TFCA's 94th Annual Convention
Isle-of-Palms, South Carolina at Wild Dunes Resort
September 14-18, 2024
September 14-18, 2024
Join TFCA on the Carolina Coast...
It's what you have been waiting for - Registration is now open for the 94th Annual Convention in Isle-of-Palms, South Carolina! A beach resort unlike any other, Wild Dunes offers panoramic coastal views, inspiring amenities and easy access to Isle of Palms beach. From award-winning golf and tennis to refreshing pools; delicious on-site dining to memorable outdoor adventures, your quintessential beach escape awaits at Charleston’s Island Resort. We will have several days of industry education, including the latest in renewable fuels and an election forecast. We have built in plenty of time in between for adventures including walking food tour of Charleston, an in-shore fishing trip excursion, and a sunset dinner boat cruise for our next generation members. This is a family-friendly event so please feel free to bring along your spouse and children. Extend your stay before and after and relax at the beach or explore downtown Charleston - there are endless things to do here. We can't wait to see you on the Carolina Coast this September!
Event PricingConvention Member Registration - $850 Non-Member Registration - $1,100 Spouse Registration - $450 Child or Babysitter Registration (Ages 5-12) - $250 Teen Registration (Ages 12-17) - $300 Next Gen Member Registration - $325 Guest Registration - Sunset Boat Cruise & Dinner Only - $200 Excursions Fishing Trip - $400 Downtown Charleston Walking Food Tour - $325 |
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Wild Dunes Resort Reservations
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Call to Reserve Your Room:
877-624-3654 or 866-359-5593, Option 2 $339/night The room block is almost sold out and the hotel is sold out outside our block. Reserve your room now to ensure your spot! There are only 2 and 3-bedroom condos left. Note: If you have already reserved your room in the Sweetgrass Inn but would like to upgrade to a beach condo under the block rate, please call Wild Dunes to make the switch. Some condos are not walking distance to the event functions in the hotel. Please keep this in mind when changing or making reservations. The hotel provides a convenient shuttle, offers golf carts for rent, or there are free parking options near the meeting space. Check in: 4 p.m. Check out: 11 a.m. Hotel FAQs |
Schedule
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Sunday, Sept. 15 1 - 4 p.m. Board Meeting 4 p.m. Marketer Business Meeting - Elect Officers - Financial Report 5 p.m. Opening Reception / Main Registration Opens 7 p.m. Vendor Dinners Monday. Sept. 16 8 a.m. Breakfast Buffet 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Education Sessions Fuel Deep Dive
- Brand representatives are welcome to contact TFCA with local restaurant suggestions. Free Afternoon for Golf, Tennis, Pool or Beach Time 5 p.m. Past Presidents Reception 6 p.m. Supplier Dinners 9 - 11 p.m. Club TFCA |
Tuesday, Sept. 17 8 a.m. Fellowship Breakfast Buffet 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Education Sessions
8 p.m. Silent Auction Closes 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. Club TFCA Wednesday, Sept. 18 11 a.m. Hotel Check Out and Depart |
Optional Excursions
Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 12 - 5 p.m.
Downtown Charleston Walking Culinary Tour
This 2.5-hour food tour explores Charleston’s Historic French Quarter, offering the tastiest of Charleston’s history and food while walking some of the oldest streets in America! The tour includes a chartered bus from the hotel to downtown. There will be extra time after for some shopping the Charleston City Market before heading back to Wild Dunes for dinner. Tour groups of 8-12. $325 |
In-Shore Fishing Trip
Experience an unforgettable journey aboard a guided fishing charter that promises awe-inspiring moments. Local expert fishermen, deeply rooted in the area, specialize in inshore bay fishing, ensuring a fantastic outing. The waters along the Charleston coast teem with abundant fish, including Redfish, Speckled Trout, Mackerel, Sheepshead, Bonita, Snapper, Amberjack, and Sharks just to name a few, guaranteeing a rewarding catch to remember! Boxed lunch and beverages provided. Tour groups of 3. $400 |
Next Gen Program
Education with Russ Adcox of Highland Corporation & Sunset Boat Cruise
Saturday, Sept. 14 - Sunday, Sept. 15
Saturday, Sept. 14 - Sunday, Sept. 15
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Embark on a sunset cruise through the serene waterways of Charleston's beautiful bay for relaxation and camaraderie with your fellow next gen members. As we watch the sun set, we will enjoy an authentic LowCountry shrimp boil, barbeque pork sliders, and unlimited beer and wine. Back on land, hear from TFCA all-time favorite Russ Adcox who serves on the Board at Highland Corporation and as the Senior Pastor of Maury Hills Church in Columbia. Using his unique perspective in both ministry and business, Russ has carefully crafted this seminar to impart the unique leadership and communication skills needed to run a family business. As a future leader, ensure you are equipped not only with a new big picture perspective, but also with a deep understanding of your company's values and how you match those goals. This program is designed for TFCA's Next Gen, but is open to all TFCA members and is not one to miss!
