The NASM Conference and Industry Summit brings together Shell-branded Wholesale Marketers from across the country for three days of networking and learning. Together with industry leaders and Shell representatives, NASM members will experience the luxury of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa — a Forbes Travel Guide four-star property.
Location
Houston, Texas
Join us in Houston, Texas for the 2024 NASM Conference & Industry Summit. Known for NASA’s Johnson Space Center and it’s proximity to Galveston Bay, Houston is often nicknamed the “Bayou City” or “Space City”. However, most NASM members know it as the home of Shell – the brand they all have chosen to represent.
Hotel/Reservations
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
Welcome to The Houstonian Hotel, Club, & Spa – a timeless and rare gem, thoughtfully tucked away in the middle of the city. A Forbes Four Star property AND Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 resort in Texas.
Wind down in our peaceful 27-acre playground with complimentary access to the city’s most prestigious health club and enjoy personalized services at the largest luxury spa in Texas. You will never want to leave our freshly renovated rooms with lush custom bedding, elegant Texas décor, and tranquil floor-to-ceiling wooded views. Onsite restaurants and bars with seasonally curated menus and experienced and friendly waitstaff deliver a refined dining experience for you, your family, and your friends. As the former home of United States President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara, our tenured staff is accustomed to protecting the privacy of distinguished and discreet travelers, dignitaries, and C-suite guests. Click here to access The Houstonian website.
We are pleased to offer our NASM guests a negotiated hotel rate of $269.00 per night for reservations made by Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Extend your stay! This great rate will be offered 3 days prior to our event – depending on availability — so, book early!
Your stay includes:
Complimentary public wifi in guestrooms
Complimentary use of The Houstonian Club/Gym
There is no resort fee for guests at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa.
Transportation
Getting There
The Houstonian is easily accessible to the city’s most sought after attractions. Houston Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport are both just a 30-minute drive, while downtown and the George R. Brown Convention Center are only 7 miles away. Within two miles is the Galleria and Houston’s dynamic Uptown District where our private shuttle will take you to the area’s fabulous shopping, dining and entertainment.
Airports:
Houston Intercontinental Airport (George Bush Intercontinental Airport) – IAH
William P. Hobby Airport – HOU
Agenda At-a-Glance
Agenda At-a-Glance as of 7/15/24
Wednesday, 9/11/24
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Exhibitor Set-up
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Registration & Happy Hour with Exhibitors
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM 50th Anniversary Welcome Reception
Thursday, 9/12/24
7:30 AM – 3:30 PM Registration
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM Kickoff & Opening General Session with Malachi Bennett, Shell
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Networking Break in Exhibit Area
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Lunch & Annual Business Meeting Sponsored by Verifone
1:30 PM – 2:15PM Break-out Sessions: Panel Discussion/Educational Session
2:10 PM – 3:00 PM Speed Networking in Exhibit Area
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Break-out Sessions: Panel Discussion/Educational Session
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM General Session: Leveraging Digital Platforms
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM General Session Panel: Using Forecourt Technology
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Cookout at the Manor House
Friday, 9/13/24
8:00 AM – 10:30 AM Registration
8:00 AM – 8:50 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Networking Break in Exhibit Area
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM Closing General Session with Brian Gray, Accenture
Registration
Registration Information
Registration Type
Wholesale Marketer Member
Wholesale Marketer Non-Member
Additional Wholesale Marketer/Dealer
Supplier Associate Member
Supplier Associate Non-Member
Additional Supplier Associate
Guest
*includes membership for the remainder of 2024
Early Bird/Regular
$699/$799
$1099/$1199*
$299/$399
$1299/$1599
$1624/$1924*
$699/$799
$350/$450
The conference registration fee includes the cost of attendance at all general and concurrent sessions, exhibits, social functions, and planned meals.
You may purchase a registration for your guests which includes meals and receptions only. Guest registrants may not visit the exhibits or attend conference sessions.
Cancelation Policy
Written notice of cancelation must be received no later than August 13, 2024 in order to receive a refund. There will be no refunds for cancelations received after this date. All refunds will be processed after the conference. If an attendee must cancel for an illness or emergency after the cut-off date, refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that NASM is not responsible for any events planned by members or outside sources. NASM will not be responsible for the security of any person, personal property, equipment, exhibits, presentation materials before, during or after NASM events. Registration and attendance at, or participation in, NASM meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to NASM to use and distribute (both now and in the future) the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photo or video without compensation to the attendee. The images may be published in print or electronic publications and social media or similar outlets.
Speakers
Malachi Bennett
General Manager - Mobility Wholesale, Shell
Malachi has held a variety of commercial roles across Shell’s Retail / Mobility business, including managing the North America Joint Venture group, Sales Manager for the US Wholesale West Region, US Loyalty Lead, and US strategic partnerships.
