Convenience Matters

Retail design expert, Joe Bona, joins us to talk about how stores should create emotional connections with customers. Focusing on New York City's experiential designs, hear how to make your store's niche idea believable. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

Quality employee training can improve business performance, profit and staff morale resulting in better customer service, better work safety practices and productivity improvements. Hear why it is important to consistently train new employees which also demonstrates that you value them enough to invest in them. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

With lower-than-average employee turnover rates, Iowa-based convenience giant Kum & Go CEO Tanner Krause talks about finding and cultivating superstar employees. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Kevin Coupe, author and content guy for MorningNewsBeat.com

Scott Stratten, NACS Show 2018 keynote speaker and the author of numerous books on marketing and branding, talks about defining and redefining your brand to make your company stand out from the crowd. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President, Marketing, NACS

As vehicle fuel efficiency improves, consumer visits to gas stations are likely to decline. What can retailers plan for in order to reduce their reliance on fuel sales? Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

Mike Rowe - American television host and narrator, actor and former opera singer, best known for his work on the series Dirty Jobs - talked with us about the skills gap and the opportunities that exist for workers in the convenience retailing industry. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

How does a gas station land on a road trip radar? Frank Beard and Al Hebert drove across the country eating only at gas stations for the entire trip. Find out their tips for standing out. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Frank Beard and Al Hebert drove 2,500 miles in 6 days and only ate at gas stations for the entire trip. Hear about what they ate, what they discovered and how to road trip like an expert. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

Electrify America is looking to build a national network that will enable electric vehicles to traverse the country. Hear how gas stations and convenience stores can prepare for the EV future. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

Convenience stores are in every community, often open 24 hours a day and can be the eyes and ears for the community and their customers. Groups like In Our Backyard have resources available to stores to help identify and help trafficked individuals. Together, we can all be part of the solution. Learn more at http://inourbackyard.org/ Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President, Marketing, NACS

Mobile fuel delivery isn't new, but it sure is catching on quickly with mobile consumers. We talked with Scott Hempy from Filld on why fuel on-demand can be both opportunity and competition for traditional gas stations. Hosted by: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

Working with a strong national or local charity is good for everyone involved. Why not partner with one that is trusted by most Americans, like the American Red Cross. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President, Marketing, NACS

Big brown UPS trucks are a common sight on American roads and a lot of forward thinking is happening at UPS as urban centers, e-commerce and customer expectations evolve. Hear from Tom Madrecki who leads partnerships between UPS and city leaders to reduce congestion, increase quality of life and shape policy. Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President, Marketing, NACS

Generation Z, born after 2002, has always known smartphones, internet, and binge-watching and don't use cash money, cable TV, landlines or paper. Learn how to sell to, work with and get ready for these new 'crazy kids.' Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS

Take a deeper dive into the intersection of transportation, convenience and utilities with Erika Meyers of SEPA in this follow-up episode. How can convenience retailers play a role in transportation infrastructure for electric vehicles? Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

Green Zebra Grocery in Portland, Oregon is reinventing the convenience store by combining healthy and convenience. Featured in NACS Ideas 2 Go 2017, CEO Lisa Sedlar talks about her motivation to create three unique stores specializing in local food, beer and of course, coffee. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

The American Red Cross Ready Rating program is a free service that helps businesses prepare for disasters and other emergencies. In this episode, learn how to evaluate and improve your operation's ability to withstand disaster, maintain operations and protect lives and property. Visit www.readyrating.org to get started with this free American Red Cross program. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS

While convenience stores grow their fresh food offer, they also need to figure out what to do with the leftovers. Feeding America's network of 200 food banks and more than 60,000 pantries and meal programs serves virtually every community in the nation and stands by ready to help match good food with those who need it.  Feeding America welcomes inquiries from c-stores about food donation programs. To learn more about best practices, how to get started and additional partnership opportunities, visit Feeding America. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

When we think of gas stations, we think of petroleum. But, natural gas is quickly rising in popularity, especially for truck and commercial fleets, because of its flexibility and environmental benefits. Find out how natural gas is making its mark on the future of fuels. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

It is vital to make your voice heard with legislators. After all, if you're not telling your side of the story, lawmakers are making it up for you. In this episode, we talk with a retailer who is making a difference on Capitol Hill and in the convenience industry. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President, Marketing, NACS