Highway-based fuel retailers came together for NATSO’s FastForwardFocus 2022, an executive-level event designed to provide insights into how trends shaping the future of truckstops and travel plazas, June 7-8 in Nashville, Tenn.
The event kicked off with a safety stakeholder luncheon with the Truckload Carriers Association. Truckload carriers’ safety and security executives addressed roadside repair safety and other shared priorities.
Attendees also took part in a group business meeting focused on shop repair and roadside assistance programs. During the session, Timothy Lynch, senior director, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, delved into the right-to-repair and what that means for shop owners and operators. Kevin Rohlwing, chief technical officer for the Tire Industry Association, discussed improving roadside safety through training. NATSO CEO Lisa Mullings provided updates and next steps on the Roadside Repair/Safety Group Action Plan.
Government affairs remain central to NATSO’s work, and David Fialkov, NATSO’s executive vice president of government affairs, shared his insights into what to expect in 2022 from Congress and the White House. He also detailed what’s at stake in the midterm elections and shared how government actions at the state and federal levels could affect Interstate-based businesses.
Three thought leaders from McKinsey & Company led the session Ukraine, the Economy and Retail Trends: Implications for Travel Centers. Jim Cornette and Brett Lambing of PDI discussed tech opportunities, obstacles and cybercrime. Bernie Veon of Bridgestone shared his insights into the future of digital dispatch.
ESG is an increasingly important topic for business owners, customers and investors. Nate Springer of Gladstein, Neandross & Associates, Nico Bouwkamp of GTI Energy, and NATSO’s Mullings discussed ESG, sustainability and fleets. The session on sustainability trends was sponsored by NATSO and the NATSO Foundations Campaigns for Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Travel Centers with support from Gladstein, Neandross and Associates, QuikTrip and Racetrac.
As part of the meeting, NATSO and the NATSO Foundation boards of directors held their board meetings as well as a strategic planning session to discuss emerging trends and their implications for the industry. NATSO travel center attendees, Chairman’s Circle members and top sustainability campaign donors also join in the highly interactive and future-focused session.
Save the date for NATSO’s next industry meetings—NATSO Day on the Hill Sept. 13-14 and NATSO Connect 2023 March 7-10.
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