The drinks association’s 2017 Mentoring Program, in partnership with Women in drinks and Serendis, held a workshop this week designed to help mentors and mentees identify their signature strengths. Almost 50 participants, some of whom travelled from New Zealand and Melbourne, attended the session at Sydney’s Luna Park, where they were introduced to the framework to use during their mentoring sess…

Business reviews for products or services are one of the most powerful marketing tools available. If you’re going to buy something or go somewhere, the most reliable indicator of value for money is the opinion of someone you trust who’s been there before or as a next best option, the opinion of someone you don’t know but who has used the service recently. By Walter MacCallum , a Director with Aitken Lawy…

The number of Australian candidates enrolling in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) programme has increased 18 per cent in the last 12 months according to Ian Harris, WSET chief executive. Harris also announced today that Yalumba, Australia’s oldest family owned winery, has become a Bronze Corporate Partner, joining Accolade Wines, Australian Vintage, Treasury and Wine Australia at var…

Around 400 liquor retailers, suppliers, representatives and key industry stakeholders from across NSW and the ACT were in attendance to celebrate excellence in the retail liquor industry at Friday night’s 20th annual Retail Liquor Industry Awards for Excellence Presentation Dinner at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. LSA NSW | ACT Executive Director Michael Waters said, “The LSA is honoured to have been able …

This years’ IBA Retail and Supplier Awards were announced at the National Trade Workshop in Fiji – honouring the best performers in the IBA network. And the winners are: National Retailer of the Year 2016 Hastings Co-op SUPA IGA plus Liquor Wauchope – Lisa Attkins National Cellarbrations Retailer of the Year 2016 Cellarbrations Superstore at Torquay Hotel – Darren Carter National IGA Liquor Retailer of th…

Scott Marshall opened the 2016 IBA Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau, last night in front of 600 guests enjoying a spectacular banquet on Denarau Beach. Conferencing begins this morning with an address from Scott Marshall and Ian Morrice – expected to focus on the store of the future, the right sales mix and increasing profitability. Welcoming delegates to the 2016 IBA Conference

Want to know which wines are being collected? Get the inside scoop from the team at Wine Ark – Australia’s ‘wine bank’, storing the national reserve of Australia’s best known and clearly most loved wine brands with the release of ‘Australia’s Most Collected Wines 2016’. The results may not be all you think they’ll be. It’s almost like ‘wine insider trading’ – knowing who is storing what in the vaults of t…

Winners of the 2016 Hunter Valley Wine Show were announced at the Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley today. Chairman of the Judges, PJ Charteris, said the standout from the entries tasted this year was the region’s semillon. “The 2016 semillons were nothing short of exceptional!” Charteris said. Despite a challenging vintage, Charteris said that winemakers in the Hunter are remaining committed to putting quality…

The 2016 Australian Craft Beer Survey by Beer Cartel has received 6,500 respondents, showing craft beer as a segment not only in growth but getting traction with it’s fan base. The data provides a birds-eye view of this young and exciting industry. Key findings from the research include: Feral Brewing voted Australia’s best craft brewery Victoria voted Australia’s best State for craft beer Aust…

Brown-Forman Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands will see Marc Satterthwaite bring nearly three decades of industry sales, marketing, and operations experience to the newly appointed position as Managing Director. Having served in a variety of roles within Brown-Forman internationally, Mr. Satterthwaite has developed his skills as an effective builder of businesses, brands, and teams. He has held a…