New Tools to Get to ‘Know Your Industry’

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

How do you really get to KNOW an industry like food retail? You can work in it, but that might only give you one point of view about the industry. You can read about food retail, but you’d need to read a lot to understand both the history and present-day challenges facing the industry. What if you could LEARN FROM the industry? I’m not suggesting having an existential conversation with “the industry,” but something akin to picking the brain of seasoned industry experts.

By: Carol Abel, Vice President of Education Program Development, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/food02-003_vi1_042518_11x17.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=805d496e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Food Retail Learning Map Experience " title="Food Retail Learning Map Experience " style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> How do you really get to KNOW an industry like food retail? You can work in it, but that might only give you one point of view about the industry. You can read about food retail, but you’d need to read a lot to understand both the history and present-day challenges facing the industry. What if you could LEARN FROM the industry? I’m not suggesting having an existential conversation with “the industry,” but something akin to picking the brain of seasoned industry experts. During the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/certificates-and-development/future-leaders-experience">Future Leaders eXperience</a> later this month, nearly 400 participants will take part in the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/certificates-and-development/food-retail-learning-map-experience">Food Retail Learning Map Experience</a> – an interactive module that features a giant map full of visual landmarks symbolizing different facets of food retail. Along with the map, a series of cards containing a mix of industry facts and quizzes will prompt participants to discuss and share viewpoints on issues that are impacting the food retail industry today. Probing questions will help attendees understand challenges, opportunities and trends impacting food retail strategy, with the goal of brainstorming potential solutions to share with peers. This map experience, developed by FMI in collaboration with <a href="https://www.rootinc.com/">Root Inc.</a>, is a little like sitting down with each FMI subject matter expert and diving into the latest issues facing their programmatic area—from sustainability to food safety to industry collaboration—and learning about industry history and trends from our seasoned staff librarian all at once. By the end, you KNOW the food retail industry.   “The map experience gives participants a different way to engage with their people than just going to a conference,” said Dave Croci, director of leadership development at <a href="https://www.rootinc.com/">Root Inc.</a>, FMI’s partner in creating and developing the Future Leaders program. “It helps teach individuals the mindsets they need to lead successfully and the skills they need to deliver the results.” The <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/certificates-and-development/food-retail-learning-map-experience">Food Retail Learning Map Experience</a>, part of both the three-day <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/certificates-and-development/future-leaders-experience">Future Leaders eXperience</a> and the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/certificates-and-development/future-leaders-direct">Future Leaders Direct</a> program, is just one way food retail is arming itself with the tools it needs for the real work ahead in executing against new strategies. A unique feature of the learning map is that it is a module that food retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers can bring to their in-house curriculum as an orientation or training tool. <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/certificates-and-development/food-retail-learning-map-experience" class="button-secondary">Learn More About Our Future Leaders Learning Opportunities</a> <a href="https://www.fmi.org/events-education/certificates-and-development/future-leaders-experience" class="button">Joins Us at Future Leaders eXperience</a>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.