Imran Dar
North America Site Systems Technology Manager, Shell
With two decades of industry experience, Imran focuses on technology development and commercialization. His passion lies in efficiently delivering technologies that provide value to Shell customers.
Brian Gray
Managing Director, Global Head of Fuels & Convenience Retail, Accenture
Brian is a Managing Director and currently leads Accenture’s Global and North America Fuels & Convenience Retail practice. He has spent the last 19 years working with 20+ fuels and convenience retailers around the world.
Jennifer Johnson
Director of Business Development, THRIVR at NACS
Jennifer Johnson is the NACS Director of Business Development for Localized Marketing Solutions, spearheading the sales and development of THRIVR, the NACS localized marketing platform powered by SOCi. Jen focuses on raising awareness in the convenience and fuel industry about the importance of digital visibility and the tools available to retailers for their digital journey.
Jason Kerr
Home Office Account Executive, Federated Insurance
Jason Kerr is a Home Office Account Executive in the Association Risk Management Services department of Federated Insurance; responsible for managing Federated’s association and buying group partners.
Jason has been with Federated insurance since 2017, starting as a Risk Consultant in the Risk Management Resource Center for the Western Territories. In 2021 Jason was promoted to the role of Supervisor of the Risk Management Resource Center and in 2023 Jason took on his current role supporting our Affinity Partners.
Jeff Kramer
Managing Director, NRC
Jeff Kramer joined NRC in 2014 as a Managing Director, bringing over forty years of experience in petroleum and convenience store retailing, plus extensive experience in refining, wholesaling and distribution. Prior to joining NRC, he served as Managing Member and CEO of Prima Marketing LLC, owner/operator of 89 7-Eleven convenience stores in the Eastern United States. Most of these locations were sold to 7-Eleven in 2012, with the assistance of NRC.
Chris Santy
President and Founder, Patriot Capital Corporation
Patriot Capital is the leading provider of equipment financing to convenience store retailers, fuel wholesalers, and related industries. As a privately held, non-bank lender, Patriot has been in the industry for 23 years and financed 8,000+ sites and over $950 million of equipment in the US and Canada. As a proven, full-service lender, Patriot Capital offers competitive equipment financing rates, fast and efficient processing, and unmatched fueling industry expertise.
Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Become a Sponsor
Exhibitors
Exhibitor List as of 02/16/2024
The following companies will have tabletop exhibits at the conference:
Dover Fueling Solutions
Federated Insurance
iRely
NACS
NCR
Patriot Capital Corp
Pattison Sign Group
PWM
Shell Fleet Solutions
Source NA
SSCS
Titan Cloud Software
Verifone
FULL AGENDA
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Exhibitor Set-up
Exhibitors can take this time to set up their tabletops in the registration area in the Grande Foyer.
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Registration & Happy Hour with Exhibitors
Pick up your badge and mingle with other attendees amongst the exhibit tables as we kick off the evening with a celebratory glass of bubbly!
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM 50th Anniversary Welcome Reception
Help NASM celebrate their 50th Anniversary at this special welcome reception that is sure to inspire and entertain.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
7:30 AM – 4:45 PM Registration
Attendees may pick up their badge or ask questions at any point during the day.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast
Start your day out right with a delicious breakfast in the Grande Ballroom.
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM Kickoff & Opening General Session
Join us as we kick off the conference and hear the latest updates from Shell with Malachi Bennett, General Manager – Mobility Wholesale.
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
Attend one of two repeating sessions presented by representatives from Shell:
Session A: EDGEPro/Technology Update presented by Imran Dar, North America Site Systems Technology Manager, Shell
Session B: Mystery Motorist Program presented by Greg Sands, US Business and Operations Manager, Shell
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Networking Break in Exhibit Area
Come visit the exhibits in the Grande Foyer during this brief networking break.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
Attend one of two repeating sessions presented by representatives from Shell:
Session A: EDGEPro/Technology Update presented by Imran Dar, North America Site Systems Technology Manager, Shell
Session B: Mystery Motorist Program presented by Greg Sands, US Business and Operations Manager, Shell
12:00 PM – 1:20 PM Lunch & Annual Business Meeting Sponsored by Verifone
At lunch we’ll hold the Annual Business Meeting and hear a legal update from Association Counsel Al Alfano. Sponsored by Verifone.
1:30 PM – 2:15PM Concurrent Sessions: Panel Discussion/Educational Session
Attend a panel discussion or an educational session on the following topics:
Panel Discussion: Industry Trends & M&A moderated by Jeff Kramer, Managing Director, NRC Realty
Shell jobbers will talk with Jeff about the following points of interest: Industry trends, Mergers and Acquisitions.
