In mid-February, over 800 delegates from the AIRR & Tuckers reseller group descended onto Adelaide for the first face-to-face conference and trade fair in three years due to a COVID forced hiatus.
Going by the number of people, independent retail stores and suppliers represented, the AIRR & Tuckers National Member Conference is the largest trade event in the industry, says AIRR Josh Symons senior marketing manager – independents and private label.
The AIRR & Tuckers Group are a national member-based and marketing buying group that was founded solely to help independent rural retailers compete in an ever-increasingly competitive landscape.
Mr Symons said the model is centred on buying, profit generation for members, national distribution and loyalty – philosophies that have seen the group experience massive growth since its inception in 2006.
“The National Conference is what Monaco is to Formula 1, a special event the AIRR team, members and suppliers look forward to each year.
“The Conference is staged over three days, with all members arriving on Saturday for a series of talks from the heads of key categories within the AIRR & Tuckers team around strategy, the market and the wide variety of the members’ models, including buying power, back-end returns and consumer demand creation.
“Following this, one of a series of two evening functions set on the banks of the Torrens – which was abuzz with energy from members and key suppliers.
“Sunday morning saw 800 supplier and member delegates attend the conference opening with two guest speakers to set the tone for the weekend.”
First up, Adam Ferrier – a thought leader on brands, customer value proposition, motivating change through the science of behavioural economics and creativity. Mr Ferrier is also the founder of Thinkerbell, 2021’s winner of the most Creative Agency in the world.
The second key speaker, the legendary John Bertrand, did a deep dive into the mindset it took to strip America of the America’s Cup for the first time in history, when Australia won in 1983. Both truly inspiring talks enjoyed by retail members and suppliers alike.
Sunday also played host to the beginning of a two-day tradeshow featuring 85 industry leading suppliers who put on great deals for AIRR & Tuckers members.
Mr Symons said the results over the two-day trade fair were “incredible” with record sales, a huge number of new stockists for many of the brands and extra dollars put into independents’ pockets plus on stores’ point of sale margins.
“The AIRR business takes immense pride in putting on an event that provides such great returns for suppliers and their independent members,” Mr Symons said.
“The grand finale on the last day following the Trade Show was the Gala Dinner. At each AIRR & Tuckers National Member Conference, the award-winning members and suppliers are announced. This year, three years’ winners were recognised as we were unable to have the Conference since 2020.
“There are a multitude of factors which are considered in selecting award winners, including growth and the adoption of AIRR initiatives plus members’ ability to excel and diversify to grow their business.
“Awards categories include The Peter Law National AIRR Member of the Year, National Tuckers Member of the Year, state-based awards, as well as a host of supplier awards. It was a busy night, but it was tremendous to recognise all award winners over the three years who all deserve the acknowledgement of their peers.”
A special part of the Gala Dinner evening was the announcement of the winner and runner-up of the AIRR or Tuckers ‘Young Guns’ Program. The AIRR & Tuckers Young Guns program was founded to harness the passion and develop the talents of young people in the AIRR & Tuckers national network of member stores.
From its initiation, this unique program continues to deliver on its original ambition and each time helps 10 brilliant young people add to their skill sets, their confidence and do great things within the retail stores they work for; and with the personal development comes extra value to the business they work in.
AIRR general manager – group marketing Kane Law said, “The Young Guns program is something we as a business are immensely proud of. The investment in the next generation of rural retail absolutely enriches lives of participants – which is to the heart of the program.
“The personal development and development of the independent businesses they proudly work for is what gives this unique and highly tailored program such a high standing with our members, the valued sponsors who we are so thankful for, and the industry more broadly.
“As it stands, AIRR & Tuckers have over 350 independent rural retailers nationwide that proudly call themselves members of the group. The group is already looking forward to an even bigger and better 2024 event – if it is even possible to top 2023 – which was already the biggest in the industry.”
