Arrowfly, an award-winning B2B media and marketing company, today announced that registration is open for CStore Connections, the CStore Decisions conference taking place April 11–13, 2027, at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. Designed for small, mid-sized, regional and family-owned convenience store chains, the event connects retail leaders and supplier partners around practical strategies, peer insight and opportunities for growth.
The convenience retail industry is at an inflection point. Consolidation is increasing the scale and buying power of larger operators while rising operating costs, workforce pressures, changing customer expectations and new competition are challenging regional and family-owned chains. CStore Connections is built around the realities of those businesses, offering practical strategies, trusted peer perspectives and supplier relationships that can help operators strengthen their competitive position and plan for sustainable growth.
“At its heart, CStore Connections is about bringing retailers together. It creates a valuable space for small, mid-sized, regional and family-owned chains to connect with industry peers, share insights, discuss common challenges and explore new ideas,” said Erin Del Conte, Editor-in-Chief, CStore Decisions. “There’s tremendous value in learning from others who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of running a regional or family-owned convenience store business, particularly in this age of consolidation, heightened inflation and increased competition from other channels.”
What attendees can expect. CStore Decisions’ retailer Board of Directors helps identify the topics most relevant to operators and their growth priorities. The resulting program combines actionable education with collaborative formats designed to turn conversations into practical next steps:
- Retailer-shaped education: Keynotes, general sessions and breakout discussions address operations, technology and AI, foodservice profitability, category management, workforce development and sustainable growth.
- Burning Issue Exchanges: Moderated, topic-focused roundtables bring retailers and suppliers together to compare approaches, discuss shared challenges and explore practical solutions.
- Retail Leaders Exchanges: Exclusive retailer-only discussions place operators with peers in similar roles to candidly share challenges, lessons learned and successful approaches without supplier participation.
- Relationships that last: New Orleans store tours, receptions, meals and networking opportunities help retailers connect with industry peers and supplier partners who understand their businesses.
- Next-generation leadership: Momentum content focuses on the financial understanding, communication and leadership skills of rising executives; the event also plans to celebrate CStore Decisions’ 2026 Class of 40 Under 40 Leaders to Watch.
Program topics are designed to give operators practical roadmaps for improving efficiency and profitability, applying technology where it delivers a measurable return, strengthening their teams, growing foodservice and responding to category and consumer shifts. Sessions emphasize ideas that small and mid-sized chains can put to work, rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
Connections that extend beyond the event. CStore Connections also helps retailers build relationships with suppliers and service providers that understand the distinct needs of regional and family-owned operators. By pairing shared learning with open discussions, the event aims to turn introductions into partnerships that support innovation, operational excellence and long-term business growth.
“For regional and family-owned convenience retailers, the right supplier relationship can open doors to new capabilities and ideas that might otherwise be difficult to access,” said Matt Waddell, Senior Vice President Sales and Account Management, Food, Retail, Hospitality, Arrowfly. “CStore Connections creates opportunities for retailers and partners to understand one another’s priorities, exchange practical insights and build the kind of trust that leads to lasting partnerships and stronger businesses.”
Event details. CStore Connections takes place April 11–13, 2027, at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. Registration is now open at CStoreConnections.com. Visit the event website for registration information and the latest program updates.
Suppliers and service providers interested in connecting with convenience retail decision-makers can explore sponsorship opportunities at CStoreConnections.com.
