Retailers, partners gather for 2022 LP Gas Growth Summit

About 60 propane retailers and vendor partners gathered for one-on-one meetings as well as education and networking events at the seventh LP Gas Growth Summit, held Sept. 12-14 at Reunion Resort, outside Orlando, Florida.

LP Gas magazine launched the annual Growth Summit in 2015 as an avenue for propane retailers to form partnerships that help them expand into both traditional and new markets, and increase their operational efficiencies in serving a variety of customers. The Summit was held for the second time since the coronavirus pandemic canceled all events in 2020.

“Getting back to the in-person meetings, the networking, was something that really attracted me to this event,” says Steve Farkas of Sharp Energy. “[And] being able to reach out to vendors and have more one-on-one contact – in person, no Zoom, no Teams meetings – and get back to the true value of a networking environment, which this industry does very well.”

Photo by LP Gas staff

This year’s Growth Summit drew about 20 retail propane companies – representing 15 states – and 14 partners. The agenda on the first day featured boardroom presentations, during which partners introduced themselves and explained their offerings and solutions for the industry, and an evening welcome reception atop Reunion Resort’s Grande Tower.

“We were excited to see propane retailers come to the Growth Summit from so many different states,” says Brian Kanaba, publisher of LP Gas. “They came from coast to coast – from California to Delaware. This really allows for our attendees to learn from their industry peers about what they’re experiencing in their own part of the country, in addition to giving our partners a variety of companies to meet.”

One-on-one meetings between propane retailers and partners took place during both mornings of the Summit. Retailers visited partner suites at Reunion Resort’s Grande Tower for 20-minute meetings in which both sides gained knowledge about the industry.

“What motivated us to attend the LP Gas Growth Summit was to learn more about propane,” says Ryan Robbins of Button Holdings. “We are newer in the propane industry, and we recognize the tremendous growth opportunity within propane. We want to align ourselves with the best vendors and partners and move forward with what we see as a great growth industry.”

Adds Steve Passio of Button Holdings, “We have a lot of growth at our business. We’re building propane rail terminals and growing by way of acquisition. We’re going to have tremendous growth in the propane space, so we need to learn the blocking and tackling.”

The Rawls Group presented on the topic of employee morale and engagement. Kendall Rawls, the director of development and a second-generation employee, and Dan Iosue, a succession adviser, explained how companies can create a culture of leadership that inspires and motivates employees.

LP Gas Editor-in-Chief Brian Richesson moderated a propane retailer panel discussion on the final day. Panelists this year were Jason Edwards of Pacific States Petroleum, Ron Snyder of DCC Propane, Cathy Wallace of San Isabel Services Propane and Farkas of Sharp Energy.

Also during the Growth Summit, attendees participated in a golf outing at Reunion Resort’s Palmer Course and enjoyed a barbecue dinner.

Growth Summit partners this year were ADD Systems, Anova, Blue Cow Software, Cargas, Gray, Gray & Gray, IPS, Legacy Energy Consulting, LP Cylinder Service, Metsa, Otodata, Quality Steel, Rural Computer Consultants, Tiger Payment Solutions and Westmor.

“This is our first year attending,” says Kyle Sheehan of Rural Computer Consultants. “It’s been a great experience – a lot of one-on-one time, meeting new people and current customers. It’s fun going into these individual, one-on-one meetings and figuring out what are people looking for and having those conversations: ‘How is your business doing? Where can we help?’ Overall, we’ve had a great experience.”

Editor’s note: This article has been updated.