ACS

ACS has organised an exciting programme of speakers for its one-day annual flagship event, Summit 09, at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

The event, to be held on Thursday 30 April 2009, will be chaired by the popular presenter of BBC Radio 5’s Live Wake Up to Money, Andrew Verity.

Opening presentations will be made around the first of the Summit’s key themes: The Future, with a keynote address being delivered by David Smith, CEO of Global Futures. Video vox pops and an expert panel, including Steven Fox from Booker, will follow.

Jim McCarthy, Chief Executive of Poundland and Georgina Mason from Gonalston Farm Shop will speak around the second theme: Uniqueness. They will be followed by video case studies focusing on three successful retailers: Raj Chandegra of Desi, Peter Wagg of News on the Wharf and Shailesh Patel of Jans of Cockfosters.

To speak on the third theme: People, will be Dave Brailsford, the Team GB Performance Coach, and Lizette Craig of Botterills in Glasgow. Video vox pops and an expert panel will be made up of Philip O’Neil of Costcutter Northern Ireland, Susie Hawkins of Simon Smith Group and Chris Dobson of WRVS.

The final theme for this year’s Summit is Passion, and Guy McCracken, the former CEO of Cooperative Food Retail will make the first presentation, followed by Jerry Marwood, managing director of SPAR UK.

The Summit will close with a stimulating presentation from Dennis Reid of RPS Global, on the honing of the world-class retail performance model.

James Lowman, Chief Executive of ACS, said: “This impressive line-up of speakers is one of the best we have ever brought together for Summit, with a really good mix of retailers and inspirational presenters from outside our industry. We have already taken a huge number of bookings, so we look set to break the attendance records we set at the 2008 event.”

Summit 09 will run during the day with a Gala Dinner and overnight stay on the evening of the 30th.
Further information about booking for Summit 09 is available on the ACS website www.acs.org.uk, from Sarah C Johnson at ACS on 01252 515001 or by emailing sarah.johnson@acs.org.uk.
 

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Julie Kirby/ Grappa PR
Michael Saxton 020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.