LAS VEGAS—The four days of NACS Show General Sessions, scheduled from October 1 to 4, will address the industry’s most pressing issues and feature a mixture of insights and entertainment in looking at the path forward for the industry.
Here’s a look at what’s ahead.
Scott Stratten | UnLeadership: Leading for Tomorrow, Today
October 1
3:45 - 5 p.m.
Back at the NACS Show by popular demand, Scott Stratten will tackle a huge issue we all face: How to get, keep and motivate employees. In his interactive presentation, Stratten will humorously cover the key aspects managing this new landscape—and thriving beyond it by looking at what works and laughing at what doesn’t work.
Stratten will acknowledge not only what our industry has been through, but where we can go in the future; how to create a stronger team bond; the most important leadership trait going forward; how dealing with problem customers can strengthen your company; and create an environment where a multi-generational workforce can thrive.
Industry Advocacy and the Future of Mobility
October 2
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
We’re covering all aspects of industry advocacy, including our biggest issue: credit card swipe fees. NACS Chair Jared Scheeler kicks off the General Session with his chairman’s address, followed by a discussion with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), who along with long-time swipe fees champion U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), introduced legislation that will bring competition to the swipe fees system—with your help.
We also will explore what transportation will look like in the future, looking at how automakers and retailers are collectively addressing the future of mobility. NACS President and CEO Henry Armour will lead a panel discussion that takes a 360-degree look at the issue with two renowned experts, representing the world’s leading auto manufacturer and one of the most progressive fuels retailers:
- Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO, Toyota Research Institute
- Doug Haugh, president, Parkland USA
Convenience Stores Are Community Stores
October 3
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Monday is all about community and what our industry means to their employees and the customers they serve. NACS Vice Chair and Treasurer Don Rhoads will begin his year as your 2022-23 NACS Chair, followed by a keynote by Jake Wood, who founded more than an organization—he created a movement with Team Rubicon.
Team Rubicon is the fastest growing and most innovative disaster response organization in the world. Since 2010, Team Rubicon has grown to more than 150,000 volunteers and responded to nearly 1,000 crises around the world and the United States. Under Wood’s leadership, Team Rubicon developed a reputation for its corporate culture, and named one of the top nonprofits to work for in America.
Wood served as a Marine Corps scout-sniper with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was a varsity football player for the Wisconsin Badgers. He is the author of “Once A Warrior,” a memoir detailing his time in war and disaster zones around the world, which Tom Brokaw called, “The book America needs right now.”
Reigniting the Customer Experience
October 4
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Our final day focuses on experience. We will see how best-in-class retailers are meeting the future now beginning with NACS Vice President of Research and Education Lori Stillman. She’ll talk about the glue that keeps shoppers coming back—customer experience—and share more on a growing NACS initiative that will help our industry build and manage a localized marketing strategy that maximizes their stores’ online presence and meet customers when and wherever they are searching.
And finally, we’ll conclude our general session program by debuting the popular and iconic NACS Ideas 2 Go program, featuring six innovative retailers who are hyper-focused on evolving their brands and offers to differentiate, delight and engage their customers.
All general sessions will take place in the Westgate’s Paradise Event Center.