Convenience Store Decisions, October 2017

SPECIAL REPORT Getting to Know Convenience Directions Interactive Idea Exchanges with leading suppliers and vendors help identify emerging trends and new opportunities for convenience store owners Best of all there is no charge for these exclusive events By CSD Staff H OW WOULD YOU LIKE to get valuable input on new products emerging trends and category insights that relate exclusively to your market How would you like this all free of charge If this piques your interest its time to consider partnering with Convenience Directions Convenience Directions is centered around Idea Exchange meetings that are designed to share latest trends best in class standards and retail recommendations to drive bottom line pro ts The unique aspect for the retailer is that they get to have senior management from 20 plus diverse supplier companies bring them their industry experience and make specific recommendations custom fitted to the needs of the chain Most meetings discuss general information which is helpful but Convenience Directions Idea Exchange meetings are designed to leave retailers with bottom line improving ideas and recommendations The Idea Exchanges result in sponsor companies getting to know the entire senior management team of a company understanding what their goals and objectives are and presenting category information to the retailer Ongoing productive relationships are established in this setting that are dif cult to replicate in any other venue For nearly 20 years these Idea Exchanges have attracted the leading convenience store chains in the industry Convenience Store Decisions which acquired Convenience Directions from Joe Leonardo and Randy Fulkerson in 2013 has conducted meetings for Travelcenters of America MFA Oil Maverik Timewise Truenorth MFA Oil Country Fair Kent Kwik Gate Petroleum and many others over the past ve years The Convenience Directions program which is led by John Lofstock Editor of Convenience Store Decisions and Joe Leonardo capitalizes on the experience of the supplier partners to bring together a tremendous discourse for both retailers and suppliers KEY TAKEAWAYS What Convenience Directions does is very unique to the marketplace in that we combine the InfoMarketing newsletter which is mailed quarterly to over 10000 c store executives with three Idea Exchange meetings annually The newsletters give sponsor companies a forum to communicate category information new product introductions and best practices to the industry Retailers get great information on a variety of categories and services in a quick read format Idea Exchange meetings bring together the senior management of a leading retail company with senior management of supplier companies representing a variety of categories and services to the convenience s tore industry Suppliers that participate are guaranteed category exclusivity The suppliers represent many of the key product and service categories being employed by todays convenience stores and provide unequaled knowledge about their respective category These industry specialists convene as a group to meet with the management personnel of leading convenience store chains on a proprietary basis one chain at a time These two day sessions are conducted and nanced by Convenience Directions The purpose of these meetings is to create the opportunity for positive business development by providing a forum for the productive exchange of ideas and information The open and relaxed surroundings created by having all supplier representatives present during the entire meeting is not designed as a sales forum but rather as a learning opportunity in a think tank atmosphere These meetings have proven to be very productive and well worth the time invested for every retailer who has participated in the past Every retail participant has reported improved pro tability as a direct result of their involvement If your chain is interested in hosting an Idea Exchange contact John Lofstock at jlofstock@ csdecisions com 120 Convenience Store Decisions l October 2017 CStoreDecisions ecisions com