The 2006 RMBF conference being held in Queenstown from April 22 to 24 will be an exciting event, with a wide variety of speakers ranging from government officials to New Zealand’s top economists, along with business, organisational and some really “true-blue” kiwi personalities.
The event kicks off on Saturday night with the ITM Southern welcome party at the Skyline Gondolas and Restaurant, with comedian Len the Loser. Bring a willingness to laugh — and an appetite As with past years, the theme is casual, but be sure to bring a willingness to laugh and an appetite as a buffet dinner will be provided. In keeping with the RMBF’s “fresh” theme this year, the conference will be opened by Minister of Building Issues Clayton Cosgrove and Department of Building and Housing chief executive Katrina Bach, who will give a general overview of the government’s direction in relation to building issues and, specifically, builder licensing.
PlaceMakers and James Hardie guest speakers John Anderson and Celia Lashlie are also bound to provide thought-provoking sessions. ASB Bank chief economist Anthony Byett and David Anderson from Stand Consulting will be briefi ng builders on making the most of a slow economy and how to position your business in a softening market.
Sneak preview There will be a sneak preview of the RMBF’s new publication Building your Business with editor Chris Preston who, along with a panel of experts, will present a series of workshop sessions on legal, employment, insurance, ACC and OSH issues — all subjects central to builders’ businesses. Ben Mitchell from Pro-Directions and Anthony Leighs from Leighs Construction will show best practice disciplines in project management, with Anthony providing the Hillary Field Centre as an exemplary case study of how to do things right and right on time.
There will also be a panel of experts discussing sustainable building. Nick Collins (Beacon Pathways), Peter Robertson (BRANZ), Peter Thorby (DBH), Mahara Inglis (Ministry for the Environment) and Peter Watt (EECA) will give an overview of sustainability and the government’s perspective, and launch the latest BRANZ Sustainable Foundations Guide.
GIB/Winstone Wallboards are once again supporting the Partners Programme which includes an excursion on the steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country farm. Telecom is providing boxed lunches for this year’s optional excursions, which includes jet-boating, 4WD adventures, mountain biking, Skipper’s Canyon and rafting — and for those who prefer a quieter pace there is also golf and a wine trail around some of Central Otago’s famous wineries.
The Carters Gala Dinner’s theme is “Fresh Powder — a Complete Whiteout” with music provided by XSet.
For our future generation of little builders, the Mico kids club is on again, but be in quick as you don’t want the kids to fi nd out you couldn’t make it this year! RMBF conferences are legendary among the members who attend — once they go to one they want to keep coming back for more.
The RMBF encourages all members to get to Queenstown in April to hear first-hand some stimulating, challenging and fresh perspectives into what’s in store for the building and construction sector for the next few years. You won’t regret it! • Look out next month for Building Today’s indepth preview of the 2006 RMBF conference.
