• 8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Exhibitor Move-In

• 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm: NATSO Board of Directors Business Meeting
The NATSO Board of Directors Business meeting is open to Board of Directors and Chairman’s Circle members only.

• 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm: NATSO Connect Travel Center Tour

• 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm: NATSO Foundation Board Meeting
The NATSO Foundation Board meeting is open to Board of Directors only.

• 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm: New Travel Center Member Dinner – Private Invitation-Only Event

• 7:00 am – 8:30 am: NATSO Foundation 5K Fundraiser 
The NATSO Foundation’s 5K Fundraiser is back! The NATSO Foundation 5K Fundraiser is a community-building 5K walk that provides a great opportunity to meet up with friends and supporters while also supporting the important work of the NATSO Foundation. Support the annual NATSO Foundation as a fundraiser sponsor! Your contribution supports the NATSO Foundation’s program of work including scholarships, anti-human trafficking initiatives and more. Contact Amy Toner at atoner@natsofoundation.org about supporting this critical NATSO Foundation fundraiser.

• 8:30 am – 9:00 am: Suppliers: What to Know to Win in the Travel Center Industry

• 8:30 am – 9:15 am: Repair Shop Share Group

• 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Expo Hours with Continental Breakfast

• 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Buffet Lunch on the Exhibit Floor

• 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm: Tank Talks
Similar in concept to a popular network TV show, sponsors will have the opportunity to pitch their product or idea in front of an audience and live on stage. In each 5-minute presentation, the audience will vote on products or services sure to improve the travel center wallet share. Contact Pamela Hayes at phayes@natso.com for information on participating.

• 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Expo Hours

• 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: One-on-One Appointments

• 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm: Travel Center Networking Groups – Invite and RSVP Required
New! The Travel Center Networking Groups will bring together travel center professionals to network and engage with others in similar job functions. Contact Amy Toner, NATSO Foundation executive director, at atoner@natsofoundation.org to request an invitation.

• 4:15 pm – 9:00 pm: Exhibitor Move Out

• 5:15 pm – 6:45 pm: Government Affairs Committee Meeting

• 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm NATSO PAC Party

• 8:00 am – 8:15 am: Breakfast Buffet

• 8:15 am – 9:00 am: Welcome Remarks from NATSO’s Chairman and CEO
Kick off the day of education with welcome remarks from NATSO’s 2027 Chairman and NATSO’s President & CEO, Max McBrayer.

Generously sponsored by McLane.

• 9:00 am – 9:15 am: Coffee Break

• 9:15 am – 10:15 am: NATSO Connect Keynote: What Does the New Year and New Congress Mean for Travel Centers?
NATSO’s Government Affairs team will lead an in-depth discussion on the 2027 political and regulatory landscape and the federal transportation and fuels policies expected to impact your truck stops or travel centers.

The 120th Congress is underway, and NATSO’s Government Affairs team, David Fialkov, Jessi Frend, and LeeAnn Goheen, will unpack what the new legislative and committee landscape means for the industry, from new leadership and committee assignments to the policy priorities likely to define the year ahead. The discussion will cover biofuels incentives and their impact on retail economics, along with NATSO’s transportation priorities, including truck parking, truck size and weight, and protecting off-highway real estate from unfair government-subsidized competition at rest areas.

Learn how NATSO is advocating to ensure a level playing field for the truck stop and off-highway fuel retail industry and get a read on where things stand heading into a pivotal year on Capitol Hill. Join us to learn how to identify and adapt to the challenges and opportunities emerging federal policy will create for your business.

Generously sponsored by Altria.

• 10:30 am – 11:15 am: NATSO Connect Food Focus Forum
Gather great ideas from your peers on food service and hear from a panel of industry experts on how to grow both your made-to-order and grab-n-go offerings.

• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: NATSO Connect Keynote and Lunch: Smart Growth and Reinvestment with 7-Eleven, Inc.’s Terri Micklin
Stay tuned for details on this exciting keynote.

• 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm: NATSO Travel Center Technology Forum
Gather great ideas from your peers on travel center technology and hear from a panel of industry experts on technology.

• 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm: NATSO Connect Keynote: The Role of Data & Technology in Increasing Sales and Driving Revenue Growth at the Pump
As the fueling experience at travel centers evolves, effectively managing and maximizing profits from this critical profit center is more important than ever. 

Today, drivers can use apps to activate diesel dispensers, pay from the cab, and receive digital receipts. Artificial intelligence integrates directly with point-of-sale platforms and loyalty programs to deliver targeted fuel discounts and real-time customer offers. Travel center operators can leverage mobile ordering and QR codes at the pump, allowing drivers to purchase food and beverages while fueling.

In this session, Eric Stecker, SVP & GM, Retail and Consumer Technology at PDI Technologies, will explore how smarter, tech-driven decisions are creating better, more personalized experiences at the pump, enabling operators to increase profits and reduce staff time.

• 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm: Educational Breakouts

Breakdown Of The Ever-Changing Renewable Fuels Landscape
Overwhelmed by recent EPA announcements/proposals and how they affect your renewable fuel blending operations? Join NATSO’s Alternatives Fuels Council for a breakdown of the ever-changing renewable fuels landscape and the policies that shape it. From RVOs, to SREs to the 45Z – we will focus on the details as well as big picture that support your daily fuel decisions.