The 10th annual New Sunrise i.c.e.works conference and study tour 2019 was held during August 2018 in Singapore. 250 delegates were treated to a week of insight, valuable workshops, a first-hand view of the local market, as well as the opportunity to connect with retailers, suppliers and friends and familiar faces.
The conference and study tour was officially opened on Monday 30th July 2018. With a rooftop view overlooking the majestic skyline of the hustle and bustle of downtown Singapore, the cocktail party was a relaxed and casual welcome for all delegates to reconnect with friends, meet new people, and set the scene for what would be a truly memorable i.c.e.works experience.
Steve Cardinale, Managing Director of New Sunrise, welcomed all attendees, reinforcing the ever-present family connection growing year on year, and uniquely shared at i.c.e.works and beyond. Any new attendee soon realised that this was not ‘just another industry event’.
The independent convenience education workshop (iceworks) on Day two was held at the majestic JW Marriott ballroom, a fantastic setting for a day of learning, presenting new ideas and sharing of best practices.
That evening, attendees were treated with a night like no other, at the highest rooftop bar in Asia, 1-Altitude. With uninterrupted 360 degree views across the city skyline, the triangle-shaped bar offered a night that all attendees will remember for many, many years to come – good food, refreshing drinks, the Singapore air, great music, an impeccable view, and a party with friends!
Day three presented a great opportunity for retailers and suppliers to get a close-up view of the local market. To give further insight into the international market, Nancy Caldarola, Convenience Store Decisions, presented a brief overview of trends facing the US market, before introducing local Singapore retailer Tony Chng from Vendcafe to give attendees insight into his global business. Various retailers visited throughout the day gave first-hand demonstrations on the technological advancements of manless retail solutions (vending), cashless operations, and good quality food and coffee solutions available in the local market. That afternoon, attendees gathered atop the Supertree located in the Gardens by the Bay to discuss the day, the sites visited, as well as soak in some great views of the Marina Bay Sands and harbour precincts.
Singapore is a cultural melting pot of Asian, Indian and English influences over many hundreds of years, and to celebrate the final night of the 2018 i.c.e.works event, attendees were greeted with a cultural explosion of colour, fun, dance and vibrancy. From snake charmers, henna tattoo artists, dancing dragons, Chinese calligraphy artists to Bollywood dancers, Chinese drummers, and parrot fortune tellers…this night of nights was truly a magical experience! The stage was set to celebrate another year as the New Sunrise family, and recognise and reward outstanding achievement from retailers and suppliers who have performed over and above during 2018. Celebrations continued into the night at the Frucor supported after party at Media Bar, capping off a truly eventful i.c.e.works experience that will be remembered fondly for many years to come.
Snowball Retailer of the Year: Dunning’s Fuel, accepted by Steven Dunning
Snowball Account Manager of the Year: Warren Zuel, Coca-Cola Amatil
Conference Theme: “Savour the Past, Taste the Future”