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AGENDA
Three eventful days filled with expert knowledge and networking opportunities.
7:30am – 7:30pm

Registration and Information Desk

Location: Sammons Registration
Presented By:
Altria Group Distribution Company
Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.
McLane Company, Inc.
7:30am – 7:30pm

Social Enterprise Partnership Desk

Location: Sammons Registration
Presented By:
Mars Wrigley
Nestlé Waters North America
7:30am – 9:00am

Continental Breakfast

Location: Edison
8:00am – 12:00pm

Special Events (choose 1 of 6)

Location: Biltmore House

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 8-10 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.

Option 1: Golf Tournament

Sign up to play golf at the Omni Grove Park Golf Course, where you can build meaningful business relationships while enjoying breathtaking views. Prepare for some light competition and an unforgettable morning.

 

6:15am - 7:30am Breakfast, check-in and warmup 

 

7:30am - 7:45am Cart assignments and rules

 

8:00am Tournament begins (Shotgun Start) 



12:00pm - 2:00pm Continuous bus departures every 15-20 minutes to Seely Pavilion



12:30pm - 2:00pm Networking lunch 

Presented By:
Advantage Solutions
Altria Group Distribution Company
Jack Link's Protein Snacks
McLane Company, Inc.
InComm
Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.
Punchh
Skupos
Vixxo
Steritech
Option 2: Biltmore Self-guided House and Rooftop Tour

Sign up to tour the Biltmore house—including the archives and unrestored rooms—and learn how estate staff care for America’s largest home. Discover a century of preservation efforts, including room restoration projects, and what it took to provide the hospitality enjoyed by family and friends. Then make your way up the stairs to see breathtaking views on the rooftop. Following the tour, enjoy some treats and shopping at Biltmore's Antler Hill Village. 

 

8:00am - 8:30am Check-in and breakfast

 

8:30am  Departure

 

9:00am - 11:30am Tour

 

11:30am - 12:30pm Shopping and refreshments

 

12:30pm Departure

 

12:45pm Arrival to Omni Grove Park

 

Presented By:
Hatch
Option 3: Guided Hike at Biltmore House

Enjoy a refreshing hike as you explore Biltmore house’s beautiful landscape, forests and farmlands on the historic west side of the estate. A visit to Biltmore's own creamery will follow, where you can  enjoy housemade smoothies and treats.

 

8:00am - 8:30am Check-in and breakfast

 

8:30am - 8:45am Bus loading

 

8:45am Bus departure

 

9:00am - 11:00am Hike

 

11:00am - 11:45am Stop by creamery for drink 

 

11:45am Bus departure

 

12:00pm Arrival to Omni Grove Park 

Option 4: Guided River Float Trip

Start your morning with a refreshing guided tour on a 3-mile rafting river trip. 

 

8:30am - 9:00am Check-in and breakfast 

 

9:00am - 9:15am Bus loading

 

9:15am Bus departure

 

9:30am - 11:45am River float

 

11:45am Bus departure

 

12:00pm Arrival to Omni Grove Park 

Option 5: Shooting Clays Experience 

Test your sharpshooting ability and learn from trained instructors during this unique sporting clays clinic at the Biltmore house.

 

8:00am - 8:30am Check-in and breakfast 

 

8:45am Bus departure

 

9:30am - 11:45am Shooting clays

 

11:45am Bus departure

 

12:00pm Arrival to Omni Grove Park 

Option 6: Vine to Wine Tour and Tasting 

Discover how Biltmore grapes became award-winning wines while visiting areas on the estate not normally seen by guests. Experience a trip to the vineyards, as well as a walking production tour and abundant opportunities to sample a variety of wines. The Biltmore house comprehensive tour concludes with a Premium Grand Tasting Seminar featuring some of Biltmore's highest-rated vintages accompanied by a selection of artisanal cheeses and chocolate truffles. 

