There is some truth to the common saying that “you are what you eat.” But let’s face it. Most of what you eat passes through you. What you learn, however, stays with you. Knowledge accumulates. And, unlike food, more knowledge is better! Your knowledge defines you more than anything else. That is not to say that you always will be what you are now. You should never be complacent in your knowledge. You can learn more. Until you know it all, you can always add to your knowledge.

If you already know it all, then you can stop reading now.

(Those of you that are still reading are more full of life, more vibrant and more in touch with your world than the poor suckers who stopped reading after the last sentence. You are the future. You are the ones who advocate for a better way.)

Though education has always been a priority, it is more important for gasoline marketers today than ever. Commodity volatility and buyer expectations have reached alltime highs. Regulatory initiatives continue on the upswing. Titanic market restructuring is now ordinary. What you know now may be enough for now. But at the rate of change that characterizes the gasoline market, your knowledge will quickly become obsolete.

Luckily, for those of us who enjoy learning, we have an opportunity to benefit from the changing circumstances all around us. The habit of learning is best practiced among those who share the habit. The smartest people I know ask a lot of questions. That is a good way to learn. It also matters who you ask. People with admirable records of success are good ones to ask. People who pay attention to what is going on in Washington and from coast to coast in gasoline marketing are also good resources for knowledge.

With this is mind, SIGMA is committed to assembling the best resources so we can learn about our ever-changing gasoline business. SIGMA Spring Convention Chair Rick Calhoun is planning eye-popping education on timely and critical issues important to transportation fuel marketers at the meeting in San Antonio from April 27-30. San Antonio-based Valero will host a range of events to aid networking among the nation’s most innovative independent marketers. The best you can do is to learn from the best.

Annual Meeting Chair Grady Chronister is forming an education council to be the driving force for educational content at our meeting in Chicago from Nov. 10-12. This meeting’s education council, which includes Jon Stewart, will take a concept that is part of SIGMA’s tradition — marketers teaching marketers — to a new level. Top-notch education arises from marketer leadership and collaboration among NPN, OPIS and SIGMA’s education staff.

SIGMA Education Chairman Frank Greinke and Vice-Chair Rod Smith are leading the transformation of SIGMA’s educational development for gasoline marketers. The Education Committee, consisting of marketer and supplier members, will change its name to the Education Commission. As part of the Education Commission, SIGMA’s new Education Steering Committee will function as the clearinghouse for topic ideas from all SIGMA committees and will also be the liaison from the Executive Committee and Board to the Education Commission. The Education Steering Committee will be charged with making a good thing better and elevating the importance of education in SIGMA’s governance structure.

The future of education for gasoline marketers is bright. SIGMA brings together the most talented marketers to mold education programs for the future with the support of professional educators who are completely dedicated to gasoline marketing. By sharing our knowledge we become better prepared for the future?

Bill Shipley III
SIGMA President