By Shane T Williams
The Independent Liquor Group (ILG) family is looking forward to next year when the co-operative will celebrate 50 years of trading.
CEO Paul Esposito addressed delegates at the South Korean gala dinner last week, to let members know the destination of the 50th anniversary ILG study tour.
“The ILG study tour for 2025 will be across Spain and Portugal, first stop Barcelona, with either Lisbon or Porto to be confirmed as the second leg,” said Esposito. “This will be a massive trip for delegates as we celebrate 50 years of ILG.”
Conceived in 1974 and born in 1975, ILG turns 50 next year in what will be a milestone for the co-operative.
“We’ve formed a small committee to organise a number of events throughout next year, and the 2025 study tour will be a big part of that,” he said.
Throughout the year, ILG will celebrate the people and successes that have been a part of its 50 years of trading.
“I’m a custodian at ILG, there’ll be someone beyond me. It’s about longevity for independence, the co-operative needs to exist,” said Esposito. “We’re in a good financial position, we own our assets, have minimal debt, and we continue to grow our membership, which is key.”
At last week’s gala dinner, delegates danced the night away Gangnam style in Busan, celebrating new friendships and reflecting on what they had learnt over eight days of events and hospitality in South Korea.
To read the full report on the 2024 ILG South Korea study tour, including interviews with CEO Paul Esposito and Trading Manager Tony Olivero, read the October issue of National Liquor News.
See below for more pictures from 2024 ILG South Korea study tour:
