The annual AACS Downunder Study Tour is back by popular demand, with this year’s event being held in Melbourne.
Visitors will have exclusive access to Monash University’s food hub, among other highlights on the tour.
The event is in its second year after the inaugural launch, which was held in Sydney and comprised of 43 Australian and New Zealand suppliers and retailers.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the tour catered for those with travel limitations.
“We do overseas tours each year; this year is in the US and it’s for those who don’t get the chance to go overseas, this is a local study tour for those who aren’t going there,” he said.
Mr Rogut said the key aim of the tour was to get retailers in Australia to showcase the innovative work they had carried out. He said this year’s speakers will talk about changes in the industry.
This year will see guests visiting Monash University’s recently established Food and Innovation Centre, which was conceived to cater for products, packaging and new innovation, with representatives from Monash University briefing attendees.
Guests will be invited to use Virtual Reality to visualise new store layouts and designs.
According to AACS, the expedition was “developed to appeal to up and coming leaders in our industry with the benefits of not only seeing stores and hearing from senior executives who they may not otherwise meet, but to network with others in the industry in a terrific environment”.
Attendees will witness the latest innovations in convenience stores in and around Melbourne as well as network with senior executives.
Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with managers in various companies to discuss changes in the industry. There will be networking opportunities for suppliers and retailers, from which Mr Rogut believes people “will get a huge amount of value”.
The tour is geared towards account managers, category and marketing managers, sales and operations team managers, and will take place in Melbourne over two days (31 May – 1 June).