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The energy at the NACS Show this year made one thing undeniable: the convenience store and retail petroleum industry isn’t just modernizing – it’s accelerating. Between landmark leadership milestones, breakthrough technology showcases, and packed networking events, this year’s convention put a bold exclamation point on 2026 while paving the way for an even more transformative 2027.
A Major Milestone: Celebrating Lonnie McQuirter as NACS Chairman
For everyone in the Petrosoft family, one of the proudest highlights of the week was seeing longtime customer, partner, and dear friend Lonnie McQuirter take the helm as the new 2026–27 NACS Chairman.
As the director of operations at Minneapolis’s renowned 36 Lyn Refuel Station, Lonnie has consistently proven that visionary independent operators can drive outsized influence across the industry. His election isn’t just a testament to his dedication, leadership, and operational savvy – it signals a forward-thinking era for NACS that champions both community-rooted retailers and operational agility. Having worked alongside Lonnie over the years, we couldn’t be more excited to see him lead the association through this pivotal period.
The Debut of Petrosoft MCP: Real-Time Intelligence in Action
On the expo floor, innovation took center stage – and the debut of Petrosoft MCP (Model Context Protocol) was an undeniable hit.
Retailers across the country are eager to harness the power of artificial intelligence, but they face a common hurdle: safely connecting modern AI assistants to live store operations without compromising proprietary data. Petrosoft MCP changes that equation entirely:
- Secure AI Integration: Acts as an encrypted semantic layer connecting frontline AI tools directly to Petrosoft Cloud and CStoreOffice®.
- Live Operational Context: Translates natural-language questions – from inventory levels to real-time sales trends – into instant, live data queries without risky manual exports.
- Open Architecture: Gives operators the flexibility to run the business analytics tools they choose on top of their core operational data.
The booth traffic and hands-on interest confirmed that operators are ready to move past AI novelty and integrate practical, revenue-protecting automation into their everyday workflows.
Beyond the Booth: Connection, Community, and Collaboration
As impactful as the technology demos were, the real heartbeat of NACS was the community. From lively hallway encounters and intimate customer dinners to evening mixers, the week provided endless opportunities to reconnect with old friends and welcome new faces.
Conversations over dinner tables reflected the reality on the ground: store operators are navigating labor shifts, evolving fuel margins, and changing consumer habits, but they are meeting those challenges with remarkable optimism, creativity, and camaraderie.
Setting the Exclamation Point on 2026 – and Gearing Up for 2027
If NACS 2026 proved anything, it’s that our industry’s appetite for smart, connected systems has never been higher. This show served as the capstone to an incredible year of product development, strategic partnerships, and shared milestones.
More importantly, it established a strong launchpad. With open AI protocols, connected back-office automation, and forward-looking leadership steering the industry, 2027 is shaping up to be the landmark year for convenience and retail petroleum technology.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined us for dinner, or took the time to share their vision for the future. The road ahead is bright, and we’re proud to build it alongside you.
