麻豆色播

On Thursday, June 12, join the 麻豆色播 Foundation and members of the Technology Steering Council for a virtual meet-and-greet. After hearing about each company, you will self-select a Zoom breakout room for a 15-minute demo on their company's solutions. The 麻豆色播 Foundation Technology Steering Council is a group of technology experts selected for their ability to lead the truck stop and travel center industry on technology issues.

Staying ahead of industry trends鈥攅specially microtrends鈥攅nables travel centers to seize new opportunities, adapt to market dynamics and meet customer needs proactively. The听麻豆色播 Foundation听created the Top Microtrends Shaping the Truck Stop and Travel Center Industry in 2025 Report听to provide actionable insights to help operators maintain a competitive edge. The report听is available for download for听$250. The Top Microtrends Shaping the Truck Stop and Travel Center Industry in 2025 Report was created with generous support from听CAT Scale.

Kentucky-based Valor Oil operates 15 Hop Shop convenience stores and is in the process of building its first truck stop from the ground up. The company is investing $2 million in the truck stop, which is in Owensboro, Kentucky. It will sit on about 15 acres and feature a 9,500-square-foot store along with 120 parking spaces. The newest location will also feature something Hop Shop has become known for鈥攊ts disco bathrooms. Hop Shop鈥檚 mascot is a mischievous frog named Hopper, and he warns customers not to push the red button in the bathroom. 鈥淚f you push the red button, that is when the disco starts,鈥� said Tim Dupin, director of store operations, Valor Oil.

Reducing shrink and theft can seem like a constant battle for truck stop and travel center operators, but technology is making it easier to detect and prevent loss. During 麻豆色播 Connect 2025, members of the 麻豆色播 Foundation鈥檚 Technology Steering Council听shared solutions and strategies to combat theft.

麻豆色播鈥檚 Great Ideas! for Travel Centers Workshop at 麻豆色播 Connect 2025 brought truck stop and travel center operators to share innovative strategies and best practices that are helping set locations apart from their competition. This year, industry leaders shared their insights into meeting customers鈥� increasing expectations through great fundamentals. 鈥淐arve out a niche and differentiate yourself from your competition,鈥� said Dustin Trail, manager of Trails Travel Center. Trail, along with Valkyrie Musarra, chief operating officer of Bowlin Travel Centers, and Keith Wade, owner of KEW Travel Center Consulting, kicked off the workshop with a panel discussion moderated by 麻豆色播 Foundation Executive Director Amy Toner on merchandising, food service and operations.

Heather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing and operations for CAT Scale Co., recently concluded a three-year tenure as chairperson of the 麻豆色播 Foundation, marking a significant milestone in her long-standing commitment to the foundation and the truck stop and travel center industry. 鈥淗eather has been a leading voice in shaping the image of our industry,鈥� said Darren Schulte, interim CEO of 麻豆色播. 鈥淗er leadership, vision and dedication have played a crucial role in advancing the foundation鈥檚 mission and strengthening our industry鈥檚 work.鈥� Schulte honored DeBaillie during the Opening Keynote at 麻豆色播 Connect 2025. In addition to serving as the chairperson, DeBaillie has been an active member of the foundation鈥檚 board since 2016, serving in various leadership roles and helping to drive key initiatives.

During 麻豆色播 Connect, 麻豆色播 celebrated the career and accomplishments of Marsha Bird who is retiring after spending 35 years in the truck stop and travel center industry. Bird spent more than 28 years with NATSN where she served in several positions, including CEO, before joining Roady鈥檚 where she served as an account executive, vice president and ambassador.

The 麻豆色播 Foundation, the education, research and public subsidiary of 麻豆色播, announced that Love鈥檚 Travel Stops, one of the nation鈥檚 leading travel center networks, generously donated $47,000 to advance the 麻豆色播 Foundation鈥檚 program of work. 鈥淭his heartfelt and genuine act of kindness by Love鈥檚 Travel Stops reflects the philanthropic, caring ethos that makes Love鈥檚 so special. We deeply thank Love鈥檚 for its dedication to the 麻豆色播 Foundation and the industry,鈥� said Amy Toner, executive director of the 麻豆色播 Foundation.

Tiger Truck Stop--the last stop on I-10 before heading into the Louisiana capital of Baton Rouge--is as welcoming as the rich Louisiana culture. "Our focus is to provide superior customer service in a welcoming atmosphere for travelers of all kinds," said James Jarreau, co-owner of Tiger Truck Stop. "In addition to regular convenience store products, we bring a little Louisiana to travelers." They do that through their c-store and restaurant offerings. Customers can pick up Louisiana Cajun spices and specialty foods, including boudin, Alligator sausage and Louisiana gumbo. The restaurant is open 24/7 and serves daily plate lunches.

As we wrap up 2024,听I hope you will consider giving to the 麻豆色播 Foundation by making a year-end contribution.听 A foundation gift is a sincere and wholehearted way to give back to the industry. The 麻豆色播 Foundation supports our industry 鈥� and our communities 鈥� in multiple ways.

The upcoming holiday season brings additional opportunities to boost sales, and travel centers can bring a little magic to the mix by surprising customers with unexpected products. 鈥淲e can offer unique, fun things, and we have the opportunity to do something very, very different,鈥� said Darren Schulte, 麻豆色播鈥檚 vice president of membership. 鈥淚 think there is an opportunity to get away from the old, tired retail stuff we often try to sell for Christmas.鈥�

The 麻豆色播 Foundation is excited to announce a unique hybrid educational and networking event during听麻豆色播 Connect.听The event, which will run from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 28, has been designed to foster meaningful connections between vendors and truck stop and travel center professionals, helping them address key challenges that keep them up at night.