About POAAL 2008 National Conference
Another great Conference!
POAAL members descended upon Launceston at Easter for a weekend chock-full of guest speakers, workshops and site visits.
The 2008 POAAL Conference featured some big-hitters, including the ACCC Small Business Commissioner John Martin, the Postal Industry Ombudsman Prof John McMillan, Australia Post’s top State Retail Managers and property consultant Sharon Johnston.
The Conference Welcome Reception was held in the stylish Tasmanian Design Centre. Delegates, speakers and exhibitors mingled among a display of beautiful Tasmanian woodwork. The catering was superb with endless trays of scrumptious food and plentiful Tasmanian wine and beer!
Design Centre
John Martin spoke on the role of the ACCC in preventing anti-competitive conduct and protecting against misleading conduct. His presentation also covered recent amendments to the Trade Practices Act and the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Property consultant Sharon Johnston spoke on property issues facing small business. Her comprehensive presentation covered matters including shopping strip leases vs shopping centre leases, collective bargaining, conducting lease negotiations, market rents and building business value through the lease.
Mail & Parcel Contractors went off-site to attend a hands-on vehicle maintenance workshop.
The Postal Industry Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, gave delegates an overview of the role of the PIO. His presentation also covered some of the major remedies to customer complaints, which included better explaining of postal rules to customers, an apology, and financial compensation or refund.
What POAAL Conference would be complete without a LiPOMS session! Licensees gathered in the main conference hall to unravel LiPOMS, while Contractors participated in a roundtable discussion of current issues.
Conference Day 1
To complete Day 1 of the Conference in the grandest possible way, we held a Dinner Dance at the Launceston Country Club Casino, with a BIG big band! The theme was the Glamorous 40s, and we had elegant ladies, several gangsters, a bookie or two, gentlemen in evening and day wear, lots of feathers and gloves – and the never-to-be-forgotten intrepid airman, Biggles Jr!
Day 2 of the Conference commenced with site visits to local LPOs, followed by a guided tour of the State Parcel Centre.
A presentation from AQIS and then insurance brokers GWS Genco Group rounded out Day 2.
Tasmania certainly turned on some superb early autumn weather, and many delegates took the opportunity to see a bit more of Tasmania.
Another great conference! The big question is: Where will we hold the next one?
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POAAL provides support and services for Licensees and Franchisees (Post Office Owners), Mail & Parcel Contractors and Couriers.
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