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Pubs, Pots and Profits Roundup – Wangaratta

Pubs, Pots and Profits Roundup – Wangaratta

The 2016 Pubs, Pots and Profits program continued after a short break up to Wangaratta on a wet and windy July morning.  Before doing so however, we all enjoyed a great dinner at the fantastic Pinsent Hotel.  We highly recommend the accommodation as well!

Mike Barouche kicked off with a member’s update, making sure all members know that the AHA is ready and willing to help with any music licensing issues.  The new website is also on its way, so check into www.ahavic.com.au for all your resources!

Paddy O’Sullivan  gave us the CEO’s update.  The AHA was pleased to report that there were no adverse election outcomes for hoteliers following the (eventual) commencement of the federal election, including no changes to volumetric taxes on draught beer.  He will be busy working with state government to ensure that publicans have the discretion to designate and properly distinguish their smoking and outdoor dining areas to fit their business the best ahead of the smoking bans.

We reported on the increased number of businesses using cloud-based accounting and explained some of those benefits.  Benchmarks are always a common query, so we offered AHA – How Is My Pub Performing to give publicans some direction towards assessing their pub’s profitability.

The publican’s panel was a very engaging part of the forum.  Dan, Sally and Nick discussed the ways they encourage their staff to give the customer a great experience.  Remember – people like to be recognised!  Using and rewarding referrals is a great way of attracting quality staff (don’t forget the reference check!).  Making sure that staff leave their troubles at the door means they focus on their job in making the customer feel welcome – tell them to leave their s**t in the bucket (great one Sally!).  They discussed the ways in which social media works the best, and that is creating and even encouraging customers to provide content that isn’t generic, but personal.  And as Nick says, being a part of the community and giving back has its own rewards.  Check out his Keg for a Cause.

Some other highlights included:

  • Emma Crameri from the Rural City of Wangaratta gave some information regarding the support programs and grants offered by local council.
  • Inspector David Ryan talked about engaging hotels and their staff in helping the police crack down on drugs in the community via the Dob In A Dealer campaign, and also was happy to report on the lack of issues they are having with licensed venues in the area.
  • Luke Ponti from Round 8 discussed what to expect from doing a refurbishment.
  • Andrew Briese showed us a banana!  Pubs should start buying food together, start treating kids food as being serious, and maybe think about breakfast.

On to Echuca in August!

 

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