Special Events
Every activity within the OL agenda is an opportunity to expand your professional network. Whichever you choose, you'll be surrounded by the convenience industry's best and brightest. Don't miss this opportunity to meet new friends, chat with old ones and, most importantly, have fun.
Approximately 5-7 weeks prior to the Conference, guests will receive an invitation to register for the outing of their choice. Please be aware that capacity is limited and excursions will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; pre-registration will be required for each activity.
Please note, pre-registration for special events is required. You are also required to check-in for each special event at the special event desk the morning of your selected activity to secure your spot. If you do not check-in at least 10 minutes prior to bus departure time, you forfeit your place to an attendee on the wait list.
Join us for a round of golf at the prestigious Trump International Golf Course, where you can cultivate valuable business connections while taking in stunning ocean views. Get ready for some friendly competition and an unforgettable morning.
- 6:15am: Bus Departure to Golf Course (Main driveway in front of lobby - Continuous bus departures every 15-20 minutes until 7:15am )
- 6:30am - 7:30am: Breakfast, check-in and warm-up
- 7:30am - 7:45am: Cart assignments and rules
- 8:00am: Tournament Begins (Shotgun Start)
- 12:30pm -2:00pm: Continuous bus departures every 15-20 minutes to Terranea
- 12:30pm - 1:15pm: Networking Lunch at Terranea
Paddle through the stunning kelp beds along the Terranea coastline. This underwater forest is home to the California state fish, garibaldi, bottlenose dolphins, seals, sea lions, and bat rays.
- 7:30am-8:00am - Check-in and breakfast
- 8:00am - Departure
- 8:15am-9:45am - Ocean Kayaking
- 10:00am - Arrive back at Terranea
Sign up for this unforgettable experience to tour the local harbor and open water while searching for whales and other sea life.
- 7:30am-8:00am - Check-in and breakfast
- 8:00am - Bus Departure
- 8:30am-11:30am - Whale Watching
- 12:00pm - Bus Departure
- 12:30pm - Arrive back at Terranea
Secure your Spa Day pass by registering to experience the luxurious Terranea Spa. Indulge in all the spa amenities, cafe, fitness center and oceanfront spa pool. (Appointment booking for treatments will be on your own.)
7:30am-8:00am - Check-in and breakfast & pick up Spa day pass
Innovation Forums (choose 1 of 3)
Learning is a lifelong journey, and leadership evolves as well. For Outlook 2023, we have identified some of the best leaders in their respective fields who have agreed to share their tools and secrets to great leadership. These special sessions will surely provide foundational and thought-provoking insight whether you are a seasoned leader or one whose next step is the C-suite.
The fundamental challenge for convenience fuel retailers is to reduce the cost of change while delivering positive changes in consumer experience and employee productivity. Learn from our panel of industry experts on the key challenges retailers face and how enabling retail store agility, from self-checkout to point of sale to the pump and the cloud, can transform your business.
Co-Owner, President, & Chief Executive Officer | Moderator
Impact 21
859.219.3040
Formerly Chief Information Officer
Dollar Tree
Global Solutions Manager and Sales Specialist
NCR Corporation
Imagine being able to know how much your customers currently buy from your competitors of the products that matter most to you and your business. Envision using those insights in real-time to programmatically target offers which guide them to buy those same items from you instead. Join this session to discover how leading retailers think about how to run their loyalty programs in a way that enables them to capture the greatest share of wallet from their customers.
Vice President of Strategic Accounts | Moderator
Stuzo
Senior Director of Payment Solutions
CHS Inc.
Vice President of Marketing
Yesway
Director of Digital Experience
Casey’s
This session will include a brief update on M&A activity in the rapidly consolidating petroleum marketing and convenience store industries and a discussion of what is driving valuations in the current marketplace. The session will also include insights from Paul Steen, Managing Director at First Reserve, the private equity fund that owns Refuel, a convenience retail chain based in Charleston, SC with 200+ locations in the Southeast U.S. Paul will discuss what the key factors were behind First Reserve’s desire to acquire a platform in the convenience retail industry, their experience thus far and how choosing the right private equity partner can fuel growth of your business and shareholder value. In addition, Travis Smith, Chief Development Officer of Refuel, will provide color on what it’s like to operate a business in the industry with a very well-capitalized and experienced private equity fund as an owner and financial partner. There will be ample time for participants to ask questions.
