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  • The Alexandrian

FastForwardFocus

FastForwardFocus: Executive intel for leaders driving the future of highway retail.

  • Fast. Fly in for Monday executive briefings and networking and get back to business on Tuesday.
  • Forward. Get up to speed on breaking trends shaping highway businesses’ future.
  • Focus. Zoom in on trends’ implications for highway fuel retailers and create new insights with the industry power players we specifically invited to fill the room.

Get in. Get the intel and contacts you need. Get back to shaping your highway business’ future.

Invitation only. Request an invitation by emailing Christine Schoessler at cschoessler@natso.com.

Quick Links

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This Year’s FOCUS Areas

Is There a Future for Fuel Retail?
Boston Consulting Group’s hot-off-the-presses analysis of the powerful forces disrupting retail fuel markets is a must read for everyone planning a company’s future in highway fuel retail. Dive deep into the report’s specific implications for U.S. highway retailers with co-author Tony Portera (Managing Partner, Boston Consulting Group) and with Michael Gade (Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group and former Chief Marketing Officer, 7-11).

Are You Prepared for Tomorrow's Competitive Environment?
Some people are road warriors. NATSO’s Darren Schulte is a truckstop warrior. Drawing on his “boots on the ground” view of 100 truckstops every year – in the United States and Europe and in companies of every size – Darren will spotlight innovative approaches operators are using to adapt to customers’ changing demands. 

Will the Government Select Your Competition?
Will the government not only choose your future competition but also tip the scales in their favor? Find out from NATSO’s David Fialkov, who stalks the halls of Congress daily. He’ll share the latest on NATSO's government affairs priorities, including updates on electric vehicle incentives and autonomous vehicle policies, as well as how these issues implicate traditional NATSO "bread-and-butter" issues such as rest area commercialization and tolling. He’ll also share insight on how the 2020 elections could radically change your business’s future.

CBD and Highway Retail
The exploding CBD market could reach $15-$20 billion in the next five years -- if you believe the analysts. Get the latest on CBD regulatory and legal issues from Vincent Porpiglia, Hero Brands, Doug Kantor, Steptoe and Johnson, and Scott Manthey, CDS, VP of Safety and Training at Wilson Logistics, to gain insight into your trucking customer’s unique take on CBD.

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FAST Schedule

Monday, October 28

Self-Guided Tour of Georgetown Retail (optional)
9:00 - 12:30
Hotel Lobby
Flying in early? Grab our bus and head to Georgetown. DC’s oldest neighborhood is a hotbed of retail innovation. Scope out Amazon’s brick-and-mortar bookstore; see how Wawa balances the need for speed with a local feel; and compare vastly differing approaches to meeting customers’ demands for unique experiences, personalization and social transparency. 

We have a loading zone on the East side of South Pitt Street, that would be the best location for the Van to pick up.  The exit to South Pitt Street is to the left of the front desk.

Chairman’s Circle Focus Group
Old Town Ballroom
11:00 - 12:00
Please join NATSO’s CEO at a focus group to listen to Chairman’s Circle companies’ priorities, needs and ideas. We want to hear your thoughts on how NATSO can work with you - at our convention and year-round - to strengthen our industry, connect travel plazas to needed products and services, and advance your success.

Lunch Buffet
Old Town Ballroom
12:30

Trends Shaping Highway Retailers’ Future
Old Town Ballroom
1:00 - 6:15

  • Is There a Future for Fuel Retail?: Tony Portera and Michael Gade, Boston Consulting Group
     
  • Are You Prepared for Tomorrow's Competitive Environment?: Darren Schulte, NATSO
     
  • Will the Government Select Your Competition?: David Fialkov, NATSO
     
  • CBD and Highway Retail: Vincent Porpiglia, Hero Brands, Scott Manthey, CDS, Wilson Logistics and Doug Kantor, Steptoe and Johnson

Networking Dinner Hosted by NATSO’s Chairman’s Circle
Courtyard
6:00 - 8:00

Tuesday, October 29

Network on the Run (optional)
Meet in lobby
7:00 - 7:30
Hotel Lobby, The Alexandrian
Fit in your morning workout while connecting with peers. Meet NATSO staff member Amy Toner in the lobby for a guided run through historic Old Town Alexandria.

Breakfast Buffet 
Old Town Ballroom
8:00

NATSO Government Affairs and PAC Committee Meeting
Old Town Ballroom
8:00 - 8:45
All attendees are encouraged to attend and weigh-in on the industry association’s political and government affairs agenda.

NATSO Board of Directors Business Meeting
Old Town Ballroom
9:15 - 12:00
NATSO’s board of directors will meet to conduct routine business and strategic planning. Any additional interested attendees are welcome to attend as observers until directors move into closed session.

NATSO Foundation Board of Directors Business Meeting and Lunch
Old Town Ballroom
12:30 - 3:00
The foundation’s board of directors will meet to conduct routine business and strategic planning. Any additional interested attendees are welcome to attend as observers until the board moves into closed session.

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FAQs

What should I expect?
This is an executive-level event designed to help highway fuel retailers gain insight into how trends are likely to affect their operating environment. Expert speakers kick things off by presenting information - but it is the interaction among the power players in the audience that turns information into actionable insights. We keep the attendee list small, design robust group discussions, and build in ample time for discussion among the entire group.

Who’s Invited?
We invite top-tier highway fuel retail industry executives and suppliers. These include NATSO’s board of directors, the NATSO foundation board of directors, and leaders from other NATSO members and top suppliers.

What’s the dress code?
Casual attire is appropriate for all events.

How can I book a hotel room?
Reserve a room online by Sep. 27 at our host hotel The Alexandrian Old Town. The $189/night group rate is available on Oct. 27, 28 and 29. Guestroom cancellation must occur by 6:00 PM two days prior to arrival, or the hotel will charge one night’s room and tax to the guest’s credit card.

Where is the event? What airport is nearby?
The meetings take place at The Alexandrian Old Town, located at 480 King Street Alexandria, Virginia. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a short cab ride away.

What retailers have registered?
So far we have representatives from:

  • 24-7 Travel Stores
  • Bosselman Enterprises
  • Broadway Group
  • Coffee Cup Travel Plazas
  • Deluxe Truck Stop
  • Dodge City Travel Centers
  • Iowa 80 Group
  • Jubitz Corp.
  • Kwik Trip, Inc.
  • Liberty Petroleum Distributors
  • Love's Travel Stops
  • Pilot Flying J
  • Pride Travel Centers
  • RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc.
  • Sacramento 49er
  • Sapp Bros Inc.
  • TravelCenters of America/Petro Travel Centers

How do I enroll?
The event is by invitation only. Request an invitation by emailing Christine Schoessler at cschoessler@natso.com.

Thank you to  for providing refreshments for FastForwardFocus.