You probably remember the good NAG (National Advisory Group).  You also probably remember the “not so good” NCSAG (National Convenience Store Advisory Group) as well.  After 10-years of ownership by a previous company (Penton Media) it was/is a largely defunct organization.

Things changed though, in 2007 because we (Harbor Communications) purchased CONVENIENCE STORE DECISIONS, and with it NCSAG.  At the time of the purchase we knew the potential of NAG, but we felt we had to reestablish the CSD brand before we turned our attention to NAG.

It’s now time to do that because over the last year-and-one-half some amazing things have happened….

• On a large percentage of our sales calls, there was a palpable demand for us to bring back NAG (the good NAG).

• On our visits to c-store chains, we were constantly queried on our plans for NAG

• The common theme in all these discussions was bringing back NAG where it was retailer-driven, peer-to-peer oriented, and ideally suited to the informational needs of the small to medium retailer.

Bill Kent (Kent Oil) and Scott Apter(Apter Industries) agreed to help us form an initial steering committee that met in Dallas a couple of months ago.  It was also attended by Jim Colucci (Altadis), David Johnson (Toot‘n Totum), Barry Latham (S. Abraham & Sons), Jimmy McCarthy (Tom Thumb), Jerry Rose (McLane Company), Donny Shadburn (Swisher International), Michael Zielinski (Royal Buying Group), Becky Shotwell (Stop-N-Go), and John MacDougall (Nice N Easy) and the feeling was very strong that we bring NAG back, but back the right way.

Our next-steps are to have a “NAG Reunion” with retailers that have played a central part of NAG’s success.  Bill and Scott mentioned you as one of the ‘movers and shakers” that made NAG what it was and we are inviting you to our reunion to be held November 8-10 at the Saddle brook Resort, a few miles outside of Tampa, FL.  Of course there will be strong social opportunities to see old friends, share past NAG success stories and play some golf, but the core purpose of the meeting is to set the principles and agenda for a revitalized NAG. Your input is critical to us doing this right so we hope you will come.  You can RSVP at info@nag-net.com or call / e-mail us.
Your attendance is essential to the revitalization and success of the new NAG, so we hope you can come.

Sincerely,