Director, Director, Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail Investment Banking
Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.
804.591.2048
Co-Head of Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail Investment Banking
Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.
804.591.2039
Chief Development Officer
Refuel
Managing Director
First Reserve
Opening General Session
Location: Palos Verdes BallroomAnthony Scaramucci is an award-winning investor, entrepreneur, lawyer, and author. The son of a construction worker, Scaramucci got his start in finance at Goldman Sachs after graduating from Harvard Law School. He spent 7 years at the firm before venturing out on his own, co-founding both the investment partnership Oscar Capital Management in 1996 as well as the global investment firm SkyBridge Capital in 2005. In this wide-ranging, honest, and often humorous keynote, Scaramucci discusses the lessons he’s learned from his years at the top of the global financial industry, how he applies those lessons to investing and entrepreneurship, and what we can project is next for us in the industry!
Investor, Entrepreneur, Lawyer, and Author
We might not be in flying cars or have robot housekeepers (yet), but tech is everywhere! Our lives are made better by advancements in tech every day! ....or are they?
As technology grows, leaders must adapt to help make using it more accessible and safer for employees to use and make it more client-focused while saving time.
This session will cover all things tech and how we can make it work for us!
Vice President, Innovation
Coen Markets, Inc
Director, Marketing & Advertising
Kwik Trip, Inc.
Chief Information Officer
Global Partners LP
Vice President of Content Strategy | Moderator
Restaurant Business
In this captivating talk, former mob boss Michael Franzese shares his journey of transformation from a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family to a motivational speaker and author. Drawing from his personal experiences, Franzese provides a firsthand account of how he developed and executed a massive gasoline tax fraud scheme that defrauded the federal government out of $8 million per week at the height of his criminal career. Franzese discusses how he managed to transition into legitimate business after leaving the mob and offers valuable lessons on ethical leadership and the importance of building strong relationships.
With his engaging storytelling and hard-won wisdom, Franzese inspires audiences to embrace change and strive for success in every aspect of life.
Former Mob Captain, Author, and Corporate Fraud Expert
Content Director, Convenience Group | Moderator
CSP Daily News
Innovation Forums (choose 1 of 3)
Learning is a lifelong journey, and leadership evolves as well. For Outlook 2023, we have identified some of the best leaders in their respective fields who have agreed to share their tools and secrets to great leadership. These special sessions will surely provide foundational and thought-provoking insight whether you are a seasoned leader or one whose next step is the C-suite.
This Innovation Forum will present and discuss the evolution of liability law and its impact on the products and services your stores offer daily. It will also discuss how previously voluntary standards are becoming law and how to navigate these changes to remain in compliance and protect your consumers and your business. BIC has taken a leadership role with ASTM International and CPSC Laws and Standards and will lead this Forum.
Senior Legal Counsel
BIC USA, Inc.
In today’s convenience stores, branding and marketing is about much more than what’s on the walls. It’s about how to keep customers engaged digitally. People always have their mobile devices, and there is no better way to keep them personally engaged with your brand.
Rutter’s loyalty program has been voted one of the best in the nation. Now that program is combined with online ordering to make it even stronger. Rutter’s Vice President of Fuels, Advertising, and Development Chris Hartman and Paytronix Director of Strategy & Analytics Jeff Hoover will discuss the keys to digital guest engagement and how to bring all the pieces together.
Vice President of Fuels, Advertising and Development
Rutter’s
Director of Strategy & Analytics
Paytronix
You won’t want to miss this raw, unfiltered conversation about the state of the industry and its near-future outlook. How much of an opportunity are electric vehicles, really? Which new technologies are overhyped, and which ones present actual opportunities? What keeps retailers up at night, and how are they navigating those challenges? This is an opportunity to hear honest feedback from your peers on these topics and more. Get ready for the spiciest panel of the year!
Co-founder and President | Moderator
Rovertown
Chief Service Officer
Midwest Petroleum
Director of Marketing
Stinker Stores
Founder and CEO
Convenience and Energy Advisors
Networking Reception
Location: Palos Verdes TerraceJoin industry leaders in the Networking Lounge to toast a great day and enjoy unprecedented networking.
