INDUSTRY NEWS: UCB CONFERENCE

UCB Conference – Without Limits

A record number of delegates converged at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast for the 2023 UCB Conference.

The 2023 UCB Conference was held at The Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast in February, which was the perfect location for members, customers, and suppliers to come together to learn, network, and help grow their businesses.

On the feedback of previous years, the conference program underwent an update for 2023, with CEO Darren Park saying: “You wanted more business sessions and more time in the trade show, and we have listened.”

The conference opened with the Bega Cheese Limited Cafe, a simulated store, and the first business session was led by Josh Dowling from Drive, who provided an optimistic outlook for the future of EVs in Australia. His key takeaway was that retailers should be planning for EVs, but not panicking. The outlook in Australia is that there is likely to be an ongoing mix of fuel and electric for some time.

Haydn Tierney with UCB team members

Philip Morris Manager for Government and External Affairs, Bradley Shaw, then spoke on the fast-growing instance of illicit vaping, and how responsible retailers need to be more vigilant in reporting illegitimate operators to authorities through the stopillicit.com website, which has already identified 781 illicit sale locations in Australia.

Next up was a panel session featuring Australian cricketing legends, Jeffrey (Thommo) Thompson, Alan Border, and Greg Chappell, and hosted by Greg Richie. The chat had delegates in stitches as the panel of cricketing royalty reflected on their career highlights and shared some, at times highly inappropriate (thanks Thommo) stories from back in the day.

On the second day of business sessions, UCB CEO Darren Park opened the day by discussing the challenges faced by the present economic situation and called on all delegates to challenge themselves to be better, and to challenge UCB to be better for them.

The UCB Conference and Trade Show was held at The Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast

Park highlighted this year’s theme – ‘Without Limits’ and how it relates to the industry.

“This theme is not about rule breaking, it’s about paradigm breaking. It’s not about trying to beat somebody else; it’s about trying to exceed your own personal bests. And to do this, we need determination,” he said.

Guided by the 2023 ‘Without Limits’ theme, Park spoke about the difficulties facing retailers in a post-Covid world but highlighted the unique opportunities tough times present to cater to people’s changing needs.

“We’re again faced with new threats and challenges, and as times get tougher, dollars get tighter. Discretionary spending will get tight,” he said.

The Asahi Golf Classic

But it’s not all bad news, said Park. As people switch from going out on the weekend to staying home, unique opportunities present themselves for local convenience stores.

He said a night at home watching a movie would easily involve two bottles of soft drink and a 1kg bag of Allen’s Party Mix, chocolate and maybe even Ben & Jerry’s if they’re really lashing out.

“Snacks and drinks that mum and dad pick up on the way home from their local convenience store for about $40, actually presents a saving for the consumer,” said Park.

Whereas dinner at a local restaurant might cost $200, staying in with snacks represents $160 in savings for families facing mortgage pressure.

John Warlters, CEO, Rural Aid accepts a cheque from Scott Taylor, National Account Manager, Asahi Beverages

“We need to make sure we’re capitalising on this,” said Park, who said to make that happen, it’s essential to “invest ourselves, our team, our sites and our office. We must invest in sharing what works and what we have learned”.

Expanding on the theme, Park said ‘Without Limits’ doesn’t represent out-and-out competition but rather striving for personal success.

Next up, Renewable Fuels Director, Berta Cabella Calvo, discussed Repsol’s experience and pathway towards Net Zero, while the always energetic Gus Balbontin provided delegates with an intimate view of the places living without limits can take them, and urged businesses to ensure they were solving the customers’ problems and building adaptability incrementally. The day ended with social networking events, including the Asahi Golf Classic and the Coca-Cola Go Kart Championship.

Enjoying the Mars Wrigley Jetboating Experience

On the final day of the business sessions, Casey Gee Hoon Hyun, award winning vehicle designer, EV strategist and futurist, shared his experiences working along and inside top global firms like Google and Volvo, and explored the whole of life cycle impacts of EVs and the challenges that will be unique to Australia’s adoption of EV technology. Next, Kevin Smartt, CEO TBX Stores, brought an in-depth look at the changing face of convenience retail and the strategies that he is implementing at TXB – Texas Born, to stay ahead of the game. His key message to Australian retailers was to be more convenient and get rid of the lines in-store.

Finally, Mark Bouris AM – economist and financial expert – simplified the state of the Australian economy and unpacked the impact that inflation and interest rate hikes are going to continue to have on consumer spending. The key message was that it’s going to get even tougher, and businesses need to be well planned and lean with spending to survive the challenges to come, while also providing a safe place for consumers who are already feeling stretched to the brink.

Spin & Win with Lactalis at the UCB Trade Show

During the conference, UCB and Asahi presented charity partner Rural Aid with a cheque for $26,384, which had been raised as part of Asahi’s Big Give Back program. During the course of the conference, Asahi pledged a further $5,000 to Rural Aid, which delivers much needed support to farmers in need.

On the final night, retailers and suppliers donned their finest movie-inspired costumes and headed to the surprise location of Movie World for a night of celebration and fun.

The event, which was sponsored by Lactalis, saw guests enjoying a wonderful three course meal along with movie-inspired performances, with the celebrations then heading back to the Royal Pines Hydrate Bar for the Frucor After Party.

The scene is set for the Lactalis Movie Mania Gala Dinner and Awards

Photo credit: Camber Studios

The major award winner on the night was Coca-Cola Europacific Partners winning Trade Partner of the Year, as well as Trade Stand of the Year, and the award for Carbonated Beverages and Sports Drinks.

UCB Supplier Award Winners

Carbonated Beverages and Sports Drinks: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Energy Drinks: Frucor Suntory

Functional Drinks and Water: Asahi Lifestyle Beverages

Confectionery: Mondelēz International

Snacking: The Smith’s Snackfood Company

Food Manufacturer: Ingham’s

Flavoured Milk: Bega Dairy and Drinks

General Merchandise: Pacific Optics

Cigarettes: Philip Morris International

Communications: Telstra Sim Connect

Wholesaler/Distributor: The Distributors

New Product of the Year: Nestlé Kit Kat Chunky Milo

Trade Stand of the Year: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Trade Rep of the Year: Chantel Jankowski, Frucor Suntory

Trade Partner of the Year: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners