Ten years ago the Preferred Supplier Programme was launched as a platform to give the accommodation industry a source of suppliers on which it could rely.

Responding to this obvious and much requested need, to provide a database and directory of proven and recommended suppliers for just about every service or product a manager would need, which could be accessed, free of charge, as and when needed by accommodation industry professionals.

The Preferred Supplier Programme was born!

Long-time management rights professional, Graeme Beattie stated the Preferred Supplier Programme “has given managers access to reliable suppliers that have proven themselves in our industry and are committed to a high level of service.”

A Unique Supplier Source – double checked!

In the accommodation industry the Preferred Supplier Programme was, and is, unique. Suppliers cannot simply pay to be included. Inclusion in the programme is by a process of recommendation and qualification only.

Not everyone is welcome – only those suppliers who have been recommended by managers in the industry as having provided top performance, fair pricing, sound work or products, good delivery times and overall total satisfaction.

Once a manager’s recommendation is received, the supplier is contacted and put through a qualification process to ensure they can deliver the highest levels of service or supply and will commit themselves to deliver that standard for the next 12 months – a guarantee of their commitment to the industry.

Only after satisfying these criteria will they be included in the Preferred Supplier Programme. This process is repeated every 12 months, so it is never out of date for you, the end user.

From Rhonda Green of Palm Gables: “If only this directory had been available ten years ago when we first started off in management it would have saved us a lot of trial and error. It’s a real boon for new managers coming into the industry.”

Growing Daily

To date, the Preferred Supplier Programme includes over 200 product and service categories, a database in excess of 5000 suppliers and the coverage, once limited to Queensland, is now available throughout Australia.
Being totally industry driven, the programme has gained such a momentum that it is possible to source a supplier for virtually any product or service within reach of even the most remote resorts – Wayne Greenwood of Orpheus Island says “it is time consuming, not to mention costly, to obtain information and supplies. Having recommendations from other consumers in the industry purchasing similar products is a great asset to us here on our island resort.”

Targeting Total Service

The Preferred Supplier Programme is constantly being researched and developed to fill any “holes” that appear in the supplier categories.

“There are some areas of supply where we find it hard to get recommendations from managers – usually products and services used infrequently by managers and often overlooked. Naturally we want to cover every service and product a resort manager may ever need,” says Preferred Supplier Programme general manager Stewart Shimmin.

“We are now targeting specific areas to fill in these gaps. That way we can guarantee a total service to all managers.”

Benefits Across The Industry

The Preferred Supplier Programme benefits the accommodation industry as a whole.

This industry is one of Australia’s top earners and as with any industry, is susceptible to unscrupulous and unprofessional suppliers. The programme supports those who always do a good job and the accommodation manager who appreciates a good job. New managers benefit immensely from the service.

Jason More of Freestyle Apartments explains that “as a first-time manager of a new 4-star property, I have found the Preferred Supplier Programme a valuable point of first, second and final reference. As soon as I have mentioned to a supplier that I come via the Preferred Supplier Programme I have always had great co-operation and useful advice.”

And Derek Connolly of Noosa River Palms Apartments says: “Opening a new property can be very stressful, however the Preferred Supplier Programme made it more enjoyable. We have appreciated your innovation with this support and we will continue to utilise its professionals.”

The programme is not confined to those already managing a complex. Feedback shows that potential managers from as far away as New Zealand and South Africa use the resource even before they buy, seeking out pre-purchase assistance from brokers, solicitors, finance sources and accountants.