Tomorrow the C&I Expo 2016 kicks off and, for the first time, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) will join C&I to present two action packed days of trade shows, seminars and networking opportunities for the convenience and impulse retailers.
This year’s expo which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and is Australia’s premiere industry event for the convenience channel.
Admission to most events is still available and free
The C&I Expo opens at 12pm and runs through to 5pm and provides the opportunity to browse the latest products and services from more than 100 exhibitors free of charge.
With so much to do and see the Expo returns on Thursday afternoon, giving retailers another afternoon to examine the stalls and talk to suppliers.
All convention sessions feature leading industry figures who are sure to inspire and delight. Speakers at the AACS Leadership Summit on Wednesday morning (now sold out) include Scott Hartman, president of Rutter’s USA; Craig Urquhart, CEO of Nightowl convenience stores; Leo Pucar, GM consumer sales, Caltex Australia; as well as author and consultation, Steve Simpson.
The overall theme of the expo is “Inspiring change” and retailers are sure to walk away with fresh ideas, a new perspective and a renewed enthusiasm for convenience.
All the above events are free and last minute registration can be made the door, however, online registration is recommended to avoid queues at the door.
Thursday morning’s C&I Retailers Breakfast ($44 per head, pre-booked tickets are required) includes a fully catered cooked breakfast and four innovative and successful convenience retailers will share their success stories. Speakers include Eddy Nader, MD of Nader Petroleum Group and Urbanista; Dion Taylor, director of Last Stop Convenience; and Bob Little, owner of SPAR Maclean.
Convention Session presenters include Lou Jardin MD of Spar Australia; Oliver Sargent partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Jeff Griffiths, MD of Endeavour Petroleum and Dr Gary Mortimer senior lecturer – advertising, marketing, and PR QUT Business School.
Safa de Valois, commercial director and publisher of C&I Retailing said: “Since C&I and AACS have come together this is now the industry’s main and biggest event, and with the opening of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour C&I 2017 will be even bigger and better!
“The excitement is coming all together and it’s a perfect baked cake.”
Sold out events
More than 500 people are expected to attend Wednesday’s AACS Leadership Summit and Gala Awards dinner. Both of these events are now fully booked.
Stay in touch with the latest Expo news
The C&I team will be providing live updates throughout the events on our social media channels including Facebook Live video streaming on our Facebook page. Attendees can also get involved by using the hashtag #ciexpo16.
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