By Annette Shailer
The National Independent Liquor Wholesalers Association (NILWA) AGM conference came to a close with the annual Sales and Industry Awards and AGM Gala Dinner on Friday night (Aug 21).
Taking out top honours was Victoria’s Paramount Liquor which won Member of the Year, while Constellation Wines Australia won Business Partner of the Year.
NILWA managing director, Martin O’Mara, said that the awards night was a fantastic way to show appreciation to NILWA’s business partners, members and sales team.
“Our 2009 Member of the Year was Paramount Liquor in Victoria and was clearly the leading NILWA member showing strong results in all areas of measurement, including participation in NILWA business programs and compliance to marketing programs,” he said.
“Through the year we are constantly evaluating the performances of our marketing programs. The winners are the suppliers and brands that grow in volume and gain the highest levels of new distributions.”
O’Mara mentioned the performance of Havana Club Rum, which won Spirit Brand of the Year after growing in sales by more than 60 per cent and establishing 350 new on-premise distributions within a six-month period.
“This was a great result and shows the strength of our national on-premise marketing and sales team,” he said.
The awards night comes on the back of a number of successful meetings and sessions during the conference to discuss current issues, reports, results and expectations for 2010.
“The AGM conference was again a great event to network with our business partners and meet in formal business sessions and to work out better ways to do business together,” O’Mara said.
“The more formal part of our AGM involves reports to the board for management reports, marketing results, IT projects, members and business partner performances and planning for FY 2010.”
The full list of winners for 2009 includes:
Spirit Brand of the Year – Havana Club
RTD Brand of the Year – Bundaberg & Cola
Wine Brand of the Year – Moet & Chandon
Beer Brand of the Year – Becks
Liquid Mix Promotion of the Year – Cascade Green
Strike Gold Promotion of the Year – Monkey Bay
Business Partner of the Year – Constellation Wines Australia
Shareholder of the Year – Paramount Liquor
Administration Support Award – Jan Allemand – Paramount Liquor
National Salesperson (Encouragement Award) – Ben Murphy, Liquid Mix WA
National Salesperson (Outstanding Performance) – Robyn Johnstone, Suncoast Wholesale Liquor