PYMBLE, NSW, 18 Oct 2019 – Office Brands (OB) 2019 20th Anniversary Expo & Conference attracted an outstanding increase in attendance from the past few years with our members, suppliers and partners, proving that the leading independent office and business supplies group has got the right formula to “Think Differently; Do Differently”.
Our theme and goal for this year’s event was to help our members and partners embrace “Thinking Differently” to differentiate themselves in this ever-changing industry. During and post Expo, there has been overwhelming response from our attendees sparking great motivation and movement forward with our members and partners.
Supported and lead through OB’s network of external and internal industry experts, trainers and specialists; OB provided a platform for collaboration to reveal and assist the group through ideas, solutions, creativity, innovation, strategy and cutting-edge tools to help to futureproof and scale our businesses.
The fronting topic of the event was about “Thinking Differently” on how our members and partners can be a total “360-degree workplace solutions” provider to customers.
Our CEO, Gavin Ward opened the sales conference with an inspiring message on how far the group has come, sharing stories on where it all started and how far we have come. Ward touched on the “room for growth” in the $12.5 billion workplace supplies industry and how we need to focus on “people”, not just products.
Our head of marketing, Phyabae Leong also presented the huge growth opportunities in the non-core business, with significant growth trends in the arts and craft, education, work wear, furniture, and aged care/medical sectors. Opportunities also exist in real estate and transport. We showed above industry average in several categories, including furniture (up 8.6 per cent), education (up 20.5 percent), facilities (up 5.8 per cent) and work wear (up 7.1 per cent).
Our multi award-winning keynote speaker, Amanda Stevens followed Gavin’s opening with a motivational message, told through her powerful use of storytelling. Stevens combines current consumer insights with fascinating research into buying behaviour, delivering organisations and business owners powerful strategies for connecting with their customers. Amanda believes it’s the quality of the customer experience that is currently separating good organisations from great ones.
Along with Amanda’s compelling insights into consumer experiences; we conducted various extensive workshops with Sales Training Expert, Toni Glass; and Olympic Gold Medallist, Kerri Pottharst.
Kerri gave practical advice and steps to the group, by identifying the typical excuses we give ourselves for not being able to succeed and learning how to overcome them. The workshop was a great success, with many members taking away valuable information to put towards their businesses.
In addition to our informational sessions and workshops, we also took the time to reflect on our members and partners successes’ and recognise their amazing achievements. This year we went above and beyond on our awards nights, the Friday night supplier awards held at the Adelaide Zoo; and the Member Gala Dinner awards held at the iconic Adelaide Oval.
The winner for our “member of the year” went to MOE Office Products Depot, the “Hall of Fame” winner went to Chris Humphrey from Chris Humphrey Office National; and the “supplier’s dealer of the year” award went to SBA Office National.
A special award generated this year for our suppliers, was the “Group Support Award”, won by our supplier – DAL Brands. This award recognises the tremendous support shown to our group throughout the year.
The customer service excellence award went to Matthew Hutchinson from Dynamic Office National and finally another addition to the awards this year was our “Woman of Influence” award, which went to Sinead Strawbridge from Our Town and Country Office National.
Along with the individual awards, we celebrated many anniversaries this year, by recognising our members that have been with us for 10, 15 and 20 years! There was a record total of 24 members celebrating their 20th year with Office Brands.
Overall, this year’s event marked a huge milestone for the group and our support office here in Sydney. Our members and suppliers left the weekend with a new perspective, fresh motivation and reachable goals on how we can provide 360-degree total workplace solutions, experience and overall satisfaction for customers.
For more information on working with Office Brands, please contact our Senior Business Development Manager Cameron Orth at 02 8599 6869 or corth@officebrands.com.au