NATSO Connect 2027, Dallas, Feb 24-26: the truck stop trade show
Dates
24–26 Feb 2027
City / country
Grapevine, United States
Venue
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Time
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event overview
NATSO Connect 2027 runs February 24-26 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, for the truck stop and travel center industry.
The annual NATSO conference combines executive briefings, peer discussions and a vendor marketplace for operators, suppliers and fuel retailers.
It is a trade-only event, with expo hours on Thursday and education through Friday.
TL;DR
Meet decision-makers from truck stop and travel center chains, compare fuel, payment, food service and operations suppliers, and hear policy and market briefings specific to highway retail. The compact three-day format keeps education, expo time and one-on-one appointments in one venue.
Exhibitors reach a concentrated group of C-level travel center executives and suppliers who control purchasing across thousands of fueling locations. The show pairs expo hours with scheduled one-on-one appointments, Tank Talks and networking events, giving vendors repeated contact with qualified buyers.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051, United States
Entrances & gates
Convention Center main entrance
Walkway from the hotel atrium to the convention center.
On-site resort garage and valet off Gaylord Trail; self-parking is paid.
The resort and convention center have step-free entrances, elevators and accessible restrooms; request mobility support through the hotel front desk.
Use the Gaylord Texan bell desk for luggage storage before check-in or after checkout.
Guest rooms and public lobby seating have power outlets; bring a power strip for the exhibit floor.
Food options
Old Hickory Steakhouse, Riverwalk Cantina, Expo buffet lunch
On-site diningParking: Use the resort parking garage off Gaylord Trail; self-parking and valet are available at the Gaylord Texan. Allow extra time on expo mornings because the garage serves hotel, convention and leisure guests.
Gate: Enter through the main convention center entrance from the hotel atrium. Badge pickup is at the NATSO Connect registration desk before the exhibit hall opens.
Attend
Event days & opening times
NATSO travel center member (2026 published rate)
Per person; 2027 pricing not yet posted.
Non-member travel center attendee (2026 published rate)
Per person; 2027 pricing not yet posted.
Non-exhibiting, non-sponsoring attendee (2026 published rate)
Per person; 2027 pricing not yet posted.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring a government-issued photo ID and your registration confirmation to the NATSO Connect desk at the convention center.
Ticket notes
Rates shown are from the registration page still serving the 2026 edition; confirm 2027 fees with NATSO. Member bundle for three or more attendees was $2,397 in 2026.
Build-up & tear-down
What's on
Max McBrayer
President & CEO @ NATSO
Travel center industry outlook and government affairs
Terri Micklin
Senior Vice President, Store Development, Facilities and Real Estate @ 7-Eleven, Inc.
Smart growth and reinvestment at scale
David Fialkov
Executive Vice President, Government Affairs @ NATSO
What the new Congress means for travel centers
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Exhibitors: 75
This edition
2027
Visitors: 600
Exhibitors: 75
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
NATSO Connect 2026 met in Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 24-26, 2026, at the Clyde Hotel and Albuquerque Convention Center. The edition marked 100 years of Route 66 and combined the expo with policy, food service and technology sessions.
New this edition
NATSO Foundation 5K fundraiser
Community 5K walk supporting NATSO Foundation scholarships and anti-trafficking work.
SourceImpact
A compact, senior-level show where a single meeting can influence purchasing across multiple highway sites. The small exhibit floor rewards suppliers with a clear, differentiated offer rather than broad brand advertising.
Audience quality
The audience skews toward owners, C-level executives and operations leaders from independent and chain travel centers. NATSO membership concentration means high purchasing authority, but the total attendee pool is modest, so meeting quality matters more than footfall.
