The highly anticipated 2023 Apparelmaster Annual conference was held in mid-May at the picturesque Heritage Hotel in Queenstown. With the fitting theme of 'Back in Business,' this conference successfully united branch owners, team members, and valued suppliers to commemorate achievements, reflect on past obstacles, and embrace the promising year ahead.
The three-day programme of the 2023 conference was filled with engaging content and exciting activities, reaching its climax with the prestigious Gala Awards dinner held on Saturday night.
Participants had the chance to partake in the fiercely competitive Apparelmaster Masters Golf Tournament, attend AGMs, listen to informative guest speakers, and enjoy thrilling outdoor adventures, allowing them to explore the wonders of Queenstown.
Here are some notable highlights from this remarkable event:
- La Nuova Apparelmaster emerged victorious as the recipient of the esteemed Supreme Franchise Award for 2023.
- Jamie Adams from Bowe was honoured with the coveted Apparelmaster Green Dust Coat as winner of the Apparelmaster Masters Golf Tournament.
- Steph Holloway from Elemental Potential delivered two insightful sessions during the conference. The first focused on body language, while the second explored the evolving customer expectations in the post-pandemic era.
- Renowned economist, Cameron Bagrie, formerly of ANZ, analyzed the Government's 2023 budget and discussed the economic outlook for businesses in the upcoming year.
- Alisha Black from Instep shed light on the utility reductions achieved in comparison to the base year, demonstrating the significant impact of our partnership with Intel.
- Upparel introduced their groundbreaking recycling techniques that repurpose end-of-life garments, effectively diverting them from landfills. Through a process of washing, shredding, and transforming the fabric into non-woven felt material, Upparel has successfully repurposed over 10 million items, filling mattresses, cushions, pet beds, and more.
- La Nuova Apparelmaster's Managing Director, Brad Craig, marked a milestone as he celebrated his 40th birthday. The occasion was commemorated with an amusingly ironic birthday cake and dinner at Margo's Mexican restaurant.
In conclusion, the 2023 Apparelmaster Annual conference was a resounding success, bringing together industry leaders and passionate individuals. This event truly embodied the theme of 'Back in Business’ and showcased our industry's resilience, innovation, and commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future.