Back in business

Canada’s largest convenience, gas and car wash event of the year levels up

This past September, The Convenience U CARWACS Show mo-

tored back onto the calendar and into the spotlight. That show, held from September 13-14 at the Toronto Congress Centre, was the first chance for industry professionals to network face-to-face since March 2020. While it was important to get the show relaunched properly, the atypical date on the calendar proved to be a challenge for exhibitors and attendees alike.

The consensus was, last year was all about getting the chance to reconnect—this year, it’s all about putting the hammer down and getting back to business.

In 2023, The Convenience U CARWACS Show will move to a more familiar date on the calendar and to a new venue, so it’s the perfect way to kick off a fresh start to doing business. Mark your calendars now—the dates are March 7-8, 2023—and set your Google Maps to the International Centre on Airport Road in Mississauga, Ont., one of the largest trade show venues in the country.

This year’s event promises to be a bigger show and a better show. The theme for the event is “Discover. Connect. Grow.” This theme really sets the stage for what The Convenience U CARWACS Show will be all about.

Exhibitors and attendees will have the rare chance to speak with their peers and thought leaders on the future of the business, and learn how to grow their business using new strategies and the latest technology.

“With the modernization of the event, delegate experience and new exhibitor activations, in 2023 The Convenience U CARWACS Show will set a new standard and provide incredible value for all stakeholders,” says Sandra Parente, SVP, Grocery & Convenience, EnsembleIQ.

More specifically, there will be a reenergized structure to the show with a new, two-morning conference. This conference will provide valuable content and expert insight designed to help operators position their businesses for success. The content will include social media and marketing strategies, discussions on technology, security and labour, and an exclusive preview of the 2023 C-store IQ National Shopper Study.

To cap it all off, the Canadian CarWash Association will also present an exciting education agenda for operators. As we all know, the car wash business can be a strategic and lucrative addition to your business and this presentation is guaranteed to help you maximize your results.

“The world of convenience, gas and car wash is evolving quickly, adapting to new technologies, exciting new products and evolving consumer demands,” says Parente. “The 2023 Convenience U CARWACS Show is an incredible opportunity for attendees to stay ahead of the latest trends and position their businesses for growth. We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to the March show!” OCTANE

AGENDA

New this year, the C-store IQ Conference will feature two mornings of engaging content, sessions and speakers. Here’s a sneak peak of what you can expect.

Day 1

Beth Brickel

C-store IQ 2023: The new c-store shopper

Join EnsembleIQ vice-president, research, Beth Brickel, who reveals exclusive data and insights from the all-new 2023 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. How do shoppers define convenience in an omnichannel world? How are new daily habits shaping the c-store shopping experience? What products are they purchasing? Is foodservice the future? And more! Whether you have one store or 100, understanding this “new c-store shopper” is fundamental to your business success.

Daniel Tsai C-school: Proven business lessons to drive growth and profits

Daniel Tsai is a lawyer, business executive, educator and columnist who also happens to remotely operate a successful convenience store and gas station in B.C. While he grew up in the business that his parents had operated and owned for more than 40 years, Tsai never planned to take over the family business. He calls it a typical immigrant story—his parents sacrificed and worked long, hard hours so their children could have better lives, while he pursued several law degrees, a PhD, and, later, an Ivy League MBA. When the business was struggling due to the “Costco effect,” and the tenant gave notice to abandon the site, Tsai took over, using his business know-how, technology, and marketing expertise to propel unprecedented growth. In just five years, he’s turned the struggling c-gas operation into a community destination with lineups at the pumps. Join the Cornell Universitytrained business professor as he shares insights and best practices to help make your business more profitable.

Day 2

Charles de Brabant The evolution of convenience: Practical insights from the Retail Innovation Lab at McGill University

Retail is in a state of profound transformation, with consumers significantly changing what they buy and how they shop. At the same time, there’s a rise of unparalleled technological innovations spanning contactless shopping, AI, robotics, and big data, just to name a few. Join Charles de Brabant, executive director, Bensadoun School of Retail Management at McGill University in Montreal, as he separates the hype from what convenience operators really need to focus on to thrive in this new and exciting world. He will share new learnings from the Retail Innovation Lab in partnership with Alimentation Couche Tard—an actual convenience store equipped with state-of-the-art technology that, among other things, looks at consumer behaviour—as well as strategies for implementing technology in a relevant way, optimizing store layout, and building effective omni-channel operations. Whether you operate a multi-national chain, regional banner or one store, de Brabant will deliver practical insights to inform and optimize your business.

Sean Sportun

Increase your security, increase your sales:

Responding to escalating violence in retail

“Every day, the news is filled with stories about violence and theft at c-store and gas stations across Canada. What can companies and operators do to improve the safety of staff and customers, while preventing losses that hurt the bottom line? Security expert Sean Sportun, vicepresident, national accounts and community engagement, GardaWorld, will examine these issues, dig into larger trends and provide solutions to help operators boost safety and increase security, resulting in higher sales. OCTANE

The Trade Show Floor opens daily at 12 p.m.

Visit ConvenienceU.ca for more session details, including information about the Canadian Carwash Association education and networking.