The 2023 Blackhawk Network Summit was a roaring success with over 100 organisations in attendance across a comprehensive two-day agenda. With keynote addresses from Blackhawk Network CEO and President Talbott Roche and key insights from industry experts as well as network opportunities and partner growth meetings, attendees had a packed agenda.
BHN VP Incentives APAC & Commerce AU, Peter Malycon, said the BHN Summit was a fantastic opportunity for BHN to connect with its partners and recognise those that were leading the field, with the annual BHN Awards.
“BHN is a thought leader and brand connector and the BHN Summit is a great opportunity to bring everyone together to keep driving our industry forward. We were not only able to share the latest industry insights, and to connect our partners so they can develop deep relationships that benefit their businesses, but also award those that are excelling in this ever-growing industry,” Mr Malycon said.
From insights into omni-commerce and gift-card trends to advice on unlocking growth through B2B channels, there was no shortage of advice from industry experts including our team Blackhawk Network, Andrew Aoukar, Director of Retail and Consumer Markets at PWC and ShopBack General Manager, Angus Muffet.
As both a speaker and award recipient, ShopBack General Manager, Angus Muffet said the BHN Summit was an invaluable event on the calendar enabling partners to share success, advice and learnings for the benefit of all attendees.
“It’s amazing for the ShopBack team to be recognised for our contribution to the industry, and at the same time be able to share our success with our partners. The connections and learnings we gain from these events can only help drive greater success for the future,” Mr Muffet said.
In addition to an unmissable agenda, Blackhawk Network also joined forces with Tour De Cure with $3,400 raised to support the organisation on its mission to achieve a cancer free future by supporting cancer research.
Following presentations on day one, the Blackhawk Network team and attendees gathered for the annual Gala Dinner and much anticipated Blackhawk Network awards. We are pleased to announce the seven very worthy recipients of this year’s awards:
Card Partner Program of the Year: Airbnb (Managed by TDS Gift Cards)
One of our fastest growing partners in the space, Airbnb (Managed by TDS Gift Cards) was recognised as the Card Partner of the year, having delivered on all fronts in 2022-2023. Airbnb’s successful promotions through Woolworths and Shopback, despite the uncertain market conditions in the travel industry, showcased the unimaginable power gift cards can bring to both brands and customers.
Demonstrating Best Practice in Supply Chain: Office Works
This award presented to Office Works, was an ode to its incredibly collaborative approach to inventory planning, working alongside BHN to deliver exceptional results. Some key innovations that contributed to Office Works’ success are:
- Bulk fulfilment driving reduced carbon footprint and ESG alignment.
- Bulk fulfilment driving supply chain efficiencies.
B2B Gift Card Program of the Year: Amazon
Amazon was the proud recipient of the B2B Gift Card of the Year, attributed to its rapid growth within the BHN incentives network, working together with the BHN team to drive high engagement and identify the capture of the ‘right customers’ at the ‘right place’ or channels.
Best Online Experience: Endota
Endota was the winner of the Best Online experience award as it led the way in delivering a consistent omni-commerce customer experience for its gift card program. As part of the Napco Research 2023 Gift Card Evaluation report commissioned by BHN, Endota stood out as a strong performer from the 50 retailers, particularly in relation to Ecommerce and its digital online experience.
ESG (environmental, social, and governance) Partner of the Year: IKEA
Swedish furniture giant, IKEA was recognised as the ESG Partner of the Year award, thanks to its delivery of sustainable gift cards into the market, aligning to the ESG values that the company is built on.
Biggest Industry Contribution: ShopBack
Shopback was recognised for the Biggest Industry Contribution, which was a special category selected by the BHN senior leadership team for a standout contribution to this sector. This award was attributed to Shopback’s agility, embedded in the company DNA, enabling them to deliver quick market offers and drive customer engagement.
About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk Network (BHN) is the leader in global branded payment technologies. We strengthen relationships between brands and their customers, employees, and partners by transforming transactions into connections. BHN’s portfolio includes: Gift Card & eGift products, promotions and distribution that grow revenue faster; Rewards & Incentives that build loyalty and acquisition and are integrated into today’s leading platforms; and Payments that enable businesses and customers to access and disburse funds in convenient and innovative ways. BHN’s network spans across the globe with over 400,000 consumer touchpoints. Learn more at BHN.com.
