Tracking 110 high-schoolers across four sprawling Disney theme parks thronged with families on spring break is a logistical challenge, to say the least. Safety, hydration and fun were top of mind for the dozen chaperones who accompanied the school band on a four-day trip to Disney World for a music workshop. The teens were intent on visiting as many parks in a single day as they could, and my compatriots and I were tasked with knowing where the kids were at all times.

I can easily locate my 17-year-old son via his iPhone, but privacy concerns precluded that for the eight girls assigned to me. Two pre-trip chaperone meetings had produced multiple itineraries and spreadsheets in which we adults were to log each student’s comings and goings. Visions of being saddled with a clipboard and Sharpie like an inventory manager of yesteryear were raining on my Disney parade!

Then one of the dads had the brilliant idea to workflow the group using a project management app. Andy, our parental superhero, color-coded each kid by chaperone and set up the multiple daily check-ins and checkouts. Kid A wants to go with kids B and C to Hollywood Studios from the Magic Kingdom? No problem! A quick swipe and the kids were virtually moved to the next park, and any chaperone could see where they were headed via the app. At their destination, the teens checked in with their designated adult and were on their way. How convenient! By streamlining logistics management, the app helped to empower the chaperones—and preserve our sanity—so we could maximize fun for the teens while minimizing risks.

Our cover story charts the waters of category management, with an emphasis on empowering front-line staff.

Similarly, our cover story this month charts the waters of category management, with a big emphasis on communication and empowering front-line staff who are the closest to customers to enhance c-store category management strategies. 

In the Florida sun, hydration is crucial, and fortunately, marching band members usually don’t need reminding to replenish fluids. But the rest of us often do. A case study in the magazine this month examines one c-store’s attempt to boost bottled water sales among its customers in Baltimore.

Speaking of refreshment, school policy forbade alcohol for chaperones, so there was no end-of-the-day glass of wine or bottle of beer to celebrate not losing anyone. A spirited c-store like Barrels & Vines, featured in this month’s Store Tour, would have been hard to resist.

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