 

9:00am - 9:30am Check-in and breakfast 

 

9:30am - 9:45am Bus loading

 

9:45am Departure 

 

10:00am - 12:00pm Tour and tasting

 

12:00pm Departure 

 

12:15pm Arrival to Omni Grove Park 

12:30pm – 2:00pm

Networking Lunch

Location: Edison
2:30pm – 3:30pm

All Attendee Mixer 

Location: Heritage Pre-function

With a special welcome extended to our first time participants, all conference attendees meet in the Networking Lounge to kick off an amazing  Outlook Leadership Conference. Everyone – retailers and sponsors - reunite with old friends and make new connections as we get the conference off to a great start. 

3:45pm – 5:30pm

General Session

Location: Heritage Ballroom
Special Report: The Era of Disruption: Is Your Business Built for Growth?

With online purchasing and customer dis-loyalty surging, the brick-and-mortar convenience industry is in flux. In a channel laden with under-capitalized legacy locations, some chains are pouring millions of dollars into new store designs and remodels, while others are exiting at an historic pace.

 

Underscoring this tension are the stores themselves. In a groundbreaking study, CSP and Technomic deliver key insights on internal growth strategies and store design – from mobile ordering and self-checkout to drive-thru and car wash. We also delve into capital investment initiatives and external growth strategies including NTIs, acquisitions and divestitures of underperforming assets.

 

This exclusive report captures potential strategies for multiple business models, from small, gas-free urban stores to expansive suburban sites with seating. Driving this dynamic presentation is the fundamental question: How must the convenience industry evolve its assets and offerings to compete effectively in the new age of retail? 

Speakers:

Principal
Technomic

Vice President, Retailer Relations & Event Content Director
Informa Connect

Presented By:
McLane Company, Inc.
Skupos
Value Creation: The Changing Role of Real Estate

Real estate ownership has long been a fundamental component of shareholder value creation in the c-store industry. Disruption brought by advances in technology and the resulting changes in consumer behavior have forced retailers to reexamine nearly all aspects of their business as they look to build a sustainable company for the next decade and beyond. In this session, George Overstreet and Tom Kelso will discuss the role of real estate in value creation now and in the future with the goal of challenging conventional assumptions.  

Speakers:

President
Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.

Walker Professor in Growth Enterprises
University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce

Presented By:
Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.
5:30pm – 6:00pm

Networking Break

Location: Heritage Pre-function and Presidents Lounge
6:00pm – 6:45pm

General Session

Location: Heritage Ballroom
Resilient Leadership: Prepare Today - Prevail Tomorrow

From global and domestic terrorist threats to natural disasters, we face new risks to our individual, community and economic security each day. And while no one can predict what’s around the corner, we can prepare. Lt. Gen. Honoré believes that strong leadership, guided by clarity of purpose and practical tactics, are the keys to overcoming adversities by being better prepared and more resilient. In this presentation, Gen. Honoré connects his 37 years of decorated military leadership—including the crucial role in managing New Orleans’ relief efforts post Hurricane Katrina. He uses the natural disasters and man-made tragedies dominating global headlines to reveal critical strategies. In the process, he transforms individuals and helps organizations prepare, react, and rebound effectively, so they can move forward with success. 

Speakers:
Presented By:
Altria Group Distribution Company
6:45pm – 7:15pm

Networking Reception

Location: Heritage Pre-function and Presidents Lounge

Join industry leaders in the Networking Lounge to toast a great day and enjoy unprecedented networking.

6:45pm – 7:15pm

Meet & Greet with Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, USA (Ret.) 

Location: Networking Lounge
Presented By:
Altria Group Distribution Company
7:30pm – 8:30pm

Networking Dinner

Location: Mountain View Terrace

The mountain views will be appreciated during dinner on the terrace—as will great business discussions and continued networking.

Presented By:
Mars Wrigley
McLane Company, Inc.
10+Speakers
400+Attendees