Trade Press Policy

NACS welcomes members of the working editorial press to cover its events and report upon its activities, and provides complementary registration to qualified media. Our policy was developed to ensure that the value of media credentials is maintained for qualified journalists.

Overall Guidelines

• NACS media registration is open to working journalists with commercial-news organizations only. 
• For the NACS Show, sales representatives/public relations staff with exhibiting publications should register for exhibitor passes; sales/marketing representatives from non-exhibiting companies should register through general registration. These personnel are unable to attend other NACS events, such as the Global Forum, the Leadership Forum and so on. 
• Media credentials/badges from other shows that are not related to NACS events are not considered valid media credentials. 
• Companions and other non-credentialed guests of media representatives are not eligible for complimentary media registration.
• NACS reserves the right to refuse media credentials for publications that cannot be verified or that it deems not substantive in reach or content; all requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• NACS reserves the right to revoke previously issued media credentials when appropriate.
• The number of complimentary trade press registrations issued will be a function of the event size and content diversity. 

Credentialing Requirements

Print media

• Only reporters or editors of consumer, industry trade or business media publications are eligible to attend the NACS Show on a complimentary basis. Publishers do not qualify unless they have regularly bylined articles. Specialty publications that cover other industries and do not have a regular focus on the convenience store industry are not eligible for complimentary media registration, nor are internal corporate newsletters.
• Editorial director or equivalent title per publishing organization (as opposed to a specific publication within a group) are eligible for media registration.
• For the NACS Show, publishers, sales vice presidents, advertising and sales representatives and other non-editorial staff must register through general registration and are not eligible for media credentials. These personnel are unable to attend other NACS events, such as the Global Forum, the Leadership Forum and so on.
• Freelance writers and photographers covering NACS events must present a letter of assignment from a publisher, editor or producer (on letterhead) of the media outlet to be considered for media credentials. 

Online Publications

• Only journalists with news web sites or blogs qualify for media badges. Sites that are primarily for business or sales purposes (i.e., B2C or B2B) do not qualify.
• Online journalists must have bylined articles on the site, as well as business cards verifying their positions/titles.
• Non-editorial positions are not eligible for media credentials.

 Broadcast Media

• Reporters and camera crews from broadcast television or radio stations must present a letter of assignment (on letterhead) from an approved outlet to receive media credentials.
• Reporters and camera crews for web-based programs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on written proposals of coverage that are submitted to NACS.

All credentialed media companies are expected to publish coverage of the event within 90 days of the event. Failure to do so may result in denial of press credentials for future NACS events.

All media requesting credentials may be asked to provide any or all of the following:

• A business card with name, editorial title and media outlet’s logo;
• A copy of the masthead, which clearly displays name and editorial title; and/or
• A bylined industry-related article written and published within the last 12 months.

 Non-Editorial Attendance at NACS Events

• Non-editorial personnel from trade press organizations will be able to attend the NACS Show either through the Trade Press Exhibitor Program or by paying the appropriate non-editorial trade press registration fee. Non-editorial personnel will not be able to attend other NACS events.