Although NACS is a U.S.-based organization, it maintains a robust international presence.

The reason is simple: There are ten times as many c-stores globally as there are in the United States. With about 1.5 million stores around the planet and 150,000 in the United States, there’s a huge opportunity for retailers around the world to learn from each other and for NACS to bring those lessons back to the United States.

Mark Wohltmann, director of NACS Global, is the NACS employee tasked with facilitating conversations within the global c-store world. He orchestrates two signature events each year, Convenience Summit Europe and Convenience Summit Asia, as well as smaller events that bring together top executives. He also oversees the efforts of more than a dozen NACS relationship partners, a globally connected network of the foremost industry experts who are consultants or suppliers and who support the mission of NACS across their networks.

The lessons learned abroad aren’t always apples to apples, but at the same time it doesn’t take huge leaps to see how ideas can cross the ocean. An easy example is 7-Eleven Denmark’s journey to win foodservice customers. Some of the particulars are specific to Denmark—in the past, convenience stores in that country benefited from a nationwide law restricting grocery store hours—but the mission itself is one most U.S. retailers can easily identify with. Read more about the remarkable transformation of 7-Eleven Denmark, and other highlights from Convenience Summit Europe, in “Postcard From Barcelona.”

This issue also has our first look at the 2024 NACS Show. Last year, well north of 20,000 people and 1,000 exhibitors came to Atlanta to share ideas, be inspired and do business.

There’s a theme that connects those two articles. I heard someone say the other day that this is a huge tiny industry. The huge part is obvious. The tiny part is what you feel at a NACS event, when you realize that retailers across the country—and across the world—are grappling with the same challenges and opportunities that you are.

If you haven’t been to the NACS Show … come to Las Vegas in October and join many thousands of your peers. And be sure to say hi when you see me on the Expo floor.