The 2023 UCB National Conference presented its ‘Without Limits’ themed event on 21-23 February at the Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast with around 500 guests in attendance. Delegates participated in various business plenary sessions, leisure activities, with plenty of networking opportunities with industry colleagues, and sampling of the latest products along with trade show deals.
Asahi Beverages kicked off the Business Insights Session, which was followed by an update on vaping by Phillip Morris Manager for Government and External Affairs Bradley Shaw.
Opening the UCB Business Sessions, UCB CEO Darren Parks challenged delegates to break paradigms ‘Without Limits.’
Guests were treated to a panel discussion among Australian cricketing legends featuring Greg Chappell, Greg Ritchie, Jeff Thomson and Allan Border. This was followed by the opening of UCB’s Trade Show.
A distinguished line-up of speakers delighted delegates, sharing their insightful keynotes on business innovation, overcoming challenges, and an outlook for the future.
Over two dynamic morning sessions, UCB conference speakers shared their take on the ‘Without Limits’ theme featuring Repsol Renewable Fuels Director Berta Cabello Calvo, Gus Balbontin (investor, advisor, alternative futurist), Global Design Index Principal Casey Hyun (automotive designer/strategist), TXB Stores CEO Kevin Smartt, and Yellow Brick Road Executive Chairman Mark Bouris (entrepreneur and innovator).
Global Index Design Principal Casey Hyun’s keynote presentation explored the future of mobility and the transition to electric vehicles.
TXB Stores CEO Kevin Smartt delivered a plenary on TXB’s evolution to what it is today, its clear focus on its food strategy, and the path to convenience for its consumers.
The commitment to high quality, wholesome and healthy private label products, all locally sourced, is key the retailer’s success. Rather than compete on price, TXB’s point of difference is really good food that is unique to TXB because it’s all private label. The stores themselves are open and inviting with an urban industrial feel and a community focus that is centred around values of authenticity, hospitality quality.
Commenting on the Australian market, Mr Smartt suggested “get rid of the lines in store. What do convenience store sell? Not products. No we sell convenience – we sell time, and we can’t forget that. Our customers trade money for time and we need to respect that and make the time they do spend with us enjoyable and energising. Look into prepaid fuel, add more staff…just get rid of the lines!”
Yellow Brick Road Executive Chairman Mark Bouris presented a macro-economic perspective on today’s volatile market driven by rising interest rates, inflation, and the future outlook.
The key message: “It’s going to get tough, we are not through the worst of it yet and won’t be for a while. Businesses need to spend wisely, get lean and hungry, work harder than your competitors, be a safe smiling place for customers at a time when they are already under pressure. We are going into a period of survival, but with hard work and good business partners we will be able to get through it.”
Rounding out the three days of events, UCB closed its conference with a ‘Movie Mania’ themed Gala Dinner at MovieWorld.
