You're invited to the Outstanding Independents Awards Canada Virtual Summit
The backbone of Canada’s retail landscape is moving into the spotlight this spring as the inaugural Outstanding Independents Awards Canada Virtual Summit prepares to celebrate the entrepreneurs driving the country’s convenience channel.
Scheduled for May 28, 2026, the virtual event is designed as both a high-level masterclass in business efficiency and a national celebration of the "small but mighty" operators who manage 58% of the 22,000 convenience stores across Canada.
The highlight of the hour-long session will be the Outstanding Independents Awards Canada Ceremony. In 2026, Convenience Store News Canada introduced the dedicated program to shine a light on the retailers (one to 20 locations) who embrace innovation, demonstrate resilience and contribute to the betterment of their local communities.
The program generated fantastic responses from across the country and winners will be revealed on May 1.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the Virtual Summit will feature speakers from OIAC Founding Partners: Coca-Cola Canada Bottling, Convenience Industry Council of Canada and JTI.
From chaos to clarity: The keynote
The event features a keynote address by Pete Mohr, a seasoned retailer, business coach, and host of the Simplifying Entrepreneurship podcast. He has spent years helping entrepreneurs build stronger businesses through better communication, management and accountability. Mohr is known for practical, real-world frameworks that help owners create more freedom, more clarity and a business that can thrive without them.
Running an independent business can easily pull you into every problem, every decision and every detail. In this session for independent convenience and gas operators, Mohr shares practical ways to step back from the chaos, lead more effectively and build a business that works better without relying on you for everything. Attendees will leave with clear, useful ideas to help reduce frustration, improve focus and create a stronger business.
Key takeaways will include:
- Strategies to reduce operational frustration.
- Improving focus on long-term growth.
- Building a business model that thrives without the owner’s constant presence.
The Virtual summit is free and open to all Canadian operators, from single-store owners to dealers and those managing chains of up to 20 locations. The goal is to provide a platform where retailers from coast to coast to coast can connect, learn and be inspired as hard work is recognized on a national stage.
"Independent operators provide essential services to every corner of this country. The OIAC Summit is about empowering those hearts of Canadian convenience to stay competitive despite rising costs and labour challenges."
Event at-a-glance
Detail | Information |
Date | May 28, 2026 |
Time | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. EST |
Location | Virtual (Open to all Canadian Operators) |
Cost | Free |
The summit represents a rare opportunity for independent retailers to step away from the counter and invest in their own professional development, while celebrating the collective strength of the independent sector.
