Conference brings retailers from 15 Good Health Mart Stores

It worked the first time. So, why would it not work again?

The “it” is the Good Health Mart Annual Supplier Conference. And the first time was in 2010.

Good Health Mart CEO Murray McMahon said after the success of the 2010 event, it was a “no-brainer” to try it again in 2011. “Last year, Joanne Aldridge from Natural Factors approached us about a supplier training day. This was something she planned with our regional manager, Jeff Smith. It was a full day of training, followed by a dinner. It worked so well, we decided to do it again, and expand on it a bit more.”

This year’s event was held in Collingwood, ON in June. Managers of GHM’s corporate and franchise stores were invited to the three-day event. The first day was a training and dinner with Body Plus. Day two brought trainings from Preferred Nutrition and Trophic. The final day was reserved for the GHM team only, to go over internal procedures and systems, make suggestions or introduce new things.

Murray called this year’s gathering “a resounding success.” He says the reasons are many. “First off, it helps our staff to bond, to get to know each other. It helps to make people feel it is more of a membership in a club or a team...it’s a nice friendly and relaxed environment to sit down and learn. It gives our supplier partners the chance to educate our people. It’s a business event in a social environment.”

Previously, GHM held twice-yearly meetings – one day only – to go over internal affairs with staff and franchisees. That was put on hold last year, however, when GHM purchased six stores. There was no time to plan the event.

However, by including the suppliers under the new format, much of the planning is taken off of the GHM plate. Murray called it, “the perfect answer to our previous meetings.” •