Committee Makeup: The membership of the Innovation Research Committee (IRC) is comprised of engaged retailers, along with Conexxus staff and specific NACS staff members. Conexxus by-laws allow any non-member retailer to participate in IRC activities for up to one year, before a Gold or Silver membership is required. So even if you have never engaged with Conexxus, join IRC for a few meetings or calls to see the value this group provides to all retailers in our channel! Contact us at [email protected]
Mission Statement:
Identify and research emerging technologies and related innovations that promise future impact on our industry, bring forth new approached to technology implementations, and provide relevant content that fosters industry innovation and competitiveness. Through these efforts, support stakeholders, nurture collaboration and partnership, and positively impact potential industry outcomes.
The goals of the Innovation Research Committee are to:
- Serve as a roundtable of the industry’s best technologists and innovators (not just IT but any job title that involves innovation and technology) identifying and pursuing the most promising innovations.
- Organize and lead periodic field trips for IRC members to centers of innovation and engage with leading investors in new technologies relevant to the industry.
- Define the educational agenda - including topics, content and speakers - for technology/innovation-related educational sessions held during Conexxus and NACS events.
- Maintain a rolling technology “road map” that brings clarity to the fast-paced, and often confusing, changes in the industry’s technology ecosystem. From identifying capabilities that unleash innovation to handicapping the impact of emerging technologies; the Technology Road Map serves as the best consensus thinking on how and when our technology needs to adapt.
The committee typically meets bi-weekly via conference call, and face to face at Conexxus Annual Conference and when work items require.
Leadership: The Innovation Research Committee Chair is Mr. Doug New of Nouria Energy, CIO. The Vice-Chair is Don Emery, CHS/Cenex. Staff liaison is Ed Collupy, Innovation Facilitator.