INSIDE WASHINGTON
Advocacy in Action: A Day on the Hill ‘Sharing your story gives lawmakers the chance to understand how their decisions affect your daily life.’ BY ESMERALDA OROZCO
A
t NACS Day on the Hill, the convenience industry comes together to tell its story to elected officials in Washington, D.C. The event builds valuable, longlasting relationships and is an opportunity for NACS members to advocate directly on the issues most important to them. Last year, Paige FicklerCleveland, general manager at Fickler Oil Company and a member of the NACS Retail Engagement Committee, attended the event for the first time.
20 FEBRUARY 2026 convenience.org
HOW FAMILIAR WERE YOU WITH THE ADVOCACY EFFORTS OF NACS BEFORE COMING TO DAY ON THE HILL? My understanding was that NACS worked closely with large retailers on issues affecting the industry, but I didn’t fully understand how much they rely on retailers of all sizes to advocate for the issues key to our industry. Learning that my voice mattered just as much as anyone else’s was eye-opening.
Advocacy is for everyone. Your voice matters. BEFORE ATTENDING, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT THE EXPERIENCE TO BE LIKE? People told me that NACS Day on the Hill was one of NACS’ best events and rewarding. I trusted what I was being told, but at the