2016 TIR Trade Expo and IGA Conference
Thank you to all the retailers who took the time to visit this year’s expo and conference in Hobart. TIR also appreciates the ongoing support that it receives for this event from our retailer, exhibitors and other business partners network – all of which has been instrumental in ensuring the success of this event in the past, along with new options being considered for 2017 and beyond.
Connect, Collaborate, Innovate. These three words sum up key terms that we must find ways to implement in order for the IGA brand to grow, strengthen and maintain our sense of localness. At the 2016 TIR Expo and IGA Conference, more than 150 delegates took the opportunity to collaborate and connect with 102 exhibitors to help build strong relationships and networks and seek out innovation through exciting store upgrades, technology and online shopping.
Thursday and Friday’s trade expo at Wrest Point featured many regular and new exhibitors as well as an expanded fresh display in the Wellington Room. This year’s deals were also offered to delegates online for the first time via the TIR online Turn-In website at https://tir.myfoodlink.com/
Now known as the IGA Awards of Excellence, 400 guests were treated to fine food, great music from Sugartrain and hilarious improvisational comedy from the Recharegables. The feature of the night are the 16 IGA department and IGA Store of the Year Awards that recognize continued investment and support of the IGA network support that continue to raise the standards and enhance the customer’s overall shopping experience. Congratulations to all the finalists and category winners.
Friday’s business breakfast was hosted by the very funny, Syd Heylen who got the room warmed up for another big expo day. TIR’s CEO, Grant Hinchcliffe, addressed the continued growth in Tasmania, IGA promotional programs, marketing and IGA channel clarity. Details about Grant’s address are available in the IGA Retailer Zone. Special guest, Mick Daly from Dalys IGA in Victoria, shared some important tips on insurance and how his own experience of fire disaster eventually lead to National and International IGA Retailer of the Year. Justin Herald’s keynote address shared humorous insights of success with his Attitude Inc clothing brand.
Expo concluded Friday night with an apt Las Vegas party at Wrest Point’s Show Room. Music was provided by the James Maddocks Trio and entertainment from the ‘Rat Pack’ era by the Croons and the Croonettes. Delegates chilled and relaxed after two full days of expo.
Congratulations to our Awards of Excellence winners;
IGA State Store of the Year
- IGA X-press ROTY IGA X-Press Arthur Street (Hill Street Grocer)
- IGA Everyday ROTY IGA Everyday Norwood
- SUPA IGA ROTY SUPA IGA St Helens
IGA Departments
- SUPA IGA Delicatessen Department - SUPA IGA St Helens
- IGA Everyday Delicatessen Department - IGA Everyday St Helens (Hilly's)
- SUPA IGA Meat Department - SUPA IGA St Helens
- IGA Everyday Meat Department - IGA Everyday St Helens (Hilly's)
- SUPA IGA Produce Department - SUPA IGA St Helens
- IGA Everyday Produce Department - IGA Norwood
- SUPA IGA Bakery Department - SUPA IGA Prospect
- SUPA IGA Grocery & General Merchancise Department - SUPA IGA Prospect
- IGA Everyday Grocery & General Merchandise Department - IGA Everyday Norwood
- SUPA IGA Dairy/Freezer Department - SUPA IGA Prospect
- IGA Everyday Dairy/Freezer Department - IGA Everyday Norwood
- Retail Transformation & Innovation - IGA Everyday Blackmans Bay (Hill Street Grocer)