Convenience Matters

Consumers don't generally pay attention to the quality of gasoline they put into their cars. But, fuel marketers, the US EPA and the auto industry do. Hosted by: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

Vision and strategy are critical to growing a business, but it can't happen without execution. Hear from two of the most prominent rockstar leaders in today's convenience industry how they make it all happen. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

On this week's episode, we talk with leaders of two of the most admired companies in the convenience industry about strategy, vision and their favorite rock bands. Find out what Beyonce, Springsteen, Maggelet and Krause have in common. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Champion adventure racer Robyn Benincasa shares the inspirational story behind Project Athena and teaches us how ordinary teams can be extraordinary when given the right encouragement. Learn more about how to get involved with Project Athena at https://projectathena.org. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

NACS collects a lot of sales data from retailers throughout the year. What are the metrics related to fuel sales, what do they mean for convenience stores and gas stations and what might they mean for drivers and consumers? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

Customers expect seamless, convenient shopping experiences in stores and on their mobile devices. Are you ready to give that to them? Digital Transformation is the use of technology to solve problems often using cloud computing and the Internet of Things. Gunter Pfau, Founder and CEO of Stuzo explains how necessary and easy it can be to mesh your brick-and-mortar store front with your digital one. To learn more, visit https://www.stuzo.com. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

We are joined by NACS Board Member Don Rhoads, President & CEO of the Convenience Group in Vancouver, Washington. He talks with us about his two Minit Mart stores and why he stresses the importance of giving back to those communities. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

NACS President & CEO Henry Armour shares his perspective of NACS, the industry, customers and stores while looking back at his career at the helm of the convenience industry's international association. With a cross-country road trip recently under his belt, he talks about the state of the industry and the future as he sees it. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

Benchmarking is a process of measuring your company's performance in order to identify internal opportunities for improvement. NACS expert researcher, Jayme Gough, walks us through some NACS tools to help retailers and suppliers be best in class. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Reports allude to the idea that the end of personal vehicle ownership is inevitable; however, consumers have some say in that. Join us as we chat with Micah Muzio, Managing Editor, Video, of Kelley Blue Book and take a deeper dive into consumer purchasing trends. Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

When a passion for foodservice, convenience and customers intersect, sometimes the best path forward is to take the show on the road - literally. We spoke with Larry Jackson of Good to Go Markets and Bullhead Pit Beef about entering the food truck business and how it complements his convenience store operation. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

In 2017, price increases, poor fuel quality and shortages were all part of the growing pains for the Mexican petroleum market following the deregulation of the energy market. Two years later, has there been any improvement and is there a place for U.S. retailers to get involved? Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

Food safety is very important for those who serve food and those who eat it. Join us as we test out some myths about common things we all do with food - from leftovers to gas station nachos. Learn more about food safety best practices at www.fightbac.org Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

Clean Cities coalitions are transforming local transportation markets to implement alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel-saving strategies. With more than 80% of the U.S. population living inside the boundaries of Clean Cities and given convenience stores sell 80% of the nation's fuel, hear how retailers can take advantage of available funds to assist in keeping fueling infrastructure in-line with customer needs. Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

As lawmakers wage war on plastics and as consumers try to understand the confusing recycling system, some products are caught in the middle -- like coffee cups. The plastic liner in paper cups and other foodservice containers can make those items unrecyclable. Hear about possible solutions for providing customers with cups that can land in places other than landfills. For more information about the commercially available product, reCup – the recyclable paper cup – visit www.recup.earth/nacs. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

Born between 1995 and 2012, Gen Z is about to make its presence known in the workplace in a major way and employers need to understand the differences that set them apart. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

As transportation trends evolve, will retailers follow government regulation or consumer demand? Hear the perspectives of two fuel retailing decision-makers and learn how market disruptions create business opportunities. Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

Colton Smith, host of TV series Rock the Park, talks about his adventures, pit stops at convenience stores and preserving the planet for future generations. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS

Everybody and everything is increasingly more connected. Wiring and connecting smart stores is a must-have way of ensuring stores are resilient, innovative and allow for employees to focus on customer-facing tasks. Hear the benefits and challenges of making walls talk. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

In an age when brick-and-mortar stores are closing at a rapid clip, hear from visionary leader, Ilyas Munshi of EG Group who is leading that company's growth through acquisitions around the globe. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS