Top Women in Convenience Events Now Part of NACS Show Program
The programs recognize female leaders from across the industry’s retailer, distributor and supplier communities.
May 07, 2026
The Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) programs developed by Convenience Store News, an EnsembleIQ brand, have been added to the official NACS Show program. The programs recognize and celebrate female senior-level leaders, rising stars and mentors from across the industry’s retailer, distributor and supplier communities.
The NACS Show is considered the global convenience and fuel retailing industry’s most comprehensive event and one of the most dynamic retail and food-focused trade shows. Last year more than 25,000 attendees from 73 countries experienced four days of education, networking and a look at what’s new for the industry. The 2026 NACS Show takes places October 6-9 in Las Vegas. Registration for the event is now open.
The arrangement creates a TWIC-focused day and enhances the attendee experience by streamlining the scheduling and events that take place during the NACS Show.
On Thursday, October 8, Convenience Store News will host its inaugural Top Women in Convenience Connections luncheon from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, bringing together the 2026 class of TWIC honorees and TWIC alumni from past years for professional development and networking. The TWIC Awards Gala will now take place the evening of October 8 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
“NACS and Convenience Store News are bringing one of the industry’s most prestigious awards programs into the NACS Show agenda, ensuring our audience can experience the new TWIC luncheon and the Top Women in Convenience Awards Gala without logistical conflicts,” said Bob Hughes, NACS vice president of supplier relations, expositions and meetings.
“Moving TWIC to Thursday, October 8, not only solves industry scheduling conflicts but also allows us to introduce new TWIC Connections programming during the inaugural TWIC luncheon, further building on the energy of the NACS Show,” said Sandra Parente, senior vice president of EnsembleIQ.
Now in its 13th year, TWIC is the industry’s first and only awards program that recognizes the integral role women play in convenience retailing and honors female leaders who are making outstanding contributions to their companies and the convenience store industry at large. To date, nearly 800 women have been welcomed into the TWIC family.
