2027 Call for Proposals

CRU 2027 is open to category, merchandising, and operations leaders ready to share what's working in convenience retail.

Call for Proposal Details

Everything speakers need to know before submitting — eligibility, audience, session format, and how proposals are evaluated.

What You Need to Submit

Session title
Session description
What problem does this session solve for retailer attendees?
Primary audience/category
What level of operations does this session target?
Preferred format
Preferred session length

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Who Can Submit

Convenience retailers that are subject matter experts and have direct experience in the proposed topic area.
Subject matter experts from the industry, educational institutions, or insights firms.
We do not accept proposals from suppliers or any employee or representative of a supplier through the Call for Proposals.

Speaker Commitment

Before you submit your proposal, please make sure:

You/your speakers have pre-established authorization from your/their employer (if applicable) to present.
You/your speakers have travel expenses covered.
You/your speakers agree — if accepted — not to cancel other than for medical or family-emergency reasons. Submitting and agreeing to speak is a professional commitment to be taken seriously.

Target Audience

Convenience-store category managers from across the U.S., including large chains, small chains and independents — professionals responsible for selecting, pricing, merchandising, and driving sales performance within a specific product category across their stores.
Typical c-store categories include foodservice, dispensed beverage, packaged beverage, center store, tobacco and OTPs, cannabis, forecourt, and technology.

Session Formats

Sessions are focused on delivering experience-led intelligence with proven results. Sessions feature 3–5 key insights supported by data and real-world examples — covering topics like industry trends, performance benchmarks, ROI case studies, and consumer research. Sessions must be centered around a visual presentation and provide practical, actionable takeaways.

Educational Sessions: Deep-dive presentations with Q&A
Panel Discussions: Multiple perspectives on key topics
Case Studies: Real-world success stories with metrics
Workshops: Interactive, hands-on learning experiences

Supplier Policy

Supplier submissions are not eligible for consideration through the Call for Proposals. CRU proposals are intended for convenience retailers and other qualified industry experts with relevant, non-commercial insights to share. Sessions should focus on solving industry challenges, sharing best practices, exploring emerging trends, and providing practical takeaways that benefit the broader convenience retail community.

Suppliers interested in showcasing products, services, or solutions to the CRU audience have dedicated sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, please contact Jake Venchus at jake.venchus@informa.com.