PDI Technologies will host its first PDI Connections Live next week, August 25-28, at the Gaylord National Resort in Washington, DC.
You may already be familiar with PDI’s annual event, the PDI Users Conference, which the company has hosted for 31 years. This year, the event not only has a new name, but the company says it will also offer more in-depth training and hands-on workshops. The goal is to increase opportunities to connect face-to-face with industry peers while also providing thought-provoking presentations for retailers.
The four-day networking and educational event includes:
- 150 training sessions, demos, workshops and learning opportunities.
- Networking opportunities.
- An exhibition.
- Other lively events, including evening events.
“The PDI Connections Live event is our way of seeing our brand come to life, bringing together over 1,000 people who are passionate and passionate about the same thing – our industry,” said Bethany Allee, Chief Marketing Officer at PDI Technologies. “It’s great to hear people not only talk about what PDI means to them, but what our industry means to them.”
Allee highlighted the event’s networking opportunities, pointing to numerous networking opportunities throughout the conference and during speed networking sessions broken down by roles and functions within the industry.
“One of the key takeaways I hear from attendees after the event is that they were able to connect with their peers. They talk about how incredible it is to talk to other people who are doing the same thing as them and who are willing to share and collaborate with them,” Allee said. “Even though everyone is in the same industry, people are really willing to collaborate, which is very refreshing. And you get to bring that to life at Connections Live.”
As important as networking is, PDI Connections Live is also an event dedicated to learning, Allee said. It’s an extension of the company’s PDI Connections platform, which she said is an “online community database where you can find best practices, ask questions or get reference documents,” as well as PDI University, an on-demand learning program with courses, seminars and discussions for customers that can be accessed year-round with an All Access Pass subscription.
“We have really interwoven training and networking,” she said.
Keynote speaker Mike Abrashoff will lead a session on leadership on Tuesday, August 27. Abrashoff is founder of leadership consulting firm Aegis Performance Group, author of four books on leadership, and a former U.S. Navy officer who developed “The Leadership Roadmap,” his principles for achieving cultural and performance excellence.
Training sessions at the event include:
- Apps matter! Practical mobile app strategies from leading retailers with Rovertown: In this session, taking place on both Sunday, August 25th from 3:15-4:15pm and Monday, August 26th from 4:10-5:10pm, retailers will discuss how to stay one step ahead with their mobile retail app.
- Industry Leadership: Over a Barrel Podcast: Join GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan for a live podcast recording on Monday, August 26th at 11am for a lively conversation about the oil and fuel markets and the impact of current events on the fuel station economics.
- Loss prevention through POS technology: This session on Monday, August 26th from 1:20pm to 2:30pm, led by John McCarthy of PDI, will discuss how POS technology can help your business detect and prevent losses.
- Insights to solve the biggest c-store challenges: This session will take place on Tuesday, August 27th from 8:15am to 9:15am and will provide a deeper understanding of how prospective and current PDI Insights subscribers can unlock additional revenue opportunities with suppliers.
- Industry leadership: Electric vehicles and alternative fuels of the future: Join us on Tuesday, August 27th from 9:35 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. for a panel discussion on the future of the convenience industry as electric vehicles and alternative fuels continue to take over the market.
- Industry leadership: Innovation, AI and new technologies: On Tuesday, August 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., participants will discuss how chatbots, data analysis, artificial intelligence and other new technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in the day-to-day operations of the convenience industry.
Attendees can earn continuing education (CPE) points for attending sessions. The full agenda can be found here.
On Wednesday, August 28, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Lori Buss Stillman, vice president of research and education at NACS, will host the Women in Convenience Breakfast, which will feature a panel discussion with Beth Strickland, director of human resources at PDI, Bobbi Cobb, retail division controller at Tri Star Energy LLC, and Erica Lynch, IT applications manager at Haffner’s/Energy North Group.
and other female industry leaders who share valuable lessons on embracing diversity, leading by example, driving innovation, and more.
The event also features a sponsor expo and entertainment opportunities, with a game night on Monday and “Big Night Out,” a customer appreciation event, on Tuesday.
For more information about PDI Connections Live 2024, click here.