Next Gen Schedule
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Saturday, Sept. 14
4 - 6 p.m. Education with Russ Adcox Session 1: Defining the Win Clarifying the "why" behind the "what" and the "how." So much of business is focused on the latter two objectives, but it's the "why" that gets us up in the morning. We'll talk about purpose vs. profit and help participants define the higher purpose of their work and the company's activities. We'll focus on how to define our values (what's important to us) and then how to lead according to those values. Session 2: Communicating for Change How to communicate with others in a way that encourages them to share your vision/values and help you bring them to reality. It is important to define our values, but they are only as effective as your ability to communicate them in a way that inspires others. 7 - 9 p.m. Sunset Boat Cruise and Dinner |
Sunday, Sept. 15
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Education with Russ Adcox Session 3: Family Owned, Operated & Argued Over How to navigate the close (and sometimes difficult) relationships that come with family-owned or closely-held small businesses. We'll start with a review of Lencioni's "Five Dysfunctions of a Team" and move into real-world examples of who we've manage these complexities in our own family and company. We'll share hits, misses, and the stuff we're still trying to figure out. This session will include conversation about succession planning, healthy conflict, work/life balance, etc. It will also include a panel discussion with Russ Adcox, Seth Blanks, current CEO of Highland Corporation; and David Adcox, immediate past CEO and current Chairman of the Board. |
Next Gen Speaker:
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Russ Adcox
Senior Pastor, Maury Hills Church / Board Member, Highland Corporation Russ Adcox holds a degree in Business Administration from Lipscomb University and a M.A. in Ministry from Harding School of Theology. Since 2004, he's served as the Senior Pastor of the Maury Hills Church in Columbia, TN. His primary duties involve teaching, strategic leadership and management of the 1,000 member church's staff and volunteers. Before that, he spent five years working in the family business as the General Manager of Retail for Highland Corporation and continues to be involved in the company through the Board of Directors. He also serves as the immediate Past Chair of the Maury County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance and contributes to numerous non-profit boards in Maury County. His unique blend of ministry and business experience helps him relate to people in any organization. |
General Session Speakers:
Monday, Sept. 16
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Des Carlisle
Chief of Staff, Kimbro Companies Executive Director, Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance Des serves as the Executive Director for the Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance (SHEA) where she collaborates with invested stakeholders from 10 different states to drive collaboration and innovation, increase education, and enable change and adoption in the hydrogen industry. Des has been integral to driving the relaunch of the SHEA organization, as she has brought the existing SHEA board and the Kimbro family together to spark a refreshed trajectory for the organization. Des also serves as Chief of Staff at Kimbro Companies, where she leads multiple efforts to achieve business efficiencies while also keeping an eye on the market to identify potential new business ventures. Before joining Kimbro, Des began her career through a decade of experience at Southwestern Energy, where she held multiple roles in the organization. Des currently lives in Nashville, Tenn. with her husband, and holds a BA in Energy Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Oklahoma. |
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Mike Sims
Vice President of Commercial Affairs, Colonial Pipeline Mike Sims is Vice President of Commercial Affairs at Colonial, where he leads the Colonial Pipeline Commercial Affairs Team and the COLPipe Marketing affiliate. Mike joined Colonial in May 2024. An experienced leader in the midstream sector with nearly 30 years of experience in the energy industry, Mike is focused on engaging with Colonial’s shippers and customers, identifying and implementing organic growth opportunities, and building out the COLPipe Marketing team as the affiliate grows. Prior to joining Colonial, Mike spent nine years at Kinder Morgan leading multiple commercial teams responsible for the company’s crude oil pipelines, crude oil and transmix processing assets, and crude oil marketing functions – standing up and managing its affiliated trading and marketing business. Mike has also held leadership roles at TEPPCO Partners and Enterprise Products in commercial midstream asset management, business development, business strategy, trading/marketing and acquisition arenas. Mike started his career as a consultant at Ernst & Young and holds a bachelor’s degree in business analysis from Texas A&M University. Presentation: Colonial Pipeline Mike Sims will briefly discuss Colonial's industry roots along with our footprint and services in Tennessee. Mike will focus on Colonial’s advocacy & long-term optimism for pipelines, gasoline, diesel, home heating oil, jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and other renewable fuels. |
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Jeff Earl
