8:00 AM |
Registration Opens |
Location: South Building main entrance, Mirvish area |
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8:00AM- 9:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Attendees must be registered for the morning education sessions to receive breakfast. Breakfast not provided for Trade Show Only Pass. |
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9:00 AM- 9:45 AM |
Welcome & Opening Keynote |
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Relentless adaptation: 4 lessons to thrive in our AI future in 2026 & beyond In this keynote presentation, Amber Mac will guide attendees through her three-part blueprint for not just surviving our fast future but thriving in it. These lessons include what every leader and professional needs to know to design, grow, learn and communicate in the age of AI, all while leading with values and making an impact in today’s world of predictable unpredictability. This is a practical, inspirational, and highly relevant talk, delivered with up-to-the-minute tech trends by one of the country’s top technology voices and award-winning podcast host of The AmberMac Show on SiriusXM. Following Amber Mac's keynote presentation, she will join CSNC editor, Michelle Warren for a moderated fireside conversation with audience Q&A to dig into how these changes are impacting your work and business.
Speaker: Amber Mac, Host of The AmberMac Show podcast on SiriusXM |
9:45 AM- 10:15 AM |
NIQ: Beverage Alcohol presentation |
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Pouring profits: NIQ data on c-store beverage alcohol sales More than a year after Ontario’s historic expansion into beer, wine, cider and RTDs, the results are in—and they’re reshaping the convenience landscape. In this exclusive, data-rich session, NIQ reveals how beverage alcohol is performing in markets across Canada and how it stacks up against other top-selling categories. Attendees will get an unprecedented view into:
Why attend: From category managers looking to optimize their assortment to independent operators trying to compete, this session delivers the actionable insights needed to win. You’ll walk away with clear insights to grow your share of the BevAlc basket and future-proof your store. If beverage alcohol is part of your plans for 2026—or will be—this is the session you can’t afford to miss.
Speaker: Gabriel Moreau, Vice-President, Sales, NielsenIQ |
10:15 AM- 10:30 AM |
Networking Break |
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10:30 AM - 10:50 AM |
Fireside Chat |
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Championing convenience: A conversation with CICC president & CEO Anne Kothawala $53.4 billion in sales. 182,000 jobs. 21,256 stores. $25 billion in remitted taxes. Canada’s convenience industry plays an important role not only in the national economy, but also in communities from coast to coast to coast. Join Convenience Store News Canada editor Michelle Warren in conversation with Convenience Industry Council of Canada president and CEO Anne Kothawala to discuss the big issues and opportunities defining the channel 2026. |
10:50 AM - 11:30 |
Presentation & Discussion |
Protecting people: Safer stores, stronger businesses Escalating theft, organized retail crime and growing safety concerns are reshaping the day-to-day reality for convenience store and gas station operators. Front-line staff are facing increasing risks, while retailers are being forced to rethink how they approach security, loss prevention and partnerships with law enforcement. In this essential session, Meloff, who specializes in helping security and safety leaders do more with less to protect their people, places and assets, will take a big-picture look at the evolving safety and security landscape in convenience retail—what’s changing, why it’s happening and what operators can do about it.
Speaker: Jay Meloff, Strategic Enterprise Account Executive, Axon |
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11:30 AM |
Closing Keynote |
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The shopper shift: Insights from the C-store IQ National Shopper Study 2026 Get ready for brand-new, never-before-released insights from the 2026 C-store IQ National Shopper Study—Canada’s only dedicated convenience and forecourt consumer research program. This year’s study uncovers the fast-shifting habits, expectations and motivations of shoppers across every generation, from Gen Z and Millennials to Gen X and Boomers. EnsembleIQ’s Vice-President of Research, Beth Brickel, surveyed more than 2,000 convenience and fuel shoppers nationwide, digging into how their daily routines, economic pressures and lifestyle trends are reshaping the in-store experience. What are today’s customers really looking for from retailers? How are value, economic concerns, the buy-local movement and wellness influencing purchasing decisions? Which categories are growing—and which ones risk falling behind? Why attend: This data-rich, future-oriented session delivers actionable insights for independent operators, dealers, suppliers, distributors and corporate leaders—helping you understand what’s driving shopper behaviour in 2026 and how to strategically position your business for what comes next.
