Swimart Awards Aug 2016

The awards ceremony was the highlight of the annual Swimart conference, where franchisees and company owned store managers from across Australia and New Zealand gathered to hear about the latest products and innovations in the industry. It was also a chance for them to exchange ideas, meet newcomers and reconnect with old friends within the Swimart family.

Swimart’s ambassador, Olympic swimmer Susie O’Neill (aka Madam Butterfly), was on hand to congratulate the top performers, handing out 33 awards at the black tie event.

“These awards recognise franchisees who have really proven their mettle across business and customer service parameters,” explains Chris Fitzmaurice, Swimart Australasian manager. “Winning an award is a pinnacle achievement and it’s testament to the work that our franchisees put in during the year.”

The week-long conference covered all aspects of the business, from marketing, sales, customer service tips and hints, workshops, a trade show and supplier education presentations. Rugby league legend Wayne Pearce also presented an enlightening personal development course, which was very well received.

“The swimming pool and spa industry is constantly evolving as new products and technologies emerge, so it is essential that franchisees keep up-to-date and educate themselves about the latest industry developments,” Chris says.

Big category Australasian winners at the 2016 Swimart Awards included Swimart Charmhaven on the NSW Central Coast, which picked up the Australasian Franchisee of the Year for the second year running; Swimart Cleveland in QLD, which was named Marketer of the Year; Swimart Rockhampton – Retailer of the Year; Swimart Brighton in Victoria for Best Sales Growth of the Year; and Swimart Pakuranga in New Zealand, which took out the award for Best Presented Business.

Besides securing the top award of Australasian Franchisee of the Year (for the second year in a row), Swimart Charmhaven also won NSW/ACT Best Presented Business, NSW/ACT Best Sales Growth Franchise and NSW/ACT Franchisee of the Year.

Andrew Morton, co-owner of the Swimart Charmhaven store, says that they do lots of smalls things well, so that the sum of the whole part adds up to more.

“A key to our success is our fantastic, long serving staff who we trust to do their best for the business and for our customers,” says Andrew. “Many of our staff have been with us for up to nine years and customers like to see the same friendly faces year after year. They are also trained to be multi-skilled, meaning they are equally able to work across both retail and service.”

Australasian winners were:

Citizen of the Year Belconnen, Best Presented Business Pakuranga, Marketer of the Year Cleveland, Retailer of the Year Rockhampton, Best Sales Growth Franchise Brighton, Most Improved Franchise Nerang and Franchisee of the Year Charmhaven.

NSW & ACT Regional winners were:

Citizen of the Year Belconnen, Best Presented Business Charmhaven, Marketer of the Year Warners Bay, Retailer of the Year New Lambton, Best Sales Growth Franchise Charmhaven, Most Improved Franchise Shellharbour and Franchisee of the Year Charmhaven.

VIC & SA Regional Award winners were:

Citizen of the Year Cheltenham, Best Presented Business Malvern, Marketer of the Year Balwyn, Retailer of the Year Mornington, Best Sales Growth Franchise Brighton, Most Improved Franchise Doncaster and Franchisee of the Year Cheltenham.

Queensland Regional winners were:

Citizen of the Year Camp Hill, Best Presented Business Browns Plains, Marketer of the Year Cleveland, Retailer of the Year Rockhampton, Best Sales Growth Franchise Tingalpa, Most Improved Franchise Nerang, Franchisee of the Year Tingalpa and Regional Store of the Year Rockhampton.

New Zealand Regional winners were:

Best Presented Business Pakuranga, Retailer of the Year Glenfield, Best Sales Growth Franchise Greenlane and Franchisee of the Year Pakuranga.