Where deals happen and partnerships grow

Check Out Our Schedule

Audience Key: 🟢 Open to All  ðŸŸ  Suppliers 🔴 McLane

Monday, August 24

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Registration & Exhibitor Booth Set Up 🟠 🔴
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall

Tuesday, August 25

Kickoff & Connections

7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Registration 🟢
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Exhibitor Booth Set Up 🟠 🔴
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Optional Activity: Puppy Yoga Experience 🟢
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall Pre-Function
Join us for a light, beginner-friendly stretch session where adorable rescue puppies roam, play, and interact. No experience needed—just stop by and unwind. Space is limited.

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Strategic Connections: Sales & Supplier Meet & Greet 🟠🔴
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall
Build relationships and align on business planning ahead of the event.

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

General Session with Keynote Speaker 🟢
Location: Tate Ballroom, Vineyard Tower

Kick off McLane Engage with a look at how McLane is evolving to better serve customers. Hear from Vito Maurici and Michelle Patterson on our customer-first approach, progress since last year, and how investments in technology and innovation are shaping what’s next. Then, hear from keynote speaker Sol Rashidi as she shares:

AI in the C-Store Industry: What’s Actually Working (and What’s Not)
Every industry is experimenting with AI—but only a few are getting it right. This session brings an industry-specific lens to AI adoption, highlighting real-world use cases, measurable outcomes, and hard-earned lessons. From early wins to costly missteps, you’ll gain clarity on where AI delivers value today and how to prioritize investments that drive competitive advantage.

Speakers:
Vito Maurici, Chief Customer Experience Officer, McLane
Michelle Patterson, VP, Marketing & Communications, McLane
Sol Rashidi, World’s First Chief AI Officer

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sponsor Showcase & Welcome Reception 🟢
Location: Sponsor Pavilion, Longhorn Exhibition Hall
Connect with partners, explore new products, and enjoy cocktails and light bites in a relaxed setting. All attendees welcome.

Wednesday, August 26

Customer Experience Day: Learn, Connect, Order

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Registration 🟢
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Optional Activity: Rise & Run 5K 🟢
Location: Meet at the trail outside of Relache Spa
Start your day with an energizing group run alongside fellow attendees.

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast & Networking 🟢
Location: Tate Ballroom, Vineyard Tower
Start the day with informal networking over breakfast.

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Customer Educational Sessions 🟢
Location: Tate Ballroom, Vineyard Tower

8:30–9:15 AM | Merchandising Trends, Performance, and What’s Ahead

In this forward-looking session, Jacob Roinas will share key insights across categories, highlighting trends, performance drivers, and growth opportunities shaping the business today. Sean Luce will provide additional perspective on how these trends are translating across retail, offering a broader view of customer priorities and opportunities in the market. Attendees will leave with a clearer view of where the business is headed and practical insights to inform their decisions.

Speakers:
Jacob Roinas, SVP, Merchandising & Procurement, McLane
Sean Luce, VP, Sales, Military and Convenience, McLane

9:15–10:00 AM | From Data to Delivery – McLane’s Digital Supply Chain at Work
Join us for a forward-looking session focused on how McLane is investing in technology and AI to better serve our customers, suppliers, and teammates. This session will highlight key initiatives and product enhancements currently underway or launching soon—designed to simplify how we do business, improve transparency and insights, and create more connected, seamless experiences across the McLane ecosystem. Learn how these innovations are positioning America’s most beloved brands for growth and long-term success, while reinforcing McLane’s commitment to being an agile, trusted partner in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Speakers:
Tanya Coutray, VP, CIDO Retail, McLane
Sid Kulkarni, VP, Data & AI, McLane
Yasaswi Pulavarti, VP, Customer Care, McLane
Taylor Skinner, Market Director, McLane

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Engage Expo: Discover, Connect, Order 🟢
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall
Meet with suppliers, explore new products, and place orders directly on the floor.

12:00 pM - 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch 🟢
Location: Dining Pavilion, Longhorn Exhibition Hall
Located on the Expo floor in the back left dining area — grab a bite and stay in the action.

6:00 pM - 9:00 PM

Engage Celebration: Party & Concert 🟢
Location: Glass Cactus at Gaylord Texan
Celebrate the day with a high-energy evening featuring a live DJ set followed by a performance from Back in Black, the premier AC/DC tribute band.

 

Preferred exhibitor teardown is Thursday, August 27 from 11:30 – 5:00 PM, however, optional teardown is available from 5:00 -7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26.

Thursday, August 27

Supplier Day: Align, Innovate, Grow

7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Registration 🟢
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Networking Breakfast 🟢
Location: Tate Ballroom, Vineyard Tower

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Supplier Summit 🟠
Location: Tate Ballroom, Vineyard Tower

Join us for a focused, executive-led morning where McLane’s top leaders share perspective on our business, our customers, and the evolving role of suppliers and technology in driving growth. In a series of fast-paced 25-minute sessions, you’ll gain clarity on what’s changing, where we’re investing, and how we work together—faster, smarter, and more connected than ever—to deliver better outcomes.

9:00–9:25 | CEO Perspective + Business Outlook
Hear from Tony Frankenberger, McLane’s President and CEO, on what’s new at McLane, the current business environment, and a leadership perspective across our channels.

9:25–9:50 | Retail + Operations Update
Chris Smith, McLane’s President of Retail, shares key updates across retail operations, network investments, and how our supply chain is evolving to support growth.

9:50–10:15 | Customer Experience: What Matters Most
Vito Maurici, McLane’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, outlines how McLane is raising the bar on customer experience—and what that means for suppliers, execution, and growth.

10:15 – 10:25 | Break

10:25–10:50 | Merchandising Vision + The Future of Partnership
Jacob Roinas, McLane’s SVP of Merchandising and Procurement, shares his vision for how we work together—earlier, smarter, and more connected—to solve real customer challenges and unlock growth.

10:50–11:15 | Enabling Growth Through Advanced Data and Technology
Nick Elizondo, McLane’s VP of Supply Chain Solutions and Digitization, highlights McLane’s technology investments that enhance data visibility, deliver AI-driven insights, and power forecasting, planning, and always-on promotional strategies to drive growth and performance.

11:15–11:30 | Supplier Awards
Cassandra Matos, McLane’s Senior Director of Merchandising, and Chris Skelly, McLane’s Senior Director of Procurement, recognize the partners setting the standard across performance, innovation, and impact.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Closing Lunch 🟠
Location: Tate Ballroom, Vineyard Tower

11:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Exhibitor Teardown 🟠
Location: Longhorn Exhibition Hall

 

Schedule is subject to change at any time.

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