CITGO and Its Marketers Move Business Onward at 2014 Roundtable Meetings

HOUSTON, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation is launching its 2014 Marketer Roundtable Meetings, designed to help its branded Marketers move their businesses onward with industry insights and best-in-class marketing programs. Taking place between Jan. 30 and March 6 within the three marketing regions, these meetings provide Marketers one-on-one time with the CITGO team and allow the company to share 2014 program updates, advertising plans and other valuable tools CITGO Marketers can use to generate more traffic and sales at their independently operated locations.

"Our Marketer Roundtable Meetings are a great way to ensure the year begins on the right track for our valued customers," said Alan Flagg, general manager of light oils marketing for CITGO. "With these meetings we can update our Marketers about our 2014 program slate and also receive feedback and hear suggestions directly from the people on the frontlines – our Marketers." 

Some of the programs designed to drive retail activation and customer loyalty for CITGO Marketers and Retailers that will be discussed at the Roundtable Meetings include the following:

• Exciting plans for the 2014 Fueling Good Road Trip, plus highlights from the most recent tour featuring Marketers doing good in their communities;
• Changes within the Mystery Shop Program, Trimark of Excellence, that incentivize more high-scoring locations;
• Learnings from the CITGO Retail Concept Center about new offerings for c-stores;
• Continued emphasis on Centennial Image implementation, with currently more than 67% of CITGO locations reimaged. The reimage deadline for all locations within the CITGO network is Dec. 31, 2015.
• Continued emphasis of TriCLEAN gasoline, with enhanced messaging on all pump valances;
• Continued promotion of the CITGO Rewards proprietary credit card, which provides a 5 cent-per-gallon statement credit on every gallon of CITGO fuel purchased with the card. Since its debut in the fall of 2012, new accounts have increased by more than 52 percent, with approval rates increasing by more than 50 percent.
• Continued customization of events, promotions and marketing materials that drive consumer traffic and sales at the local level, including renewed associations with the Miss America organization and Bess the Book Bus.

"Year after year we work to deepen our knowledge of the industry and deliver programs and solutions that help our Marketers grow their businesses. We look forward to this year's Roundtable Meetings so we can teach, learn and move the CITGO brand onward," added Flagg. 

For more information about the programs available to CITGO Marketers and Retailers in 2014, Marketers are encouraged to attend their local CITGO Roundtable Meeting or contact their CITGO Territory Sales Manager.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation