In March this year, Australia and New Zealand’s largest buying group, Nationwide Jewellers, held its annual conference at the Gold Coast. While there was much to celebrate about being in a coastal town – in the ‘Sunshine State’, no less – the event was extra special because it marked the group’s first official engagement to celebrate its 25 years of operation. The conference rooms at QT hotel were a far cry from the small office at the back of Colin Pocklington’s house where he and fellow founders Barry Jackson and Maurie Lewis (who is no longer with the group) spent much of 1990 researching and developing their business model. Pocklington says there are many achievements over the past 25 years that come to mind, including helping members to improve their skills by bringing international experts like the Diamond Trading Company’s Enea Galusero and renowned diamond cutter Sir Gabriel Tolkowsky to Australia. However, he believes the group’s Antwerp Diamond Marketing program has been the most “outstanding achievement”. “Since 1999, our members have collectively made over 600 trips to Antwerp and achieved many millions of dollars in additional diamond sales,” Pocklington explains, adding that his favourite part of being involved in the industry is helping hardworking members grow their businesses and achieve greater returns. When Jeweller spoke with some of the founding members – a combination of retailers and suppliers – at the conference in March, the support provided by Nationwide as well as its international buying trips were noted as highlights. A unique culture was also pinpointed as a contributor to the group’s longevity. “Plenty of people comment on the ‘family’ effect,” Paul Ward of Paul Ward Jewellers in Toronto, NSW says. “We all know each other. There are people we know from New Zealand and it all becomes very family oriented.” 'Supplier Ted Pevy from the Jewellery Centre adds, “They have great social nights – believe me! The family atmosphere means that at their dinners and social events, suppliers are able to get closer to customers; if you are relaxing together, everyone gets to know and trust each other.” There were some 100 members in attendance at the Gold Coast event, and there would be plenty of opportunities for Nationwide’s 420-plus members to celebrate throughout the year. One example was an overseas trip to America where the group visited the JCK Las Vegas trade show in June, and there is of course the upcoming Sydney International Jewellery Fair where a special 25-year anniversary dinner will take place. Jeweller editor Emily Mobbs attended the Nationwide Jewellers conference in March courtesy of the buying group. |