NECA WA 2011 Conference - Queenstown NZ

Members, Business Partners and Key NECA Staff and Board Members enjoyed four enjoyable days in Queenstown, New Zealand for the NECA WA Group 2011 Annual Conference which was held over the Labour Day Long Weekend, 6-9 March.

Hosted at the Heritage Hotel the venue was well catered for the various activities. With a great attendance and positive feedback the conference has proved to be a major success. NECA would like to thank all the delegates and business partners that were a part of the 2011 conference and helped to make it such an enjoyable and memorable event.

Day 1: Everyone arrived enthusiastically to get started with the exciting conference program over the following three full days. After meeting and greeting NECA Key Staff members at registration on the Heritage Hotel Roof Top and collecting their lanyards and information document, delegates were treated to canapés and refreshments. After a brief welcome speech by our General Manager, Kyle Kutasi and NECA president, Ian Swain, delegates were free to mingle and socialise while enjoying the amazing scenery that the Heritage Hotel Roof Top offered.

Day 2: After a big breakfast at the Heritage, delegates started into the first of three Business Sessions. We heard from NECA’s General Manager, NECA’s National CEO, NECA Group Lead Team, Tony Mancini from Western Power and our business partners Clipsal by Schnieder and Uniquip/GWR. The extended morning tea breakout gave all delegates and business partners MMEM, NHP, Uniquip/GWR, Clipsal by Schneider and Lawrence & Hanson a chance to meet and discuss products being displayed.

During the morning the partners attended a partners program which included a walk around Lake Hayes followed by shopping in Arrow Town.

At lunch time after the Partners Program and business session the delegates were transported to the Shotover Jet Boat base on the Shotover River for a buffet lunch and a ride on the thrilling jet boats. A great time was had by all.

After the boat ride some delegates made their way back into town for a bit of shopping and site seeing whilst others made their way back to the hotel for a well needed rest before the evening activity.

On Monday evening all delegates were transported to the Queenstown wharf to embark on the TSS Earnslaw, a historic steamship that took the delegates on a leisurely cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the remote Walter Peak Station for a delicious buffet dinner and drinks.

After dinner delegates had the opportunity to watch a farm show before jumping back on board the TSS Earnslaw for the journey back to the Hotel. It was a busy but fantastic first full day.

Day 3: Tuesday morning business session began with a NECA conference favourite, Gretchen Lumsden with her entertaining and informative health & well-being presentation on Increasing Your Memory and Maintain Brain Health & Looking After Your Immune System.

The business session also included a Competency Based Training presentation by Keith Woods, CET Training and Development Manager and an update from MMEM & NHP.

After the business session delegates had lunch and then went off to their selected optional activity. The optional activities catered for the adventure adrenalin rush seekers to the ones that preferred something a bit more peaceful and relaxing.

After a full afternoon delegates were able to take a quick rest back at the Hotel before preparing for dinner which was held at Guilty Bar, an old courthouse that has been transformed into one of Queenstown’s funkiest bars. Here delegates were treated to another delicious buffet dinner and refreshments whilst mingling and networking amongst each other and going over the day’s events.

Day 4: The final business session began with Neville Simpson from ECANZ followed by NECA’s Industrial Relations & Commercial Manager Michael Nazareth and NECA Group Occupational Health & Safety Advisor Corey Hannan. We also had an update from Business Partner L&H. To conclude we heard from Mark Inglis, a great inspirational speaker who has overcome adversity. A double amputee, he is a highly successful wine maker, and winner of a Silver medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.

Afterwards, delegates had the afternoon at leisure, some took part in the optional activities whilst others enjoyed free time before the nights most anticipated event - the Gala Dinner.

With a formal masquerade theme, everyone made a sensational effort to look the part, and with the room itself looking fantastic the night was set to be memorable.

After a conference wrap up speech from Kyle Kutasi delegates enjoyed a three course meal before enjoying a dance on the dance floor to the exceptional band named LA Social.

Judging by the amount of dancing and the many smiling faces around the room a very good night was had by all and the 2011 conference ended on a high note.