Convenience Matters

Industry icon Rick Brindle shares what he's learned and what he's looking forward to as a new chapter begins on his 46-year retail industry career. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Rick Brindle, Vice President of Industry Development, Mondelēz International Rick Brindle has a long track record of breakthrough success in the in the food and beverage consumer product goods and retailing sectors, including serving at Safeway Stores, Proctor & Gamble, Nabisco, Kraft and, most recently, Mondelēz International. He has been active at NACS serving as 2020-21 NACS Supplier Board chairman and has received numerous honors, including induction in the Candy Hall of Fame.

Spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails have exploded in popularity over the last few years. Outdated laws keep convenience stores in many states from selling these products. In states like Texas, retailers are fighting for change. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Paul Hardin, President & CEO, Texas Food & Fuel Association Paul Hardin, CAE, is president & CEO of Texas Food & Fuel Association. A 30-year veteran in association management, Hardin previously served as executive director and CEO of the Texas Physical Therapy Association and has led non-dues revenue programs for the country’s largest state hospital and medical associations. He also is a former staff member of the Texas Grocery & Convenience Association, which merged with the Texas Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association in 2012, forming what is known today as the Texas Food & Fuel Association. Chris Swonger, President & CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Chris Swonger is president

TXB has done much more than rebrand a previous store concept: It’s redefined the concept of convenience. Stores have a focus on fresh, local food and its local roots. After all, it’s Texas born. Related Link: TXB Stores Inc. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Kevin Smartt, CEO, TXB Stores Inc. Kevin is CEO of TXB Stores, formerly known as Kwik Chek Food Stores, a chain of approximately 50 locations across Texas and Oklahoma. He is a current member of the NACS Executive Committee and served as 2020-21 NACS chairman. He also served as chairman of Conexxus. Anna Felz, Director of Brand Management, TXB Stores Inc. Anna has been at TXB since 2019 and oversees all elements of brand management for the company. She previously served as marketing director for Sprint Food Stores, based in Augusta, GA, and was the senior marketing executive for Ocozzio marketing firm, also based in Augusta. Anna earned a degree in public relations and communications from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism &

From hand washing to why you should never rinse raw poultry during food prep, we're breaking down some of the biggest safe food handling risks that may be happening in your stores. Related Links: Food Safety Talk Risky or Not Safe Plates Hosted by: Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Benjamin Chapman, Professor, Food Safety Extension Specialist North Carolina State University Chapman’s interest in pathogens and public health began as a teenager while watching the movie “Outbreak.” With the goal of less foodborne illness, his group designs, implements, and evaluates food safety strategies, messages, and media from farm-to-fork. Through reality-based research, Chapman investigates behaviors and creates interventions aimed at amateur and professional food handlers, managers, and organizational decision-makers, the gatekeepers of safe food. Chapman co-hosts a bi-weekly podcast Food Safety Talk with Dr. Don Schaffner of Rutgers University, as well as a podcast called Risky or Not.

Two-store operator Anthony Perrine shares ideas he's implemented at his family's company, Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries, that go well beyond traditional c-store retail: part bakery, coffee shop, apparel store, neighborhood hangout and a lot of fun. Hosted by: Britt Brewer and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Anthony Perrine, Owner, Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries Lou Perrine's Gas & Groceries is a family-run company with two convenience stores located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Started by Grandpa Lou in 1954, it has been a family affair for nearly 70 years. Anthony is active with NACS and serves on the NACSPAC Committee, speaks at local schools including the UW-Milwaukee Business School, and is an active member of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association.

Loss prevention and security concerns have become a big concern in 2022. What can convenience retailers do to ensure that their stores remain welcoming to customers and uninviting to criminals? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Amber Bradley, Founder and Owner, Calibration Group Amber has been in the loss prevention industry for more than 15 years. She currently serves as executive director for the Restaurant Loss Prevention and Security Association (RLPSA), hosts the popular podcast TalkLP.com and is a contributing editor for the D&D Daily, a daily e-news outlet focused on retail loss prevention, safety and security. She also is the founder and owner of the Calibration Group LLC and is a brand-positioning expert with extensive experience across multiple business disciplines, including marketing and public relations.

