Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/414216
14 Oil Prophets We are pleased to announce that the Mississippi Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Stores Association will join Alabama and Louisiana at the 2015 Gulf Coast Food and Fuel Expo - March 11-12, 2015, in Biloxi! The Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama are excited about the prospect of a 3-State event that will truly make this a Regional Trade Show. P&CMA President, Bart Fletcher says "We intend to beef up educational offerings so that there is really a valid Return on Investment for those attending the meeting." These enhanced educational opportunities, along with Trade Show Networking prospects, will allow us to make this a "mini NACS." As our members are aware, the NACS show (National Association of Convenience Stores) typically has thousands of exhibitors and is often in Las Vegas. We are excited about the prospect of our own Gulf Coast version. Natalie Isaacks, Executive Director of the Louisiana Association, says "Our Louisiana members are pleased to welcome our Mississippi associates to the Expo. Adding this Mississippi ingredient creates a perfect regional blend for both attendees and exhibitors. We continue to escalate higher with each show we produce." Phillip Chamblee, Executive Director of Mississippi Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Stores Association, says "Our members are very pleased with the decision to join their counterparts in Alabama and Louisiana for this exciting event," says Philip A Chamblee, Executive Director of the Mississippi Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores Association. "We feel that by adding our state's members and resources the trade show attendance will grow from day one, and all will benefit in a variety of ways." Bart emphasizes that "This takes it up a notch - it's much more than a single- state stand-alone trade show." Multi-state trade shows are becoming a trend with other associations throughout the United States. With shows such as Southeast Petro in the Carolinas and Virginia, and MPact (consisting of many states in the Midwest), many associations are recognizing the value of combining efforts to present one big show, rather than individual states' stand- alone tradeshows. From our own trade show perspective, this Expo is expected to get the interest of a much larger audience than in years past. Bart adds, "For the expense of just one show, exhibitors get much Get Ready Industry Show in "Adding this Mississippi ingredient creates a perfect regional blend for both attendees and exhibitors. We continue to escalate higher with each show we produce."