Retailers and suppliers from six continents came together in the relatively small town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, to see and hear some very big food retailing ideas during the latest NACS Global Forum. The June 13 to 15 Forum, which featured the theme “Facets of Convenience: Focus on Foodservice,” combined networking, case studies, roundtables and store tours for a fresh perspective of today’s versatile and innovative foodservice experts in the convenience and petroleum retailing industry.
The Global Forum opened with several high-level presentations on foodservice and convenience shopper trends, as well as a look at the future of tobacco retailing, both in the United States and around the world. With this corner of the United State arguably the most competitive in the country within the convenience channel, participants also were able to see how vanguard retailers including Rutter’s, Wawa, Royal Farms and Sheetz capture customers with their foodservice offer during two days of store format tours. Programming wrapped up with case study presentations from convenience foodservice experts from several leading convenience retailers.
The Global Forum also gave attendees plenty of time to network, to ensure each participant had ample time to meet with their peers, enjoy their stay at the Hotel Hershey and learn from the best in convenience retailing.
Look for details on the 2010 NACS Global Forum in the coming months. For questions about the event, contact Neerja Kathuria at nkathuria@nacsonline.com.