Exhibitor outcomes
Best ROI comes from pre-booked one-on-one appointments and follow-up within a week. Suppliers selling fuel, food service, payments or site technology can shorten sales cycles by meeting decision-makers who already understand highway retail economics.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Truck stops and travel centers are high-volume, multi-category retail sites where fuel, food, technology and driver amenities are bought together. NATSO Connect gives suppliers direct access to the executives who set standards across thousands of locations, making it a concentrated route into a $200 billion highway retail market.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Alternative fuels and charging move into the forecourt
Travel centers are adding electric vehicle charging, renewable diesel and compressed natural gas alongside diesel, which changes site design, power capacity and fuel purchasing.
What it changes: Suppliers with charging, energy management and alternative fuel equipment can position themselves as forecourt partners rather than one-off vendors.
Food service becomes the differentiator
Operators are expanding made-to-order and grab-and-go food to win drivers and local commuters, and the show devotes a forum to food innovation and margin management.
What it changes: Food, beverage and kitchen equipment suppliers can show how their products raise basket size and repeat visits at highway sites.
Technology and data connect the driver journey
Payment apps, loyalty programs, fleet cards and back-office analytics are converging, with sessions on data, technology and increasing fuel revenue.
What it changes: Software and payments vendors that integrate with existing point-of-sale and fuel systems face strong demand from multi-site operators.
NATSO Connect is the truck stop and travel center specialist event. Buyers also attend the larger convenience retail and trucking shows to compare technology, food service and fleet products.
The NATSO Show 2026
Nashville, United States
NATSO lists this event for October 28-29, 2026 in Nashville.
websiteMid-America Trucking Show 2027
Louisville, United States
Adjacent audience of fleets and drivers; confirm exact dates.
websiteNACS Show 2027
Chicago, United States
Dates are the announced circuit window; confirm on the official site.
website2027 planning window
Book exhibit space and hotel rooms six to nine months before each show; February is peak convention season in Texas.
Circuit dates are planning estimates except where the organiser published them.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Closest major airport; taxis, rideshare and hotel shuttles serve the Gaylord Texan.
About 6 miles
to venue
10-15 minutes
by car
Dallas Love Field
Smaller domestic airport with fewer international connections.
About 25 miles
to venue
30-40 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–160 / night
Limited-service rooms within a short drive of the resort; book early for expo week.
USD 170–250 / night
Business hotels with breakfast and shuttle access to DFW.
USD 280–420 / night
On-site rooms remove daily transfers; resort fees and parking are extra.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Rideshare or taxi
About 10-15 minutes; pickup at the airport rideshare zone.
Hotel shuttle
Many airport hotels run complimentary shuttles; confirm hours with the hotel.
Car rental
Useful for visiting multiple sites; resort parking is paid.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor visa | Visitors who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program | $185.00 | Several weeks to several months | |
| ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program | Eligible passport holders from VWP countries | $21.00 | Usually within 72 hours |
US citizens and lawful permanent residents do not need a visa. Canadian citizens generally travel visa-free for business visits.
A carnet can simplify temporary import of exhibit goods; confirm with US Customs and Border Protection.
Official visa pageWeather
February in Grapevine is cool and variable, with daytime highs near 16°C (60°F) and overnight lows near 4°C (39°F). Rain and occasional ice are possible; pack layers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is typically available in hotel rooms and public areas; expo Wi-Fi may be shared, so bring a mobile hotspot for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping
Restaurant servers expect 18-20 percent; bartenders and hotel housekeeping are tipped separately.
Business style
Business casual is the norm at the conference; Texans use first names quickly, but arrive on time for meetings.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: DFW
Book 6-10 weeks ahead for February; DFW is the closest airport and has the most connections.
Book flightsMost international business visitors need a B-1 visa or ESTA authorisation; US citizens and permanent residents do not.
Estimated cost: $21-$185
Processing: ESTA usually within 72 hours; B-1 several weeks to months
Carry a letter from your employer and proof of the event; do not work for US clients on a B-1.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Rideshare or taxi from DFW, about 10-15 minutes and $25-45.
Hotel → venue: Walk from on-site rooms; use hotel shuttles or rideshare from off-site hotels.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft serve DFW and Grapevine; pick up at designated zones.
