Opening General Session
As 2020 kicks off, the convenience industry is navigating fast-evolving economic, consumer, market and category dynamics that will define growth opportunities in the new decade. Join Technomic’s Donna Hood Crecca to explore what’s now and next for convenience operators.
Principal
Technomic
A 25-year veteran of Disney, widely recognized as one of the world’s most creative companies, Duncan Wardle helps companies make innovation part of their DNA. Duncan’s shares insights from his time as Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, providing a unique set of Innovation Tools and Techniques that everyone can use to Think Different. He offers strategies on how to improve customer experience, embrace calculated risk and helps teams work collaboratively. In his quest to unleash the magic within each individual and organization, Duncan helps people overcome their expertise and get out of their own way, enabling them to think differently and creatively about solutions to challenges big and small.
former Head of Innovation and Creativity
Disney
Category Breakouts (choose 1 of 8)
Convenience is under siege – and everyone knows it. Online retailing, third-party foodservice delivery and declining fuel fill-ups are challenging c-store retailers’ in-store performance. So maximizing category success has never been more important.
To help retailers grow sales amid this retail revolution, we’re providing Category Breakouts. Each forum will feature experts to inspire fresh ideas and new ways to engage customers. We also want to hear from retailers, which is why we’ll spend part of the time brainstorming together. Whether you’re a one-store operator or work for a chain of 5,000 units, you are guaranteed to go home with new insights and actionable solutions.
The presentation tracks will include Foodservice, Packaged Beverages, Behind the Counter, Dispensed Beverages, CBD, Technology & Operations, Center Store, Loyalty & Delivery.
Trends & Data: Finding Balance: How plant-based options in c-stores can boost traffic and drive the foodservice category
Offering craveable plant- and meat-based items is crucial for retailers that are looking to boost their foodservice programs in 2020. Plant-based ingredients snuck onto c-store foodservice menus in 2019, appearing as cauliflower pizza crusts, vegetarian sausages, corn and pepper-based burritos and more. But how can retailers push new, innovative, plant-based offerings while maintaining some of the more indulgent, meat-based and popular c-store staples?
Associate Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Trends & Data: Drive Traffic: Understanding more about how the cold vault can boost inside store sales
Packaged beverages remain a key traffic driver for convenience stores, and today’s consumer is looking at a lot more than price and brand when making their choice. In this session, we will dig into the consumer trends—from concerns about sugar to enhanced ingredients (CoQ10, CBD), to the growth of the sparkling category—that are forcing changes in the cold vault. We’ll also look at challenges to the beer category and ways to keep that segment growing.
Content Director, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Trends & Data: Treat Yourself: How craveable hot and cold offerings can help grow foodservice sales
Hot and cold dispensed beverages have become challenged in recent years as consumers increasingly look for healthier options to quench their thirst. Meanwhile, frozen dispensed is a bright spot in the foodservice category, suggesting the “treat” mentality can play a significant role in what draws customers in the doors of a c-store. We’ll take a look at recent sales data and what consumers are looking for when considering where to stop for a fast and fresh drink.
Senior Manager, Consumer Insights
Technomic
Trends & Data: Get There First: How jumping on the CBD bandwagon now can increases sales in the future
Cannabidiol (CBD), the nonpsychoactive component of cannabis, has become one of the hottest topics in retail. While CBD-infused oils, creams and tinctures have already hit c-stores in some states, food and beverages may yet be a long way off as the FDA consider how to regulate sales. This has left many retailers baffled about how to approach this potential business-altering ingredient. In this discussion, we will learn about the different types of CBD products and how to merchandise these items, while determining how to choose a trustworthy supplier, as well as the steps that ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
Marketing Director
iSee Store Innovations, LLC
Trends & Data: Find the Answer: Technology can be the solution to the labor crisis—but how will the new in-store experience change shopping habit
Is technology the answer to retail’s labor woes? How does the in-store experience change now that online and offline shopping is blurring? Is frictionless checkout the future or a fad? Today, convenience-store operators are surrounded by technology that promises more than ever. But separating substance from flash takes time.
