Reddrop Group Conference 2022

NATIONAL VICTORIA

Two pandemic cancellations and a flood. The dramatic efforts Reddrop Group endured to host its ‘Gold’ standard 2022 Conference

Pre-pandemics, in 2019, the Reddrop Group held its first Conference at the Vibe Hotel and Conference Centre in Marysville, Victoria. The conference included 23 Reddrop Group team members from 14 stores, including store managers, the operations team and 11 suppliers/companies and 3 guest speakers. The conference was excellent and a trial run for ‘bigger things to come’…so they thought…

Fast forward to 2020, with a cheeky theme of “20/20 Vision”, the Reddrop Group Conference was welcoming more suppliers (and additional stores) and was ready to share its vision to expand and invest in new stores and refurbishments over the coming 24 months.

Accommodation, suppliers, venues, transport, menus, golf competition, guest speakers and all the other measures needed for a successful conference were ready to go; and then the Covid19 pandemic hit, causing the Reddrop Group to cancel their May 2020 event. A second attempt was short lived for the same event to be rescheduled for November 2020, but with the world and Australian supermarket retail was in turmoil, the conference was to be postponed until further notice.

In 2021/22 the Reddrop Group worked towards a third try at holding their conference, using the venue previously organised in 2020, RACV Goldfields Resort in Creswick. But in keeping with the uncontrollable nature of the previous two years, a massive storm hit the resort causing extensive damage to the venue and the Reddrop Group was given only six weeks’ notice to find a new venue.

After an “all hands were on deck” approach to find a large enough venue, the Reddrop Group secured

L-R: Michael Reddrop, FoodWorks CEO Rick Wight, Lincoln Wymer

Michael Reddrop addresses attendees at the conference

VICTORIA

L-R: Cathie Harper, Mark Simmons, Gemma Webster, Ross Catanzariti

L-R: Tina with Beijing Olympic Moguls Gold Medallist, Jakara Anthony and mother Conference Dinner

L-R: Lincoln Wymer, Ross Malcom, Tina Reddrop, Harrison Wood

Reddrop conferencing in action

the sophisticated Yarra Valley Lodge, located at the Heritage Golf Club in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. It was now a race against time to organise new dinner venues, a golf tournament, the trade show and extra accommodation, as the Yarra Valley Lodge only has 102 rooms.

In the preceding two years, the Reddrop Group grew from 14 to 21 stores. Therefore, the conference included 44 of the Reddrop Team (store managers and operations team), many of them meeting in person for the first time since 2019, and, a further 100 guest suppliers. Highlights from the week included a gala dinner hosted by Michael and Tina Reddrop at the captivating Rochford Winery with special guest, Winter Olympics Gold Medal Winner, Jakara Anthony. Also, that night, special recognition was given to Bruce Steuart, of Upper Goulburn Freight Lines, who was instrumental to the Reddrop Group business through the pandemic.

2022 Gold Medal Winter Olympian, Jakara Anthony was the conference’s keynote speaker. Her message about “controlling the controllable” was not only inspiring but also provided great insight into her own journey to achieve greatness. Other speakers including, Michael Reddrop (Reddrop Group CEO); Rick Wight (Australian United Retailers / FoodWorks CEO); and multiple suppliers who presented directly to the Reddrop Team. In addition to the speakers, there was a tradeshow, which gave suppliers direct access to the store managers and operations team to discuss products, new lines and promotions.

“After two years of uncertainty, disappointment and trying times, it was an awesome opportunity to catch up and converse with suppliers, colleagues and peers,” said group COO, Lincoln Wymer. “The atmosphere was great.”

“Due to the hard work of Grace Rankin (Reddrop Group Brand Manager) and the Reddrop Team, the delayed 2020/2022 Reddrop Group Conference was a tremendous success.” Plans are already in full swing for 2023 with this conference to be held at its original venue, RACV Goldfields Resort in Creswick…. “I am confident a pandemic and biblical storm, can’t get in our way.”