The Credit Card Competition Act would bring long-overdue competition to the credit card marketplace, significantly reducing swipe fees. Here’s what you need to know—and do—to help move this effort forward. Related Link: Fix Swipe Fees Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel Doug joined NACS in May 2021 after serving as a partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he worked with the NACS government relations team to define effective policy-based solutions on issues ranging from fuels to financial services. He has established and administered coalitions of companies and trade associations that share common legislative and regulatory objectives, including the Merchants Payments Coalition and its work to reform credit and debit card swipe fees.

Most consumers (97%) rely on digital searches to find a business or a service. The convenience retail industry has a massive opportunity to redefine its digital identity and drive both customer traffic and sales. Related Links: THRIVR Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Lori Stillman, NACS Vice President, Research and Education Lori joined NACS in 2019 and leads the association’s industry-leading research portfolio and education department. She has a deep background in data analytics, decision support, business development and consulting. Prior to NACS she worked at Advantage Solutions, Information Resources Inc., WEBCO General Partnership and Nielsen. Lori earned a B.A. in business communications from Maryville University.

Disaster and recovery plans helped convenience and fuels retailers in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian be among the first businesses to reopen. We’ll talk about how they prepared and about current conditions in the hardest hit areas. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Ned Bowman, Executive Director, Florida Petroleum Marketers Association Ned Bowman grew up in Connecticut in a family of seven boys and one girl, and went to college at University of New Haven, graduating in 1981 BS and EMBA 1993. While in college, he played football for three years and one of his teammates was Tony Sparano, the former Miami Dolphins head coach. He graduated 1981 and was later honored with a distinguished Alumni Award in 1997. He's been in the heating oil and fuel business for over 25 years, and founded a retail propane distributorship and has been president of a fuel oil and petroleum products distributorship and a heating and cooling contractor business. Ned was involved with the New England Fuel Institute for over 15 ye

Convenience stores sell hundreds of different brands, and retailers can put a focus on these brands by pricing, placement and promotions. But what about the most important brand in your store--your brand? We discuss what you need to do to make sure your brand is top of mind with customers--and that your store offer matches that brand promise. Related Link: www.ab-net.us Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Rick Sales, President, Abierto Networks Rick is founder and president of Abierto Networks, a leading digital engagement solutions provider focused on the convenience store and convenience foodservice retail industries and used in more than 4,000 locations across the country. Eric Sales, Creative Director, Abierto Networks As creative director at Abierto, Eric leads the design team and been an integral part in developing its OPEN.Platform. A veteran in branding, content production and analytics, he works closely with customers to craft compelling brand messages and accompanying campaigns.

We're talking with a convenience retail industry icon how the end of the NACS Show is the start of a bigger strategic planning process. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Jeff Miller, CEO and President, Millers Energy Jeff is CEO and president of Millers Energy, based in Norfolk, Va. The company was founded in 1977 and is in the residential heating and air-conditioning, heating oil and property management businesses in southeastern Virginia. He entered the family business in 1981 after working for five years in the restaurant business in Washington D.C. In 2010, he was elected Chairman of the NACS and testified before Congress on behalf of the industry and represented the industry at events all over the world. In 2022, Millers exited the convenience store and wholesale fuel distribution businesses.

