Chicago is home to deep-dish pizza, Wrigley Field and this fall, the 2025 NACS Show. From October 14-17, over 24,000 convenience and fuel retail industry stakeholders will gather in the Windy City, where they will spend four days learning, buying and selling at an event designed to help grow their bottom line and stay ahead of the curve. It’s the perfect place to network with like-minded peers, talk about the future of the industry, and most importantly, find ways to grow your business.
On the Floor
In 1893, Chicago hosted the World’s Colombian Exposition, known as the World’s Fair. That event showcased the city of the future—and the NACS Show Expo similarly shows the future of the convenience industry.
On the 430,000-square-foot Expo floor, attendees will discover thousands of the latest products and services for the industry from more than 1,200 exhibitors. Each area of the Expo offers a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience for retailers to find the best products for their stores.
The Expo is split into five categories:
- Facility Operations
- Foodservice
- Fuel Equipment & Services
- In-Store Merchandise
- Technology
The Expo also houses the Cool New Products Preview Room, which is loaded with this year’s new innovations, products, services and other growth opportunities. The preview room is segmented into five areas mirroring the Expo, and each product has product details and exhibitor contact information that retailers can scan to make a to-do list for the rest of the Expo floor.
Companies who have never exhibited at the Show before can be found in the New Exhibitor Area, which includes many products and companies entering the convenience store market, including within emerging categories. Last year, 157 companies debuted in the section.
NACS Show General Sessions
Four days of NACS Show General Sessions will focus on how convenience stores can deliver an amazing customer experience. Each session will feature a lively mix of industry leaders, compelling insights from Ideas 2 Go videos and experts who will examine how our industry can enhance convenience retail through food, technology, design and people.
The NACS Show will open with an inspirational address from Sebastian “Seb” Terry, who experienced the shock of a lifetime in his mid-20s when a close friend of his passed away. He asked himself a simple question: “Am I happy?” The answer was “no,” so he created a list of 100 things that he hoped would transform his life.
Terry accomplished many goals from his list, including marrying a stranger in Vegas, delivering a baby, living on a deserted island for one week, raising $100,000 for charity and helping a quadriplegic man complete a half marathon by pushing him in his wheelchair. Terry is a regular guest on TV shows and the author of the book “100 Things: What’s on Your List?”
On October 16, NACS President and CEO Henry Armour will take the stage with the incoming NACS CEO. The two leaders will discuss the future of the association—and the industry.
Check NACSShow.com for updates and announcements of new speakers.
Ideas 2 Go: Featured Retailers
During the NACS Show General Sessions, NACS debuts its Ideas 2 Go videos, which showcases retail excellence at forward-thinking convenience stores and offers inspirational ideas. The featured retailers this year are:
- Farmer’s Grandson Eatery in Lakeville, Minnesota. Farmer’s Grandson Eatery is more than a stop—it’s a food hall with gas pumps and a high-end speakeasy with a secret entrance that can be accessed from the convenience store.
- Twice Daily and White Bison by Tri Star Energy LLC in Nashville, Tennessee. The company created its own upscale coffee brand, White Bison, that goes far beyond a blend. White Bison is a store-within-a-store concept in many Twice Daily convenience stores and even has standalone locations.
- Rutter’s in Milton, Pennsylvania. The 1747 Bar and Lounge, named after the company’s founding year, is a new premium entertainment experience in the convenience space. The 14,000-foot store concept blends the energy of a sports bar with the ease and accessibility of a convenience store.
- Parker’s Kitchen in Savannah, Georgia. Parker’s Kitchen is renowned for its great food, earning accolades from regional and local publications. Its rebrand from its previous name, Parker’s, is a clear indication that it aims to continue to redefine foodservice in convenience.
- Filling Co. in Ashburn, Virginia. “Gas & Grub” is the tagline for the small chain that is known for high-quality prepared food that includes better-for-you options like acai bowls and its renowned cheesesteak.
- Stinker Stores in Boise, Idaho. The company leans into its Stinker brand and Polecat Pete mascot. The theme ties into everything from culture (“Our Stinkin’ Values”) to store branding (Pete’s Eats).
- 36 Lyn Refuel Station in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 36 Lyn has the tagline “convenient x heathy,” but the single store’s major focus is on the community. What better way to celebrate the unique relationship that 36 Lyn has with its customers than to hold a party and invite the neighborhood?
- Japanese ‘Konbini’ from Tokyo, Japan. Japanese retailers have redefined how convenience meets efficiency. Stores, known as “konbini,” usually have a very small footprint and serve a convenience culture that is food focused, from freshly prepared to packaged items that take food preparation to a level not seen in other countries.