Step inside the world of a local family business with Meet the Owner. These exclusive events offer a rare behind-the-scenes tour and the chance to hear directly from the family behind the business. Learn their story, gain valuable insights, and connect with like-minded family business peers in an inspiring, relaxed setting.
Meet the Owner invites you to experience the inner workings of a family business. From touring diverse premises—be it a factory, winery, or warehouse—to engaging in an open Q&A session, this event offers a unique glimpse into the experiences of a family business. Discover the rich history, challenges, and triumphs of the host family as they share insights tailored to help other family businesses succeed. After the tour, enjoy networking with peers in the family business sector. These events foster a supportive, collaborative community, filled with learning, storytelling, and the camaraderie that defines FBA events.
Why Attend?
- Gain exclusive insights into the operations of a successful family business.
- Learn first-hand from the family behind the business about their opportunities and challenges.
- Expand your network within the FBA community and enjoy a relaxed environment for learning, sharing, and connecting.
- Find inspiration and practical ideas for your own business.
Meet the Owner of Wallis Cinemas
The Piccadilly North Adelaide was opened in October 1940 by Dan Clifford, the managing director of D. Clifford Theatre Ltd. The design of The Piccadilly was carried out by Adelaide architects, Evans, Bruer & Hall, in association with prominent Sydney cinema architect, Guy Crick, who designed many cinemas around Australia. The Piccadilly had many significant features when it first opened, including a special ventilation system which drew out warm air and allowed cool air to be filtered though, as well as a specialty carpet made in London by the world renowned Templeton’s. Although the ventilation system is no longer in operation, the stunning design can still be seen throughout the interior and exterior of the building, where an exact replica of the original carpet is currently in use. Clifford chose the name Piccadilly to reflect both London’s Piccadilly Circus, or as it was then called, ‘the centre of the worlds traffic’, and Adelaide’s own Piccadilly region. To celebrate the Piccadilly name, Clifford commissioned a reproduction of the Piccadilly Circus mural by renowned English-Australian artist, F Millward Grey. The Piccadilly was created with the intention of providing a grand theatre for the residents of North Adelaide.
After Clifford’s death in 1942, his chain of cinemas were subsequently taken over by Greater Union Cinemas, who later renamed the cinema ‘The Forum’ and altered aspects of the building, covering up the Piccadilly mural.
In 1983, Bob Wallis bought the Piccadilly from Greater Union, saving the building from being demolished and, in the 90’s, converted the single-screen cinema into a three-screen layout. It has remained a Wallis cinema ever since. The Piccadilly North Adelaide is one of the oldest operational cinemas in South Australia and is a significant Adelaide institution, not only due to its architectural standing, but also its history of promoting Australian cinema, including housing the world premiere of such films as ‘Samson and Delilah’ and ‘Snowtown’.
During the morning you'll hear:
- What's involved in growing a family business
- Company values, more than just words
- Family Business Ownership, Boundaries and Navigating Unique Family Dynamics
- The importance of education and the right mindset
- Learnings along the way
This event series will give members the opportunity to get an exclusive look into the workings of the diverse family business sector.
Join your peers as a SA/NT FBA member opens their door and invites the family business community in for a "peek behind the curtain". You'll get the opportunity to see what they do and importantly, hear why and how they do it, as the family shares their business story whilst enjoying a tour behind the screen, a movie session of a pre-release (TBC) and networking in their gorgeous lounge bar.
Register today, you never know what nuggets of gold you'll gain from our host family to take back to apply to your family business.
Please contact the FBA Office on 1800 249 357 if you have any questions or require assistance with your registration.
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