NACS
NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) is a 1961-founded nonprofit trade association serving 800+ retail and 1,750+ supplier member companies across 45+ countries in the global convenience and fuel retailing industry through advocacy, research, events, and member technology products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersAlexandria, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NACS does
NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) is a 501-style nonprofit trade association founded in 1961 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. It serves as the principal global industry body for convenience and fuel retailing, representing more than 800 retail member companies (the operators of c-stores) and more than 1,750 supplier member companies (manufacturers, distributors, and service providers) across 45+ countries. The U.S. industry it serves conducts approximately 160 million transactions per day across roughly 152,000 stores, with 80% of U.S. consumer fuel purchases transacted at convenience stores.
NACS delivers value across four primary verticals: (1) advocacy and government relations, including the NACSPAC political action committee (operating since 1979), filings on swipe fees, SNAP, biofuels, EV charging policy, and Section 45Z clean fuel credits, and the NACS Day on the Hill; (2) research and benchmarking, anchored by the State of the Industry Enterprise dataset covering 31,000+ stores and the annual State of the Industry Report and Summit; (3) events and education, headlined by the annual NACS Show in Las Vegas (one of the 40 largest U.S. trade shows with 24,000+ attendees), plus the Convenience Summit Europe, Convenience Summit Asia, Future of Mobility Summit, executive education programs at Cornell, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, and Yale, and webinars; and (4) member-facing technology products, including TruAge (age verification) and THRIVR (a SOCi-powered digital marketing platform priced at $300 per retail location per year on a two-year commitment, enabling listings, reputation, and social media management across Google, Facebook, Yelp, Apple, and Salesforce-integrated workflows).
The organization operates with approximately 75 employees and is governed by a 29-member Board of Directors. Revenue is generated primarily through annual membership dues (set by the Board), event registrations, sponsorships and expo-floor sales for the NACS Show, advertising in NACS Magazine (described as the #1 source for industry decisionmakers) and other digital properties, sale of publications and research, and emerging SaaS revenue from THRIVR. Following nearly 20 years of leadership under Henry Armour, Frank Gleeson (formerly president and CEO of Aramark Northern Europe) became President and CEO on January 1, 2026.
NACS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NACS
- Legal name
- NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores)
- Website
- https://convenience.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) is a 1961-founded nonprofit trade association serving 800+ retail and 1,750+ supplier member companies across 45+ countries in the global convenience and fuel retailing industry through advocacy, research, events, and member technology products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where NACS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandria
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
NACS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual dues from retail members (store owners/operators) and supplier members (manufacturers, distributors, service providers). Dues determined by Board of Directors. Membership runs January 1 through December 31.
- Events and Conferences: Revenue from NACS Show (one of 40 largest US trade shows), State of the Industry Summit, regional events, executive education programs, and networking events. Includes exhibit booth sales, registration fees, and sponsorship revenue.
- Products and Publications: Sale of industry reports (State of the Industry Report), NACS Magazine subscriptions, research publications, Cool New Products program, and branded merchandise through the online store.
- Advertising Revenue: Advertising sales in NACS Magazine and digital properties, with $2.7 million advertising budget mentioned.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | THRIVR digital marketing platform subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | State of the Industry Report for suppliers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels11 records
NACS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NACS is a membership-based trade association that provides the convenience and fuel retailing industry with research and benchmarking data, an annual trade show, publications, advocacy representation before Congress and federal agencies, executive education programs, and digital platforms including THRIVR for digital marketing and TruAge for age verification. The organization serves 800+ retail members and 1,750+ supplier members from 45+ countries, generating revenue through annual membership dues, event registration, sponsorships, and product sales.