We're thrilled to have keynote speakers Anthony Scaramucci and Michael Franzese in attendance at tonight's Networking Reception. Rub shoulders with these renowned experts, gain valuable insights, and expand your professional network. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to engage with the best in the business. See you there!
Former Mob Captain, Author, and Corporate Fraud Expert
Investor, Entrepreneur, Lawyer, and Author
General Session
Location: Palos Verdes BallroomThere's a reason why our brains love to get information fast! And our Hot Seat session delivers with burning questions, hot topics, and answers to the industry’s most pressing issues. Steve Holtz and Mitch Morrison sit down with c-store top industry leaders to fire off questions in a mini one-on-one interview. In "blink and you'll miss it" fashion, if you're not here, prepare for some serious FOMO!
Chief Executive Officer
Moto, Inc.
President
Robinson Oil Corp
President and CEO
Rutter's
Vice President of Operations
Pilot Company
Interim President
EG America
Content Director, Convenience Group | Moderator
CSP Daily News
Vice President, Retailer Relations & Event Content Director | Moderator
Winsight Media and Events
In this session, Donna Hood Crecca explores Technomic's top predictions of macro trends influencing c-stores through 2030 and driving imperatives ranging from contactless payments, to EV, foodservice, and more. You'll gain insights on why and how to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in an increasingly shifting landscape.
Principal
Technomic
There is a huge opportunity to capitalize on data and age and identity verified consumers to extract maximum business value. Given the availability of new technologies and partners for retailers, the opportunity to leverage member data and age and identity verification programs with CPGs is greater than ever. Learn from industry leaders about how they view the role of data in transforming the customer experience and how to focus on mission-critical data.
Chief Customer Officer
Stuzo
Senior Director of Payment Solutions
CHS Inc.
Vice President of Marketing
Yesway
Director of Digital Experience
Casey's
Vice President of Content Strategy | Moderator
Restaurant Business
Innovation Forums (choose 1 of 3)
Learning is a lifelong journey, and leadership evolves as well. For Outlook 2023, we have identified some of the best leaders in their respective fields who have agreed to share their tools and secrets to great leadership. These special sessions will surely provide foundational and thought-provoking insight whether you are a seasoned leader or one whose next step is the C-suite.
From swiftly changing customer expectations to inflation and the after-effects of supply chain issues, c-stores are still dealing with a myriad of challenges that put pressure on in-store staff, field management, corporate leaders and profit margins. Join this session to learn about recent industry trends and the various solutions our customers have deployed to succeed.
Additionally, explore 'The Modern Store', a vision for how retailers can combat their most pressing problems by aligning business need with process and technology. This meets retailers where they’re at on their modernization journey and enables them to increase employee engagement and efficiency, heighten inventory accuracy and visualization, and guarantee customers have a smooth in-store encounter.
Sr. Manager, Customer Success Executive, North America
Zebra Technologies
Global Retail Technology Strategist
Zebra Technologies
In the world of declining demand & endless options, traditional indicators like gallons sold and loyalty signups are no longer reliable. Innovators have shifted focus to what drives the most profit: people. In this session, we’ll share invaluable insights & trends across 50,000 retailers nationwide. Hear first-hand from our panel of experts how they successfully use data and digital strategies to place people at the forefront of their businesses.
Research Economist | Moderator
Upside
Director of Marketing
Stinker Stores
SVP of Sales, Fuel
Upside
Executive Director of Marketing
The Wills Group
Have you walked your customers’ journey?
Many solutions were deployed over time with unrealized benefits. When not fully integrated, visible gaps diminish the customer journey and fall short of delivering a consistent brand experience across touchpoints. A Unified Commerce strategy provides a framework focused on customer-facing solutions to leapfrog costly backend systems and support.
Join us as we share strategies to modernize retail and deliver a seamless customer experience.
Senior Manager Pre-Sales CFR
NCR Corporation
Co-Owner, President, & Chief Executive Officer
Impact 21
859.219.3040
Vice President Technology Solutions and Innovation
Jackson's Food Stores
Innovation Forums (choose 1 of 3)
Learning is a lifelong journey, and leadership evolves as well. For Outlook 2023, we have identified some of the best leaders in their respective fields who have agreed to share their tools and secrets to great leadership. These special sessions will surely provide foundational and thought-provoking insight whether you are a seasoned leader or one whose next step is the C-suite.
