NACS Cancelled, Will Move to Virtual Event Series

This afternoon the National Association of Convenience Stores announced that it would cancel its planned October trade show, which was to be held in Las Vegas. The event was one of the few remaining food- and beverage-heavy trade shows in 2020 that had yet to announce its cancellation.

In an email announcement, the trade association noted that the decision was made in consultation with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), adding that it was “informed” the conference could not go ahead as planned. The conference’s website notes that the current State of Nevada virus “mitigation mandate” limits group gatherings to 50 people or less.

“We had worked closely with the health department with jurisdiction, the LVCVA, our official partners, vendors and other stakeholders to develop a world-class ‘city within a city’ that prioritized safety for our attendees and staff. At the same time, there are issues beyond our control that led to this decision,” NACS President and CEO Henry Armour said in a statement. “We know that this decision is disappointing.”

Participants can elect to have a refund check issued to their company; to roll any costs over to the NACS 2021 show or another NACS event, product or service; or to apply them as a tax deductible donation to the NACS Foundation. All registrants will be contacted by August 7, and those who do not reply by August 31 will automatically have their costs refunded. Hotels booked through NACS Housing will be automatically cancelled.

In place of the show, NACS will “fast track” new online platforms that the organization had intended to launch in 2021, debuting them instead this fall. These offerings will incorporate the “three most important elements” of the trade show — education, access to new products and retailer/supplier networking — into a new online offering.

“We know that we can’t simply transfer the live, in-person experience of the NACS Show to a virtual offer,” Armour said. “Instead, we are replicating the elements that can deliver the most value in a digital environment.”

The 2021 NACS Show is scheduled to take place October 5-8 in Chicago.

Meanwhile the Retail Dieticians Business Alliance, which previously had to cancel its May event, has also announced it will host a virtual experience and trade show to help connect dieticians, brands and retailers. The event will be held online from September 22 through September 24.

Participating brands will have virtual booths, be able to schedule meetings with dieticians and send samples via a new Samplefest “SWAG Box.”