Plan now to watch two Canadians compete in one of the most exciting and energizing industry competitions in the world – this year at the NACS Show in Atlanta, GA in October. The topic the competitors will address is:
"Technology is enhancing the convenience retail customer experience. Discuss future directions for technology that will improve, extend and integrate customer relations and build long-term sustainable growth and profits."
The 2010 winners at ConvenienceU in Toronto, March 3, 2010: Rami Reda, Big Bee Convenience & Foodmart Simon Grenier, JTI-Macdonald Corp. They won an entertaining competition with great presentations from all of the entrants to a packed room at the Toronto Congress Center.
(L-R) Back Row: Borna Zlamalik, JTI-Macdonald Corp, Rami Reda, Big Bee Convenience & Foodmart, Clayton Irwin, Rothmans Benson and Hedges, Simon Grenier, JTI-Macdonald Corp, Matthew Page, Hershey Canada, Isabelle Haché, Imperial Tobacco Canada, Chantal Dyal, JTI-Macdonald Corp. Front Row: Jamie Laplante, Mac’s Convenience Stores, Jackie Clavel, Wilson Fuel Co., Paula Taylor, Mac’s Convenience Stores, Stephanie Duffy, Mac’s Convenience Stores.
• • •
On Thursday January 21, 2010 an orientation seminar was produced at Mac’s Convenience Stores Head Office in Toronto for a group of people who wanted to learn what the Global Convenience Achievement Award is all about - and what is required to be a winner.
This orientation session was hosted by Tom Moher, Mac’s Convenience Stores, the Retailer category winner in 2008 with R. David Gould, President, Bald Eagle Consulting Inc. who has coached our Canadian GCIAA contestants since 2006, producing four winners!
After Tom welcomed everyone attending, he introduced Dave Bryans, President, CCSA who outlined the opportunity this event has for the contestants and their employers. To show what it takes, the winners of the 2009 event at NACS in Las Vegas, Borna Zlamaik, JTI and Jamie Laplante, Mac’s reprised their winning presentations and outlined both the support they received and how their participation has helped them personally develop their careers.
David Gould then gave a straightforward review of what competitors have to do to answer this year’s competition question: "Technology is enhancing the convenience retail customer experience. Discuss future directions for technology that will improve, extend and integrate customer relations and build long-term sustainable growth and profits."
The session concluded with a spirited Q&A and the contestants left with a definite spring in their step. We saw the results at the Canadian competition in Toronto at ConvenienceU, in March!
(Group photo: L-R) Borna Zlamalik , JTI; Paula Taylor, Mac’s; Jackie Clavel, Wilson’s Fuels, Rami Reda, Big Bee; Simon Grenier, JTI; Tom Moher, Mac’s; Clay Irwin, RBH; Matt Evers, Mac’s ; Matt Page, Hersheys; Jamie LaPlante, Mac’s. Caroline Reny, Imperial Tobacco attended.
In 2009 Borna Zlamalik, JTI and Jamie Laplante, Mac's Convenience Stores won in BOTH categories!
Our 2008 competitor was Chantal Dyal, JTI who was a very strong contender in the Manufacturers category.
In 2007, Tom Moher, Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. won in the Retail category, while Edward Woo, Rothmans Benson & Hedges was a runner-up in the Manufacturers category.
In 2006, Tina Ackermans, Petro-Canada won in her category while Kristy McNiven, Hershey’s Canada was a close runner-up in hers!
There has been some confusion regarding the introduction of the new state-of-the-art stamp designed to help in the fight against contraband tobacco as to the compliance issues that affect our retail members and local potential inspections.
All CCSA associations have received presentations of the 2009 State of the Industry report for retailers, distributors and manufacturers.
Merchandising directly impacts on generating in-store traffic first and that should translate into in-store sales. Merchandising creates the ambiance to attract people to enter the store, and once inside, that same merchandising must not just create a good first impression; it also must sustain and leave a positive last one!
Las Vegas-style single-game sports betting is coming to more of North America, and possibly even soon. Ontario needs to wake up and beat the Americans to it - and not only so Maple Leaf fans can get rich on their beloveds (except for this week).
