By Deborah Jackson, Editor National Liquor News
The Australian Liquor Stores Association (ALSA) has opened nominations for the 2017 ALSA Young Liquor Retailer of the Year.
The program is designed to stimulate bright young retail liquor staff to further their career opportunities in the retail liquor sector.
ALSA President Giuseppe Minissale said the awards are a great opportunity for young liquor retailers from around Australia.
"With the generous support of REST Industry Super, the award has proven to be a fabulous national opportunity for young liquor retailers from around Australia, to enter into a merit based awards program and the winner will again participate in next year’s ALSA International Retail Study Tour.”
The awards, which are designed to encourage up-and-coming young applicants, are open to staff members with at least 18 months of experience within the retail liquor sector and are a maximum of 30-years-old.
ALSA CEO Terry Mott said that the Association is committed to encouraging and supporting professional and responsible development of our future retailers.
"To participate in the ALSA International Study Tour is a massive opportunity for the young winner to experience an international retailing environment and learn along with a professional group of senior industry executives,” said Mott.
The 2016 winner of the award, Rebecca Polley from BWS Stafford in Queensland, said the recognition was a "tremendous honour".
She said: "It also represents an excellent opportunity to further my knowledge and gain valuable insights that I hope to repay to my customers and the wider drinks industry."
This year's winner will be announced at ALSA's 2017 Australian Retail Drinks Conference being held in Canberra in August.
The nomination form and FAQs can be found on the ALSA website or you can call 02 8335 3250.
Finalists under 25-years-old may also have the opportunity to enter into the National Retail Association (NRA) Young Retailer of the Year Awards for the following year, a national awards program with entrants from all forms of general retail environments.
Critical Timelines:
Nominations Open: Monday May 8, 2017
Nominations Close: Wednesday June 21, 2017
Finalists announced: Monday July 10, 2017
Finalists’ interviews: Week commencing Monday July 10, 2017
Finalist Panel Interviews: Week commencing Monday July 24, 2017
Winner announced: Tuesday August 15, 2017