Burson Auto Parts Conference a major success
More than 200 Burson Auto Parts store managers from across Australia were united with their fellow Burson Auto Parts and Bapcor leadership teams at the 2023 Burson Auto Parts Managers Conference, held at the Gold Coast from July 31 to August 4.
Under the theme It Starts With Us, the conference featured three keynote speakers; Australia’s first Winter Olympics Gold Medallist, Steven Bradbury, Mancave creator and CEO, Hunter Johnson, and the explosive expert who recovered the Beaconsfield miners, Darren Flanagan.
All three delivered presentations linking to the conference theme with each highlighting the importance of positivity, seeking and providing help to one another.
The conference was sponsored by Brown & Watson International, Niterra, Fuchs and Ryco.
On day three, Burson Auto Parts store and support office managers were split into smaller teams with the objective being to build a cardboard Formula 1 car from raw materials supplied.
The teams then raced against one another to see who could achieve the fastest time in a series of push-races. First, second and third placed teams won cheques for $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively, which were donated to Mancave.
Day four was Trade Show time for store managers, with more than 40 suppliers exhibiting. This gave Burson Auto Parts suppliers the chance to chat one-on-one to with store managers and share new product information and advice.
The day ended with the most anticipated event of the conference, 2023 Gala Dinner. The theme was The Greatest Showman, with the event including circus artists, singers and dancers.
Bapcor Group Chief Executive Officer, Noel Meehan made two special presentations to all store managers, highlighting the importance of Burson Auto Parts as the “heart and soul” of Bapcor’s automotive aftermarket operations.
According to Executive General Manager, Bapcor Trade, Steve Drummy, the event highlighted the value of its store management team.
“This conference saw a perfectly balanced business, social and personal wellbeing agenda for our store managers. I am sure that all have gained personal and professional inspiration from each special guest speaker, by networking with other store managers, at our supplier presentations and from our own business development sessions.
“As an employer of choice in the automotive aftermarket industry, these detailed events held in idyllic locations like the Gold Coast, seek to support and reward our store managers for their efforts, while inspiring them to continue their personal and professional growth. It was great to spend so much time with our store managers once again,” said Drummy.
