HINSDALE, Ill. -- NATSO and Royal Buying Group Inc. (RBG) have entered into an exclusive partnership to offer savings and discounts to truckstop and travel plaza operators in North America.
RBG is a marketing association that negotiates pricing and promotions for operators as well as providing merchandising support and convenience retailing services to more than 5,000 members.
We are thrilled to be able to bring NATSO members this new benefit, said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. Through this exclusive partnership with [image-nocss] Royal Buying Group, only NATSO member travel plazas will be able to harness the negotiating power of this marketing association. By joining Royal Buying Group, NATSO members will be able to save thousands of dollars each year.
Michael Zielinski, president and CEO of RBG, said, This alliance between NATSO and RBG will create a strong marketing force within this important channel, helping NATSO members gain a competitive edge in their industry. Our expertise in convenience retailing will supplement their passion and experience in providing goods and services for travelers coast to coast. "
RBG acts as a large chain, so locations may obtain rebates on more than 400 products and programs they may not be eligible for otherwise. There are no upfront costs associated with this program, as fees are taken out of rebates received. Operators could save about $8,000 just by participating in the Top Ten Programs offered through the partnership, RBG said.
Hinsdale, Ill.-based RBG is a national organization dedicated to maximizing sales and profitability of convenience stores, petroleum locations, college bookstores, truckstops, and travel plaza centers. The core service capabilities include negotiating with regional and national suppliers for sales and marketing programs, providing category management expertise, marketing support, customer service support as well as a variety of additional services.
NATSO is a national trade association representing travel plaza and truckstop owners and operators. It represents more than 900 travel plazas and truckstops nationwide, owned by more than 330 corporate entities.
In other RBG news, it has announced the recipients of the 2005 Royal Buying Group education scholarships. It presented $1,000 scholarships at the 2006 RBG Annual Programs Kick-Off Reception in early February.
The scholarship amounts were generated from the RBG annual golf outing.
The first recipient, Andrew Holmstrom, is a senior at Montini Catholic High School. Andrew's father, Mark Holmstrom, owns Tom's & Jerry's Shell and Willowbrook Shell, both in Willowbrook, Ill. The second recipient, Emily Park, is a senior at Rolling Meadows High School. Emily's father, Won Jong Park, owns WJP CITGO in Mt. Prospect, Ill.
The scholarship program is open to high school seniors or graduates who plan to or are enrolled at an accredited two or four-year U.S. college or university that will lead to an academic degree. Eligible candidates include RBG members or their children. The 2006 Royal Buying Group education scholarship program enrollment will be open beginning on Oct. 1, 2006.
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