General Session
Location: Armstrong Ballroom, 8th FloorWho we listen to and who we trust is changing. Smarter systems and machines are emerging – ready and willing to make decisions on our behalf. AI and machine learning are having a transformative effect on every sector and industry. In some areas, automation is increasing capacity and capability, while in others, it will lead to dramatic consolidation and disruption, especially with regard to employment. Jesse will explore the significant ethical issues to consider as we embrace these smart systems. Jesse discusses the ongoing role humans will play in an era of autonomous and intelligent machines. His insights will help individuals and organizations not only survive this turbulent era, but more importantly, to thrive in the age of entanglement.
Owner
Metaviews Media Management Ltd.
Innovation Forums
Location: Napoleon Ballrooms (A-D, 3rd floor) and 8th floor meeting roomsThe essence of CRU is the educational curriculum available to all attendees, providing insight, key trends and data, and valuable ideas to implement in stores. Regardless of your sphere of responsibility within the convenience industry, you will find the workshops informative, enlightening and engaging.
When window clings, shelf talkers, and in-store signage are no longer effective, what’s next in your playbook?
The shift in restaurant online orders went from 10% to 50% in less than a decade and the same is projected for the convenience store industry. Forward-thinking category managers have already shifted their behavior to new ways of selling product through direct digital customer engagement.
In this session, you’ll learn how today’s category managers are updating their playbooks to include more dynamic ways to sell product.
You’ll walk away with new ideas to:
-Increase CPG funds to promote your products and drive sales.
-Use individual customer data to sell even more in your category.
-Drive sales and cross sell with digital ordering and delivery.
Director of Strategy & Analytics
Paytronix
The retail landscape is having unprecedented shifts with new and historical age restricted products coming to the market. JUUL Labs invites you to learn about the strength of these categories, the potential risks to prepare for, and the necessary evolutions to responsibly lead these changes together.
Sr Director Category Leadership
JUUL Labs
Vice President Retail Service Management
JUUL Labs
Category Expert & Exercise
Location: Napoleon Ballrooms (A-D, 3rd floor) and 8th floor meeting roomsOur category expert speaker will talk about ways new flavors and products can be introduced, whether the retailer has traditional, aspirational or exceptional foodservice at their stores.
Managing Editor
Technomic
Senior Editor
Restaurant Business Magazine and FoodService Director Magazine
This packaged beverage expert will share data on product performance, with a look at top-selling beverages in competing channels, to help category managers better understand the challenges and opportunities to sell more beverages in their stores.
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer
BMC Research, Beverage Marketing Corp.
Behind the counter expert speaker will talk about the myriad new products; IQOS, ON, CBD vape and wraps, new leaf cigars, etc., and how to assess what should be added to the set, what can come out.
Managing Director
RBC Capital Markets
Here we will discuss merchandising. As products proliferate, more extensions of products and more flavors evolve… how does a retailer display with so many options? What’s the rationale? What are the “must haves”... and what are the products that might vary by region or store locations?
Executive Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Marketing
IRI
Expert speaker to speak on the psychology of loyalty and will touch on the questions; is delivery more about convenience? Does good delivery increase loyalty? Which comes first in the mind of the consumer?
Chief Executive Officer
Hanifin Loyalty
Special Events (choose 1 of 3)
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 before 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.
2:00pm - 2:15pm - Check-in
2:15pm - Bus departure
2:15pm - 5:30pm - Store Tours
5:30pm - Arrive at Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
This three-part roundtable event will present exclusive data and insights, shedding light on different demographic consumer groups by age and market type as well as the trends impacting their buying habits. Our experts will discuss disruptions such as aging millennials, the evolution of delivery and other tech-driven advances that are shaking up business as we know it.
2:00pm – 2:30pm Consumer Trends by Demographic Group (Gen Z, Millennial, Boomer, etc.)
2:30pm – 2:45pm Roundtable discussions
2:45pm – 3:15pm Consumer Trends by Market Type (Urban, Rural, Mid-size, etc.)
3:15pm – 3:30pm Roundtable discussions
3:30pm – 3:45pm Break
3:45pm – 4:15pm The Evolution of Delivery and Where the Opportunity is Now
4:15pm – 4:30pm Roundtable discussions and close
Director, Consumer and Industry Insights
Technomic
Content Director, Foodservice
Winsight Media
Editor, Convenience Group
Winsight, LLC
Content Director, Convenience Group
CSP Daily News