2014 BCCM-Mutuo Business Leaders Tour

07 February 2014

Co-operative & Mutual Business Leaders Tour: 15–19 June

Australian co-operative and mutual leaders are invited to join UK colleagues on a delegation to the United States from 15 – 19 June 2014. The visit will be a significant opportunity for CEOs and senior executives to share experience with fellow mutual business leaders and learn from some of the largest and most successful American co-operative and mutual businesses.

Jump to: Tour at a glance |  Download the tour program

Tour partner, Mutuo, is the peak advocacy body for UK mutuals. Mutuo has organised tours for co-operative and mutual executives for several years and the BCCM is happy to now offer this opportunity to Australian business executives.

Highlights include:

• Meetings with leaders of significant US Co-operative and Mutual businesses
• A visit to the US Congress and Senate
• Special sessions on building strategic alliances and influencing government and regulators

This is a customised tour with limited numbers and interested parties should act promptly to secure a place. For more information and to request a printed brochure please contact the BCCM at [email protected].

“When you’re thinking about whether to go on a trip such as this, one of the first things you think about is the value you’re going to get from it. I’ve got to admit most invites I turn down but this is one that I accepted because of the quality of the agenda and the meetings.”

Craig Errington, Chief Executive, Wesleyan Assurance Society

Tour at a glance

DAY 1: Sunday, 15 June – Washington, DC

Arrive Washington, DC

Dinner Sofitel Hotel, ICI Restaurant

DAY 2: Monday, 16 June – Washington, DC 

Orientation: Mutuals in the USA

Seminar 1: Influencing US Government and Regulators

Visit 1: National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) – the voice of America’s farmer coops since 1929.

Visit 2: The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) – the national service organisation for more than 900 rural electric coops, providing retail electric service to over 42 million consumers.

Dinner: Corporate Pluralism in the US Economy – leading commentator.

“The trip allowed us to hear what is going on in the US market and more importantly how that could translate to benefit our members in the UK. The trip has been extremely worthwhile and especially for senior leaders. Mutuo have been outstanding, contacts have been great.”

Damian Thompson, Head of Retail, Principality Building Society

DAY 3: Tuesday 17 June: Washington, DC / Columbus, OH

Visit 3: The Capitol – A visit to the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate and a meeting with legislators to discuss the impact of policy on mutuals.

Transfer Flight to Columbus, OH

Mutual Business Leaders’ Dinner with leaders from major US mutuals.

DAY 4: Wednesday, 18 June: Washington, DC

Seminar 2: Building Strategic Alliances between mutuals, Hilton Hotel

Visit 4: Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) – a consumer coop with 132 retail stores across the USA.

Final Night Dinner and Entertainment

“This has been a terrific opportunity for me to join UK mutual business leaders, share perspectives, have an opportunity to do that in a well run programme with a lot of content from our American colleagues.”

Craig Marshall, Vice President, General Counsel – Life Operations & Secretary, The Co-operators (Canada)

DAY 5: Thursday, 19 June: Columbus, OH

Visit 5: Nationwide Mutual Insurance – Delegates will be joined by CEO Steve Rasmussen and executives from Thrivent Financial and Motorists Mutual.

Lunch and Debrief, Hilton Bar

“I think there’s always a danger that managers can become insular and only look at their own experiences in their own countries or their own sector. This trip has provided an opportunity to talk to other like-minded organisations in the United States and some of the lessons I’ve learned I’ve found extremely useful.”

Moira Lees, Group Secretary, The Co-operative Group