Wawa Serves as Location for the 100th NACS In Store Event

WASHINGTIN, D.C.—Yesterday, a Republican and two Democrats came together in our nation’s capital to celebrate something we can all support—convenience. Chris Gheysens, CEO of Wawa, hosted Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY), Greg Walden (R-OR) and Peter Welch (D-VT) for our 100^th NACS In Store event at one of the new Wawa stores in the District of Columbia. NACS In Store was launched in 2014 to tell the industry’s story to members of Congress.

Instead of offering just the typical in-district business tour, the NACS In Store event offers a full immersion experience to representatives who come out to learn more about the convenience store industry and the impact it has on the communities they serve. We invite legislators to become a part of the team, work behind the counter and experience the convenience store industry firsthand.

To celebrate the 100^th In Store event, NACS brought together Representatives Tonko, Walden and Welch, who are all members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. The Committee has jurisdiction over a number of issues impacting the convenience store industry, both inside and outside of the store, such as fuels, electric vehicles, tobacco, menu labeling, healthcare, data security, privacy and more. These representatives have each participated in In Store events in their districts, and it was important for them to be a part of this milestone for NACS. Like all In Store events, the goal of NACS is to help legislators learn the story of the convenience store industry and take it back with them to Capitol Hill. The 100^th In Store visit was no different, aside from being just a shorter distance away for them to easily return to the U.S. Capitol.

“By bringing members from both political parties together, we wanted to highlight how convenience truly is a bipartisan issue. It was great to see Reps. Tonko, Walden and Welch working together behind the counter to serve Wawa customers,” stated Henry Armour, president and CEO of NACS.

“We are proud to host NACS’ 100^th In Store and these three distinguished members of Congress. It was a fantastic experience and so good to have everyone here today,” said Wawa CEO Gheysens.

Half of America shops at a convenience store every day, and this is at the root of the convenience industry’s story. Convenience crosses party lines and brings people together. Everyone needs convenience, and with NACS In Store, NACS works hard to highlight that fact.

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