GLENDALE, Ariz. -- OMG, our early-arrivals’ reception was a hoot! About 200 attendees of CRU14 hung out at the nearby Saddle Ranch Chop House talking shop, listening to country music, shooting the s***, riding the bull and, oddly, enjoying coconut-flavored cotton candy.
Me, I heard talk about a certain Midwest chain taking on a certain game-changing product for the first time, a Southwest chain planning to grow through new builds for the first time in years, war stories from a major beverage company and another supplier’s secret to reaching the c-store industry (yes, it had a lot to do with CSP). It’s the kind of stuff you don’t hear during a given work week; such is the power of a CSP networking event.
We got a half dozen retailers to ride the mechanical bull—no names, just photos (below). We also got our first personal—and inspiring—CARRE Foundation challenge! Let’s call it “Meet It or Beat It.” Brion Gillett of Commonwealth-Altadis tobacco donated 80,000 Marriott points and 25,000 Delta Airlines points to the chosen charity of the conference, the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Such a donation can cover one of the toughest parts of achieving a Make-A-Wish goal, that of travel and lodging. CSP now challenges other CRU attendees to meet or beat Gillett’s generous donation!
Come to the CARRE Foundation booth anytime during the CRU conference and lay your donation cards on the table. At the end of the conference, CSP will offer a hearty thank you to all those who participate.
In the meantime, enjoy these photos from our Early Arrivals’ reception.
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