Back for its second year running, ‘Destination 2026’ is an industry conference that will be bringing together some of the best in wholesale for a look ahead at inspiring and challenging attendees to think about the future of the wholesale industry, and the role that they play in shaping it.
The conference was conceptualised by Clare Bocking, MD at Immediate Impact, and had a successful first year with ‘Destination 2025’ where over £67,000 was raised for Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a charity that has long been supported by the wholesale industry.
The ‘Destination 2026’ conference will take place on the 21st of January, at the Coton Centre, and will focus on the topic of “Leading For Good: Profit and Purpose”.
Speakers on the day include key senior representatives from Booker, Central Co-op, Morrisons, BidCorp, Caterforce, Women in Wholesale, TWC and many more – with a jam-packed programme that will cover global economics and market projections, how reputation shapes long-term success and how building global and local communities leads to more purposeful commerce.
Clare Bocking, MD at Immediate Impact comments: “After last year’s conference, where those in the wholesale industry had a chance to inspire, learn and laugh together, it made complete sense to bring the event back for a second year, with the support of the wonderful team at Cirkle. This year, our line-up of speakers is even bigger, and we hope to continue to motivate attendees – all whilst raising valuable funds in aid of MAG.”
Debbie Robinson, CEO of Central Co-op comments: “Last year’s Destination event brought together some of the brightest minds in the wholesale industry to collaborate on new and inspired thinking. By fostering both global and local communities, we can drive more purposeful commerce and create a lasting impact. I look forward to sharing some insights from Central Co-op’s journey, and learning from each other to build a stronger, more connected industry.”
Tickets are available to buy now, with all ticket proceeds going to MAG. The full agenda for the day is as follows: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/destination-2026-tickets-1001310285017
- 10:30 – 10:40: Welcome, agenda and objectives, Clare Bocking, MD at Immediate Impact
- 10:40 – 11:00: Global economic and market projections
- 11:05 – 11:25: UK CPG, change dynamics and trends, Tanya Pepin, MD at TWC
- 11:25 – 11:40: Break
- 11:40 –12:00: Booker, leading by example, Stuart Hyslop, MD Group Catering at Booker
- 12:00 – 12:20: Helping wholesalers thrive, Gary Mullineux, MD of Caterforce
- 12:20 – 12:50: Panel discussion, what does brilliant supplier collaboration look like?
- Hosted by Stephanie Green, VP of Total Negotiation Group
- Kelly Williams, GM of Savona
- Kirsty Cooper, Creed Foodservice
- Martin Ward, MD of Country Range Group
- John Kinney, MD of Unitas Wholesale
- 12:50 – 13:50: Lunch and meet the sponsors
- 13:50 – 14:00: Beyond transactions: How reputation shapes long-term success, Amy Searle, MD of B2B at Cirkle
- 14:00 – 14:20: Creating global and local communities, Debbie Robinson – CEO at Central Co-op
- 14:20 – 14:40: Delivering growth sustainably, Paul Dobson, Convenience Director Wm Morrisons
- 14:40 – 15:00: A positive force for change, Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK
- 15:00 – 15:20: Governments and grassroots, Darren Cormack, CEO of MAG
- 15:20 – 15:50: Break and meet the sponsors
- 15:50 – 16:10: Panel discussion, creating sustainable and supportive work environments
- Hosted by Michelle Butler, MD of Orchid Marketing
- Coral Rose, CEO of Fairway Foodservice
- Elit Rowland, Founder of Women in Wholesale
- Tom Gittins, CEO of Confex
- Philip de Ternant, Chair of Creed Foodservice
- 16:10 – 16:20: Why we ride, Neil Turton and Tom Fender, Founders of Bikes Against Bombs
- 16:20 – 16:30: Wrap up and close, Clare Bocking, MD at Immediate Impact
- 16:30 – 17:00: Sponsors & networking
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Clare Bocking at clare@immediateimpact.co.uk
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