Home Events/EducationThe NATSO ShowAttendee Information NATSO University

NATSO University

The economy and your operating climate are changing at dizzying speeds. Are you prepared for what’s coming next? Attend the NATSO U sessions at The NATSO Show to identify tomorrow’s trends and start preparing your business. You won’t want to miss a tip, idea or strategy, so plan now to bring a colleague and cover all the sessions you need!

Stay tuned for updates!

Monday, Jan. 26, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Betsi Bixby, President of Meridian Associates
Betsi Bixby, president of Meridian Associates, will share the results of startling research on industry trends that are expected to change the industry forever. Meridian commissioned a Fortune 500 independent research firm to reveal what the future holds for the industry. That study revealed that by 2012, marketers will face costs so high that the entire landscape of the industry will shift. These lurking dangers, including the doubling of health care premiums, will critically impact marketers nationwide. During this session, Bixby will tell you what marketers can do to prepare for the storm of rising costs. You'll also discover steps you can take now to prepare and take full advantage of strategic opportunities.

Darren Schulte, Vice President & Chief Merchandising Officer, Barjan LLC
Barjan's Darren Schulte will divulge ways to increase inside sales. Members will have the opportunity to gain insight into past and current successful merchandising promotions; fixture lay out, product placement, display building, adjacencies and why these as well as a host of other merchandising efforts are important in improving customers shopping experience. Darren will share both successful and unsuccessful case studies as they apply to how you can best “touch” your customer and drive your organization's merchandising. The session will also include interactive segments including end cap, wing rack and display building presentations. Sponsored by Barjan LLC.

Lou Maiellano, President, TAZ Marketing & Consulting Group
Tightening social pressures and increased regulations threaten to create the greatest transformation in the tobacco category since the shift from spittoons to cigarettes. How can you get in front of the wave, taking advantage of emerging trends in moist tobacco and other smoke-free tobacco products? This learning lab tackles the category’s challenges and offers key insights for today’s travel center marketers. Come learn more about a new emerging category that will meet the challenges faced by increasing social and regulatory pressures.

Michael Lawshe, President and CEO, Paragon Solutions
Decreasing expenses is just as important as increasing sales, so Paragon Solutions President and CEO Michael Lawshe will offer a case study on how going green benefited one travel plaza location. Lawshe has 22 years of specialized and targeted industry experience, consulting a multitude of customers including convenience stores, travel centers, petroleum companies. His company is recognized as one of the leading design firms in the industry, with over 150 projects completed annually throughout the U.S.

Rick Segel, President of Segel and Associates
The success of any business hinges on a company's ability to attract new business and maximize the business for existing accounts. What are the best methods and techniques to attract, retain, and up sell accounts? How do you market, advertise and sell in today's highly competitive marketplace without competing on price? Join the ever-popular Rick Segel, president of Segel and Associates, for this interactive program and look at your marketing and advertising in a new way.

• Understand the techniques to use when the economy slows down
• Find out how to sell solutions, not price
• Discover low-cost techniques to make your advertising stand out
• Learn the Internet's role in the process and how to make ecommerce work for you
• Enhance relationship-building skills
• Unleash the power of non-manipulative selling

America's Road Team
Want to know what professional drivers want to buy from you? Are you wondering how to attract drivers to your location? Ask them! Don't miss this opportunity to listen first-hand as top drivers from America's Road Team discuss their likes and dislikes on the road. Gain insights from these elite drivers that can help boost business.

Betsi Bixby, President of Meridian Associates
Is there such a thing as sure profit? How about sure cash? And what about financing for growth? It's highly likely you are competing effectively, but could you be missing just one or two key strategies that could drop right to your bottom line? Through her work with over 3300 petroleum companies nationwide, Meridian Associates President Betsi Bixby knows your pennies-driven business has changed dramatically in the past few years. In this provocative session, you'll learn why speed, flexibility and focus on best customers from top leadership down to the lowest level employee have never been more important. Bixby will reveal a two-pronged approach and the concrete steps any marketer can take to gain the competitive edge and then deliver efficiently to fatten up actual cash and profits and be the company lenders seek. If you want to know what it will take to drive your organization to the next level of success, then you won’t want to miss this session!

Diesel Exhaust Fluid: What's Coming and How You Can Prepare
Beginning in January 2010, new trucks will have an advanced emissions system that will require diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to operate – and environmental regulations ensure that this will be no passing trend. In fact, the Engine Manufacturers Association predicts that by 2019 demand for DEF will reach 1.3 billion gallons per year in the U.S. and Canada. Will you be prepared to supply DEF to your customers, or will drivers be forced to bypass you to restock and refuel at locations that can meet their need for this fluid? Find out how to capitalize on DEF demand at this important session. Panelists representing DEF and pump manufacturers will give you the practical details on the fluid: where to get it, who will need it, and how it should be stored, dispensed and sold.

Advances in Credit Card, Check and Point-of-Sale Technology
Technology changes at the speed of light, bringing retailers new opportunities, risks and responsibilities. But, who has time to run a busy travel plaza and stay on top of every technological development? This panel session is your one-stop event to bring yourself up-to-date on today’s point-of-sale (POS) technology, new payment card industry (PCI) standards, and Check-Link™ advances to help reduce bad check losses. Get the latest updates from Bill Bartkus of TravelCenters of America and Sean Flynn, of Flynn'sTruck Plaza, along with representatives of POS systems.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

NATSO U Super Session on the Economy
NATSO has recruited two powerhouse economists to tell you what you must know about the economic and market conditions you'll face in 2009. Wachovia Managing Director and Senior Economist Mark Vitner, who is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg Television and the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, will tell you what to expect from the economy in the months ahead.  Bob Costello, Chief Economist at American Trucking Associations, will bring that information even closer to home, forecasting the economy's impact on your customers in the trucking industry. This session is essential for operators as they plan today for tomorrow's economic realities.  Sponsored by Randall-Reilly Publishing.