Destination: NACS

More than 21,000 c-store executives are expected to attend the 2009 NACS Show, Oct. 20-23 in Las Vegas, for a look at the latest confection and snack products as well as advice from well-known speakers.

Westward Bound

What do the developer of Marriott Rewards, the heads of QuikTrip and Quick Chek, and a past U.S. president have in common? They’ll all be speaking at the upcoming NACS Show, to be held Oct. 20-23 in Las Vegas.

The annual trade show will kick off with a general session featuring travel industry exec Roger Dow, who will address issues facing convenience and petroleum retailers, as well as how organizations can build customer-focused teams, how customers define value and how to improve customer loyalty. Dow, who has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry, currently serves as president and ceo of the U.S. Travel Association, which represents all segments of the $770-billion U.S. travel and tourism industry. Previously, he spent 34 years at Marriott International, where he became senior vice president, global and field sales, leading the company’s 10,000-person worldwide sales unit. While there, Dow also developed Marriott Rewards, the world’s largest traveler program.

Next up, QuikTrip Chairman, President and CEO Chet Cadieux will join forces with Quick Chek President and CEO Dean Durling for “A Tale of Two Retailers.” Founded in 1958, QuikTrip now operates more than 500 stores, with annual sales in excess of $8 billion. Quick Chek was founded in 1967 and now has more than 120 locations in New Jersey and New York. The panelists will reveal how their companies have innovated and grown their customer bases, providing practical examples for other retailers to consider. The session will be moderated by Steve Sheetz, chairman of the board for Sheetz, Inc.

Lastly, former President Bill Clinton will share his insights and perspectives on what’s happening in the world. After serving two terms as the 42nd president of the United States, he founded the William J. Clinton Foundation to help strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence.

Outside of the general sessions, NACS attendees can preview “Cool New Products” at the show through a special retail exhibit as well as attend an International Forum, the Global Government Affairs Council Annual Meeting and workshops on a wide-range of topics, including foodservice, category management, professional development, small operators and evolving technologies.NACS, the association for convenience and petroleum retailing, is an international trade association representing more than 2,200 retail and 1,800 supplier member companies. For more information, visit www.nacsshow.com.