Speaker: Beth Brickel, Vice-President, Research, EnsembleIQ |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Buffet Lunch
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Location: Courtyard & Leonard Cohen Ballroom For registered C-Store IQ Conference attendees, CCA Education attendees and OPCA members only Lunch not provided for Trade Show Only Pass. |
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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Lunch & Learn |
Invitation Only
Room TBD |
Sponsored by National Energy Equipment
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12:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Trade Show |
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5:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Cocktail Hour for exhibitors and guests |
Location: Courtyard |
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM |
Cocktails & Welcome |
5:45 PM- 5:50 PM |
Opening Remarks by Environics |
5:50 PM- 6:50 PM |
Dinner |
6:50 PM- 7:15 PM |
Keynote by Michael "Pinball" Clemons Building Bridges: Leadership, culture and momentum under pressure |
7:15 PM- 7:35 PM |
Future Leaders in Convenience + Car Wash Awards Presentation + Photo
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7:35 PM |
Closing Remarks |
8:00 AM |
Registration Opens |
Location: South Building main entrance, Mirvish area |
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8:00AM- 9:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Attendees must be registered for the morning education sessions to receive breakfast. Breakfast not provided for Trade Show Only Pass. |
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9:00 AM |
Welcome Remarks |
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9:10 AM - 9:30 AM |
Opening Keynote Presentation |
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The On-The-Go Revolution: Navigating Snack and Beverage Occasions in a GLP-1 Era By 2030, as many as 40% of Canadian households could include a GLP‑1 user. This is reshaping on‑the‑go snacking occasions. Retailers and manufacturers face mounting pressure to balance core indulgent SKUs with high-protein, hydration-focused innovations. Appetites are shrinking. Choices are changing. Success demands insights to pinpoint high-penetration markets and connect with GLP-1 households during commuter grabs, gym refuels and errands. Join Kevin Lacey and industry experts to unpack this on-the-go revolution's opportunities. Speaker: Kevin Lacey, Senior Vice President, Sales Team Leader, Environics |
9:30 AM- 9:55 AM |
CPG & Retailer panel discussion |
Moderated by: Kevin Lacey, Senior Vice President, Sales Team Leader, Environics |
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10:30 AM- 10:45 AM |
Networking Break |
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11:00 AM - 11:20 AM |
Presentation |
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Reality check: Economic confidence and convenience retail In a year marked by rising costs, fluctuating confidence and rapid shifts in household spending, understanding how Canadians feel about their financial future is no longer optional—it’s essential. In this all-new 2026 briefing, Lisa Covens unveils timely, fresh-from-the-field data capturing how consumers are navigating economic uncertainty and how those behaviours are reshaping the convenience and fuel channel in real time. This session goes beyond headlines to uncover valuable, up-to-the-minute insights, as well as opportunities for retailers and manufacturers to adapt, differentiate and win in a price-sensitive market. Why attend: Built for operators, manufacturers, category managers and C-suite executives, this data-driven session delivers actionable intelligence to help businesses stay competitive, forecast more effectively and sharpen strategic plans. Speaker: Lisa Covens, Senior Vice President, Leger |
11:35 AM - 11:50 AM |
Presentation & Discussion |
Serving value, driving growth: Winning the foodservice opportunity Jeremy Poty, Regional Foodservice Growth Manager, Core-Mark Canada Foodservice is one of the biggest growth opportunities in the channel—and convenience retailers of all sizes are uniquely positioned to capitalize on it. However, as consumers become more value-conscious and competition from QSRs, grocery and delivery platforms intensifies, convenience retailers face a pivotal question: How do we compete—and win—in foodservice? In this forward-looking session, Jeremy Poty will share data-driven insights on the latest foodservice trends and opportunities shaping the Canadian and North American market, from changing consumer expectations to emerging formats, pricing pressures and demand for speed, quality and consistency. Attendees will learn how convenience retailers can build strong partnerships to capture a greater share of food occasions by leveraging turnkey solutions and simplifying operations, while creating compelling, profitable offerings that drive repeat visits. Following the thought leadership presentation, a panel of convenience retailers will take the stage to share real-world success stories—what’s working, what they’ve learned and how they’ve built foodservice programs that resonate with today’s shoppers. This thought leadership session will leave attendees with:
Why Attend? If you are looking to grow trips, increase margins and future-proof your business, foodservice must be part of your strategy. This session will equip retail leaders with the insights, tools and real-world examples needed to turn foodservice from a challenge into a competitive advantage. Attendees will walk away with actionable ideas you can implement immediately—whether you’re launching, expanding or refining your offer. Speaker: Jeremy Poty, Regional Foodservice Growth Manager, Core-Mark Canada |
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11:50 AM |
Closing Remarks |
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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Lunch Buffet |
Attendees must be registered for the morning sessions to receive lunch. Lunch not provided for Trade Show Only Pass. |
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12:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Trade Show |
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5:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Cocktail Hour for exhibitors and guests |
