The ARA played host to delegates from the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retail Associations (FAPRA) in Sydney on March 15 and 16 during the federation’s annual Executive Directors Conference.
The conference, sponsored by The Sydney Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Luna Park and Westfield, was held this year at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre attracting representatives from ten Asia-Pacific countries.
During the conference delegates discussed common issues facing retailers such as attracting quality staff, the challenges of credit card charges, the complications of music copyright in retail and, most particularly, the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition.
The 13th Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition, which will be in Tokyo between October 10 and October 12 this year, is expected to attract thousands of delegates from the Asia-Pacific region. The last congress held in Beijing two years ago attracted almost 3500 participants.
The 14th Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition will be hosted in Korea in 2009.
After discussions about the impending Tokyo convention, conference delegates were invited to attend a cocktail reception at Sydney Town Hall followed by a dinner at Luna Park.
On Friday 16 March, delegates were given a VIP tour of Sydney Opera House, followed by a short cruise on the harbour.
After lunch a visit and tour of Westfield Bondi Junction was organised.
