Paramount Liquor has doubled its revenue over the last three years, reaching $500 million, announcing the results at a conference in Hobart with 100 suppliers, customers and the Paramount team.
The theme for the conference, held in The Hanging Garden in Hobart, was “Served Neat” – an opportunity to strip back all the content to its bare essentials, allowing attendees to get clear and succinct answers about the direction of the business and Paramount’s plans for the next five years.
Sean Forsyth, Paramount Liquor’s NSW General Manager hosted the “Frontline Panel” which consisted of well known and respected bartenders: Alex Boon from Pearl Diver Cocktails and Oysters, Sarah Porietti from Maybe Sammy and Storm Evans from Cantina OK! The industry experts shared what consumers are looking for, trends for the future and how their bars are catering to these needs. Importantly they also shared their thoughts on how suppliers can develop and execute the right programs and category solutions to build a world’s best drinks culture.
Gabriel Presutto, Paramount Liquor’s National Business Manager hosted a second panel of senior members from Australia’s key hospitality businesses. Annette Lacey the Group Beverage Manager Solotel, Cameron Northway, the owner, operator and general manager of venues Rocker, Beverly Rooftop, Loti as well as drinks agency Sweet & Chilli and online retailer Cocktail Porter and Daisy Tulley, general manager of the Mucho Group (Tio’s, The Cliff Dive, Cantina OK!, Bar Planet and OK! Margarita Seltzer) took part in the panel, sharing their insights and discussing opportunities for growth.
Throughout the conference, all attendees had the opportunity to submit anonymous questions to the PL Confidential. Nathan and Leigh Rowe then took to the stage, joined by Paramount Liquor General Manager National Services Matthew Jeffrey to provide live, authentic answers and drill down into what attendees really wanted to know. Attendees had their questions answered on a range of topics, from future plans for growth to product developments and strategies. Notably, Nathan and Leigh gave extensive insights into the forthcoming new website design and the supplier benefits it will create, including a new marketplace. They spoke to their ongoing investment in the people at Paramount, with the expansion and creation of several teams, dedicated training and tools to better support staff and their business goals. Moreover, they also detailed the rollout of Paramount Connect in Queensland and the forthcoming Paramount Connect X Pilot, which will support larger brands to increase their distribution footprint.
The conference concluded with the Paramount Awards where both internal staff members and suppliers were recognised for their outstanding efforts over the past year. Twenty awards were announced: Carlton & United Breweries had a very successful evening, taking home three awards, culminating with Supplier of the Year. Best Sales Person of the Year was awarded to Hannah Ferguson Key Account Manager in South Australia, Huw Wilson Key Account Manager in Victoria was crowned the Employee of the Year and Lachlan Britt Commercial Partnership Manager took home the coveted Mark Rowe MVP trophy.
