?
A confirmation/invoice will be sent to you immediately after your registration has been submitted. For additional assistance, please email soireg@convenience.org.
Are government rates or student rates available?
No, we do not offer government or student discounts/rates for the NACS State of the Industry Summit.
Can media/press attend the event?
No, this event is closed to trade press and media outlets.
How do I advertise in the NACS Magazine June State of the Indsutry Summit special edition?
Companies who are attending the NACS State of the Industry Summit qualify for a special advertising rate in the NACS Magazine June SOI Data Issue, featuring your ad along with this exclusive industry data. Reserve your ad or learn more
Will a copy of the attendee list for NACS State of the Industry Summit be provided?
Yes. The final attendee list will be made available on-site at the event. View the 2025 list of attendees (PDF). Please note NACS does not share email addresses of any event attendees without expressed consent.
Is there any fine print I should be aware of?
By attending the event, all attendees consent to the terms and conditions below.
If you have additional questions, please contact soireg@convenience.org or Anna Serfass at (703) 518-4243.