Product overview
NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) is a trade association offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services to the convenience and fuel retailing industry. The organization operates a platform-plus-events model centered around its annual NACS Show (one of the 40 largest U.S. trade shows), year-round publications (NACS Magazine, NACS Daily news), and research offerings (State of the Industry Enterprise). Key digital products include THRIVR, a SOCi-powered digital marketing platform for reputation and listings management, and TruAge for age verification. The association provides executive education programs in partnership with Cornell, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, and Yale universities, and manages regional events including Convenience Summits in Europe and Asia. Advocacy products include NACSPAC, NACS In Store, and the Friends of NACS individual membership program. Supplier membership tiers include the Hunter Club (Gold/Silver/Bronze levels) and Global Supplier Council for international members. The NACS Foundation handles community outreach including 24/7 Day celebrations of first responders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NACS Show: Annual convenience and fuel retailing industry trade show, one of the 40 largest in the United States
- NACS Foundation
- NACS Magazine
- Convenience Matters
- NACS Global
- THRIVR
- TruAge
Products and services
- NACS Show
- NACS Magazine
- THRIVR Digital Marketing Platform
- State of the Industry Enterprise
- NACS Daily
- Convenience Matters Podcast
- TruAge
- NACS Convenience Summit Europe
- NACS Convenience Summit Asia
- NACS State of the Industry Summit
- Executive Education Programs
- NACS Membership
- NACS Membership Directory
- Hunter Club Supplier Membership
- Global Supplier Council (GSC)
- Future of Mobility Summit
- NACS Online Store
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy drinks maintaining position as top packaged beverage category
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NACS
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
NACS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability8 records
Feature3 records
NACS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- BAMCO (Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition)minorCoalition coordinating federal advocacy effort for hemp-derived beverages. NACS contributed $50,000 and is coordinating with CABA, WSWA, BWRR, and other organizations on unified lobbying strategy for hemp beverage regulation.
- ConexxuscoreIndustry partner organization focused on technology standards for convenience retailing, including payment and transaction processing standards. NACS website lists Conexxus as an Industry Partner.
- Transportation Energy InstitutecoreResearch and education organization focused on transportation energy issues. Listed as an Industry Partner on NACS website, with NACS Executive Director John Eichberger serving as Executive Director of the Fuels Institute.
- NATSOcoreNational Association of Truckstop Operators representing truckstops and travel plazas. Partner with NACS on biofuel tax credit advocacy, EV charging policy, and industry research. Together with SIGMA, represent retailers accounting for 90% of fuel sold at retail.
- SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel MarketerscoreTrade association representing fuel marketers. Partner with NACS on biofuel tax credit advocacy, EV charging policy, and industry research. Together with NATSO, represent retailers accounting for 90% of fuel sold at retail.
- CABA (Community Beverage Association)minorPart of the BAMCO coalition working on hemp-derived beverage regulation advocacy.
- WSWA (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America)minorPart of the BAMCO coalition working on hemp-derived beverage regulation advocacy.
- BWRR (Beverage Water Refreshment)minorPart of the BAMCO coalition working on hemp-derived beverage regulation advocacy.
- State and Regional Convenience Store AssociationscoreRegional and state associations advocating for retail members supported through NACS State Association Advocacy Program, providing speakers bureau, economic impact data, and GR talking points.
- U.S. Department of Treasury / IRSminorNACS filed joint public comments with Treasury and IRS opposing proposed rules for Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit on behalf of fuel retailers.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)minorNACS praised EPA and Trump administration for issuing ambitious Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and urged continued biofuel policy support.
- Congress of the United StatescoreNACS advocates before Congress on issues including swipe fees, fuels, SNAP, and business taxes. Supported the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2026.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
NACS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NACS social profiles
Digital presenceNACS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NACS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
NACS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NACS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NACS
What does NACS do?
NACS is a membership-based trade association that provides the convenience and fuel retailing industry with research and benchmarking data, an annual trade show, publications, advocacy representation before Congress and federal agencies, executive education programs, and digital platforms including THRIVR for digital marketing and TruAge for age verification. The organization serves 800+ retail members and 1,750+ supplier members from 45+ countries, generating revenue through annual membership dues, event registration, sponsorships, and product sales.
Is NACS a public or private company?
NACS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was NACS founded?
NACS was founded in 1961. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is NACS based?
NACS is headquartered in Alexandria, United States, in the North America region.
How does NACS make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are events and Conferences, products and Publications and advertising Revenue.
Does NACS have an API?
No public API is recorded for NACS.