Associate Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Trends & Data: Taste the Trends: Innovate with flavor across the center store
Product innovation has erupted in the center store. Innovation has sprung up in snacks and candies such as ahi tuna jerky, beer-flavored pretzels, 2-in-1-flavored sour gummies, beverage-flavored chocolates and even cricket snacks. Retailers attending CRU will learn what new snacks, candies and general merchandise items consumers are looking for, and the trends behind why certain items are outpacing the rest of the category.
Managing and Fuels Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Trends & Data: Earn Loyalty: Use loyalty perks to learn more about customers, while encouraging them to spend
Gone are the days when a loyalty program was as simple as a punch-card for a free sandwich after ten purchases. Today’s rewards schemes are marketing powerhouses meant to both give retailers more intelligence about their customers and encourage those customers to spend more. Meanwhile, the physical location of a store has become less important as more consumers opt to have food and other goods delivered straight to them—even when they’re not at home. Both of these trends offer pitfalls and opportunities for convenience stores.
Vice President, Retailer Relations
Winsight Media
Trends & Data: Navigate Change: How understanding new product innovation, and the emerging threat of further regulation, can help retailers plan for the future
As the FDA continues its focus on flavors, e-cigarettes and cigars, this presentation will offer more background on new FDA leadership and objectives, and how that tenure with the regulatory body will shape the future of this vital category. This discussion will cover how retailers can grapple with that uncertainty, all while properly merchandising the bevy of new product innovation about to hit the market./As the FDA continues its focus on flavors, e-cigarettes and cigars, this presentation will offer more background on new FDA leadership and objectives, and how that tenure with the regulatory body will shape the future of this vital category. This discussion will cover how retailers can grapple with that uncertainty, all while properly merchandising the bevy of new product innovation about to hit the market.
Senior Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
CMOY Finalist & Sponsor Panels (choose 1 of 8)
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Associate Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Content Director, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Senior Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Senior Manager, Consumer Insights
Technomic
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Marketing Director
iSee Store Innovations, LLC
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Associate Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Managing and Fuels Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Discover the insights, key trends and innovative thinking that best-in-class operators employ to drive c-store traffic. Uncover what makes top-tier category managers tick, and find out how they grapple with everything from exciting new product introductions to pricing, out-of-stocks to promotions. Join us as our team of editorial experts sits down with some of the brightest category managers in the business to discuss their strategies for elevating an entire organization—one category at a time.
Vice President, Retailer Relations
Winsight Media
Special Events (choose 1 of 3)
Approximately 8-10 weeks prior to the conference, guests will receive an invitation to register for the outing of their choice. Please be aware that capacity is limited and excursions will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; pre-registration will be required for each activity.
You are also required to check-in for each special event at the special event desk the morning of your selected activity to secure your spot. If you do not check-in at least 10 minutes prior to bus departure time, you forfeit your place to an attendee on the wait list.
Led by a professional tour guide, enjoy a historical exploration of one of America's most interesting neighorhoods. Learn the authentic history of world-famous pirates, voodoo, Creole culture, cuisine and European architecture on this tour, ending with a stop at the famous Cafe Du Monde for a beignet and coffee.
2:00pm - 2:30pm - Check-in
2:30pm - Departure
5:30pm - Arrive at Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
What better way to see the latest innovations in c-store design and merchandising than to visit the stores themselves? CRU’s Store Tours Program takes attendees along on a curated agenda of store visits to see what some of the area’s top operators are doing. Participants will view strategies in action within key categories and experience signature features of each location. The consumer and retail space is evolving rapidly, and you can’t afford to miss out on this competitive learning opportunity.
2:15pm - 2:45pm - Check-in
2:45pm - Bus departure
3:00pm - 5:00pm - Store Tours
5:00pm - Arrive at Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
Haunted Walking Tour
Accounts of paranormal activity in the French Quarter date back to the city's inception. Register to attend and you'll hear about some of America's most infamous mass murders and ghost stories.
8:00pm - 8:15pm - Check-in
8:15pm - Departure
10:00pm - Tour ends in French Quarter
10:15pm - Arrive at Sheraton New Orleans Hotel