Convenience Matters

The U.S. Mint stopped producing the penny earlier this year, which has triggered a penny shortage. Find out what's happening behind the scenes and what retailers can do.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Anna Ready Blom, NACS Strategic Advisor, Government Relations

Anna serves as a policy advisor to the NACS government relations team. During her 10-plus years at NACS, she led numerous advocacy campaigns and has been recognized as one of "The Hill's Top Lobbyists" for three years in a row. Anna previously worked on Capitol Hill for members of Congress from her home state of South Carolina.

C-stores are redefining convenience within a digital ecosystem that is on their customers' phones and in their vehicles.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stephanie Sikorski, NACS Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

Stephanie has led sophisticated marketing and community outreach campaigns for 20 years, the last 12 at NACS. She also is CEO of TruAge.

Hear how some convenience retailers are creating pop-culture moments at their stores and within their community.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Lonnie McQuirter, Director of Operations, 36 Lyn Refuel Station

Lonnie leads 36 Lyn Refuel Station, an independently owned, community-focused fuel station in South Minneapolis, MN. He is a member of the NACS Board of Directors and its Executive Committee.

The acquisition brings together elements that are growing in convenience retail: great foodservice with a neighborhood feel.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

Brands create trust, loyalty and a unique identity for businesses. Hear how some convenience stores leverage their brands to reach new and existing customers.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Amanda Baltazar, Retail & Hospitality Journalist

Amanda is a journalist and NACS Magazine contributing writer with over 20 years of experience and expertise in foodservice, beverages, restaurants/bars and overall retail. She covers everything from operations to staffing a c-suite.

Gas price continues to be top of mind with drivers, but the price per gallon is only one factor for why they select a place to purchase fuel.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision

Adam is one of the nation's leading political consultants sought after for his ability to help clients achieve victory through effective research-based strategies and messaging. He designs and executes cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative, and data analytics programs for campaigns as well as non-political clients like NACS.

Over the past five years, Stafford Shurden has travelled across the South to celebrate great food for his "Gas Station Tailgate Review" program. His new book, "Meet and Three," is about his life experiences as a restaurant owner, farmer, and convenience store and gas station food connoisseur.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stafford Shurden, creator of Gas Station Tailgate Review

Shurden is a farmer, restaurant owner and former Justice Court Judge from Drew, Mississippi.

We're sharing insights from a recent road trip/market tour and the big takeaways on what's new in convenience.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Frank Beard, Convenience Retailing Expert

Frank is a Des Moines, Iowa-based marketer, speaker and writer who focuses on the convenience retailing industry. He serves as head of marketing at Rovertown, an app platform for convenience retailers.

A new Transportation Energy Institute report reveals what consumers think about the vehicle technologies and fueling options they're looking for.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute

John has more than 20 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade leading the Transportation Energy Institute (formerly known as the Fuels Institute). Prior to that, he served for 15 years as vice president of government relations at NACS, with a focus on fuels- and energy-related issues.

Confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build. And when you build it, opportunities often can follow in both your professional and personal life.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Juan Bendaña, author and keynote speaker

Juan is an internationally recognized speaker (including at the 2024 NACS Show) who helps leaders navigate uncertainty and exponential change by developing the unwavering confidence to thrive in any environment.