6 minute read
NEWS: 2023 LEVEL UP CONFRENCE
A purrfect paradise
Paws and palms unite as IndePet hit the idyllic island beaches of Fiji for its 2023 Level Up Conference.
- Words Thomas Oakley-Newell
FROM 21-24 May, the beautiful island nation of Fiji hosted IndePet’s 2023 Level Up Conference, where delegates and suppliers gathered for a week of learning, networking, and fun.
The event provided retailers and suppliers with the opportunity to learn more about IndePet, the new initiatives it is launching, how it is supporting independent retailers, as well as plenty of opportunities to network, mingle, and enjoy Fiji.
Todd Clarkson, CEO of IndePet, said the conference was a huge success.
“The feedback from our members and supplier partners has been overwhelmingly positive with one supplier claiming it was the ‘best industry event they have ever been to’ which I think sums up the sentiment from many of our delegates.”
Speakers included Brian Walker, CEO of the Retail Doctor Group, Ben Dessen and Richard Sheen from Kellyville Pets, James Prendergast from Central Pet Australia, Britney Westaway from Pet Destination, Darren Dempsey from Royal Canin, Adam Heeley from Boehringer Ingelheim, and Michelle Le Long from PD Insurance.
“The business sessions are always a strong part of our program, and we give a lot of time and thought to preparing a relevant and insightful business program for our delegates –but the highlight is always seeing the personal interactions between our members and our supplier partners,” explained Clarkson.
“We work in a relationship industry and many of that long-term are built and reinforced during these events."
The balancing act between business and play is also an important factor and Indepet nailed it by ensuring that each day or night there was an enjoyable event that provided delegates the chance to network and let their hair down.
Events included a trivia night, mud springs, golf, cultural tour, water sports, and on the final night a boat to Malamala island, a private island with plenty of activities and a beautiful pool to sit and drink cocktails in.
New initiatives launched
During the conference, IndePet announced several new initiatives designed to make life easier for independent pet retailers.
The new initiatives, exclusive to IndePet members, include a Virtual Rep, IndePet PetCademy, and IndePet InSights.
Todd Clark, CEO of IndePet explained that these tools will better allow members to access deals, train staff, and compete and flourish using data.
The Virtual Rep is an online platform that will enable members equal accessibility to IndePet's supplier partners regardless of location.
The feedback from our members and supplier partners has been overwhelmingly positive with one supplier claiming it was the ‘best industry event they have ever been to’, which I think sums up the sentiment from many of our delegates.
– Todd Clarkson, CEO, IndePet
"One of IndePet's key principles is to provide equal accessibility for all our members.
That can be challenging in a real-world sense when it comes to the role of sales representatives due to the geographic distance spread of our membership.
“Our new IndePet ‘Virtual Rep’ is a way for our supplier partners to be able to provide equal service to all our members in a timely manner and also provide enormous time savings for our members,” said Clarkson.
IndePet has partnered with the Retail Doctor Group to launch an online training system called PetCademy to allow IndePet members and their teams to access high-level retail training.
“Independent pet stores are the heart and soul of the pet industry, and the first stop for customers who need care and advice. Our new online training system will further position IndePet stores as the leaders in knowledgeable service.
“IndePet PetCademy is designed using a market leading learning management system platform and we partnered with the Retail Doctor Group to bring the best retail training to our members and their team.”
The platform will also allow suppliers to access all stores to provide the most up to date product training, and in turn enable teams to better support their local communities and provide the best experience for customers.
As large chains have access to a wealth of data across their stores, so too now will independent stores who are members of IndePet with the launch of IndePet InSights.
“IndePet InSights is a group wide data analytics platform designed to help our members with real time data-based decision making.
“Using industry best practice KPI monitoring and benchmarking it will allow our independently owned stores to leverage the insights of the total group to better serve their customers and their community.”
Awards night
The winners of IndePet’s 2023 Awards were announced on the final night of the IndePet Conference at the private Malamala island in Fiji.
Following an afternoon of networking, cocktail drinking, and snorkelling, Todd Clarkson, CEO of IndePet, and Tia Wishart, Business Development Manager at IndePet, revealed the winners of the 2023 awards.
Clarkson announced that the Shareholder of the Year Award will now be known as The Founders Award in recognition of the beliefs, ethics, and values that the founders of IndePet held.
The winner of The Founders Award 2023 in Australia were Jaquie and Colin Prior from Wonthaggi Pet Supplies, Victoria, and the winner of The Founders Award 2023 in New Zealand were Graeme and Shanla Lewis from PetSmart.NZ and PetMart Richmond and Nelson, New Zealand.
On the awards, Clarkson said that while IndePet is committed to ensuring the longevity and prosperity of the independent pet channel, they need independent pet stores of all shapes and sizes to come together and work collectively for the good of the group.
“The winners of these awards are not necessarily the biggest stores in the group, but they are the ones that are proactive in ensuring that the group receives the best outcome.
“They participate in the programs IndePet puts forward and continually work towards making the group as strong as possible. Graeme and Shanla Lewis (New Zealand) and Jaquie and Colin Prior (Australia) believe in the value of IndePet to their stores and are committed to the core value of the group ‘Stronger Together’ – which is why they were both very worthy Founder Award winners.”
IndePet 2023 Award Winners
• The Founders Award 2023, Australia
– Jaquie and Colin Prior
• The Founders Award 2023, New Zealand
– Graeme and Shanla Lewis
• Inspiring Leader 2023
– June Cummings
• Local Community Hero Award 2023
–Murray and Leslie Hill
• Rising Star 2023
– Britney Westaway
• Ultimate In Store Experience Award 2023
– Kellyville Pets
• Supplier of the Year 2023, Australia
– Central Pet Australia
• Supplier of the Year 2023, New Zealand
– Brooklands Pet Products
• Suppliers Choice Award 2023, Australia
– Pet City
• Suppliers Choice Award 2023, New Zealand
– Pet Essentials Whangarei
