AWIA 2008 CONFERENCE

Gold Coast

Friday 10th - Saturday 11th October 2008

Our next national conference will be held at the 5 star Gold Coast International Hotel situated in the heart of Surfers Paradise

Close to all of the fun facilities of the Gold Coast this is a great venue for our conference and to also allow members to plan a holiday with their kids.

Building on last year’s excellent conference, we will be having our general seminars applicable for all of the businesses of our members plus specific seminars for the different manufacturing groups. In addition we will have optional activities for those who wish to stay on for the rest of the weekend.

Put this in your diary now and get ready for a great conference.

The Gold Coast International Hotel, also known as the GCI Hotel – in the very heart of Queensland’s Gold Coast. Ideally situated within easy walking distance of shopping, restaurants and nightlife and within only minute’s drive to world-class golf courses, theme parks, nature and wildlife reserves.  As well as our conference centre you can arrive early or stay on and have a romantic getaway for two or treat you and your family to a holiday. 

You can relax in the comfort of your surroundings, or with a world of adventure at your door you can explore everything the Gold Coast has to offer.

Conference Registration Form

Please click HERE to go through to our Conference Registration form.

AWIA 2008 Conference Program Overview

The full conference programme is outlined below for your reference.

Thursday 9th October - Evening

Welcome cocktails at the hotel, with optional dinner at the Teppanyaki Restaurant

Friday 10th October

Morning - General Session

Welcome to Conference 2008

Keynote speech - "Manufacturing - the Future"

Tony Pensabene, Australian Industry Group

Tony will look at current business conditions covering manufacturing, construction and the service sector. He will also cover economic challenges incl. globalisation, innovation, skill shortages, environmental sustainability and business development.

A Pathway to Success

Michael Burges & Stuart Kerr, Enterprise Connect

An Australian Government initiative to boost productivity, improve innovation and increase the competetiveness of Australian SMEs. This program is offered FOC via a national network of advisors.

Innovation & Growth - Govt Grants & Programs for Business

Bruce Dawson, AusIndustry

Bruce will speak on the AusIndustry Innovation suite of programs - with particular focus on the R&D programs, as well as the new Clean Business Australia initiative - which includes the Climate Ready Grnt and Re-tooling for Climate Change.

Credit Risk - the signs are at your fingertips

Mark Eades, OneSteel

Mark will speak on the number of freely available tools that can reduce the potential for customers turning into financial liabilities.

Afternoon - Fencing Program

Proposed revision to Australian Standard AS1725-2003 for Chain Link Fencing - Ray Otter, Otter Fencing

Proposed draft changes to standard to be tabled including possible new section on sporting screen fencing.

Temporary Fencing Hire Contract - Terms & Conditions

Examine if attempts to contract out of liabilities arising from on-site incidents have been successfully tested in court.

Forum on future revisions to Temporary Fencing Standards AS4687-2007 - Andrew Lee, Lee Bros Fencing

Look at implementation of current standard and inclusion of additional sections including event fencing.

Pipe & Tube Coatings - Arun Syam, Australian Tube Mills

Discuss possible effect of application of some types of rust inhibitors on pipe and tube prior to powder coating

Importance of correct pre-treatment to achieve high quality powder coating

Importance of proper pre-treatment process to achieve high quality powder coating.

Powder Coating Forum Panel of industry specialists will address issues raised by presenters inlc. warranties, specifications and industry practices.

Afternoon - Spring & Wire Session

Spring and wire training program - the AWIA will be presenting an overview of the AWIA training course carried out for spring and wire company employees a number of years ago adn what will be made available for 2009.

Employer sponsored migration - Subclass 457 Visa Program - Christine will be speaking on the requirements for sponsoring an overseas employee incl. the language requirements and minimum salary level payable.

Workshop session - Credit Management - Mark Eades from OneSteel will be holding a workshop were he will give practical examples of te tools freely available for checking the credit worthiness of new customers and how to monitor your current customers.

New machinery update - various suppliers will give an overview of what is new on the market and the benefit for manufacturers.

Partner Program

Partners will be picked up from GCI and taken on a full-day tour to Byron Bay, where they will visit the lighthouse and stop for lunch. The return trip to the Gold Coast will go via the hinterland with stops at points of interest along the way. Tour time - 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Evening

Annual Gala Dinner - pre-dinner & dinner drinks incl.

Come Dressed to Party - Black & White Night!

Dinner and live jazz band to dance the night away!

Saturday 11th October

Morning - General Session

Annual General Meeting

It Won't Happen to You - or could it? - OH&S

David Dunster, Advanced Safety Systems Australia

What are the consequences of ignoring safety in the workplace? David will speak on duty of care, hazard identification, risk analysis, jail sentences, prosecutions and bottom line impact.

