AACS Convenience Leaders program

AACS held its first very successful Convenience Leaders Program at the Sebel Heritage, Yarra Valley on the 10th – 12th July. This program was attended by a terrific mix of convenience retailers and suppliers.

There was a first class range of speakers and presenters including: Geoff Wright, Joanne Marriott and Cris Popp from Idria / AIM; Mark Johnston from him! Australia, Warren Wilmot CEO of 7-Eleven Australia, Steve Ogden – Barnes of Deakin University, Peter Boyce from TMG, John Roach of PMA, Roy Tavenor of RED Design, and Jeff Rogut of AACS.

Topics covered strategy, innovation, the emerging convenience customer, social media, the produce opportunity for convenience stores as well as a Biz-game simulation.

A special presenter for the program was Dr Nancy Caldarola, head of education from NACS Café in the USA who presented on the evolving Foodservice opportunity globally and what this means for our for Convenience Retailers and their Suppliers.

We will take the learnings from this and incorporate them into the future programs.

Some quotes from participants:

“A good mix of practical and academic insight in the industry. Definitely a worthwhile course.

…….. Great first event overall and valuable food for thought.
All speakers were great, but Nancy was fantastic. She provided great knowledge and feedback throughout the three days.

Really good structure and flow of the program with excellent learning and presenters.

This was an extremely beneficial course that I believe will only get better in the future as it gets refined. I also believe that a broader cross section of suppliers and retailers will stimulate even better discussion and insight. A great three days overall.

Great overall. Great speakers and very welcoming.”

It is proposed that this program will be conducted annually – watch for information on the next date.

Dinner with Warren Wilmot, CEO of 7-Eleven Australia as guest speaker