Putting it in perspective
The Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America, Oil Price Information Service and National Petroleum News know the value of education in the petroleum-marketing industry. That is why they continually create educational sessions that are brimming with pertinent, timely information no marketer should be without.
Photo: Robert Johnson, president of Arlington, Texas-based Pinnacle Corporation, took part in the CEO Roundtable at last year's conference.
Just a peek at the educational sessions on tap for the 2006 Executive Leadership Conference at Winter Management proves that this long-held commitment to providing quality education is no where close to fading. The Executive Leadership Conference, formerly known as the Winter Management Conference, will be held from Jan. 22-25 in Breckenridge, Colo., at the Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center. For registration information, visit www.sigma.org/meetings/2006-WMC/registration.html.
The Executive Roundtable at the 2006 Executive Leadership Conference at Winter Management will offer attendees a view of the constantly evolving petroleum-marketing industry through the perspectives of some of its top executives.
"This is a unique chance to learn how to run your business more profitably from some of the leaders in the industry," said Darren Wight, editor-in-chief of National Petroleum News.
The roster for this year's Executive Roundtable includes Gilbarco Veeder-Root President Martin Gafinowitz, Hot Stuff Foods (formerly Orion) President/CEO Des Hague, Royal Buying Group President/CEO Mike Zielinski, Ryko Manufacturing Co. President/CEO Scott Clawson and VeraSun Chairman/CEO Don Endres.
During the Executive Roundtable, a number of key issues will be discussed, including, fuel island advancements in equipment and technology, the current state of the foodservice segment, buying group fundamentals, the current state of the car wash segment within the convenience and petroleum industry, and an ethanol market overview. A description of the confirmed panelists’ planned discussion topics can be found in the following paragraphs.
Martin Gafinowitz
Gilbarco Veeder-Root, President
Present and future trends in managing fueling operations
Gafinowitz will give a broad overview and his personal insight into three key challenges facing fuel and convenience-store retailers today. His presentation will focus on the following three critical areas for operational improvements to control costs.
- Point-of-Sale "End Of Life" — How POS upgrades deliver margin and sales improvements
- Fuel Management — Reducing fuel loss and improving inventory management
- Emerging Payment Technologies — Biometrics, new security regulations and alternatives for lower cost transaction fees
Des Hague
Hot Stuff Foods, President/CEO
What's hotter than foodservice in c-stores? NOTHING!
Hague will present "What's Cookin?" — an industry report on facts, trends and answers for retailers. Hague will also offer foodservice solutions on how you can get in the game and start delivering against barriers like space limitations, labor cost, product waste and capital investment.
Michael Zielinski
Royal Buying Group, Inc., President/CEO
Maximizing your category management value by outsourcing
Zielinski will present a comprehensive look at all relevant categories of the c-store and provide some outsourcing strategy ideas for the group. Showing the amount of programs available to both increase non-fuel revenues and reduce administrative costs, Zielinski will provide some opinions and ideas to help today's retail operator save time, yet maintain acceptable industry practices while increasing overall profitability.
Scott Clawson
Ryko Manufacturing Co., Owner, President/CEO
State of the car wash industry
Clawson will discuss the growth rates and trends within the car wash industry. Clawson will cover the size and segments within the industry and discuss trends on the smaller retailer. Clawson will also show examples of successful marketing programs retailers can employ and how car wash fits into strategies for profits and growth in a tough environment.
Don Endres
VeraSun Energy Corporation, Chairman/CEO
What role will ethanol play in your future?
Ethanol is now used coast to coast and blended in more than one-third of the nation's fuel. With the recent passage of the Energy Bill and a continuing phase down of MTBE, ethanol is poised to play an expanded role, both as a renewable fuel and as a high-octane blend component. These developments are resulting in unprecedented growth of the ethanol industry. Endres will discuss recent developments and explore opportunities that may arise for independent station owners
