In the rapidly shifting landscape of convenience retail, embracing technology has become paramount for the industry. Recognizing this need, CSP is launching its C-StoreTEC platform. This year-round program leverages CSP’s magazine, daily e-newsletter, live events and proprietary research to foster collaboration, build community and drive innovation and leadership.
“Channel blurring and investments in digital is not new. What is new is the urgency to embrace technology to guide our businesses from back office to customer engagement,” said Amanda Buehner, CSP’s senior vice president of retail conferences and media.
Driving this venture is the newly formed C-StoreTEC Advisory Board. Comprised of leaders and experts in technology, this board will provide strategic guidance, insights and recommendations to tackle the biggest technology needs within the industry. The C-StoreTEC Advisory Board aims to set industry standards and identify emerging trends while developing roadmaps that address these needs.
Chairing this board is tech visionary Art Sebastian, founder and managing partner at Nexchapter LLC and former vice president of digital experiences with Casey's General Stores. Sebastian’s extensive experience in convenience and grocery retailing positions him well to lead the charge in elevating not just individual entities but inspiring growth on a broader scale.
Key C-StoreTEC objectives include:
- Technology advocacy: Advocate for the integration of technologies to enhance efficiency, elevate customer and employee experience, mitigate risk and drive overall competitiveness of the convenience store sector.
- Industry collaboration: Foster collaboration among technology providers, convenience retailers and other stakeholders to drive joint initiatives, share best practices and address common challenges.
- Research and development: Facilitate research and development initiatives to identify and assess emerging technologies that can positively impact convenience-store operations.
- Education and awareness: Promote awareness and understanding of technological advancements within the convenience-store industry and outside adjacent industries through educational content, resources and outreach.
C-StoreTEC Conference
The inaugural C-StoreTEC Conference will be held from Oct. 28-30 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. This event aims to bring together industry leaders, technology experts and solution providers.
Conference highlights include:
- Keynote Addresses: Thought leaders from within the industry will deliver keynote addresses exploring how technology continues to shape the landscape.
- Panel Discussions: Engage in dynamic discussions led by experts covering an array of topics, including digital transformation strategies, evolving loyalty programs and exploring forecourt and EV opportunities.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals—ranging from technology vendors to industry influencers–to foster collaboration and partnerships that propel innovation within each organization involved.
- Exhibition Area: Explore a dedicated exhibition area showcasing cutting-edge technologies tailored specifically for convenience stores.
CSP’s C-StoreTEC platform is set to revolutionize convenience retail through consumer-engaging, strategic-driven technologies. The advisory board, year-round program and its flagship conference will enable the industry to unlock immense growth potential, ensuring every operator can thrive in an increasingly tech-driven landscape while delivering exceptional experiences to customers at every touchpoint.
Retailers looking for more information can contact Mitch Morrison, vice president of retailer relations at mitch.morrison@informa.com. Technology Solution Providers looking for more information can contact Jeanie Hornung, vice president of enterprise sales at jeanie.hornung@informa.com. Visit https://cstoretec.com for more information.
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