Women in drinks Hosts International Women’s Day Luncheon 2016

Individuals from the drinks industry gathered on Wednesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney for the 2016 International Women’s Day Luncheon. The annual event is hosted and organised by the Women in drinks group - an initiative of the drinks association - and this year focused on empowering women to lead.

“Today is testament to the new Board of Women in drinks and the renewed focus in reaching out and promoting the professional and networking opportunities this forum offers to our industry,” stated Sandra Przibilla, CEO of the drinks association.

The Women in drinks Board was founded in March last year by the association to provide networking and growth opportunities for women within the drinks industry. The forum has grown significantly since then and this year two new members joined the board, including Sally Byrne from Coca-Cola Amatil as well as Julie Ryan from Accolade Wines.

The discussion at Wednesday’s lunch was facilitated by freelance journalist Angela Catterns and featured four women in the drinks industry, who have successfully carried out leadership roles in their careers, including General Manager of Merchandising and Marketing for Woolworths Liquor Group, Rose Scott; founder of Lisa McGuigan Wines, Lisa McGuigan; Group Managing Director of CCA, Alison Watkins; and Director and founder of Mondo Search, Simone Allan.

Each woman at the event described their standpoint behind what they believe are the benefits of having a leadership role.

“I love the freedom to be able to create an environment that brings out the best in people; people who really enjoy coming to work in an environment where they can be themselves. It can be such an uplifting place where people can recognise their potential,” Alison explained.

A common theme among the panel surrounded the ability and benefit of using the skills women often display at home in the workplace.

“The most successful and sustainable organisations are family stories or those which aim to build a family culture, because it helps to cultivate a greater sense of creativity and choice,” Simone said.

Lisa shed light on how workplaces should place more of an emphasis on department training to provide better execution among women.

She said: “We don’t focus enough on human resources. If you have someone leading you into the industry, you can focus on your own persona while fulfilling your strengths.”

“50 per cent of customers within hospitality are women, so there is a need to have women behind these businesses and brands as well”, Rose said, highlighting Woolworth’s stance on the significance of both genders in grocery and liquor.

Contact the drinks association to find out how you can be more involved with Women in drinks through the Dinner for 8 networking groups held during the year. You can also visit the Women in drinks Facebook page to like, share and tag yourself in photos from yesterday’s event.

Image L-R: Angela Catterns, Simone Allan, Lisa McGuigan, Rose Scott and Alison Watkins

Print PDF