IR - What does it mean for your business?

Kim Grady, Fisher Cartwright Berriman

With the impending release of the new Workplace Relations Legislation this critical presentation will outline the key changes expected in the legislation and the implications for industry. Kim will outline the priority changes you need to make in your business and present strategies that can be put in place now to address further change.

Overseas and Local Economic Outlook & the impact on your business

Mark Stevens, OneSteel

Mark will be discussing the economic trends overseas, particuarly in China, plus the local economy and how these will be affecting our markets in construction and manufacturing.

Afternoon - Fencing Program

Overseas trends in Port and Rail perimeter fencing - Andrew Marshall, Bekaert Intl, Singapore

Update on perimeter security panel fencing trends in South America and Asia.

Security Fencing Trends in the USA

Presentation of security fencing product trends in the US prepared by Chain Link Fencing Manufacturers Institute.

Engagement of independent contractors - Kim Grady, Fisher Cartwright Berriman

Proper engagement of fencing installers is essential. Clear understanding of what determines independent contractors can avoid potential future liabilities arising from engagement contracts.

Demonstration of US Windows based computer estimation & fencing system - Malcolm Michael on behalf of Ray Pearson

1600 fencing customers around the world use Software Design's computer fencing system. The system is presently being converted to metric and is being evaluated by a number of Australian users.

Lap-top compatible Excel based estimating systems - Paul Byrnes, The Fence Barn

Demonstration of computer estimating system currently being used by the The Fence Barn's sales staff in the field using laptop computers.

Material bills and fencing estimates using Office based Excel computer fencing estimating system - Geoff Smith, The Northern Group

Demonstration of Office based Excel computer estimating program producing materials list and fencing quotes.

Discussion Forum on the road ahead for computer based fencing estimating

Discussion forum on road ahead for computer based fencing estimating, production planning and installation programming.

Afternoon - Spring & Wire Session

Saturday afternoon is free for spring and wire members - a half-round of golf or go-karting are the available options.

Partner Program

Morning - We have organised a two-hour beading workshop where participants will be offered a choice of beading either a necklace and earrings or bracelet and earrings, from a number of designs. A local bead artist will assist us in this endeavour and we'll end the morning with our own masterpiece to keep or give to someone special.

Afternoon - free afternoon for shopping, golf or tennis (courts will be booked).

Evening

BBQ dinner & trivia night - drinks included.

Sunday 12th October - OPTIONAL

Day trip via bus and boat transfer to Tangalooma Island Dolphin Resort. All resort facilities are available for use at no charge - other optional activities include quad biking, tobagganing, jet-skiing and snorkling.

ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS

Please note that YOU are required to book your accommodation at the GCI Hotel directly. The Reservations contact number is

07 5584-1200. You must state that you are booking for the AWIA Conference in order to secure your special room rate of $148/night for the Double Mountain River View Room or

$180/night for the Double Ocean View Room.

CONFERENCE COSTS

Delegate Cost - $600 plus GST

Additional Delegate Cost - $510 plus GST

Partner Cost - $270 plus GST

The following is included in the delegate cost;

Welcome drinks on Thursday evening

Gala dinner on Friday evening incl. dinner and drinks

BBQ dinner on Saturday evening incl. drinks

All conference activities and material plus morning and afternoon teas and lunches for all delegates on Friday and Saturday.

The following is incuded in the partner cost;

Welcome drinks on Thursday evening

Gala dinner on Friday evening incl. dinner and drinks

BBQ dinner on Saturday evening incl. drinks

Day-trip via air-conditioned coach to Byron Bay and returning to the Gold Coast via the hinterland. A half-day activity on Saturday morning, final details to be revealed shortly.

Optional Extras

Thursday Evening - 9th October

After the welcome drinks on Thursday evening, there is an optional dinner at the Teppanyaki Restaurant conveniently located in the GCI Hotel. This must be booked separately (on the registration form) as we need to have pre-booked numbers for this dinner. The set menu price is $57/head.

Sunday (whole day) - 12th October

As always, many delegates enjoy staying on at the conclusion of the conference for a social day out. This year we have organised a day-trip to Tangalooma Island Dolphin Resort. All resort facilities are available to day-trippers and optional activities such as quad-biking, tobogganing, jet ski tours or snorkling are available at an extra cost. The cost of this trip incl. coach and boat transfers is $75 per adult or $200 for a family of four with kids up to and including 14 years of age. You can log onto the resort website at www.tangalooma.com and look at Resort Overview for details of what is available.

If you have any queries regarding the conference please don't hesitate to contact Malcolm or Jennette on 02 9484-9856 or via

e-mail.

We'll look forward to seeing you there!!

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