In addition to a world-class educational agenda focused on technology’s growing role in the convenience store industry, attendees at the Young Executives Organization (YEO) Conference will get a firsthand look at McLane’s Ozark distribution center in Springfield, Mo., which features cutting-edge robotics and artificial intelligence to bring products to market.
Registration for the sixth annual YEO Conference May 1-2 at McLane Co.’s state-of-the-art Ozark Distribution Center in Springfield, Mo. has officially opened. Visit YEO Register to learn more about the agenda or to register for this can’t-miss industry conference.
In addition to networking and a firsthand tour of the distribution center, attendees will hear how robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming how products are brought to market.
Educational sessions will also focus on the leadership challenges facing the industry’s next-generation executives. The sixth annual YEO Conference will again feature a special volunteer leadership project with Habitat for Humanity on April 30 and wrap up on May 2 with a tour of convenience stores in the Springfield, Mo., market.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity for so many of our up-and-coming industry leaders to get a behind-the-scenes look at this best-in-class, next-generation wholesale operation,” said Bart Stransky, YEO Board Chairman and executive director of merchandising and supply chain for RaceTrac Petroleum. “Understanding the supply chain to our stores is an extremely important, and often overlooked, aspect of effectively managing a retail chain.
The Ozark Distribution Center is one of the most sophisticated robotic distribution centers in the world. The nearly 400,000-square-foot facility is a completely automated distribution center utilizing Schaefer Systems integrated robotics, one of the world’s leading providers of intralogistics solutions.
“Robotics and enhanced automation will soon be commonplace in the convenience distribution industry,” said Vito Maurici, senior vice president of sales at McLane. “McLane is thrilled to share its knowledge and expertise of integrating this new technology into our business systems with YEO Conference attendees. We thank the Young Executives Organization for their partnership and the opportunity to host this year’s conference at Ozark.”
McLane Ozark serves the convenience, travel center, drug, dollar, mass, club & military trade classes throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
“YEO is extremely proud to be partnering with McLane to learn more about how robotics and artificial intelligence are changing how products are brought to market in the convenience store industry,” said John Lofstock, executive director of the National Advisory Group (NAG) and YEO. “Following up on the successful roundtables we’ve had at Family Express, RaceTrac Petroleum, Maverik and Cumberland Farms, I’m sure our members will have a wonderful experience that will help them grow personally and professionally.”
Mark your calendars to attend this important industry event aimed at helping young executives and next-generation leaders better understand the retail supply chain.
To view the agenda or to register now for the sixth annual YEO Conference, visit YEO Register now or contact NAG Executive Director John Lofstock at [email protected].
