Leading Line Up Launches Summit to Success
03 May 2007
The Association of Convenience Stores’ (ACS) Summit 07, sponsored by Cuisine de France and Payzone, has been heralded as the organisation’s most successful conference to date. The day featured key industry speakers presenting on the theme of ‘Convenience Innovation’ and opened with an interview between ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, at his first conference at the helm, and John Humphrys.
Held on 1 May at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham, and Chaired by the Sony Broadcaster of the Year Award Winner, John Humphrys, the industry line up was second to none. Summit 07 attracted excellent support from delegates including some of the industry’s biggest players and record retail and supplier attendance.
Keynote speaker Sir Digby Jones, former Director-General of the CBI, shared an inspirational vision on change in business and how finding a niche can give local shops a unique selling point. Sir Digby urged delegates to “constantly be brave, courageous and face up to change.”
For the very first time Summit 07 featured unique video case studies featuring independent retailers in their stores. Delegates saw footage of Kate Davies, from Hodnet Stores near Market Drayton, Peter Bellini, from Bellini’s, a forecourt with a unique convenience offering in Derbyshire, and Andrew Loftus, owner of Weetons, a farm shop in Harrogate, introducing their stores. The retailers were then grilled on their businesses by John Humphrys.
Industry Speakers were:
• Mike Lassek, from Pepsico, on their ‘Futurecast’ research project, examining current trends in the market.
• Ellis Watson, MD of Menzies Distribution, on the importance of engaging your customers on an emotional level.
• Debbie Robinson from the Co-op, on Fair Trade products.
• Nigel Mills, MD of the Mills Group, on their journey to innovate their stores.
• Jerry Marwood, MD of SPAR, on the opportunities of Food to Go.
• Francis Ball, FWD Chairman, on the need for independent retailers to change and focus on service.
The key message to emerge from the day was that innovation starts with very basics, if you get the small things like quality customer service, good range and availability and a tidy store right, you are half way to innovating in your store and winning customers.
This theme was reinforced by three time Olympic medalist, Kriss Akabusi who closed the day with an inspiring motivational talk on how an athlete’s ability to perform can translate to your own personal arena.
James Lowman, Chief Executive of ACS, said: “We are absolutely thrilled at the response to Summit 07. It was very well attended, we heard from a fantastic mix of speakers and we have received excellent feedback from delegates. In such a tough market it is great to see positive things happening, and Summit 07 has placed ACS at the heart of the sector.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa PR
020 7602 9222
Notes:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. Pictures of the Summit and the Gala Dinner are available through Rachel Lawson.
3. For further information on the speakers presentations contact Rachel Lawson.
Held on 1 May at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham, and Chaired by the Sony Broadcaster of the Year Award Winner, John Humphrys, the industry line up was second to none. Summit 07 attracted excellent support from delegates including some of the industry’s biggest players and record retail and supplier attendance.
Keynote speaker Sir Digby Jones, former Director-General of the CBI, shared an inspirational vision on change in business and how finding a niche can give local shops a unique selling point. Sir Digby urged delegates to “constantly be brave, courageous and face up to change.”
For the very first time Summit 07 featured unique video case studies featuring independent retailers in their stores. Delegates saw footage of Kate Davies, from Hodnet Stores near Market Drayton, Peter Bellini, from Bellini’s, a forecourt with a unique convenience offering in Derbyshire, and Andrew Loftus, owner of Weetons, a farm shop in Harrogate, introducing their stores. The retailers were then grilled on their businesses by John Humphrys.
Industry Speakers were:
• Mike Lassek, from Pepsico, on their ‘Futurecast’ research project, examining current trends in the market.
• Ellis Watson, MD of Menzies Distribution, on the importance of engaging your customers on an emotional level.
• Debbie Robinson from the Co-op, on Fair Trade products.
• Nigel Mills, MD of the Mills Group, on their journey to innovate their stores.
• Jerry Marwood, MD of SPAR, on the opportunities of Food to Go.
• Francis Ball, FWD Chairman, on the need for independent retailers to change and focus on service.
The key message to emerge from the day was that innovation starts with very basics, if you get the small things like quality customer service, good range and availability and a tidy store right, you are half way to innovating in your store and winning customers.
This theme was reinforced by three time Olympic medalist, Kriss Akabusi who closed the day with an inspiring motivational talk on how an athlete’s ability to perform can translate to your own personal arena.
James Lowman, Chief Executive of ACS, said: “We are absolutely thrilled at the response to Summit 07. It was very well attended, we heard from a fantastic mix of speakers and we have received excellent feedback from delegates. In such a tough market it is great to see positive things happening, and Summit 07 has placed ACS at the heart of the sector.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa PR
020 7602 9222
Notes:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. Pictures of the Summit and the Gala Dinner are available through Rachel Lawson.
3. For further information on the speakers presentations contact Rachel Lawson.