HIANZ conference a stunning success

This year’s Hire Industry Association of New Zealand (HIANZ) conference is being hailed as “one of the best” following positive feedback from delegates.

Over 200 hire company owners, staff, equipment and service suppliers to the industry from New Zealand and Australia attended the event in Rotorua in late August, enjoying an extensive programme of workshops, guest speakers, trade show, and networking opportunities.

The annual event aims to provide hire company delegates with educational material and an overview of the Association’s current and future initiatives.

The focus this year was on ‘Sustainable Business Growth’ with guest speakers and related workshops to ensure the delegates went away with a greater understanding of key industry drivers and metrics that aid in good future decision making.

For the first time the conference was held at the Rotorua Convention Centre, which had the facilities and space to hold the entire event under one roof.

“The increased amount of height and space in the venue was great for the trade show as it allowed our exhibitors to fully showcase their range of projects in a comfortable and real world environment,” says HIANZ CEO, Phil Tindle.

The extensive trade-show comprised of 54 exhibitor companies, displaying a range of products and equipment.

“The event continues to grow each year and we are already aiming higher next year. By 2018 we plan to have a 50 percent increase in exhibitor attendance,” he said.

Guest speakers at the conference included extreme adventurer, Kevin Biggar (sponsored by NZI), the ITM Fishing Show’s Matt Watson (sponsored by Nifty), entrepreneur Karl Varley (sponsored by Staples Rodway & My Advisor), and Stewart Kearney from Rightway Ltd. 

As well as the opportunities for learning and networking, attendees enjoyed some fun events, including the pre-conference ‘President’s Cup’, which saw delegates and suppliers come together for a luge challenge team event, followed by an icebreaker function hosted by sponsor, Kubota.

The conference culminated in the Hire Excellence Awards Dinner on the final evening hosted by the Association’s principal sponsor, Youngman Richardson & Co.

Delegates praised the excellent conference speakers; great networking, learning and support opportunities; and the ‘awesome venue’.

A page on the HIANZ website has been dedicated to photos, videos, workshop presentations and attendee feedback from the conference.

Phil says, “HIANZ is grateful for the generous support of its sponsors who were key to the success of the event”.

“The quality of speakers, entertainers and delegate attendance highlights how far the Association has come over the years and it would be fair to say there are many members already looking forward to attending next year’s event,” he said.

The 2017 conference and trade show will be held in Wellington.