This year’s conference started with a registration evening at the top of the Sky Tower at the Sky City complex on Wednesday 5th May. Delegates gathered to re-acquaint themselves with old friends and to meet new ones. A complimentary drink, plenty of finger food and the all-important Sky Tower key ring greeted the delegates. Access to the observation deck and the outdoor viewing platform saw a steady stream of sightseers (and smokers) braving the elements to see the lights of Auckland before certain South Island elements coerced some innocent Aucklanders to sample aspects of the city’s night life!

Thursday started with the Presidents breakfast where delegates were welcomed and aspects of the three days activities were outlined then the fourteen partners present went to their morning talk on genealogy while members attended the Annual General Meeting. The AGM was followed by a hearty luncheon. This was followed by the obligatory conference delegates group photo after which the opening speaker, ex-signwriter Tony Christiansen from Tauranga, gave us an insight as to our potential to achieve what we set our mind to and what achieving identified goals can mean if we let nothing inhibit our thinking. To say this presentation was an eye-opener would be a gross understatement!

Tony then joined delegates for an afternoon at the ten-pin bowling alley in Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore. Wine, Bean Rock beer and nibbles were served on the coaches which took us to our destination and, on returning, toured delegates around the Americas Cup village before heading back to the Sky City Complex and the trade evening cocktail function amongst the trade display area.

Later in the evening some delegates congregated in the house bar while others headed of to dance the night away at the Loaded Hog.

Friday started with Rustica Lamb making two excellent presentations based on self-promotion and call reluctance. A set of printed proceedings was given to those in attendance with various worksheet and surveys designed to help people focus on what improvements they can make to their business promotion in general and to increase successful sales in particular. Then we all went overseas!

Initially the plan was to go to Pakatoa on the Tornado open speed boat that seats seventy people but this had re-positioned itself up into the Bay of Islands so plan B was implemented and we headed off to the ferry terminal for a Quick-Cat trip to Waiheke. There were two buses to meet us on arrival. These took us to the Mudbrick Restaurant and Winery where a brilliant meal was served before those participating in the pool and golf tournaments departed in one of the buses for their afternoons activity. The remainder were treated to a tour of the vineyard and bottling plant combined with a scenic look at the whole island from one of the highest peaks before a quick wine tasting in the cellar before departing for the craft shops.

On return to Sky City people drifted off to bars, night-clubs, restaurants etc., on their one free night before the full day’s activity that was programmed for Saturday.

Saturday held a mix of technology and traditional skills. The day started with Hal Kaplan from Texas, and the MicroSource Company, outlining the benefits of accurate pricing. Featuring various software modules relating to work, materials, purchases, and tax compliance, this clever piece of software is used by the Sign-A-Rama group in the USA and other parts of the globe and is also now available in NZ. Hal was followed by Norm Biss demonstrating Internet capabilities. Norm took delegates to various sites and bulletin boards with the emphasis distinctly on the needs of signmakers.

After lunch Dale Alderson, who until recently was the merchandise manager with Dominion Breweries, outlined what the large corporates are looking for in terms of a working relationship with a signmaker. The value of a strategic alliance was considered. The afternoon programme was kicked off by Serge Vincart from MacTac in Belgium who outlined the European experience with digital imaging and vinyl use. Rounding off the more formal presentations was Tip Time. This was conducted by Jeff Harvey in conjunction with Norm Biss.

Then it was time for a quick shower and change and a leisurely stroll up to the Aotea Centre for some pre-dinner drinks amongst the entries for the 1999 NZ Sign and Display Awards before the awards ceremony. MC for the evening was Dr Morgan McArthur who kept guests well and truly entertained between the awarding of some 61 gold, silver and bronze awards. The Mermaids who kept the stayers dancing till just before 1.00am rounded out the evening. A full run down of award winners will be appearing in Signs Australasia and ProDesign in forthcoming issues.

Sunday got off to a slow start, some people it seems came straight to the closing breakfast from other forms of entertainment having not slept all night. (No Names - No Packdrill). After a solid feed prizes were awarded for the pool, golf and ten-pin bowling. A presentation was made to Les Berridge who stood down as PRO Officer and the Farr Cup was presented to ????? (We said no publicity would be made for this award - you should’ve been there!) for a costly mistake made in producing material for a sales brochure. People then started saying their farewells and drifted off to find their way home vowing to return in a years time when Napier and the Hawkes Bay branch host the 2000 NZSDA Conference.