Destination 2027 brought together more than 175 senior delegates from wholesale, retail and foodservice for an interactive day of insight, discussion and collaboration, raising over £65,000 for Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
Created and coordinated by Clare Bocking from Immediate Impact Ltd., and supported by Amy Searle from Zeal Creative – PR, the conference was designed to challenge traditional event formats and encourage delegates to actively support one another. A simple question set the tone for the day and shaped conversations on and off stage:
“How can I help you?”
That sentiment underpinned an event focused on openness, shared learning and collective progress, encouraging delegates to be the change they want to see across the industry.
Whilst reflecting on the day, Clare Bocking said: “I’m incredibly grateful to our speakers for sharing their insight so openly, to our sponsors for their support, and to such an enthusiastic audience who really leaned into the conversations. The ‘how can I help you?’ mindset created a very different energy in the room, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved together, especially in support of Mines Advisory Group.”
Across the programme, speakers and delegates explored the importance of collaboration, clarity and adaptability as the sector navigates continued economic pressure, consolidation and rapid technological change.
The interactive format encouraged meaningful discussion, challenging delegates not just to listen, but to engage, connect and support one another in shaping the future of the industry.
Debbie Robinson, CEO of the newly formed OurCoop, shared her vision for supporting both global and local communities, alongside the launch of Media Coop, a new platform designed to help brands activate with greater pace, creativity and impact.
Tanya Pepin, Managing Director at TWC, delivered insight into changing consumer behaviour, highlighting that while technology hasn’t changed what people buy, it has fundamentally changed how they decide.
Community, leadership and purpose were brought to life by Julie Kaur, award-winning Premier Retailer and founder of Jules Convenience, who shared her experience of building a community-first business rooted in trust, inclusion and long-term relationships.
Looking further ahead, John Kinney, CEO of Unitas Wholesale, outlined the headwinds and opportunities facing the sector, including continued consolidation, margin pressure and the growing importance of collaboration and joint business planning.
The afternoon programme also featured contributions from Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK; Jessica Douglas, Joint Managing Director of The Wholesale Group; Coral Rose, Joint Managing Director of The Wholesale Group; Anand Dhamecha from Dhamecha Group; and Cathal Geoghegan, Managing Director of Henderson Foodservice.
A defining feature of Destination 2027 was its commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond business. Delegates, speakers and sponsors raised vital funds for Mines Advisory Group, supporting its life-saving work worldwide.
The conference also spotlighted the ongoing efforts of Bikes Against Bombs, with founders Neil Turton and Tom Fender sharing the story behind the initiative.
In six weeks’ time, the team will take on a demanding cycle challenge across Sri Lanka to continue raising funds and awareness for MAG.
Please do continue to support the riders here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/srilanka-cycle-challenge-2026
Amy Searle concludes: “Destination 2027 demonstrated the power of bringing the industry together in an environment built on openness, curiosity and support. With collaboration at its core and the simple question ‘how can I help you?’ guiding the day, the event showed what can be achieved when people commit to moving forward together.”
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