IBA Hall of Fame 2021 Inductee – Tony Bongiovanni

NATIONAL

2021 IBA Hall of Fame Inductee –

Tony Bongiovanni Gisborne Cellarbrations Victoria

At the recent Victorian IBA Trade Workshop Presentation Dinner held at the Crown Palladium Room and attended by over 350 delegates, ALM CEO Chris Baddock announced the 2021 Cellarbrations Hall of Fame Award recipient - Tony Bongiovanni of Cellarbrations Gisborne.

The Hall of Fame Award recipient is selected by an independent panel which sits outside IBA / ALM with nominees being judged on three criteria. » Support of the IBA Brand » Contribution to industry outside of IBA » Community work Baddock went on to say that Tony joined the IBA network in 2006, where he quickly solidified himself as a steward of the brand and where three years later Tony’s store won the IBA Victorian store of the year. This was the beginning of many Victorian and Regional awards culminating in being awarded the converted IBA National Store of the Year award.

In 2009 Tony was elected to the ALM State committee and in 2013 was the Victorian state representative on the inaugural IBA National Board under CEO Fergus Collins and later Scott Marshall. Tony also served on the Victorian Liquor Stores Association (LSAV) Board from 1980 to 1990 and has been a committee member of the MGA National Liquor Committee from 2016 to present.

A strong advocate and supporter of local sporting and community groups, Tony coached his local junior Basketball club and served on the Committee and later as Vice President and then President for 10 years. In receiving the award Tony said: “A big and special thanks to Chris Baddock and his team and also to my Business Development Manager Chris Burnett in believing in me and helping me to “Test, Measure and Execute!” I’m looking forward to years ahead as the independents prosper during the challenges that lay ahead. Remember, without the independents, who is going to keep the corporate giants honest?”

On behalf of the broader ALM / IBA community, the MGA Board of Directors, and the MGA National Liquor Committee we extend our congratulations to Tony and Vicki on their well-deserved win!

Vicki and Tony Bongiovani (centre) daughter Simone (right) and son in law Jimmy Marganis (left)

L-R: Tony Bongiovanni and Chris Baddock ALM CEO