NEW ORLEANS - Implementing technology solutions is a "Big" undertaking in a convenience and petroleum retail operation, and it??s definitely not "Easy."
NACStech kicks off today in New Orleans with an exciting lineup of workshops and general session speakers. Tomorrow, the expo opens its doors, featuring more than 100 companies showcasing new products and services that enhance customer loyalty, streamline operational efficiencies and take costs out of the system. From POS systems to cash handling and mobile applications, the NACStech expo has something for everyone.
Today, NACStech begins with workshops in the following tracks:
- Business Essentials
- Marketing
- Operations
- Small Operator
- Standards
From 4:00 to 5:30, the opening general session begins with the winners of Convenience Store News?? 7th Annual Technology Awards, which recognizes individual and company technology implementations. Then, attendees will hear from Don McMillan, a successful actor, comedian and speaker. He was previously an engineer at AT&T Bell Laboratories; helped design the world??s first 32-bit microprocessor and also worked in Silicon Valley designing computer chips.
Beginning at 6:00 to 8:00, the Welcome Reception will be in full swing at Generations Hall, a unique New Orleans landmark. Don??t miss a great opportunity to network and catch up with colleagues and meet new business contacts.
On Thursday, attendees should plan on getting up early to hear Kevin Coupe, the founder and "Content Guy" of MorningNewsBeat.com, at the Early Riser General Session. Coupe??s entertaining and engaging presentation will draw from the new business book he co-authored with Michael Sansolo: The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies.
Also on Thursday, voting begins for the most exciting technology found at NACStech by attendees. You??ll need to download the NACStech mobile app in order to vote. Results will be announced at Friday??s Expo Trends 2010 workshop.
And speaking of the NACStech mobile app, be sure to download it to your smartphone device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, BlackBerry) to organize your schedule, locate exhibitors on the expo, view an expandable expo map and join the conversation about what??s going at NACStech via social media with the #nacstech Twitter feed.
On Friday, NACStech wraps up with the closing general session at 11:30 am to 1:00 pm featuring Kevin Mitnick ?" often called "the world??s most famous former hacker." Mitnick, the founder of Mitnick Security Consulting LLC, will focus on issues related to data security and PCI compliance, specifically addressing PCI DSS requirements by using his "hacker??s insight" to identify and examine the biggest exposure risks for convenience and petroleum retailers. He also will share case studies demonstrating vulnerabilities in processing credit card transactions ?" and identify steps to mitigate risks.
All of this and much more is happening in just three days at NACStech ?" don??t miss out! See NACS Daily this week for exciting coverage and be on the lookout for the joint Convenience Store News/NACS Magazine issue featuring exclusive NACStech coverage.