NACS Leadership Forum 2027
Event Date
February 16–18, 2027
Location
Amelia Island, FL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe NACS Leadership Forum is an exclusive, invitation-based executive event for the convenience and fuel retailing industry, organized by NACS (the National Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing). This exclusive 3-day experience convenes top executives from the most forward-thinking companies in the convenience retail industry to explore how to lead with agility, scale with purpose, and innovate with intent in a retail environment that demands speed and precision.
The Forum brings together senior retailer and supplier leaders for high-level thought leadership and relationship building. It is a world-class event that brings together a broad base group of retailers and suppliers to provide thought leadership relevant to the industry, strengthen existing relationships and build new business relationships. Attendees are typically CEOs and other operations, marketing, and foodservice executives from medium and large convenience retail companies, plus NACS Hunter Club supplier members.
What distinguishes the event is its emphasis on curated networking. An abundance of high-touch, high-value networking opportunities anchor the program, including the premier Top-to-Top Business Appointments between Hunter Club supplier companies and retail attendees, designed to spark collaboration, unlock innovation, and expand the shopper experience. The 2027 edition takes place at a luxury beachfront resort on Amelia Island, Florida.
Show Highlights
The 2027 program features keynote speakers, executive sessions, charity golf, and curated networking:
- Keynotes include Shawn Kanungo ("The Bold Ones: How to Innovate and Disrupt Ourselves"), Sharon Gai ("Advancing Retail: Using AI and Automation to Revolutionize the Customer Experience"), and Ken Schmidt, former Harley-Davidson executive.
- Top-to-Top Business Appointments between Hunter Club supplier companies and retail attendees are designed to spark collaboration, unlock innovation, and expand the shopper experience.
- CEO Perspectives and "Advantage in Action" sessions on consumer trends and growth strategy.
- Convenience Cares Charity Golf Outing at the Golf Club of Amelia Island, supporting the NACS Foundation.
- Breakout activities including a Cornhole Tournament, Ladies High Tea, and a Distillery & Glass Engraving Experience, plus hosted dinners and a Leadership Celebration Dinner.
- The 2026 NACS Leadership Forum focused on smarter tech, growth strategies that lead to success and what's at the core of convenience retail.
Booth Pricing
The Leadership Forum is not a traditional trade show with exhibit booths; supplier participation is available only to NACS Hunter Club member companies. The event is capped at retail participants, and NACS offers a limited number of complimentary invitations to retailers who meet the event requirements. Supplier (Hunter Club) registration fees are $6,199 per included registration, with an additional attendee fee of $7,999. Hunter Club membership tiers include a set number of invitations: Gold (4), Silver (2), and Bronze (1).
Registration
Attendance is by invitation and application. Retailer participation is capped at 150 attendees, and early registration is encouraged to reserve a spot. NACS offers a limited amount of complimentary invitations to retailers who meet the event requirements.
Retailer registration fees:
- Complimentary Invited Retailer Attendee: $0
- Paid Retailer Attendee: $599
- Spouse: $599
- NACS Leadership (Board, past Chairs/Presidents, 5-Star NACSPAC Donors): $0
Supplier registration (Hunter Club members only): $6,199 per included registration; additional attendees $7,999.
Invited retailer and Major Oil Company attendees receive one complimentary room night automatically, and a second complimentary room night if registered by October 31, 2026 (attendance requirements apply). Prospective retail attendees can submit a Leadership Forum Invitation Request Form; all inquiries are subject to review.
History
NACS (the National Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing) hosts the annual Leadership Forum as part of its slate of industry events. NACS was founded on August 14, 1961, and in 2007 shortened its name to NACS. The Forum has been held in various U.S. resort destinations over the years; recent editions took place at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach (2026) and on Amelia Island, Florida (2024, 2025), and it returns to Amelia Island for 2027. Past forums have featured convenience-industry CEOs discussing the future of fuel, foodservice, and consumer trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2027 NACS Leadership Forum?
The Forum takes place February 16-18, 2027, at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island (4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034). All event sessions and accommodations are hosted on property.
Who attends the NACS Leadership Forum?
It is an exclusive event for top executives in the convenience and fuel retailing industry. Invitations are offered to operations, marketing, and foodservice executives of medium and large retail companies, along with NACS Hunter Club supplier members.
How do I register and how much does it cost?
Attendance is by invitation, and retail participation is capped at 150 attendees. Retailer fees range from complimentary for invited attendees to $599 for paid retail attendees; supplier (Hunter Club) registration is $6,199 per included registration. Prospective retailers can submit an invitation request form on the NACS website.
What makes the Forum worth attending?
The event centers on high-value executive networking, including invitation-only Top-to-Top Business Appointments between suppliers and retailers, keynote sessions from renowned speakers, and a charity golf outing supporting the NACS Foundation.
What are the hotel and travel details?
Attendees book their own rooms at a NACS group rate of $349/night plus tax and resort fee, with a reservation deadline of December 18, 2026. The nearest major airport is Jacksonville International (JAX), about 28 miles away, and NACS offers departure shuttles to JAX on February 18, 2027.
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