New Sunrise celebrated a significant milestone with iceworks 2024 marking its first European conference. The conference took place at London Hilton Metropole, Paddington in London, UK on 2-6 September, providing a dynamic platform for industry leaders, innovators, and partners to share insights, network, and explore the convenience landscape of London.
With over 350 delegates in attendance from across Australia, the event coined the ‘Royal Sunrise Family Gathering,’ offered delegates meaningful connections, collaborations and magical experiences that will last a lifetime.
Welcome to London: Opening night
New Sunrise Brand and Marketing Manager Andrew Cardinale opened the 16th annual iceworks conference and welcomed all attendees, reinforcing the family connection growing year on year.
The conference kicked off with a vibrant welcome function that set the tone for the week ahead. On the welcome night, delegates gathered at a stunning venue, surrounded by famous London landmarks, themed food stations, engaging games like cricket, and even relaxation stations offering massages. The fun and casual event offered the perfect start to what would be a memorable week.
Business sessions: Leading with innovation
Day two commenced with a business session opened by New Sunrise Operations Manager Vincent Cardinale. His message, “Be a voice, not an echo,” set the tone for the discussions to follow. Mr Cardinale emphasised that retailers are the heartbeat of their communities, urging them to lead with purpose and originality.
New Sunrise Managing Director Steve Cardinale took the stage next to share the company’s vision for the future. He celebrated New Sunrise’s recent achievement of being named AACS Retailer of the Year for the second consecutive year and highlighted the brand’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. He also outlined New Sunrise’s goal of becoming Australia’s preferred destination to eat, drink, and… pee.
The New Sunrise leadership team – National Merchandise Manager Joe Alessi, Brand and Marketing Manager Andrew Cardinale, and Operations Manager Vincent Cardinale – outlined key initiatives focused on enhancing the shopper experience, boosting visibility, and driving future growth.
Keynote speakers Ed Evan and Emma John from Pret A Manger and Nigel Simpson from Greggs provided invaluable insights into the UK’s petrol and convenience retail sector. Their presentations offered fresh perspectives for Australian retailers to adapt to their markets, making the global exchange of ideas a pivotal highlight of the event.
The day also featured retailer success stories, showcasing strategies that have ensured the longevity and growth of their businesses.
A lively engagement with suppliers
The afternoon brought an exciting engagement session between retail operators and suppliers, where discussions on new product development (NPD), core rollouts, and promotions took place. With an impressive £10,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, this session was not only informative but energizing.
The day concluded with a relaxing and spirited dinner at 100 Wardour Street, SOHO, supported by Asahi Beverages and Bega Group. British vibes filled the air as delegates danced the night away, feeling refreshed and ready for the days ahead.
Exploring London’s retail scene
On day three, delegates experienced an in-market study tour supported by Suntory Oceania, offering delegates the opportunity to visit world renowned retail locations, including corporate and independent fuel stations, grab and go food outlets, grocery stores and iconic retail landmarks such as Harrods. The tour gave a firsthand look into the retail workings of stores in this market, providing inspiration and practical ideas that delegates could bring back to their own businesses and markets.
Snowball Awards and Gala Dinner: A royal finale
The conference ended on a high note with the Snowball Awards and Gala Dinner, held at the prestigious Guildhall in London, which was built in 1440. The royal-themed night was a fitting close to the ‘Royal Sunrise Family Gathering,’ celebrating outstanding achievements across the New Sunrise network.
Here’s a sneak peek of Iceworks 24 London Snowball Awards Winners.
After presenting the awards, delegates enjoyed a night of music, dancing, and camaraderie.
As the delegates bid farewell to London, they carried with them new ideas, strengthened relationships, and a renewed drive to continue making New Sunrise the preferred destination for Australian consumers.
“iceworks 2024 in London not only delivered a royal experience but also set the stage for an exciting future ahead for New Sunrise.”
A ‘heartfelt thank you’ to delegates
“iceworks 2024 was not merely another industry event, but a unique gathering of family, friends, and like-minded individuals, who together, have shown the industry its true innovation, resilience, and future potential as a retail network,” according to New Sunrise.
“With Sunny flying high for all New Sunrise members, the drive to achieve new heights and set new standards continue to allow members the opportunity to unlock the potential ahead, recognised in back-to-back wins of AACS Retailer of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
“New Sunrise extends a heartfelt thank you to all delegates for making Iceworks 2024 a huge success. A special thanks to supplier partners, whose unwavering support continues to drive success through the Passport to Profit program. Their commitment to New Sunrise’s pillars and growth drivers has been instrumental in achieving exceptional results that benefit both businesses and consumers.”
