Ground Up! Key Steps When Building a C-Store (Part 1 of 2)

Not yet a TCSA member? Your first meeting is FREE.*

*Available to Tribes who are not (and have not been) TCSA members (or sponsors).

Event Description
Has your tribe talked about building a c-store? Join this membership meeting to learn how to build a c-store once your tribe decides to move forward. This meeting will cover the key steps when building a c-store. What you need to know!

Member Mixer (9/21 @ 5:00 pm)
Northern Quest Resort and Casino (Airway Heights, WA)

Member Meeting (9/22 @ 9:00 am)
Northern Quest Resort and Casino (Airway Heights, WA)

MEETING AGENDA
— Pacific Time Zone —

(Tradeshow open for set up on Wednesday (9/21) all day, and Thursday (9/22) before 9am. Tradeshow runs concurrently with the membership meeting on Thursday.)

8:50 - 9:00 am: Pre-show
9:00 - 9:30 am: Welcome, Bob Iyall
9:30 - 10:30 am: Jay Mills, Mike Mason, and Cameron Goodwin (presentation and Q&A)
10:30 - 11:00 am: Morning Break & Visit the Tradeshow
11:00 - 12:00 pm: Kelly Croman, Ryan Sawyer, and Mike Mason (presentation and Q&A)
12:00 - 12:45 pm: Lunch Break & Visit the Tradeshow
12:45 - 1:45 pm: Tatanka Means (presentation and Q&A)
1:45 - 2:45 pm: Matthew S. Robinson and Cameron Goodwin (presentation and Q&A)
2:45 - 3:00 pm: Afternoon Break & Visit the Tradeshow
3:00 - 4:00 pm: David Burrel and Tyler Hannen (presentation and Q&A
4:00 - 4:30 pm: Wrap up, Bob Iyall, Raffle

$250 Raffle
The details are coming soon, but you won't want to miss your opportunity to win $250. Stay tuned!

Tradeshow
The tradeshow is open to all businesses to showcase their products in our 7th annual Vendor Tradeshow!

Once again, all Native-owned and operated businesses are welcome to participate at the same fee of $250. All other businesses are welcome for a fee of $1,000.

Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis. The 8' table includes two representatives.

This is a great opportunity to share your products and services with tribal retailers who are proud to serve our communities.

Tradeshow Registration

Hotel Suites - Classic room $129.00+*

Call Reservations at 1-877-871-6772 and request the Tribal C-Store Association rate or you may use the booking ID number 27464 to receive our group rate.

Cutoff date: August 31st, so book early!

*Guest room rates are subject to 0% State Sales Tax, a $2.00 per room night Tourism Promotion Assessment (TPA), and 9% lodging fee. Room rates quoted are for single or double occupancy. Additional persons in the room (up to 4 persons) will be at the rate of $10.00 per person, per night. All taxes and fees are subject to change based on prevailing rates.

Date

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Time

9:00 am–4:30 pm (Pacific)

Format

In-person + Virtual

Who

Members + Sponsors

Registration closed

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Member Spotlight

Luther “Jay” Mills

Suquamish Tribal Council Member / PME Ambassador

Profile+

Luther “Jay” Mills, Suquamish Tribal Member, and elected Tribal Council Member, has served more than 25 years on Council, and has been employed with the Suquamish Tribe and its economic agency, Port Madison Enterprises, for more than 45 years—starting his career in retail sales in 1977 then serving in several different capacities, but most recently as Port Madison Enterprises Ambassador. Jay has more than 25 years of experience in Tribal Government overseeing government operations such as administration, human services, the Dept. of Community Development, legal, law enforcement, Tribal court, wellness, education, health benefits, and government-to-government relations with local cities, counties, Washington state, and the U.S. government. Jay is also a commercial fisherman with a wealth of knowledge in gathering and preserving Salish Sea seafood for over 50 years! Jay has been teaching Chief Kitsap Academy students in the traditional ways to cook and preserve seafood he learned from his great grandmother, Cecelia Jackson. He and his wife Joanie have raised five amazing children, as well as 19 grandkids! Jay’s leadership roles on boards and committees include: Suquamish Tribal Council (elected), Kitsap Economic Development Board (appointed), Washington Economic Development Association (member), Bremerton Chamber Board Member (appointed), Visit Kitsap Peninsula Board Member (appointed), Suquamish Foundation Board Member (appointed), Chief Kitsap Academy School Board Member (appointed), and Leadership Kitsap Board Member (former).

Presentation+

Economic Development

C-Store location, beginning stages, council perspective, and what that entails.

Kelly Croman

Experienced Tribal Attorney

Profile+

Kelly Croman has nearly 25 years of experience as a tribal attorney and tribal economic development executive. During her career, Kelly has managed a diverse portfolio of enterprises including several gas station/convenience stores, cigarette manufacturing, and distribution companies, a seafood company, and a business development center with an emphasis on governmental relations, tax, economic development, and employment issues. Kelly led successful legislative efforts to secure cigarette and fuel tax compacts in Washington State and has participated in the negotiation of tax rulings, gaming compacts, and government-to-government agreements regarding liquor sales in Indian country. Following retirement from full-time work in 2020, Kelly assists tribes with non-gaming economic development matters on a part-time contract basis.

Kelly is the previous Chair of the National Intertribal Tax Alliance, a former member of the Tribal Convenience Store Association Board of Directors, and a past Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Indian Law Section. She holds an M.P.A. from Evergreen State College and earned her J.D. with honors from the University of Washington School of Law.

Presentation+

Fee-to-Trust Process

Acquiring land, acquiring an existing station, or planning to build a new station to help make sure your fee-to-trust application will go through smoothly. Tax and regulatory benefits of having the land in trust and how those affect the bottom line.

