The sessions included practical information for farmers, suppliers and producers on how to respond to tenders and understand the decision-making criteria for large hospitality vendors. 

The full webinar can be viewed below. 

As the state’s largest single-site employer, Crown engages some 11,000 staff, welcomes 17 million visitors per year alone in Melbourne, and contributes more than $3 billion to the state economy every year. 

However, with more than 48 restaurants and 28 bars under its umbrella, Crown’s enterprise is also underpinned by the local economy, relying on some 5,000 partners to deliver around 94 per cent of its supply. 

In the webinar, Crown Head of Procurement – Goods, Thomas Tuszynski, offers a fascinating insight into the company’s – and his own – approach to procurement. 

Importantly, he summarises Crown’s key decision criteria as “not just price is right”. 

Through a comprehensive consultation process, suppliers are ranked on their overall proposition that encompasses quality; service (such as responsiveness); environmental, social, governance (ESG) and compliance; and overall value. 

Mr Tuszynski maintains a product can be more expensive if it also delivers an environmental or community benefit, or can leverage reputational and marketing opportunities – an avenue not pursued by all large vendors. 

His procurement team is dynamic and on the constant lookout for seasonal enhancements, working together with its chefs to source new items to boost Crown’s consumer offering. 

“Food and beverage can be a fashion statement at times, so we are always looking for new things and so are our chefs,” Mr Tuszynski says. 

Crown encourages businesses to register themselves as potential suppliers, where they can meet with procurement staff to showcase their business and products. 

The team can facilitate on-site visits or consultations at Crown, trial new ideas, work through any proposals or issues, and advise on opportunities and timing of those opportunities. 

From there, a long-term mutual relationship can grow. 

As part of the webinar, the Victorian Chamber also briefed attendees on our Federal and State Budget platforms and our visitor economy policy platform. 

Victorian Chamber’s Manager – Advocacy and Campaigns, Rebecca Burdick Davies, outlined the Chamber’s advocacy to make it easier to grow a business in our state, with now a time of real opportunity and growth for the regions.