Your 2024 guide to The Convenience U CARWACS Show + C-store IQ Conference
Be there when the convenience, gas and car wash industries come together for two incredible days of learning, product discovery, networking and celebration at The Convenience U CARWACS Show March 5-6, 2024.
Each day will kick off with an action-packed morning of education at the C-store IQ Conference, followed by the Trade Show floor opening from 12 to 5 p.m. As Canada’s largest and best-attended industry event, you don’t want to miss it!
With the modernization of the event, delegate experience and exciting new exhibitor activations, the 2024 show will set a new standard designed to provide even more value for all stakeholders.
What’s new?
Future Leaders in Convenience + Car Wash Awards: Presented as part of the C-store IQ Conference on Wednesday March 6, get ready for a dynamic morning of intriguing speakers, panel discussions and networking.
Power Hour: Sign up for rapid-fire 1:1 conversations that will connect you with the convenience, gas and car wash industry peers and leaders you want to meet.
Trade Show Stage: Enjoy live demonstrations and learn from industry leaders all from the trade show floor!
Beer Garden: Connect with future suppliers, from major breweries to local craft brewers in the lead up to 2026.
Industry Dinner: Hosted by Convenience Store News Canada + OCTANE, this is all about building community and connecting on March 5th. Tickets here.
For car wash operators, the Canadian Car Wash Association will present exciting and valuable morning sessions designed to inform and inspire this fast-growing segment.
And, of course, visit with the best in the business exhibiting at the Trade Show.
CHECK OUT THE 2024 EXHIBITORS + FLOOR PLAN
Whether you’re a vendor/supplier or a retailer/operator in convenience, gas or car wash, Canada’s largest industry event is the best place to grow your business.
C-STORE IQ CONFERENCE AGENDA: Day 1
9:00 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks
*registration required. Get your tickets HERE!
KEYNOTE The Next Chapter: 2024 C-store IQ National Shopper Study with Beth Brickel
All new exclusive data and insights from the 2024 C-store IQ National Shopper Study, Canada’s only convenience and gas specific research that delves into the evolving wants, needs and values of your current and future customers, from Gen Z through Millennial, Gen X and Boomer.
EnsembleIQ Vice-President, Research Beth Brickel surveyed more than 2,000 c-gas shoppers from across Canada and analyzed the data to find out how their daily habits are influencing the c–store shopping experience. What do today’s shoppers expect from retailers? What products are they purchasing? How do they feel about sustainability? What role does c-store foodservice play in their consumption habits? Is beverage alcohol important? And more!
Driving Change: Key strategies to increase fuel volumes, cultivate brand loyalty and build your competitive advantage. An interactive session with Daniel Tsai
Whether you want to increase sales or turn around a fledgling convenience and gas business, business professor, marketing expert, and author, Daniel Tsai, can help. In this interactive session, Tsai will talk about how, in just three years, he turned a struggling c-gas operation into a community destination, with lineups at the pumps and fuel sales expected to triple in 2024. New this year, Tsai will share proven strategies and insights to answer the audience’s business-specific questions to build their business.
Liquid Gold: Preparing for beverage alcohol in Ontario in the countdown to 2026
The Ontario government’s announcement that convenience stores will finally be allowed to sell beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails by 2026 is long-awaited and welcome news. Now what? Convenience Store News Canada editor + associate publisher, Michelle Warren, sits down with experts and industry insiders to talk about the opportunities and challenges ahead. From human resources to category management, regulatory issues, distribution models and more, the conversation will unpack what convenience operators and stakeholders need to think about now (and plan) in the countdown to 2026.
In conversation with:
Jamie Arnold, President, Little Short Stop Stores
Lisa Hutcheson, Managing Partner, J.C. Williams Group
Anne Kothawala, President and CEO, Convenience Industry Council of Canada
Kenny Shim, c-store owner, Busy Bee King Market, and President of the OKBA and OCSA
Jamie White, CEO and Co-founder, Broadhead Brewing Company
12:00 p.m. Conference closing remarks, followed by buffet lunch
TRADE SHOW FLOOR OPENS 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception
5:30 p.m. Industry Dinner
The Canadian Carwash Association
Valuable learning and networking for CCA members!
