A pleasing finding from the 2018 ILG Conference was seeing that each segment of the liquor industry is heading in a similar strategic direction, sharing common goals to help drive market growth.
The Conference, which took a group of around 100 ILG members and suppliers to Singapore and Bangkok, included presentations by representatives from Pernod Ricard Australia, Carlton & United Breweries, Lion, Diageo and Treasury Wine Estates.
Throughout the course of the presentations it became apparent that each of the different supplier groups had identified similar industry trends and are working towards common goals.
These trends included appealing to millennials through targeted innovation and NPD; understanding the ‘connected shopper’ in the digital age; the rise of the health and wellbeing trend and a shift towards low carb and mid-strength beverages; drinking local and the importance of supporting local producers; and of course, premiumisation.
Speaking at the gala dinner on the last night of the Conference, Paul Esposito, CEO of ILG said that it’s great to see the industry as a whole is in sync and he thanked the suppliers who presented during the course of the trip.
“We all have common goals and we all want growth. It’s a tough market and people are drinking less. These are common issues that need to be tackled collectively.”
Esposito went on to say that the next 12 months are looking exciting for ILG, with the move into retail and into Victoria and the goal to turn over $550m by 2022 – it’s all systems go.
The destination for the 2019 ILG Conference was also announced. It will be held in Vienna and Budapest in July 2019, and ILG hopes to get a group of 200 people along for the trip.
“The beauty of these conferences is that friendships are formed and there are stories that we’ll talk about for a long time. Our goal for the next study tour is to get to 200 delegates to attend, so please encourage everyone to come along. Bring your families as they’re the next generation of independent retailers and hoteliers.”
Check out the October issue of National Liquor News for an overall wrap of the 2018 ILG Conference.
