How the 2022 LP Gas Growth Summit unfolds

Defining the Summit

The LP Gas Growth Summit, formed in 2015 as an avenue for propane industry members to build propane partnerships, is a unique networking event for retail propane decision-makers and vendor partners. Retailers and partners network through prescheduled one-on-one meetings and other events over 2.5 days of the Summit. LP Gas offers retailers a complimentary participation package that includes two nights of lodging, meals and golf.

Preparations

LP Gas Publisher Brian Kanaba and Editor-in-Chief Brian Richesson accompany events manager Allison Blong from North Coast Media headquarters in Cleveland to Reunion Resort, outside Orlando, Florida. Once on-site, they take inventory of package deliveries and materials and work to finalize partner suite locations in the resort’s Grande Tower, where the one-on-one meetings between propane retailers and partners will take place. They also prepare welcome bags, name badges and folders.

The Growth Summit takes place at Reunion Resort, outside Orlando, Florida. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

DAY 1

Arrivals and registration
Propane retailer attendees and partners, along with the rest of the LP Gas staff, arrive from across the U.S. Notably, retailers attending the Summit this year represent 15 states – from California to Delaware. Attendance for this year’s Growth Summit totals about 60.

Boardroom presentations
Boardroom presentations during the afternoon mark the first official event of the Summit. In the boardrooms, the spotlight shines on each of this year’s 14 partners, who, one by one, present a quick-hitting overview of their offerings and solutions for propane retailers. This is a good time for partner representatives to introduce themselves to the full group. Two sessions of propane industry trivia present a refresher of timely topics. For example, the industry sold more than 9.44 billion gallons of propane in 2020, the latest year for available data.

Propane retailers gather for partner presentations during the boardroom session. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

Welcome reception
In the evening, attendees enjoy a welcome reception, including dinner and drinks, atop the Grande Tower’s Eleven Restaurant. This is a good chance for everyone to settle in, relax and meet in a comfortable environment.

Attendees meet and greet at the welcome reception. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

DAY 2

Guest speakers
Over the years, a variety of guest speakers have kickstarted the full day of the Growth Summit. They’ve spoken about propane markets such as autogas and agriculture, gallon-growing strategies and propane supply plans. This year added to that variety. During a hot buffet breakfast, Kendall Rawls and Dan Iosue of The Rawls Group presented about employee morale and engagement. Rawls, the director of development and a second-generation employee, and Iosue, a succession adviser, explain how companies can create a culture of leadership that inspires and motivates employees. “People want to be part of something meaningful and feel like they’re making a difference,” Iosue says.

The Rawls Group presents on employee morale and engagement. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

One-on-one meetings
Soon after the speakers’ presentation, propane retailers and partners begin their one-on-one meetings in partner suites. This year, attendees have about 20 individual meetings on their schedules, which they receive upon arrival at the Summit. Each meeting lasts 20 minutes as retailers rotate between the partner suites. Partners have the flexibility to conduct meetings however they’d like within their respective suites. That might include demonstrations on computer monitors or simply holding discussions in the comfortable confines of the expansive suite. Breaks in the schedule allow retailers to relax in the LP Gas Lounge, where they can mingle with one another while enjoying light refreshments.

Propane retailers visit partner suites for 20-minute, one-on-one meetings. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

Golf outing and barbecue
When the one-on-one meetings conclude for the day, retailers and partners grab a box lunch at the driving range and prepare for a golf outing, held this year on Reunion Resort’s Palmer Course. Following the scramble, attendees enjoy a barbecue dinner with music at the resort’s Seven Eagles pool pavilion. After dinner, it’s common to see attendees engage in friendly cornhole matches.

Attendees enjoy a golf scramble at Reunion Resort. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

DAY 3

Panel discussion
LP Gas Editor-in-Chief Brian Richesson moderates a propane retailer panel discussion during breakfast. Panelists this year are, from left, Cathy Wallace of San Isabel Services Propane, Ron Snyder of DCC Propane, Steve Farkas of Sharp Energy and Jason Edwards of Pacific States Petroleum. The panel addresses a variety of topics, including labor challenges, fuel costs and lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic.

LP Gas moderates a retailer panel discussion. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

One-on-one meetings
Meetings between retailers and partners conclude on the final day of the Summit. The meetings are designed as a way for retailers and partners to learn about each other and ask key questions. Partners can inquire about the issues and challenges of retail propane operations. Retailers can inquire about how partners can help address a need – whether retailers are looking to diversify their offerings, improve efficiencies and/or grow gallons year-round. Retailers and partners often are meeting for the first time, but the Summit also gives retailers and partners who are already doing business a chance to strengthen relationships and address pressing issues. By the end of the event, retailers will have met with every partner.

Departures
Following the final meeting slot, attendees prepare to return home, having made new propane partnerships while strengthening others. It’s not uncommon for LP Gas staff to hear success stories about how retailers and partners who are now working together first met at the Growth Summit. The Summit is where they built that propane partnership.