THE 2025 GACS ANNUAL MEETING & CONVENTION AUGUST 15-17, 2025 | OMNI AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA This year we celebrate our own, with the theme GACS Fables and the Ten (MINUTE) Tales. Last year we tapped resources that are part of this organization, when selecting our speakers – with rave reviews. For 2025, we take this idea a step further. You will see member stories woven throughout the entire convention program. You’ll also hear from five very familiar faces, who will share their specific stories during the Saturday morning education session in a new and lively ten minute format. GACS is a unique combination of fellowship, family and service to the industry, unlike no other organization in our state. Membership in GACS, with its advocacy platform, education and networking opportunities, and essential services, is becoming key to success in the convenience industry. There’s much to celebrate – starting with you, our valued members. And also including our sponsors and vendors, whose support is crucial to our success. You will again see more of them at this year’s convention. We are bringing back many of the convention agenda changes, because you told us they enhance your experience: a welcome reception on Thursday night, recreation on Friday morning (when it’s not so hot outside), musical entertainment after your awards dinner on Friday night, a legislative panel, a legislative reception – including special time set aside for Young Professionals with the legislators, a revamped beach party on Saturday, and a motivational speaker on Saturday who just might knock your socks off! Our association is changing, evolving, and strengthening, too, with new member services, the addition of online and cross-state education, and a more robust web presence. As we move forward, it’s indeed time to stop, look around us, and celebrate one another. Remember, look for and listen to our own: GACS Fables and the Ten (MINUTE) Tales. There’s no better place to be in August than with your GACS community in Amelia Island! Registration Fees GACS Member $295 Spouse $235 Non-Member $365 Teen and Young Adult (meals only) $195 Child (5-11) (meals only) $175 Golf $189 Fishing $240 Beach Party $0 Friday Night’s Raffle Ticket $100 Extracurricular Activities GACS Educational Foundation The GACS Educational Foundation provides scholarship funds for GACS employee members and their families. Attendees will have an opportunity to raise money for students, along with a chance to win cash. Raffle tickets are sold online and onsite. Purchase yours now to help fund scholarships to fellow members. Tickets are only $100 and the winner will be awarded $5K at Friday night’s Raffle. Golf Enjoy the view while spending Friday morning with your peers on the Omni’s beautiful Oak Marsh course. Fishing Also Friday morning, choose between the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean or the backwaters of Amelia. Either way, you can depend on a great experience under the direction of Captain Terry Lacoss and his team of fish-finding boats! Beach Party Toss back a few brews and have some fun in the sun at Saturday afternoon’s Beach Party. Join us for a couple of hours on the beach, to enjoy the scenery and a cold beverage! Convention Details Welcome Reception For those of you arriving on Thursday, in time to enjoy Friday morning’s recreation line-up and participate in scheduled meetings, there will be a light reception. Stop by, say “hello” to old friends, and make some new ones too. Awards and Recognition Dinner and Entertainment There’s no time like Friday night to honor those members whose contributions have helped shape our organization: GACS sponsors, Supplier of the Year, the Brittany Schmeelk scholarship winner, your new Board of Directors and Supplier Committee, plus many, many more to be announced. In 2025 we again return to a much loved format, concluding dinner with musical entertainment for your listening – and dancing – enjoyment. Plus, it’s been a hit, and a ton of fun, so once again we will include our crazy take on the traditional $5K raffle– and the last ticket drawn will win the $5K raffle prize. All to benefit the Education Foundation Scholarship Fund. Silent Auction The Silent Auction will be open Friday night during the Welcome Reception, and again on Saturday night before dinner. Winners will be announced on Saturday night before dinner. Donated items will be listed on the GACS website. Saturday Breakfast and Education Session Saturday morning’s education is newly formatted again for 2025, with more speakers, including your peers, that you will not want to miss. 
First on the program, though is Kyle Vowinkel, Founder of Elite Mindsets, keynote speaker and corporate leadership trainer. Kyle has over 30 years of experience in high stakes situations: he served on two different elite US National assets, each responsible for handling volatile situations – first as operator on the Dept. of Justice counter-terrorism unit, the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, and then as hostage negotiator on the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit. Notably Kyle persuaded the Boston Marathon bomber to surrender peacefully. Kyle weaves captivating stories intertwined with invaluable lessons that are transferrable to leaders across diverse industries.
Next up are some familiar faces, coming from within the GAS membership. They’ll share their stories – each with just 10 slides in 10 minutes – and experiences with many of the topics that affect your everyday work lives:
Britt Davidson, Parker’s Kitchens, will talk about his viewpoint on loss prevention and safety. Samantha Gause, Inland Stores, will share her take on customer engagement. Michael Junk, QuikTrip, will tell his story about public affairs. KC Kingsbury, NACS, will cover state of the industry in Georgia, including trends and outlook. Sagar Patel, Susie Q’s, will share his experience with introducing newly regulated Hemp products in Georgia. Saturday Legislative Panel What’s a GACS convention without a Legislative Panel? Always of interest to attendees, the panel provides an opportunity to learn more about the issues affecting C-Stores and convenience in Georgia. Updates on panelists will be announced as available. Saturday Young Professionals Legislative Reception/ Legislative Reception With a plethora of legislators and state officials on hand, this will be a great opportunity to network, and chatinformally with your representatives. The reception will begin at 5:30 PM just for GACS Young Professionals; it will open to the rest of our convention attendees at 6:15 PM, affording you plenty of time to enjoy some one-on-one time with those legislators who are present. Saturday Dinner and Entertainment We’re returning to a much enjoyed Saturday night event: dinner, this time with surprise entertainment. Stay tuned for more info! Exhibitor Showcase New to the convention last year, and a big hit, you will again be able to explore the tabletop exhibits 24/7 during the convention, as they are to be located in the main ballroom where all other activity is centered. Specific time has been set aside on Saturday at lunchtime; you can enjoy lunch while exploring products and services offered by new vendors and touching base with familiar suppliers. Yes, prizes are involved when you visit all of the vendors. Exhibitors, be sure to decorate your tabletops in keeping with the theme, GACS Fables and the Ten (MINUTE) Tales. Click here to Register: https://gacs.weblinkconnect.com/atlas/events-v4/register/3078 Click here to view 2025 GACS Convention Brochure Flipbook: https://gacstoday.com/GACS2025ConvBro/GACS2025ConvBro.html 
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Home President’s Message Convention Speaker Preview: Posing Positive Possibilities The 2025 GACS Annual Meeting & Convention TCH Beverages: The C-Store Advantage Parker’s Kitchen Opens 100th Store Independent 3rd-Party Inspections: Protecting Your Investment & the Environment Membership Matters: Delivering Buying Power to C-Stores GACS Education Foundation: Congrats 2025 Winners! In Our Backyard: C-Stores to the Rescue The GACS PAC Annual Spring Golf Outing: A Beautiful Day for Play UST Training: Can You Dig it? Rethinking Convenience: New Strategies for C-Stores in 2025 GACS Membership: Welcome New Members 
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