DAY 1: TRADE SHOW STAGE
1 to 5 p.m.
C-STORE IQ CONFERENCE AGENDA: Day 2
9:00 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks
*registration required. Get your tickets HERE!
KEYNOTE Better Together in the Changing Workplace with Tina Varughese
Successful leaders understand today’s increasingly multigenerational, multicultural and multifaceted workforce brings both opportunities and challenges if not managed effectively. To create trust, collaboration and creative work environments, inclusive leaders need to effectively communicate, understand and listen to their fellow employees. Everybody wants to be seen, wants to be heard and wants to be acknowledged. Learning how to communicate and cooperate in the workplace leads to a healthier, happier, motivating and inspiring workplace where everybody benefits. Named one of Canada’s Top 10 Notable Speakers by Ignite Magazine, Tina cleverly tackles hot button topics, like diversity and inclusion, in today’s racially complex climate. By carefully weaving personal stories with touching humour, she disarms attendees as she breaks down barriers to foster an inclusive and uplifting space leaving attendees inspired to think, behave, act and communicate with positive intention and purpose.
Level Up: How technology, AI and data can not only transform organizations from an operational standpoint, but also aid in attracting and retaining top talent
Toronto Metropolitan University is using a virtual reality Circle K convenience store to teach category management fundamentals to a new generation of c-store leaders. At the same time, artificial intelligence is pushing the retail sector to adapt and learn quickly, upending everything from strategy to basic operations. The world is changing: Is your business ready?
Dr. Janice Rudkowski, Assistant Professor, Ted Rogers School of Retail Management, will lead this enlightening discussion with:
Jeff Doucette, General Manager, Field Agent
Oscar Nyemb, Director, Business Insights, Strategy, Category Management, Red Bull Canada
Tali Remenick, CEO & Co-Founder, Granularity
Cheryl Wells, Director of HR, NielsenIQ.
Unlocking Potential: Economic confidence and what it means for the future of Canada’s convenience channel
Leger SVP Lisa Covens and Victor Vrsnik, 7-Eleven Canada’s senior manager, corporate affair and business development, team up to discuss insights from Leger’s latest State of the Canadian Economy study and examine the data through the c-store lens.
What does consumer confidence mean for key categories fuelling the convenience sector? How are retailers advocating to unlock government-restricted business opportunities and evolve core offerings–such as foodservice and beverage alcohol–to ensure the long-term success of the channel? And more.
Passion and Perseverance: Leadership Panel
CICC president and CEO, Anne Kothawala, moderates this inspiring panel where high-profile industry leaders talk about their career paths, what keeps them motivated and why they are passionate about C&G being a fantastic channel in which to build an exciting and rewarding career.
Panelists:
James Rolph, Director, Canada Convenience Retail, Parkland Corp.
Melese Tiruneh, Senior Director of Merchandising, 7-Eleven Canada
Shannon Wing, General Manager, Retail, Suncor, Petro-Canada
Future Leaders in Convenience + Car Wash Awards: Celebrate 22 outstanding leaders
The Future Leaders in Convenience + Car Wash Awards highlight and honour the talent and achievements of exceptional leaders under age 40. The inaugural 22 winners come from diverse backgrounds and excel in a wide variety of roles. These leaders go above and beyond to innovate, problem solve, exceed customers’ expectations, support others and build careers that align with their personal values on important issues, such as sustainability and inclusivity. The FLICC Awards will be presented as part of the C-store IQ Conference at The Convenience U CARWACS Show. Get ready for a dynamic morning of intriguing speakers, panel discussions and networking.
12:00 p.m. Conference closing remarks, followed by buffet lunch
TRADE SHOW FLOOR OPENS 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CHECK OUT THE 2024 EXHIBITORS + FLOOR PLAN
DAY 2 TRADE SHOW STAGE
1 to 5 p.m.