It’s an exciting and dynamic time for our company. As the leader in an evolving industry, we have the duty and the opportunity to shape a better future for adult tobacco consumers, our employees, shareholders, and the c-store community. In 2020, we announced our Vision, which is to responsibly lead the transition of adult smokers to a smoke-free future. We’ve enjoyed decades of strong financial success from the cigarette business, and now our Vision is to responsibly lead the transition of adult smokers to a smoke-free future. Today, over 20 million U.S. adult smokers seek less harmful alternatives to cigarettes. This is a pivotal moment. With adult smoker demand for smoke-free alternatives, innovation, and an appropriate regulatory framework, we have an unprecedented opportunity in front of us to transform this industry. Join us for an interactive session to learn more about our shared path forward and how we can continue to work together to achieve our shared business goals.
Vice President of Accounts
Altria Group Distribution Company
According to a recent QSR Drive Thru Report by Intouch Insight, “Operators must address three critical elements that consumers want in the QSR experience: accuracy, convenience and speed.” As convenience retailers move further into foodservice programs and compete more directly with QSR’s, we must do the same.
As noted by Hank Armour in his recap from the 2023 NACS SOI Summit, “there’s no denying our stores have a labor-intensive model, and there’s a lot of angst in our industry around labor availability and increases in labor costs.” Hank went on to write, “The secret is to you have to re-engineer your entire operation at store level – every task and process to drive more labor productivity”.
Is re-engineering innovation? Does re-engineering stem from inspiration, driven from challenges such as labor shortages or does it stem from a desire to offer an enhanced experience or does it develop as an answer to a better consumer experience? Where do retailers look for innovative inspiration?
Our session host, Kay Segal of Business Accelerator Team will explore the above questions and more during this fast-paced panel with lead industry retailers.
Founder and Managing Partner | Moderator
The Business Accelerator Team
VP Operations & Innovation
Maverik Inc.
Chief Development Officer
Racetrac Petroleum Inc.
Now more than ever, fuel and convenience leaders need to be able to demonstrate the impact that their advertising and marketing spend is having on revenue generation and corporate strategy.
During this session, explore the top trends shaping pump-to-store strategies, and discover the latest customer insights hitting the industry.
Amber Williams, Head of Gas and Convenience Partnerships at Cardlytics will be joined onstage by leaders from top fuel retailers as they discuss how their brands are leveraging data to inform customer acquisition and loyalty efforts.
Chief Marketing Officer
Yesway
Director of Store Operations
Wawa Food Markets
Head of Gas and Convenience Partnerships
Cardlytics
215.518.8364
Significant Other Special Events
Discover your inner artist while exploring the unique plein air style of painting to create an original masterpiece. Originating from the French term "en plein air," this style celebrates the beauty of natural surroundings. What better way to spend a lovely morning at Terranea with fellow spouses!
- 1:00pm-1:15pm - Check-in
- 1:15pm-3:00pm - Painting
Sign up to receive a Terranea Gift Card, which you can use to indulge in a day of pampering at the spa, relish a delectable meal at the cafe or any of the other restaurants on property, peruse the Terranea store, and more. Gift cards can be picked up at the Outlook Leadership registration desk starting Monday, July 31 at 4:00pm. Please note there is only a limited amount of gift cards and you must sign up in your registration to receive one.
Innovation Forums (choose 1 of 3)
Learning is a lifelong journey, and leadership evolves as well. For Outlook 2023, we have identified some of the best leaders in their respective fields who have agreed to share their tools and secrets to great leadership. These special sessions will surely provide foundational and thought-provoking insight whether you are a seasoned leader or one whose next step is the C-suite.
Consumers, categories, and competitors are evolving – what are the strategic imperatives and growth opportunities for packaged and dispensed beverages? To thrive in a highly competitive marketplace, join Technomic to understand the shifting demographics and emerging category trends to drive traffic and sales.
Principal
Technomic
The convenience store landscape is in the midst of a radical revolution. As consumer preferences and technology shift rapidly, how and why customers visit your stores is changing. With that comes the need to evolve – but where do you focus first?
Join Steritech President Doug Sutton for a lively panel discussion featuring several c-store trendsetters as they delve into 4 emerging trends that can supercharge your sales and attract customers. The panel will also look at data and insights from Steritech's 430,000 annual food safety, workplace safety, and operational excellence assessments to set the stage for trend versus reality – and how you can close the gap between them.