Director of State Governmental Affairs, Clean Fuels Jeff Earl manages Clean Fuels’ team of professionals responsible for government affairs in all 50 states. Earl engages in technical analysis of issues associated with biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel while representing the interests of Clean Fuels’ members to state regulatory bodies, legislatures and non-governmental organizations. Since joining Clean Fuels in 2021, Earl has successfully led efforts to create new programs promoting the use and production of biodiesel and renewable diesel throughout the Midwest. Earl comes to Clean Fuels Alliance America from the Office of Missouri Governor, where he served as legislative director. Previously, he held leadership positions with the Department of Corrections and Office of the State Auditor. Earl lives in Jefferson City, Missouri and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and mass communications from Southeast Missouri State University. |
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Lance Irwin
VP, Partnerships and Project Development, Seven States Power Corporation Irwin joined Seven States from the Electric Power Board (EPB) of Chattanooga, where he most recently served as Director of Energy Solutions Technology. Prior to EPB, Irwin served as Director of Global Utility and Renewables Market Strategy at Schneider Electric, a multinational company providing energy and automation digital solutions. Irwin has extensive experience developing and implementing forward-looking strategies and has worked with customers to find solutions that solve complex problems, add value, and grow their business. Irwin is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in electrical and computer engineering. He resides in Knoxville, TN. |
Tuesday, Sept. 17
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Chip Saltsman
Political Strategist and CEO, Red Dog Media John “Chip” Saltsman, Jr. is a political strategist and CEO of Red Dog Media. Saltsman is widely respected in Republican circles for his successful history in various elections at all levels. Saltsman serves as CEO of Red Dog media, which is a full operation media and consulting firm. For the last three election cycles, Red Dog has produced and placed television and digital advertising for gubernatorial, congressional, state house, and issue campaigns across the southeast. Chip began his political career following his graduation from Christian Brothers University, to work with then Congressman Don Sunquist. He was a key member of the 1994 election campaign for Governor Sunquist. In 1998, Saltsman was elected Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party and faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge as he led the fight to defeat then-Vice President Al Gore in his home state of Tennessee, where Gore and his father had served Tennessee in the Senate a combined 26 years. Saltsman’s hard work and political leadership ensured George W. Bush’s victory in Tennessee, saving the Florida recount and narrow vote margin from being just an interesting footnote. Following his time as Chairman, Saltsman served as Senior Political Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist at VOLPAC, a political action committee chaired by Frist, dedicated to the recruitment and support of Republican candidates for political offices nationwide. In 2007, Saltsman would become the National Campaign Manager for Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign. In 2010 and 2012, Saltsman served as General Consultant to Congressman Chuck Fleischmann’s underdog victories in Tennessee’s 3rd District. In-between those campaigns, he served as Fleischmann’s chief-of-staff. In the 2022 election cycle, he played pivotal roles in various campaigns across the southeast. He served as the media consultant for the Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Governor campaign. Saltsman was the general consultant for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, leading to a historic 74-seat supermajority victory. He also is the chief strategist for Speaker Cameron Sexton and Congressman David Kustoff. Most recently, Chip spent time in Iowa and New Hampshire again as the National Campaign Chairman for Mike Pence for President. Outside of politics, Saltsman has been active in the world of private equity, with a focus on real estate investment. In 2023, he was appointed as Commissioner of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, which is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife in Tennessee. He is also involved in several Middle Tennessee charities. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Katie, and their two children in Nashville. |
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Dean Rhoades
First Vice President Director of Special Projects – Risk Management, Federated Insurance Dean began his career as a premium auditor in March of 1987. Dean has held many different roles in the Field Services department on the audit and risk management side over the past 37 years in Atlanta, Phoenix, and Federated's home office in Minnesota. He and his wife Jeanne have recently relocated back to Phoenix where he is focused on enhanced risk management resources. In Dean’s most recent role as Director Of Field Services, he was responsible for the risk management deliverable for all of Federated and our 46,000 plus clients. Dean also served on Federated corporate teams focused on promotion and implementation strategies specific to our commercial line’s operation. Presentation: Risk Management Culture At the heart of any strong risk management program is the business's culture. Culture is comprised of many things, including a company's mission, vision, operational initiatives, goals and objectives, and much more. We will discuss how culture begins at the top with strong leadership, enables educated employees to be empowered to make sound decisions, and ends with all employees taking control and being held accountable for their actions. We will show how a strong risk management culture can have a positive financial impact! Finally, we will challenge participants to think about their current risk management programs and ask themselves if their positive results are attributed to being lucky or being good. |
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