Convenience Matters

Effective marketing and communications can help convenience retailers drive customers inside the store.

Related Links:

Abierto Networks

Rutter's

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

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 United States.

Chris Hartman, Sr. Director of Fuels, Forecourt, Advertising and Construction, Rutter's

Chris grew up working in the convenience retailing industry. In 2018 he joined his family business, Rutter's, and currently leads multiple teams including the fuels and forecourt areas. The company operates 82 convenience stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, and is based in York, PA. Rutter's is also the oldest vertically integrated food company in the United States.

The convenience retail community unites to celebrate first responders, medical and emergency professionals and Red Cross volunteers on July 24, also known as 24/7 Day.

Related Links:

24/7 Day Yesway NACS Foundation

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Stephanie Sikorski

About our Guest:

Derek Gaskins, Chief Marketing Officer, Yesway

Derek has an impressive career in the convenience and fuel retailing industry. He currently heads up all marketing, merchandising and procurement efforts for the Yesway brand and develops relationships with Yesway's supplier partners. Prior to joining Yesway, he was chief customer officer at Rutter's and was instrumental in developing the company's award-winning customer engagement programs. Derek was also senior vice president of marketing and merchandising with Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS) and served as vice president of marketing at NACS. He also led brand marketing for Giant Eagle for its GetGo chain of convenience stores and launched the Fuelperks fuel rewards loyalty program. Derek holds a BBA from the University of Iowa and an MBA in Finance, Marketing, and Real Estate from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Industry experts break down how environment, social and governance (ESG) issues are growing and facing regulatory requirements that could have enormous implications for the fuels industry.

Related Links:

Fuels Institute

"The Case for Developing an ESG Plan"

American Council for Capital Formation

SEC Proposes to Enhance Disclosures by Certain Investment Advisers and Investment Companies About ESG Investment Practices

Hosted by:

John Eichberger and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Mike Roman, Senior Fellow, Public Policy/ESG, American Council for Capital Formation

Mike has more than 40 years of global energy industry experience. In addition to his current work at the American Council for Capital Formation, he is the founder of the consultancy CertainPoint Strategies LLC and serves as a member of the Fuels Institute Board of Advisors.

From salty to sweet, indulgent or healthy, here's how convenience stores satisfy their customers' cravings for snacks.

Related Links:

NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data Convenience Voices NACS Magazine

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Tim Young

Tim is an experienced category manager within the convenience retail channel who also uses social media to share stories about brands. He spoke at the 2022 NACS State of the Industry Summit on the candy and snacks categories.

Charlie McIlvaine of Coen Markets takes us on a deep dive into the convenience retail industry's financial and operational performance data.

Related Links:

Coen

NACS Research

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Charlie McIlvaine, Chairman and CEO, Coen Markets Inc.

Charlie and his brother, Andy, manage the Coen Markets, Coen Energy, Coen Tire, and Coen Transport in the Pittsburgh region. Charlie is also managing partner of Thomaston Capital LLC, a private investment firm that invests in growth or later stage companies primarily in the consumer/retail sector. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, attended New College of Oxford University, and earned a BA in economics from Duke University.

How a convenience store food favorite inspired a song and a YouTube channel.

Related Links:

Tailgate Gas Station Review

"Gas Station Chicken" by The Nighthawks

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Stafford Shurden, Host of "Tailgate Gas Station 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.

Mark Stutso, Musician

Mark is the drummer for The Nighthawks, which has been called "the best bar band in the world." Originally from West Virginia, he put in five years in the coal mines before escaping into his drum kit for the past four decades.

Convenience stores are getting ready to be road trip destinations for 34.9 million travelers this summer.

Related Links:

AAA Newsroom AAA Gas Prices

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Andrew Gross, National Public Relations Manager, AAA

Andrew manages media relations for AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety and Public Affairs, including communications and PR campaigns. He joined AAA in January 2020 after a three-decade career in journalism, most of which as a multiple Emmy-winning producer for NBC News in Washington, DC. While with NBC, Andrew covered a wide range of topics, including the economy, war, terrorism, politics, and breaking news. Before NBC, he worked at ABC News and the Tampa Tribune. Andrew holds a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Grinnell College. Andrew lives in Arlington, Virginia, and works in Washington, DC.

Stephanie Stuckey is on a mission to revive the Stuckey's brand and experience for road trippers.

Related Links:

Stuckey's

NACS Magazine | "Roadside Revival"

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stephanie Stuckey, CEO, Stuckey's Corp

Stuckey's is a roadside chain and family-owned business headquartered in Eastman, Georgia, that has proudly sold pecan log rolls and rubber alligators to highway travelers since 1937. Prior to taking over the company a few years ago, Stephanie served 14 years in the Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives.

Scissors? Pool noodles? Find out more tips of the trade from someone who knows all about road trips.

Related Links:

Gas Station Gourmet NACS Magazine

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Al Hebert, Founder, Gas Station Gourmet

Al knows convenience stores. He created Gas Station Gourmet in 2007 and has been writing a column for NACS Magazine since 2011 to bring the story of America's independent convenience stores—especially those with unique foodservice—to thousands of industry leaders. He's a news producer and reporter by trade and a frequent speaker at industry events like the NACS Show. When Al is not enjoying a great burger or fried chicken at a local convenience store, you can find him on NEWS 15 KADN in Lafayette, Louisiana.

NACS research unlocks "moment of truth" insights on convenience store shopper behaviors and their purchasing decisions.

Related Links:

Convenience Voices

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Leroy Kelsey, Director of Research, NACS

Leroy works with NACS retailer and supplier members to cultivate and share industry performance benchmarks as well as operational and category metrics that support industry advocacy efforts. Prior to NACS, he worked at Intel, Motorola and Safeway in a variety of roles in business analytics, finance and cost control. Leroy has a BS in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.