President | Moderator
Steritech
Director of Operations
Extra Mile
Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance
RaceTrac
Director of Store Operations
Wawa Food Markets
New entrants driving disruptive innovation within the banking and financial services sector are causing consumer shifts in preferred partners, desired services and how they transact. This disruption represents both opportunities and threats to retailers. InComm Payments, Vice President, Mark Smith will provide an overview of this disruption, the key players and dive into some of the threats and opportunities facing the Convenience retail sector.
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
InComm Payments
General Session
Location: Palos Verdes BallroomDo your customers love you? Are they loyal? And what are you doing to deliver and differentiate your customer experience? Our 17th annual Intouch Insight-CSP Operational Audit and Mystery Shop evaluates a cross section of store execution and looks at some of the challenges the industry is facing. Offering exclusive analysis of 10 leading chains, Intouch Insight President & CEO Cameron Watt shares what customers want from convenience stores, how convenience stores are meeting their demands, and how new channels are impacting everyone. The Intouch-CSP Customer Experience Award will be handed out to this year’s winner.
President & CEO
Intouch Insight
It's no longer science fiction! A.I. burst into the marketing field with text, image, and video generators to revolutionize the way all marketing materials can be produced. By adopting to this tech, we’re able to be faster, more creative, and more efficient…if we know how to properly use it! In this session, branding expert Ernie Harker will introduce you to these new, powerful A.I. tools and explain how to leverage their use for your companies benefit. We might not have robots working in our office, yet, but this is getting us close!
Speaker, Author, and Branding Consultant
Ernburn
Successful businesses have successful leaders. They understand the way the business operates, know how to make strong decisions, and navigate the complexities of internal and external power dynamics. To ensure the future success of your business (this means revenue, growth, return on investment, and customer satisfaction), you need the best leaders running your business AND in your talent pipeline. YOU play a critical role in their development. In this session, we will unveil potential sources of talent and help you become a catalyst for expanding your senior leadership pipeline.
President
Leading NOW
Senior Manager, Conference Content | Moderator
Winsight Media and Events
Andrew Whitworth, Super Bowl LVI Champion and former Los Angeles Rams Offensive Lineman shares his inspiring journey of perseverance, teamwork, and triumph both on and off the field. Whitworth delves into the strategies, mindset, and teamwork that propelled him to the pinnacle of success in professional football. Drawing upon his experiences, he inspires us to embrace dedication, resilience, and leadership, empowering us to overcome obstacles and reach our own goals. Prepare to be motivated and uplifted by this exceptional athlete and role model!
Super Bowl LVI Champion and former Los Angeles Rams Offensive Lineman
Happy Hour
Location: Palos Verdes TerraceCome and join us on the Palos Verdes Terrace for a delightful Happy Hour, where you can unwind and relax while savoring your favorite beverage and food provided by Ruiz Food Products, Inc.!
5:30pm - 6:00pm
Meet Super Bowl LVI Champ Andrew Whitworth. Don't miss the chance to meet the legendary former LA Rams Offensive Lineman after hearing his inspiring keynote!
Super Bowl LVI Champion and former Los Angeles Rams Offensive Lineman
Closing General Session
Location: Palos Verdes BallroomWith EVs growing, work habits transforming and Covid (hopefully) disappearing, the c-store industry faces serious questions about its future. Do we invest in EV infrastructure? How do we rebuild lost foot traffic? How do we interface with an increasingly omni-channel economy? And do traditional boxes have a future in an increasingly rewards-driven culture? Four retail leaders share differing strategies and business models on how they are growing their companies and where they are making their investments. What is clear is standing still or little tweaks will not cut it.
Chief Operating Officer
Nouria Energy
President and CEO
Refuel Operating Company, LLC
Director of Merchandising
ExtraMile Convenience Stores, LLC
Vice President, Retailer Relations & Event Content Director | Moderator
Winsight Media and Events
Customers are crying at the pump. Fuel margins are shrinking. And EV is becoming more common. So what IS the future of fuel? In the eye-opening session, we'll look at the next year and predict what we can expect in fuel. Plus, we'll cover the 3 things that MUST be done to stay ahead!
Head of Petroleum Analysis
GasBuddy