Retravision Northern celebrates double-digit growth at Annual Seminar

By Matthew Henry

GOLD COAST: Retravision Northern has wrapped up its Annual Seminar 2007-2008 on the Gold Coast at which the group reported on the successful migration of the northern NSW stores and strong financial growth for the group over the last 12 months.

Held between 21 and 23 September, the annual seminar saw the newly-formed retail group’s shareholders from Queensland and northern New South Wales (down to Gosford) attend two days of workshops, guest speaker presentations, the 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), a suppliers expo and Gala Awards Dinner, held between Jupiters Casino and the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This was the first annual conference since the demise of Retravision NSW last year, giving the retailer the opportunity to present to its members and suppliers on the progress of integrating NSW members into the northern group.

“It has been a tremendously satisfying year for Retravision Northern and our members,” said Retravision Northern managing director, Philip Scarff.

“We have recorded double digit growth across the business and the NSW members that migrated to Retravision Northern are now well and truly settled, with the majority reporting solid increases in business and enjoying the high levels of support that our office is providing.”

Scarff said the seminar was attended by 95 per cent of the groups members along with many suppliers, who participated in a product expo.

“The member workshops and AGM provided us with the opportunity to not only talk to members about our successes over the last 12 months, but to also brief them thoroughly on the positive changes that are happening and planned for the business. Our members have overwhelmingly supported the group’s direction,” he said.

This year’s theme for the seminar was ‘going the extra mile’, in line with the group’s recent shift to marketing its customer service credentials as a point of difference in the market place.

The seminar was wrapped up with a gala awards dinner for 900 guests with a Brazilian-styled ‘Carnaval’ theme featuring Rio Showgirls dancers, local flamenco outfit Tijuana Cartel and the headline act, Human Nature, singing old Mowtown hits.

The awards recognised both members and suppliers for their outstanding achievements throughout the year and included ‘Twenty Years Service’, ‘Top Zone’, ‘Best Presented Store’, ‘Supplier of the Year’, with Moranbah Retravision being awarded the ‘Dealer of the Year’.