NZACS

Merry Christmas from NZACS2011 commenced with the NZACS golf day at the Remuera golf course.   Eighty players took to the field for the Ambrose Tournament. The weather was great and the day progressed well with players enjoying the golf, the food and drink provided by suppliers.

The day culminated with a meal, prize giving, and a briefing from our nominated charity, Canteen, followed by great ‘networking’.  It was a real privilege to present Canteen with $6000 raised during the day.  Many thanks to the sponsors and players who
made the day a memorable one.

In August we held our Peter Jowett Scholarship finals.    Five presenters took part giving great presentations which were judged by their peers.  The winners were:

Tim Fulton – Exxon Mobil

Ian Blomfield – Frucor Beverages

Both finalists travelled to the NACS show in Chicago in October where they presented against contestants from around the world.   Both candidates acquitted themselves very well with Tim Fulton going on to win ‘The Global Retailer Section’.

NZACS Awards night followed the presentations.  The evening was well attended by 160 people representing both retailers and suppliers who enjoyed the networking over drinks and canapés followed by a meal accompanied by wine and beer.  Geoff Bryan was MC and our guest speaker, Sir Ray Avery, provided a very interesting account of growing up in orphanages in the UK, lessons learnt, and opportunities created.  David Singer presented high lights from our State of the Industry report which was published soon after.  The supplier Awards followed and, as always, are very competitive and a great credit to the winners.

The main focus for me and the committee has been the ‘Smoke-Free Environments (C&E) Amendment Act, or the hiding of Tobacco displays.  A lot of time has been taken up with submissions and meetings regards the legislation as well as presenting to the Select Committee.   I would like to record my thanks to Dave Hooker (Vice Chairman NZACS) for taking the lead roll during my overseas leave.

These efforts on behalf of our retailers culminated in my meeting with MOH personal and showing them how we believe the system will work in a retail environment.  A working model was set up at a Wellington Service Station.   The MOH now have a lot better understanding of how the Act should work and be administered.   We await the publishing of the MOH Guidelines in December 2011.

I would like to record my thanks to the NZACS Management Committee and Kathy for their deliberations and inputs over the past year.

Seasons Greetings to you all and your staff and families.

Roger Bull