Inside the LP Gas Growth Summit: Getting to know propane’s retail leaders

The LP Gas Growth Summit offers a closer look at what life is like on the inside of the propane industry. That’s one of my favorite parts about our annual event.

We get to know propane retailers on a personal and professional level. We’ve been fortunate to enjoy the same type of relationship with many of our partners since we launched the summit in 2015.

Each year, we welcome a mostly new group of retail propane company leaders to Reunion Resort in the Orlando, Florida, area. Months before many of our attendees hop on a plane or begin their road trip to Orlando, we’re having a conversation with them – not only about our event but about their business, the industry and the future. We discover a lot about them, and we’ll often know right away if they’re a prime candidate to attend the summit.

Many desire to attend because they are hungry for knowledge, resources and new avenues for growth. Many have projects already in the works or are in the process of formulating their plans. Either way, they can benefit from gaining the insight of a partner company or an industry peer doing the same type of work but maybe in a different part of the country. And we at LP Gas feel fortunate to have the opportunity to gather these company leaders for 2.5 days in Florida.

▶ Professional approach

In our 11 years of holding the summit, propane retailer attendees have shared a long list of projects and propane applications they’re undertaking in their businesses.

On the operations side, that list encompasses new storage plants, office locations and expansions; software and other technology upgrades (with tank monitoring being a consistent emphasis for retailers); fleet or other equipment upgrades and an interest in autogas; and operational improvements through the use of artificial intelligence.

Regarding growth applications, retailers have cited oil-to-propane conversions, goals to expand their residential or commercial business or launch an appliance sales, installation and service division. In recent years, more retailers have expressed an interest in power generation applications. Some also want to grow through acquisition or think further outside the box with untapped opportunities. And some realize the importance of marketing techniques to help spur that growth.

“There is going to be more opportunities for propane. We just need to be ready for it,” says Don Chagnon of Townsend Energy, who joined our panel discussion at this year’s summit.

▶ On a personal level

Before we spend time with retailers at the summit, we get to know them initially through our introductory calls and a short Q&A they complete for their program bios.

We ask them about how they got their start in propane, what they like to do outside the office and the best advice they ever received, among other questions. The latter question is one of my favorites because it provides a feel for what’s important to each retailer.

A sampling of answers:

⦁ “Always leave things in a better place than you found them.”

⦁ “You’ll regret the things you don’t do more than the things you did.”

⦁ “Do the right thing, especially when no one is looking.”

⦁ “Control the controllable.”

⦁ “Always be willing to do something yourself that you would ask someone else to do.”

⦁ “Every gallon we deliver bears your name. Conduct yourself accordingly.”

⦁ “Never forget to say ‘thank you.’”

So to all of the propane retailers and partners who attended the 2026 LP Gas Growth Summit – thank you. We hope you, your businesses and the industry are better for it. We’re already looking forward to 2027.

Check out our recap of this year’s Growth Summit and let us know if you’re interested in joining us next year.

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