newsXpress this week is hosting it’s first of two national conferences this year in Melbourne.
Monday was a buying tour of the Toy Fair – appointments with key suppliers offering trade show specials and products insights.
Yesterday was a full day conference at the MCG and a trade show with 30 suppliers pitching a broad variety of products. The conference agenda included an industrial relations lawyer speaking about Fair Work and unfair dismissal, a social media expert speaking about how to engage your business in valuable social media opportunities, an insight into high-value collector shoppers, pricing and range advice to drive margin dollars in ink and the previewing of greeting card customer engagement opportunities.
Proactive sessions to drive newsagency traffic and build basket depth.
The conference yesterday had 150 people participating. Just over 100 newsagents. The feedback on the day and last night at the BBQ dinner on the Yarra River was excellent. Better still, nowhere at the conference or socially was there any discussion on industry politics. Nowhere were people talking about tough times. The mood was optimistic and the overall feeling one of excitement and happiness. It was a thrill to mix with happy newsagents.
Everyday there are choices we can make about our businesses and how they impact on our lives and our outlook. Leaders in our channel – in supplier businesses, associations and elsewhere can set the agenda for newsagents. For too long the agenda has been rooted in the past and focused on being adversarial with suppliers.
Working together optimistically can like-minded newsagents and suppliers do well. I saw plenty of that yesterday. I’m a Director of newsXpress so of course I’ll talk up the event. I’m certain, however, that anyone else there would agree with what I have written. Anyone organising a conference or similar event for newsagents needs to be able to write the same – to share the pleasure of a nurturing optimism in newsagents and connecting them with suppliers who share this and who offer opportunities through which we can navigate to a bright future.
I’m not writing this post to encourage people to join newsXpress. I;’m writing it because the event yesterday and indeed over the three days is different to the usual newsagency conference. It’s more forward looking and full of hope. Most of all, the newsagents participating shared an energy and excitement that was a thrill to be part of.
This was yet another outstanding nXp conference. The supplier deals at the conference really were fantastic. A guided tour of the gift fair on monday, conference with some great presenters offering fabulous insights on tuesday and a bus tour of some preferred supplies on the wednesday all added up to a great time. But again the most amazing part of the trip was the chance to mingle with so many great, pro active newsagents. The ideas that flowed from conversations we all had was absolutely fantastic. Cant wait for our August conference.
Hear, hear Allan it was an incredible 3 days which is sure to benefit our business enormously. Like you, we can’t wait for the next one.
Ditto guys, lots of learning and lots of fun!