Educational Session: Telematics: Risk Managing Your Fleet presented by Jason Kerr, Home Office Account Executive, Federated Insurance
Automotive crashes continue to be a large exposure for all types of businesses. Vehicle crashes, fatalities, and distracted driving are a serious problem. With more drivers – and their mobile devices – on the road every day, the potential for behind-the-wheel distractions increases, and so does your business’s exposure to this risk. This presentation will address leadership strategies to impact employee driving behavior and ideas for implementing a mobile device/driving policy. It will also introduce you to technology tools to aid in restricting mobile phone use in vehicles – such as the Federated DriveSAFESM telematics app.
2:10 PM – 3:00 PM Speed Networking in Exhibit Area
Join us for an exciting new way to network with exhibitors! Attendees will get two to three minutes at each tabletop exhibit at this fast-paced round robin networking event.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Concurrent Sessions: Panel Discussion/Educational Session
Attend a panel discussion or an educational session on the following topics:
Panel Discussion: Retail is Detail: A return to Customer Service moderated by Sal Jamal, President, Chestnut Group
Sal Jamal will present questions to the Chestnut Group Operations Team on best in class topics related to presenting outstanding customer service to consumers in a convenience store environment. Panel members will elaborate on initiatives and programs that guarantee superior execution of Retail is Detail Standards. Take away applications include and understanding of: Walk the Store, building on the program designed by Retail Strategies industry expert Chris Harris; Zenput tracking day to day and week to week performance execution, Workforcenow Onboarding the right quality staff; Retail Training Online; Work Alertz; BARS Compliance; MMP; and other applications to teach the front line that success comes from paying attention all the time to detail in a retail environment.
Educational Session: Equipment Finance for Wholesalers presented by Chris Santy, President and Founder, Patriot Capital Corporation
Increased complexities in regional and community bank environments may compel marketers to choose between building new sites, expanding wholesale networks, or upgrading assets. Conversely, the equipment finance business is robust and competitively priced, offering wholesalers flexible and competitive options to complement their existing capital stack.
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM General Session
Leveraging Digital Platforms presented by Jennifer Johnson, Director of Business Development, THRIVR at NACS
A strong digital storefront is crucial for convenience stores to stay competitive. It enhances customer experience, boosts online visibility, and facilitates easy access to products and promotions. By leveraging digital platforms, stores can attract the rapidly growing tech-savvy consumers, streamline operations, and increase sales, ensuring relevance in the modern retail landscape.
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM General Session Panel
Using Forecourt Technology moderated by TBA
A panel of technology providers will discuss how to use forecourt technology to promote and/or sell premium fuels, new loyalty customers, premium car wash and in-store items. Consumers are potentially a captive audience during the fueling process. How can the C-Store operator take advantage of the 3 to 4 minutes of fueling to create an impulse purchase that drives revenue and margin?”
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Cookout at the Manor House sponsored by Dover Fueling Solutions
Enjoy an evening cookout at the Manor House – the former home of President George H.W. Bush. This elegant home on the property of The Houstonian will provide the backdrop for a Texas barbeque you won’t want to miss!
Friday, September 13, 2024
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Registration
Registration will remain open for attendee needs.
8:00 AM – 8:50 AM Breakfast
Start your day out right with a delicious breakfast in the Grande Ballroom.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
Attend one of two repeating sessions presented by representatives from Shell:
Session C: Mobile Visual Image (MVI) Update presented by Meg Love, North America Network Brand Standards Manager, Shell
Session D: Fuel Rewards Program presented by Carlos Hernandez, US Loyalty and Wholesaler Support Lead, Shell
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Networking Break in Exhibit Area
Come visit the exhibits in the Grande Foyer during this brief networking break.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM Break-out Sessions: Shell Presentations
Attend one of two repeating sessions presented by representatives from Shell:
Session C: Mobile Visual Image (MVI) Update presented by Meg Love, North America Network Brand Standards Manager, Shell
Session D: Fuel Rewards Program presented by Carlos Hernandez, US Loyalty and Wholesaler Support Lead, Shell
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM Closing General Session
Be the Disruptor, Not the Disrupted presented by Brian Gray, Managing Director, Accenture
Convenience has become an insatiable craving for consumers around the world. Consumer expectations are evolving so quickly that we are sprinting, not just running, toward convenience in our everyday lives. The convenience retail industry is the driving force behind this trend; however, the ingredients for success that have enabled convenience for the past 20 years may not work over the next 20. The industry is experiencing change at an unprecedented rate, including demand shifts for core products such as fuel and tobacco, evolving government regulations, new competitive pressures, and deepening labor challenges. There is an opportunity for the most innovative players to become true disruptors—rather than being disrupted.