2009-2010 Year in Review

This financial year has been a busy and defining year for Retailers and Suppliers in the Convenience Store sector and the AACS secretariat who work tirelessly on your behalf; Sheryle Moon (Executive Director), Troy Eaton (Marketing & Membership Services Manager) and Barb Weston our Accounts Manager.

Some of the successes over the year are detailed below.

Events

  • Gala Dinner at the Shangri La Sydney was a fantastic event. Peter Jowett Award winners went onto the Global Competition at the NACS Show in Las Vegas and performed very well
  • Breakfasts with Dave Bryans - Canadian Convenience Store Association and lobby Federal and NSW Ministers
  • Welcomed 200 people to the Convenience Leaders Summit in Auckland
  • Launched 2009 State of Industry Report in Feb 2010 with events in Sydney and Melbourne
  • Cadbury sponsored Gold Day and Industry dinner – excellent feedback on the member event

Lobbying

AACS has lobbied extensively on topics from the impact of legislation on the sector, support for small business and evidence based legislation. This included meetings and emails to bureaucrats and politicians across six states and territories and the Federal Government. Submissions were made to the Plain Packaging Inquiry, the Preventative Health Taskforce and the Blacktown Amendment.

Media

Extensive media since Oct 2009 and all Press Releases distributed through the Parliamentary network:

  • Nov 09 28 presences TV, metro/regional news, talkback radio, print and online re Underage Smoking and RDB’s
  • Dec 09 C-Store categories, RDB introduction and xmas/ new year and Preventative Health Taskforce
  • Channel 7 Today Tonight Jan 2010 on Convenience Store, pricing policy and fresh food
  • State of Industry Report Press Release in February generated 10 media presences
  • April 10, 30 presences re Excise tax increase capital city pres, talkback radio, news, AFR and online Crikey report
  • Interviews and articles in industry press across Australia, US, Canada and UK.

Industry Relationships

Communicated and worked with all other relevant trade associations on getting our message out to members and stakeholders.

HSSE Activities

Forum established Nov 09. Webpage will detail their activities and show progress on design, development and rollout of the Handling Dangerous Goods Online Training to 250 member sites at no charge.

AACS University

AACS C-Store and Handling Dangerous Goods training and course ware from Abbott, SimSkill and ATMP available to benefit members and employees in meeting compliance around Age Identification, OH&S and safety.

Website

More information and functionality and a number of members and industry people have commented positively on the quality Newsfeed section. Web 2.0 applications such as Blog, Twitter and Face Book page to help grow the AACS brand.

Your association will undertake further advocacy required before the next Federal and state elections to ensure Convenience Stores and suppliers have a voice in the legislative and regulatory environment in which we operate.