Above: Rep. John Rose (Tenn.-6) behind the counter at Weigel’s in Crossville, Tennessee.
After two years off due to the pandemic, the NACS In Store program is finally back. Since the program’s inception in 2015, NACS has coordinated over 120 In Store visits in 34 states across the U.S. This year’s focus was on introducing new members of Congress to the convenience and fuel retailing industry. By sharing our stories, we develop meaningful relationships between the retailer and legislator and create champions for the industry. The program’s ultimate goal is for legislators to take what they’ve learned at the pump and behind the counter and bring it back to Capitol Hill.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), the Republican sponsor of the Credit Card Competition Act, visited a QuikTrip in Wichita, Kansas, to experience firsthand how a c-store operates.
If you aren’t familiar with the NACS In Store program, here’s a breakdown:
The NACS government relations team works with members of Congress and convenience retailers in their home district or state to set up a store visit. Typically, the store is one the legislator frequents most often—whether it be to gas up on the campaign trail or their usual stop to grab coffee and a breakfast sandwich. We pick a day for the representative to stop by, lead them on a store tour and show them the ins and outs of running a convenience store.
The best part? After the tour, we give the member of Congress a name badge and uniform and put them to work behind the counter checking out customers, who are also their constituents.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa-2) with the team at Casey’s General Store in Washington, Iowa.
In April, we hosted Congressman John Rose (Tenn.-6) at Weigel’s in Crossville, Tennessee. “I’ve had the privilege of serving friends and neighbors across Middle Tennessee as their representative for three years, but this was my first chance to serve them from behind the counter of a Weigel’s,” Rose said. “Convenience stores serve a lot of critical functions, especially in rural communities.”
By sharing the industry’s story, we develop meaningful relationships between the retailer and legislator and create champions for the industry.
Legislators appreciate the opportunity to participate in the NACS In Store program. Often, we get requests to participate from members of Congress who have heard from their colleagues about how much fun they had behind the counter. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa-2) got a chance to tour her local Casey’s General Store in Washington, Iowa. “I had a great day with the staff at Casey’s General Store in Washington. I had so much fun being put through the paces and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the day to day for them!” Miller-Meeks said.