I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to a very successful conference; a conference which most certainly delivered on the key objectives of location, venue, content, networking, and of course…socialising! 

It’s evident from the Rose, Thorn, Bud interactive session that there’s a strong belief amongst our members that we need to embrace the opportunities that are presenting themselves to us as an association if we’re to remain relevant and profitable as an industry going forward.

• The Market issues you identified are dominated by the benefits of diversifying our offer, and embracing technology, fear of price competition and commoditisation and the opportunity to use storytelling to illuminate data and reporting.


• The Association issues you highlighted clearly put the conference and a good mix of speakers as a positive, and see the website, member quality and Elite credibility as issues to address, with massive opportunities to engage clients through education and membership.

As a board, we’ll use these valuable insights to inform our strategy over the coming months, and help provide you with the tools you need to deliver against these opportunities and threats. 

Our work streams will be aligned more clearly with the priorities you identified when we meet again after the summer break.

Our newest board members Rena and Vaclav have already been seamlessly integrated with the rest of the team!

 Rena Shaw, Storecheckers     Václav Šojdel, Market Vision

The key issue of pricing is one that we’re planning to address via an anonymous survey in the Autumn, and I must reiterate what I said at the conference – we need your full support with this if we’re to move that elephant out of the room! I hope we can achieve full participation in the survey on this basis.

As we move forward, there’s much to be proud of as well as lots of work to be done. In line with our name change to MSPA Europe/Africa, our support will now extend more actively into the African Continent, with our 3^rd Africa Event already planned for Nairobi in February.

Before this, in September, we’re holding our 1^st Shopper Event in Brussels. We’ll keep you updated on our progress via social media, an improved website (thanks for that!) and regular newsletters. 

In closing, I’d like to thank Yvonne Kinzel for the tireless commitment she’s provided the association with over the past 3 years. Yvonne has truly been a great president who can be immensely proud of everything she’s achieved during her time at the helm. The association is undoubtedly a better place today because of Yvonne’s leadership.

Before signing off, I’d like to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous summer.

I’ll be in touch with more updates in a few months.

Jill Spencer
President MSPA Europe/Africa