Calgary Canada’s Oil Sands - Lunch Session May 22 (Thursday) Time: 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm This session is limited to the first 150 registrants. What is driving record crude oil prices? Is oil production reaching its peak or will new sources like the oil sands save the day? What are the potential implications for retail gas operators? Get the answers from Derek Gates, author of the Canadian Oil Sands Investors’ Guide and founder of the Sustainable Oil Sands Sector Index. Convenience/Gas FRONT-COUNTER: SMALL SPACE = BIG MONEY The checkout counter is THE MOST shopped area in your store. How can you ensure that you maximize your front-counter sales and traffic? Attend this session and learn valuable tips on how to earn BIG money from this small space. SMART RETAILING 101 Over 1,000 SKUs, hundreds of categories, fluctuating inventory levels… Managing a successful c-store business is complex. Learn how to manage your big categories and make informed decisions that will improve your profit, margin, and the return on your inventory investment. GROWING CATEGORIES: THE OPPORTUNITY With all of the challenges faced by today’s convenience retailers, learn how to take advantage of the sales and profit opportunities available in growing segments of core convenience categories. RENOVATING YOUR STORE This session is a "must" for any retailers who are planning on renovating or upgrading their store, but are not sure what to do. Hugh Large, "The Convenience Guru", has worked with dozens of retailers on renovation projects and will share practical information and advice to make your renovation a cost-effective success. IS OUR BIGGEST CATEGORY GOING TO SURVIVE? (Canadian Convenience Stores Association Panel – CCSA) Participate in a panel discussion on the future of tobacco offerings in c-stores. Share and learn from leading retailers about the challenges, solutions and the prospects of what the future holds for the category that matters most to your store. COUNTERFEIT & PAYMENT PROCESSING FUNDAMENTALS Learn the fundamentals that will help you reduce counterfeit and manage fraud at your store. Attend this session to find out how the latest technology will enhance payment processing in your business. HOW TO MANAGE TOBACCO & THRIVE IN THE DARK MARKET Will your tobacco business remain viable? Attend this forum to learn from retailers & suppliers who have successfully implemented solutions to keep stores in business and growing, despite dark market challenges. MANAGING YOUR STORE FOR SUCCESS Come and learn how to better manage your store to achieve higher sales and profitability. Get practical tips on tracking and managing category performance, implementing effective plan-o-grams, effectively working with direct-to-store suppliers, and managing assortments to maximize sales and profits. BUILD A BETTER FOODSERVICE BUSINESS Learn how to entice customers to choose your store over the competition with money-making foodservice offerings. Discover the path to a successful foodservice start-up operation at an entry, intermediate or advanced level. Learn about the hidden profits in the foodservice niche that no savvy retailer can ignore. Car Wash TOWN HALL MEETING (Canadian Carwash Association Panel – CCA) Participate in an interactive discussion with the experts on the key issues affecting your business. The panel will discuss rising energy costs, strategic pricing, effective marketing, signage and how to drive more traffic to your site. CAR WASH SECURITY AND ELIMINATING CASH SHRINKAGE Learn how to build solutions that will eliminate cash shrinkage and employee theft. Attend this session to discover how to create a Cash Management System (CMS) and other security measures that you need to implement at your car wash. GOING GREEN Uncover the benefits of turning your site into a green friendly operation. Get real answers to your questions about the costs, legislative impact, and the competitive advantage you can gain by going green. WHAT EVERY CAR WASH INVESTOR NEEDS TO KNOW Are you considering venturing into the car wash business? Before you dive head-on, attend this seminar and get advice on what it takes to build a successful operation. Whether you are a new operator or a seasoned professional, do not miss this rare opportunity to learn about the do’s and don’ts of this dynamic industry. Corporate THE NIELSEN COMPANY – TOBACCO: THE CHANGING DYNAMICS The tobacco category is undergoing significant change as merchandising – related legislation, pricing, packaging, new launches, and other events continuously shift the dynamics of the category. Attend this session to help you gain insight into the most important category and its impact on the convenience channel. NACS IDEAS 2 GO Take an exclusive video tour of innovative and intriguing convenience and petroleum industry solutions. This feature DVD provides an insider’s view of successful retailers ranging from independents to the world’s largest chains. Watch as they share ideas about their operations and get real customers’ perspectives on what they like and dislike about the stores.