2020 NACS Show and PEI Convention cancelled

PEI and NACS both confirm the cancellation of the October show and the introduction of a new virtual event.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has informed the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) and NACS that the 2020 NACS Show cannot be held in Las Vegas due to Nevada meeting restrictions and unrelenting COVID-19 cases in the state.

“It is with heavy heart that we make this announcement,” said NACS President and CEO Henry Armour. “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.”

Both NACS and PEI will be carrying out a virtual platform to engage with the convenience store and gas station industry.

“Though the industry will not gather this year in Las Vegas, I am happy to announce that the 2020 PEI Convention now will be presented as a virtual experience. In fact, although disappointed about Las Vegas, we are choosing to look at the good news. Cancellation of the on-site event in Las Vegas means more people will be able to participate in the PEI Convention than ever before. We will embrace this opportunity to provide an engaging and educational virtual experience,” said Rick Long, Executive Vice President at PEI in an email.

New virtual offering

The NACS virtual experience will take the three most important elements of the in-person event—education, access to new products and retailer/supplier connections—and incorporate them into innovative tools for users to meaningfully engage and improve their businesses.

“The NACS Show is where we come together to share ideas, make each other better and plan for the coming year. We know that we can’t simply transfer the live, in-person experience of the NACS Show to a virtual offer. Instead, we are replicating the elements that can deliver the most value in a digital environment,” said Armour.

The virtual experience, available this fall, will include on-demand education with real-time interactions, a virtual product showcase and direct appointment settings. NACS will announce details about the comprehensive experience and registration information in August.