ASGA

Many commented at the end of the Conference this was the most successful, enjoyable and informative ASGA Conference to date.  More than 120 guests attended the 2009 Conference.

Tim Lane, Master of Ceremonies, controlled the day in a typically polished, informative and professional manner, sports viewers have come to expect of one of Australia's most respected sports broadcast journalists.  Witnessing Tim's ability to link the sporting goods industry with his breadth of knowledge of sport was one of the day's highlights.

ASGA Chairman, Ian Fullagar formerly welcomed everyone to the event and thanked the many ASGA Members who attended the day for their ongoing support.  Ian also thanked the major Conference sponsor Australia Post and supporting sponsors GunPoS, Hewlett Packard (Cocktail Party supporter) and Classic Press (Print and design sponsor).

Andrew Plympton, AOC Director and Chairman of Yachting Australia opened the Conference and was extremely passionate about the need for sports industry participants, from the trade and those involved in sport to work together, for the overall benefit of Australia's sports industry.

Sean Cary, Executive Director of ASGA followed Andrew and provided the audience with a summary of year's projects and a glimpse of what ASGA will focus on in the next twelve months.  Sean encouraged the sporting goods companies to continue to support ASGA both financially and importantly with action as well.

An important presentation prior to the morning tea break was made by the Australian Sports Commission's new CEO, Matt Miller.  Matt had only been at the helm of the ASC for approximately 150 days prior to the ASGA Conference and already had embarked on a strategic planning process that involved holding Forums with all National Sporting Organisations in Australia.

As part of Matt's presentation he implored, going forth, all sports needed to become commercially viable.  He said his and the ASC's challenge moving forward is to provide the necessary tools and resources to help sport organisations commercialize their assets, generate additional sources of revenues and thus reduce the reliance of Government funding to keep individual sports operational and commercially viable.  He would like to see the ASC eventually become a sport's funding "Partner" rather than being their sole source of revenue, as is the case with many sports in Australia.

Post the morning tea break one of the major highlights for all who attended was the Panel discussion with some of the sporting goods industry's leading retailing "heads".

The panel included CEO of Ascendia Group, John Joyce, MD of Foot Locker, Lew Kimble, National Sales and Product Manager for The Athletes Foot, Geoff Webster and MD of Associated Retailers, Chris Morgan.

The Panel was expertly quizzed by MC Tim Lane on all matters relating to sporting goods retailing.  The Panel was challenged over where the happy medium will lie between the 'vertical integration' argument within the supply and retail side of the industry.  All panel members agreed that retailers are the best at selling sporting goods to the consumer and can offer consumers a far broader product choice than a supplier's branded retail store.  However, they also conceded that suppliers are experts in the research and development of products and understanding the supply chain business.  They all said there would always be a need for happy working relationship into the future between suppliers and retailers.

Rob Mills, CEO of the gemba Group replaced James Hird who unfortunately was a late scratching for the Conference.  Rob provided a very informative presentation detailing the development of the Sports and Entertainment industries and the key components of those industries being the consumers, venues, commercial partners and rights holders.

After lunch Conference participants were perplexed by Mark McCrindle's presentation.  His entertaining presentation informed the group about the generational shifts of today's consumers.  He challenged the product developers and marketers to become more aware of the different characteristics, values and priorities of each generation.  It was a truly masterful execution of facts and figures that highlighted business is not just shaped by technological and economic challenges but also by demographic and generational changes.

Following McCrindle's "key note" presentation, the group broke into three concurrent sessions.  Participants chose between Corrs Chambers Westgarth's presentation by Partner Stephen Stern on "Online Retailing - parallel importation and counterfeit goods", a GunPoS presentation by Director Geoff Day on "Using Technology to make a better retail experience" and Australia Post's presentation by Business Development Manager Marc Gauci who explained "Post's best kept secret" regarding their supply chain logistics new venture in China.

The day was concluded with the ASGA AGM during which Ross Langdon was presented ASGA's second only Life Membership Award for his outstanding service to ASGA and the Australian sporting goods industry.  Chris Morgan made the presentation and there was overwhelming support and acknowledgement from the group towards Ross's extended involvement within the industry.

Andrew Startin entertained the crowd with his amazing impersonations of some of Australia's most decorated and recognizable sport stars and journalists just prior to the guests enjoying a well earned refreshment at the end of another very successful ASGA Conference.