The Really Big Expo

I look forward to attending the annual Southeast Petro-Food Marketing Exposition in Myrtle Beach each year.  It's an opportunity to get a glance at new technology, spend sometime with some of our business partners and possibly meet some new friends.  The show also offers trade seminars,  a variety of food samples and an occasional celebrity sighting.


Back in the day we took a day to visit the show in Charlotte and run through the show floor glancing at vendors.   The show and missions have changed to include a golf tournament fundraiser, many meetings and a chance to take in a couple of beautiful Myrtle Beach sunrises.

About the show: 
The nation’s largest regional petroleum and c-store show continues the spring date started in 2001. Approximately 1500 buyers attended last year from throughout the southeast. Each year more than 400 exhibit companies offer equipment, products and services to petroleum marketers and convenience store owners and managers. Of course, the latest in products and services will be on display.

The twenty-ninth annual Southeast Petro-Food Marketing Exposition is sponsored by the following organizations:

North Carolina Petroleum & Convenience Marketers
South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores
South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association
Virginia Petroleum, Convenience & Grocery Association

These four associations boast membership of over 1200 members operating over 10,000 convenience stores and service stations.

My return to the game of golf.

Several years ago I played the game of golf as much as I could, but not frequent enough to become a great player.  I continued because I enjoyed the game and love being outdoors.  Other commitments pulled me away from the courses and I lost what little I had.  I may have played 2 or 3 times during the past 5 years and still had a good time even though my game was terrible. I had given my clubs away a long time ago and the few times I've played since were on borrowed clubs.  I was recently volunteered to play during a fundraiser tournament at Myrtlewood Golf Club in Myrtle Beach SC.  I was honestly glad to have the chance to get back into the game.  This was a fundraiser and I didnt feel any pressure to be great.  I borrowed a set of clubs from a co-worker (The guy who volunteered me to play) and spent a few evenings prior to the trip practicing.  During the night before the tournament I practiced in my backyard with plastic golf balls and felt pretty good about things.

Upon arriving to the golf course we had a good BBQ meal and then set out with three other guys to take a swing at the game.  I learned that one other player has been playing for a very short amount of time and I wasnt worried about being the only person take an occasional miss at the ball.  I had some good hits but still not as consistent as I'd like to be.   By then end of the day, I felt that I had played a decent game considering that I had not played in a long time.  We had a great time and the course was beautiful.  We had wonderful weather and I didn't sacrifice too many golf balls to the many water hazards throughout the course.    Somehow a cart died on the final hole and we had to push it back to the clubhouse. This was a huge laugh to top off the day.  The night before was the 1:00 am Daytona 500 Nascar race and we decided that bump drafting the cart around the course was appropriate. I was happy that our team finished with a score of 79. 

I am determined to keep the game of golf scheduled and add a new set of clubs to my list of toys this year.  Until then, my friend is letting me keep his old clubs so I can get some frequent practice.