One of the upsides of spending more time at home during the past eight months is being able to take daily walks with our dog along the footpaths that wind through the woods in my Virginia neighborhood. The longest hikes are saved for weekends, and on a recent warm fall Saturday morning, my husband and I reversed course and started on a trailhead that usually marks the end of our jaunts.

Walking a path alongside a creek and enjoying the last burst of bright autumn, I glanced at the water and noticed for the first time a half-dozen thick tree roots extending like giant’s arms to span the opposing banks like a bridge. The roots had been there all along, missed by me if not for walking the same path but in a different direction.

We relish the cheer that the holiday season typically brings, but we are making our way on a different footing this year.

Nine months into this pandemic, I’m betting at least some of you feel the same. We relish the cheer that the holiday season typically brings, but we are making our way on a different footing this year with a new perspective.

The five-week Crack the Code Experience kicked off in November and is now in the homestretch. Our cover story shares some of the highlights of this landmark NACS virtual experience. Don’t despair if you missed it! Education sessions are available on demand through year’s end for registrants, and more than 5,000 products are available for you to learn more and contact exhibitors.

This fall I was honored to attend the NACS Women’s Leadership Program at Yale (held virtually this year), graciously endowed by Altria, and connected with amazing female leaders from the convenience retailing industry from across the U.S. and the world. In one breakout session during the course, my cohorts shared how swiftly their companies reimagined operations to face the pandemic (from staffing and sanitation to innovations like curbside pickup and digital apps). Extra projects were jettisoned to allow for laser focus on immediate, urgent challenges, and there was 100% buy-in from the c-suite to the front line. Now, the struggle is to maintain that momentum when everyone has COVID-19 fatigue but businesses—and people—need to grow.

7-Eleven for one hasn’t tapped the brakes. In “The Reimaging of 7-Eleven,” join writer Renee Pas for an up-close look at how the iconic brand is pushing the envelope—both from a design aesthetic and product category standpoint—with foodservice moving into a new realm for the chain. The Laredo Taco Company, known for its made-to-order handmade tacos and street-style Mexican food, is part of that shift, as is Raise the Roost, a Southern-inspired fried chicken and biscuits quick-serve concept. Turns out, there’s a Laredo Taco near me, so after a morning walk very soon, I’ll be lining up for a breakfast taco.

Wishing you great peace, health and happiness, my friends.