2008 Conference mounts a bold challenge to industry and government

With the venue for the 2008 Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) Conference confirmed and a bold and topical theme now set for the program, preparations for the big event are well underway.

Next year’s Conference, themed ‘Seachange for an Essential Industry’, will be held at the Stamford Grand at gorgeous Glenelg Beach, South Australia.

The theme is explicitly aimed at calling attention to the importance of the nursery and garden industry.

“We have deliberately set out to challenge industry members, the industry executive and the government,” said Malcolm Lewis, Chairperson of this year’s organising committee.

“It is often the case that this industry isn’t treated as an ‘essential industry’ by government decision-makers. The theme of the Conference, which strongly reinforces the importance of this industry, mounts a clear challenge to that perception.”

Renowned motivational speaker and expert trainer Debra Templar has been confirmed as the Conference MC. The program is anticipated to be highly informative and engaging, with organisers approaching a stellar cast of national and international keynote speakers.

“A lot of the Conference program will be based around who makes decisions about the value and importance of industries like ours. It will explore how these decisions are made, the effect they have and how – as an industry – we can respond,” said Malcolm.

The conference is scheduled for 26-28 March, with the program as follows:

Day 1 – Keynote speakers

Day 2 – Tour day

Day 3 – Workshops, presentations and one final keynote speaker, with the Awards Gala Dinner in the evening.

Positioned right beside the sea just minutes from Adelaide CBD, the Stamford Grand boasts a wide-angle view of both the beach and the Adelaide Hills.

For more information contact Industry Development & Event Coordinator Kobie Keenan at NGIA on ph: 02 9876 5200 or kobie.keenan@ngia.com.au.