2015 NACS Show Breaks Attendance Records with Nearly 25,000 in Las Vegas
November 6, 2015
The 2015 NACS Show attracted a record 24,392 registered attendees, of which 9,038 were classified as buyers (retailers, convenience distributors).
The total number of registered attendees, which includes Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) buyer registration, was 3.3-percent higher than last year and topped the previous attendance record set in 2004.
The 2015 NACS Show also attracted a record 2,490 international attendees representing 73 countries, which was another record, showcasing the event’s importance to the success of the global convenience and fuel retailing industry.
The 2015 NACS Show, which took place October 11–14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is one of the top 40 largest trade shows in the United States.
The size of the NACS Show expo increased 2 percent, compared with 2014, and had 1,264 exhibiting companies.
The record-setting 412,600 net square foot expo also featured 228 companies new to the NACS Show, of which 154 were part of the expo’s New Exhibitor Area.
The NACS Show featured four days of general sessions with leadership experts and the NACS Ideas 2 Go program, a fast-paced video program of emerging concepts that redefine convenience.
The NACS Show also offered 62 educational sessions that drew a total of 12,309 attendees, averaging 198 attendees per session.
Reflecting the growing international opportunities offered at the NACS Show, the general sessions were translated into Portuguese, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, and select educational sessions were translated into Portuguese and Spanish.
At the conclusion of the NACS Show, approximately 42 tons of leftover product from exhibitors was donated to the Three Square Food Bank, which provides food to southern Nevada residents in need.
“The NACS Show is truly the event of the year for the convenience store industry,” said 2015–16 NACS Chairman Jack Kofdarali. “Our industry is full of entrepreneurs and innovators who come to the NACS Show year after year to find that one idea that can change their business, turn a profit and make their customers excited to shop their stores. No other event provides knowledge, education, networking and new products like the NACS Show.”
The 2016 NACS Show will take place Oct. 18–21 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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