Q&A with Christian Warning: “forecourttech is a one-of-a-kind event in our industry”
Published on: Sep 22, 2025
forecourttech 2025 will take place in Alicante, Spain, on October 1 – 2, bringing together retailers and solution providers in a boutique setting. We spoke with Christian Warning, Conference Chair of forecourttech and CEO of The Retail Marketeers, about what makes the event unique, this year’s big conference topics, and why Spain is now a land of innovation.
MobilityPlaza. What would you say makes forecourttech special compared to others in our sector that may be similar?
Christian Warning. From a retailer’s perspective, forecourttech is really about enlarging the tech stack. It’s about the next-generation digital toolkit to stay relevant and ahead of the curve. The pure focus on technology and bringing solution providers together with retailers and the right people from the retailer side makes a real difference. All of this is embedded in thought leadership with many impulse sessions dedicated to retail tech. That focus is what sets it apart.
MP. What is the geographical approach, from both the retailer and supplier side?
CW. It’s mainly Europe, but also a bit of the Middle East and Africa. The regions are coming together, and we meet people from all around the world at these conferences. Tech solution providers from the US entering Europe are present, and vice versa, along with others from different parts of the world. So I’d call it a European event, but not only European.
MP. As our industry becomes more complex with a growing number of players, technology is the platform for much of this change. Would you say forecourttech helps retailers and suppliers navigate these waters?
CW. Absolutely, that’s key. At many conferences today it’s all about tech, tech, tech—not just location, location, location as in the past. The winners in 2030 won’t just be those who own infrastructure. The winners will be the brands loved by consumers, which may be very different from today’s leaders, offering multi-energy both on and off the forecourt. Retailers need to prepare for this, and solution providers must deliver strong, turnkey solutions that help them navigate the transformation.
MP. Beyond the meetings, when it comes to the conference side, what are the big topics this year?
CW. It’s a good mix of thought leadership and practical input. We’re very proud to have the upcoming NACS president, Frank Gleeson, at this year’s forecourttech. Mark Wohltman, NACS Global Director, will also share global survey results from CEOs, focused on technology. There will be best practices and use cases from both retailers and solution providers—sharing not just solutions but also their thinking to help retailers prepare. And it all happens in a very open, almost family-like atmosphere in Spain, which makes forecourttech special.
MP. There’s a lot of focus this year on AI. It’s not the first time AI has been discussed at forecourttech, but don’t you think each year it becomes more applicable to reality?
CW. Exactly. AI is the forecourt co-pilot. Every solution provider uses it, and every retailer must apply it. Automating decisions, personalizing offers, predicting demand—this is no longer optional. AI is here today, not just something futuristic. Our industry has huge opportunities to benefit from it.
MP. Alongside AI, we see sessions around EV and retail media. How do these themes compare to what you see when visiting high-end sites worldwide?
CW. Experience has become everything—especially on-site experience. Competitors are less the gas station down the road and more the local coffee shop. The big fight is for the consumer’s stomach. Foodservice is the future of our industry and real estate, and foodservice and tech belong together. Dynamic pricing, AI-driven fuel pricing, subscription bundles for energy, car wash, or shop products—all of this builds customer loyalty and profitability.
MP. Some of these solutions are already visible at flagship sites in developed markets. How fast do you think they’ll spread to the mainstream?
CW. We don’t have to look far. Repsol, for instance, is leading digitalization with integrated loyalty and multi-energy offers tied to attractive digital services for Spanish consumers. The Nordics are also advanced. Retailers need to embrace these tech partnerships—this is the new form of supply contract. It’s about API-ready ecosystems, not just maintenance agreements. Data is the new octane: personalization and customer data are the true competitive edge, not cheap fuel. Subscriptions are another big trend—EV, car wash, coffee. Our lives are subscription-based, and our industry is moving rapidly in that direction, even if many retailers underestimate it.
MP. You mentioned Repsol. Another part of the event is the Madrid site tour, now in its second year.
CW. Yes, the feedback last year was excellent. Dan Munford and his team are again organizing this add-on to forecourttech. It gives people the chance to see Repsol’s stations, Moeve’s bold rebranding, a digital-first, modern brand that responds to customer needs. That brave step is paying off. Galp is also doing well in Spain. The flagship stores in Madrid showcase the future, and it’s striking how Spain has leapt forward. Ten years ago we wouldn’t have thought of Spain as a frontrunner, but now it’s a must-see. I highly recommend joining the tour.
MP. Any last words on why retailers and suppliers should go to forecourttech?
CW. Unlike conferences with hundreds of attendees, our limited size of suppliers and retailers ensures that pre-arranged one-on-one meetings are not just a feature, but a guarantee that everyone meets everyone. That creates a special atmosphere. From the program side, we make sure there are enough impulses to spark valuable discussions. It’s two and a half days of networking, learning, and exchange—with new faces as well as old friends. It really is a one-of-a-kind conference in our industry.
