Macon, Georgia- For the ninth year in a row, Macon will host over 800 convenience store and petroleum retailers throughout Georgia and the Southeast, who are here for the Southern Convenience Store & Petroleum Show at the Macon Centreplex. The event, sponsored by the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, is being held October 19-20,2011 and is expected to generate thousands of dollars in expenditures for Macon area businesses. Jim Tudor, President of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores (GACS), noted "We are pleased to again call Macon our home for the show and hope that retailers from throughout our state will take advantage of its central location and participate in this year's event."

The tradeshow is not open to the public; however, free admission is offered for convenience store and petroleum retailers. Retailers can register online at www.gacs.com or on-site during the event. Show hours at the Macon Centreplex are noon-5 p.m. on Wednesday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday. All media is invited to attend the tradeshow on both days.

The theme of this year's show is "Pathway to Profits." According to Tudor, "In today's challenging retail environment, businesses are struggling to increase sales and profits. There will be more than 200 exhibitor booths at the Centreplex for retailers offering products and services designed to help them meet this challenge. To support the theme, a number of exhibitors will be offering onsite show specials for attending retailers."

Free retailer seminars will also be offered, Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 10-11 a.m. and Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 9:30-11 a.m.

The Georgia Association of Convenience Stores is ranked fifth in the nation for the number of convenience store locations in the state. GACS membership includes retail managers, owners and operators of both traditional and petroleum marketing operations. GACS is the only organization in Georgia for professionals engaged in petroleum marketing and convenience store management. For more information about GACS visit www.gacs.com.