Ryan Sawyer, AICP

PRINCIPAL | PROJECT DIRECTOR

Profile+

Ryan Sawyer is a Project Director with 17 years of experience preparing environmental analysis reports in compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and related environmental laws and regulations. Ms. Sawyer specializes in the preparation of environmental studies for Native American tribal governments, and in particular, the preparation of NEPA compliance documents for fee-to-trust economic development projects. Her knowledge of NEPA, BIA NEPA procedures, and the expectations of staff at the BIA Regional Offices has led to a successful outcome for many of her clients, including but not limited to the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Cowlitz Tribe, Tule River Tribe, and others.

Presentation+

Fee-to-Trust and NEPA Compliance Expert

Tatanka Means

Featuring award-winning actor and comedian

Profile+

Tatanka Means is an award-winning actor, motivational speaker, and stand-up comedian from Chinle, Arizona. He represents the Navajo, Lakota, Dakota, and Omaha Nations. His most recent film is "Killers of The Flower Moon" directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and is set to be released in the Fall of 2022.

Tatanka performs stand-up comedy throughout Indian Country spreading laughter and messages of inspiration to all ages. Means has also developed his own screen printing company, Tatanka Clothing. The company creates apparel to uplift and inspire cultural empowerment.

Tatanka was recently named "Entertainer of The Year" by the National Indian Gaming Association. Tatanka is proud to be an alcohol & drug-free sober performer.

Presentation+

Laughter is Good Medicine

Native people believe humor can be healing and laughter is good medicine for the spirit. Enjoy some good laughs from award winning Native American comedian, Tatanka Means.

Matthew S. Robinson

Founder & Principal

Profile+

Co-founder and Principal of KlasRobinson Q.E.D., Matt Robinson has been a consultant in the hospitality industry for 30 years, specializing in market research, feasibility analyses, and economic impact studies. With a background in planning and economic development, Mr. Robinson has specific expertise working in Indian Country on gaming and other tribal economic diversification projects, including gas stations, c-stores, travel plazas, and casinos - both on and off the reservation.

KlasRobinson Q.E.D has worked with more than 250 different Tribes throughout North America over the past two decades. Feasibility studies and other expert counseling provided by the principals of KlasRobinson Q.E.D. have been used to successfully attract over $20.0 billion in financing and investment from bank financing, capital leases, private placements, registered securities, and IPO's.

Mr. Robinson served two terms on the Executive Board of the National Indian Gaming Association. Mr. Robinson is the recipient of NIGA’s 2010 “Outstanding Service Award”. He currently serves on NIGA’s Spirit of Sovereignty Advisory Council.

Mr. Robinson is a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences on issues related to feasibility, economic impact, and planning. He is a guest lecturer at colleges and universities including his alma mater Macalester College. Mr. Robinson is also a featured contributor to a variety of national trade publications including Indian Gaming Magazine and is often quoted in regional and national periodicals.

Mr. Robinson has a Master’s degree in Planning with a secondary concentration in economic and community development from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. While at the Humphrey Institute, Mr. Robinson conducted research at the Tourism Center of the University of Minnesota, specializing in rural tourism development. He is a graduate of Macalester College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in three majors: Economics, Spanish and International Studies. During the 1988-89 academic year, he attended the Universidad De Complutense and the Institute of European Studies in Madrid, Spain.

Mr. Robinson also has more than five years of operational and management experience working in various facets of the hospitality industry both at home and abroad. He is fluent in oral and written Spanish and is a member of La Sociedad Hispanica Sigma Delta of the National Spanish Honor Society. Mr. Robinson is also a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon of the National Economics Honor Society.

Presentation+

Feasibility Study and Economic Recovery in Indian Country

Feasibility Study and Economic Recovery in Indian Country

David Burrel

Chairman/CEO

Profile+

Dave has over 40 years of experience in banking. He has been President for over 35 years at several different banks before coming to Pinnacle Bank in 2009.

Dave graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in Economics and Accounting. He did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin.

Pinnacle Bank is 100% tribally owned by the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Meskwaki Nation). Pinnacle Bank can provide financing for tribal loans such as C-stores, hotels, tribal offices or other economic development projects utilizing the Indian Loan Guaranty program.

Pinnacle is also one of the only native owned banks that has active trust powers. Pinnacle Bank can manage Minors Trusts for Tribes or any of a Tribe’s general investments.

Presentation+

Financing a New C-Store

The in's and out's involved when financing a new c-store.

Tyler Hannon

VP, Relationship Manager

Profile+

Tyler has been involved in commercial banking for 12 years and with Columbia Bank’s Native American Financial Services team for 8 years. He joined Columbia Bank in 2014, and quickly realized his passion for working with Tribes in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. Since then, Tyler has provided flexibility and creativity in structuring a wide variety of transactions to meet the growing needs of Tribal Governments and Enterprises.

Tyler has experience in providing complex real estate construction financing to Tribes. Tyler used his broad understanding of construction, finance, sovereignty, and compact arrangements to advise Tribes on dynamic and complex financing solutions. Projects financed for Tribes include: Gaming, infrastructure (water/sewer/road), administration buildings, cultural centers, healthcare/rehabilitation facilities, hotel/waterpark, commercial laundry, and convenience stores/fuel stations.

Tyler graduated with Honors from Whitworth University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Management. He currently serves on the board as Treasurer of Seattle Finance Collective, a non-profit focused on improving financial literacy and equality in the Seattle business community.

Presentation+

Financing a New C-Store.

The in's and out's involved when financing a new c-store.