The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) held its Women in Convenience panel discussions in Sydney and Melbourne last week.
Aimed at empowering women in the industry, both full-house events were a resounding success and offered fantastic insights from leading women in the channel.
Led by Corinne Barclay, from CMA, the panels featured prominent women leaders within the convenience sector, who shared their expertise, experiences, and strategies for overcoming challenges in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Discussions ranged from career development and leadership to risk taking and the importance of diversity within the workplace.
Both events saw a captivated audience of industry professionals eager to learn and engage with the speakers with networking opportunities both before and after the panel discussion. As one attendee noted, “Discussion around networking and encouraging attendees to meet at least one new person was a fantastic enabler for the post panel networking session.”
Others remarked, “It felt genuinely honest and real, with no facade. It was a refreshing experience for me,” and “I took away many valuable lessons from the event. It was enlightening to learn that even individuals with senior roles and over 30 years of experience still have fears, just like the rest of us. Additionally, hearing how they have navigated difficult times and turned things around was truly inspiring.”
The success of these events underscores AACS’ commitment to fostering a supportive environment within the convenience store sector. By highlighting the achievements and challenges of women in leadership roles, AACS aims to inspire future generations and drive positive change across the industry.
Looking ahead, AACS will host another series of Women in Convenience events in September, with a Guest Speaker Breakfast held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, stated that as the industry evolves, initiatives like these are crucial in shaping a more inclusive and dynamic future.
“We welcome all members to our Women in Convenience events and look forward to seeing you in September.”
Sydney panellists:
- Corinne Barclay, CMA (Moderator)
- Deb Cooper, Suntory Oceania
- Kylie Couper, Viva Energy
- Joyce Tan, Nestlé
- Jo Watters, Chevron
Melbourne panellists:
- Corinne Barclay, CMA (Moderator)
- Stavroula Drakos, Patties
- Alexa-Jane King, Viva Energy
- Kellie Struth, APCO
- Camilla Warnock, PepsiCo
AACS thanked their sponsors UCB and Patties for their ongoing support.
Register here for Guest Speaker Breakfasts.
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