We're talking about pressing issues that convenience retailing industry executives are facing, and how NACS is addressing them. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Henry Armour, NACS President and CEO Henry is third president and CEO to lead NACS in its 61-year history. His tenure began in July 2005, following a long history with the association. He served two one-year terms as NACS chairman (2001-2003), as treasurer/chairman-elect and vice chairman of research and development. Henry grew up working in his family's retail automotive and wholesale transportation businesses, Armour Oil Company, from an early age pumping gas, selling tires and polishing trucks. He managed the company's retail service stations and transportation facilities, negotiated labor contracts, oversaw the company's petroleum supply system, and handled government affairs, rising to the position of vice president and chief operating officer of the company in 1977. In 1980, Henry joined The Standard Oil Company of

From just 8 veteran volunteers to 150,000-plus today, Team Rubicon is rebuilding global communities before, during and after disasters and crises. Related Link: Team Rubicon Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Jake Wood, Founder and Executive Chairman, Team Rubicon Since 2010, Team Rubicon, the fastest growing and most innovative disaster response organization in the world, has 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 has been named one of the top nonprofits to work for in America. Prior to Team Rubicon, 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 that journalist Tom Brokaw called “The book America needs right now.”

By building trust and connection, customers will make your business the logical choice when the market needs your product or services. Related Link: Unmarketing Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Scott Stratten, Founder, Partner, Speaker Scott is best-known for the concept that is also the name of the company he founded in 2002: UnMarketing. Together, Scott and his wife Alison have taught their unconventional practices to thousands of people worldwide and are co-authors of six best-selling business “unbooks."

With billions of dollars being invested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, what will the demand for EV chargers look like during the next 10 years? Related Link: Fuels Institute Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute John leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank founded in 2013 and managed by NACS. Prior to the Fuels Institute, he served more than 14 years at NACS as vice president of government relations and as the director of motor fuels. He oversaw advocacy operations and represented the convenience and fuel retailing industry before the media and federal government. With decades of experience, Eichberger is a recognized and go-to expert on fuels and fuel retailing.

From rural Mississippi to Key West and New Orleans, Stafford Shurden knows where to find delicious and authentic food at local gas stations in c-stores. Related Link: Stafford Shurden Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Stafford Shurden, host of "Gas Station Tailgate Review" Stafford is a farmer, restaurant owner and former justice court judge. In between farming and cooking, he tours the south giving inspirational speeches and reviewing gas station food.

As the fall months approach, here's what consumers and retailers can expect from the gas, diesel and oil markets. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS For more than a decade, Denton has covered nearly all markets where OPIS has price discovery. Prior to becoming the chief oil analyst at OPIS, he was executive editor for U.S. refined products, overseeing day-to-day market coverage operations.

Small operators like The Hub's Jared Scheeler are always on the lookout for big ideas that will transform their convenience stores. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Jared Scheeler, CEO, The Hub Convenience Stores Jared is the 2021-22 NACS Chairman. He began his career in the convenience industry in 1998 while attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he worked at Minneapolis-based Bobby & Steve’s Auto World. His engagement with NACS began in 2001 when he attended his first NACS Show in Las Vegas. “That’s when I fell in love with the industry,” he said in the January 2022 issue of NACS Magazine. In 2015, Scheeler co-founded The Hub in his hometown of Dickinson, North Dakota.

We're breaking down what convenience retailers need to know as they prepare for an amazing experience at this year's NACS Show in Las Vegas. Related Links: NACS Show NACS Food Safety Conference Category Management Certification Pre-Conference Workshop Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Jeff McQuilkin, Director, Exhibit Sales and Services, NACS Jeff has been with NACS since 2017 and is the director of exhibit sales for the NACS Show. He has extensive tradeshow industry experience with both for-profit and non-profit organizations. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, photography and classic cocktails. He is also considered by those who know him well to be a master Slurpee pourer.

At the halfway point of 2022, NACS data is revealing operational opportunities and lingering challenges that will last throughout the year. Related Links: NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data NACS Research NACS CSX Database NACS State of the Industry Compensation Report of 2021 Data Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Chris Rapanick, Director of Business Development for NACS Chris is the director of business development for NACS and has two decades of experience in the wholesale, B2B and retail sales environment. He is a go-to expert among NACS members for analyzing and the industry's operational and financial performance and is an integral part of data collection for the NACS CSX Database and NACS State of the Industry enterprise.