Public transit: Trinity Railway Express serves Grapevine, but connections from DFW require a bus or rideshare.
Parking: Paid self-parking and valet at the Gaylord Texan; allow 15 minutes on expo mornings.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February
Temperature: 4-16°C (39-60°F)
Seasonality: Cool and occasionally wet; ice is rare but possible.
Packing: Bring a light coat, layers and comfortable shoes for the convention center.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Thursday, February 25, 2027
Thursday combines expo hours, Tank Talks, one-on-one appointments and the buffet lunch, so a one-day visitor can cover the floor and meet the most suppliers.
Book flights and confirm DFW arrival time — Leave a buffer before the Wednesday evening events.
Register and book the hotel — On-site rooms sell out during expo week.
Download the event app and request one-on-one meetings — Prioritise suppliers by category.
Print or save the schedule and make a floor plan — Target expo hours on Thursday.
Pack business cards, chargers and a light coat — Check the weather and airport transfer plan.
Badge pickup and coffee
Convention center registrationExpo floor supplier meetings
Exhibit hallBuffet lunch and Tank Talks
Exhibit floorOne-on-one appointments
Exhibit hall meeting areaGovernment affairs keynote
Main session roomHistoric Downtown Grapevine
Walkable Town District
10 minutes from the resort
Wine-tasting rooms, shops and restaurants in a compact Main Street setting.
Grapevine Lake
Outdoor Recreation
15 minutes from the resort
Trails and lake views for a short break from the conference.
Expo floor lunch
Conference networking
Buffet lunch on Thursday is the easiest way to meet exhibitors and operators.
Hotel lobby bar
Informal networking
Convenient for after-hours conversations at the Gaylord Texan.
NATSO Connect is a relationship-driven show with a small, senior audience. Fast, specific follow-up matters more than volume outreach.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 750–900 / m²
Raw space
USD 592–700 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Per-square-metre figures are derived from the 2026 10x10 rate card and include an estimated shell-scheme uplift. Confirm 2027 tariffs with NATSO.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · member
USD 5500 / per 9 sqm booth
hotel
both · mid
USD 170–250 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 60–90 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | member | USD 5500 / per 9 sqm booth | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 170–250 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 60–90 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Answer six quick questions to see whether NATSO Connect 2027 is best for visiting, exhibiting or skipping.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your approximate budget for this event?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have specific supplier meetings and can attend Thursday.
Best for
Travel center operators and buyers sourcing products
Min. budget
$1,500.00
Timeline
Book 4-6 weeks ahead
Risks
Limited expo hours
High on-site hotel rates
exhibit
You can pre-book one-on-one appointments with target operators.
Best for
Suppliers with a clear highway-retail product
Min. budget
$8,000.00
Timeline
Book 3-6 months ahead
Risks
Small attendee pool
Booth cost plus travel
skip
The audience does not match your buyer or the budget is unavailable.
Best for
General consumer brands and early-stage startups
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missed relationship building
Book with
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Host venue with hotel rooms, meeting space and the exhibit floor under one roof.
Venue named on the event homepage; not a sponsorsh partnership.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Closest major airport, about 10-15 minutes from the venue.
Public airport resource, not an event partner.
Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau
Local visitor information for hotels, dining and transport in Grapevine.
Public destination resource, not an event partner.
American Trucking Associations
National trucking trade body whose economists and policy experts speak to the industry.
Adjacent industry association; not named as a NATSO Connect partner.
Recommended providers
Official B-1 visa guidance; ESTA for eligible VWP travellers.
On-site rooms; ask for the NATSO Connect block if published.
Compare fares into DFW; book 6-10 weeks ahead.
The 2027 freight handler was not published; request the manual from NATSO.
Compare travel medical and trip-cancellation cover.
Local dining, wineries and lake activities.
Generic badge-scan option; confirm the official provider with NATSO.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
1
Publishers
3
Date checked
NATSO
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