With her background and experiences as chairman of the National Association [image-nocss] of Convenience Stores (NACS), combined with her role leading a large chain of stores, Hubbard's remarks will set the stage for distributors and manufacturers to better tackle today's issues and prepare their businesses for the future, AWMA said.
"We are very excited to have a retailer of Sonja's caliber as the speaker at our AWMA Show Opening Super Session," commented AWMA president and CEO Scott Ramminger. "AWMA is committed to bringing in top retailers from around the country to discuss the forces and trends that are shaping the convenience industry. We are extremely gratified that Sonja has agreed to share her considerable insights."
Hubbard in 2008 became the first woman to chair NACS. Her list of accomplishments and her service to the cstore industry is lengthy. At NACS, she was a tireless fighter for important cstore issues, especially unfair transaction fees charged by credit card companies. As CEO of EZ Mart Stores, she has overseen a complete modernization of the 300plus store chain.
She is also a leader of numerous philanthropy efforts throughout EZ's fivestate market territory of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma. AWMA's 2011 Showthemed "Tackle Today's Issues & Build Your Business for Tomorrow"features more than 18 hours of educational sessions including three super sessions, concurrent sessions on foodservice, strategic leadership issues and key categories as well as a new track of sessions geared specifically for smaller distributors.
More than 200 companies will be showcasing their latest products and services in the expo, where a new Foodservice Pavilion will be introduced. This new area features food products, programs, beverages and equipment and will provide distributors and retailers with fresh new ideas to build their foodservice programs. More information about the AWMA Show can be found at www.AWMASHOW.com.
AWMA is an international trade organization working on behalf of convenience distributors in the United States. Its distributor members represent more than $85 billion in U.S. convenience product sales. Associate members include manufacturers, service providers, technology companies, brokers, retailers and others allied to the convenience retailing industry.
In addition to c-stores, their largest customer segment, convenience distributors also service grocery stores, drug stores, tobacco shops, mass merchants, newsstands, concession stands, gift shops, fundraising groups, restaurants, institutions and more.
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