Robust and Relevant Education Sessions Feature Industry Leaders and Innovators

CONFERENCE SESSION LINE-UP

Monday, May 7

  8:00 – 9:15 a.m.

Opening General SessionDr. Rick Rigsby

Inspirational Breakfast

Special Keynote Presentation:
Dr. Rick Rigsby

Making an Impact

We live in an era of astonishing technology, instant information and rampant social networking. Despite the epidemic advances that ushered in a new millennium, cultural critics argue that society has never been more shallow in communication and more superficial in appearance.  In fact, Dr. Rick Rigsby argues that for many organizations, appearance—or what he refers to as impression—has become the new corporate wardrobe.  We invite you to rediscover what is really important, relevant and meaningful in your professional career and your personal life. Join Dr. Rigsby as he shares the wisdom of past generations—wisdom that will inspire, motivate, and empower you to make an impact rather than an impression!

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.              

Betsi_Bixby_resized.jpg  Top 8 Retail and Wholesale Money-Makers to

  Do Right Now for Bigger Profits in Petroleum Marketing

  Speaker:
  Betsi Bixby, Meridian Associates

 

Every petroleum marketer craves a competitive edge.  Based on in-depth consulting with all sizes and sectors of petroleum marketers over the past two decades, plus her extensive business valuation and brokerage practice where she sees all the real numbers, Betsi Bixby will reveal to you the best eight ways any marketer, no matter how profitable right now, can make more money almost immediately.  Walk away with new ideas to make your business more successful.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Al_Bates_resized.jpg  Triple Your Profit:  Profit Building Solutions for

  Small Grocery Retail Companies and Independent

  C-Store Operators

  Speaker:
  Al Bates, Founder & Chairman, Profit Planning Group

Roughly 10% of all companies make an adequate profit.  The remainder provide a lot of psychic income for the owner and help support an enjoyable lifestyle.  However, they don't provide the profit necessary for genuine success.  This session will demonstrate how to develop a profit-based plan; not a meaningless budget, but a plan that will ensure financial success.

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

 Sonja_Hubbard_Photo.JPG 

   Convenience Retail Trends Panel Discussion

    Moderator: 
   Sonja Hubbard, CEO, E-Z Mart

 

A panel of industry suppliers will share their insights into new product development and consumer behavior, while interpreting the impact of new federal regulations.

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Steve-Montgomery.gif How to Buy Like the Big Guys: 

For Small Retail Companies and Independent Operators

 Speaker:
Steven Montgomery, B2B Solutions

 

Lower cost of goods can lead to higher sales and profits, but how do you accomplish that when you don’t have a large number of stores?  By buying like the big guys!  How do they buy?  They buy the right products, from the right suppliers, in the right quantity, at the right time and at the right cost.  Learn how use the same process for your company.

Tuesday, May 8

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

phal-and-benavides.jpg Retail Operations Regulatory Compliance Panel

Speakers: 
Stephan Pahl, Administrator for Consumer Protection and 
Joe Benavides, Director of Weights and Measures,
Texas Department of Agriculture

Get a “hands-on” approach for on-going compliance issues with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) UST regulations and the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Fuel Quality and Pump Calibration programs. This panel discussion will highlight the inspection requirements, records, and how retailers can minimize their potential for penalties and fines.

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Michael_Lawshe_resized.jpg  Why Going Green Makes Dollars & Sense

  Speaker: 
  Mike Lawshe, Paragon Solutions

 

Operating a “green” location in today’s world is not only environmentally responsible, it can save you money.  In this seminar, Mike Lawshe, green design guru to the convenience store and truck stop industry, will take you through a series of green initiatives that can help reduce your operating costs and show you how to take advantage of available local and federal funding resources.  Planning for energy efficiency doesn’t have to be expensive.  In fact, a few simple changes can end up making you money in the long run.  Mike will discuss the latest and greatest in green store design from architecture and equipment to merchandising and operations.  Whether it is a new location or a remodel, you can go green and save some green without losing your wow factor.

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Betsi_Bixby_resized.jpg 

 Grow Your Lube Volume

 Presenter: 
 Betsi Bixby, Meridian Associates

 

In an era where drain intervals and overall lube demand is generally down, you may need new strategies to grow your lube volume.  Working with some of the nation’s premiere lube distributors through Meridian’s M-Power program and Precision Valuation services, marketers from across the country rely on Betsi Bixby and Meridian for innovative ideas that result in volume and profit increases despite declining markets.  If you sell lubes, manufacture lubes, or are simply thinking of diversifying by adding a lubes division, don’t miss this powerful session with practical take-aways you and your team can implement to build volume almost immediately.

10:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m.

Closing General Session

Recognition of New Chairman

E.K. Bennett Awards Presentation

 

Peter Sheahan
 
 Flip!: Mind-Blowing SUCCESS In An Upside Down World
 Featured Speaker:
 Peter Sheahan

 
There are forces of change at work in the business world which are transforming the nature of the marketplace, and the demands on your business along with it.  Flip is your inspiring, future-focused strategy for building a successful business which can flourish in these times through courageous leadership, innovation and change.

To remain competitive, organizations not only need to shift the mindsets of their current leaders, but must also develop a deep understanding of the changing expectations of both customers and talent.  Flip is a philosophy not just for reacting to changing markets, but for being the force of change in the market. 

This provocative Closing Session featuring Peter Sheahan, founder and CEO of ChangeLabs ™ author of international bestsellers Fl!p and Generation Y, will:

  • Introduce you to the four forces of change which are driving the rapid transformation of consumer and labor markets and which can be harnessed to your advantage
  • Explain the seemingly superficial expectations of today’s customers and clients, and offer an insight into what they will be tomorrow
  • Show you how to create mind blowing customer (and staff!) experiences and help understand why this is your only source of sustainable competitive advantage
  • Instill within your senior leaders a sense of courage in capturing market share, and creating new markets through innovation and a willingness to take risks in fringe and niche markets