SS Logo (Landscape Transparent) for Dark Background

National Conference 2024

Rutherford Hotel, Nelson | 18 - 20th October

EM Logo (Transparent) for Dark Background (Positioning Line)

Welcome

Hello Delegates

I trust you are looking forward to our combined brands conference which is being held at the Rutherford Hotel, Nelson from 18th - 20th October 2024.

Your national conference presents one of the best opportunities to learn from others how to enhance the profitability of your business. Just as crucial is the ability to network with your fellow owners, suppliers and the franchise team all while taking a good break from the daily demands of your business. With Nelson/Tasman being a place of stunning natural landscapes – lakes, mountains, rivers, native bush, and beaches, it’s a great place for a well-earned holiday.

From Good to Great (Transparent) Icon

The conference spans two days and nights and we've arranged a special accommodation rate with the Rutherford. This rate can be used for up to five days, based on room availability. For SS FAC and EM marketing committee members, an extra night will be required on Thursday.

Senior staff and non-working spouses are warmly welcome at conference even if they only want to attend the social functions, but everyone wanting to attend any event must register.

Grant

Conference Outline

Friday, 18th October

9:00 AM: Registration desk opens at the Rutherford Hotel

10:00 AM: Welcome Morning Tea

10:45 AM - Opening Session

6:00 PM - Rock-n-Roll Welcome Reception
Coaches will take us to the iconic Nelson Classic Car Museum (NCCM) for our welcome reception. NCCM boasts over 150 cars spanning more than 115 years of motoring history—from sleek Jaguars to cool Cadillacs, trusty Triumphs, and even the world’s fastest Mini. It’s the perfect venue to reminisce about grandad’s old car, your first set of wheels, or your dream car, all while catching up with your peers.
So get ready for a night of classic cars, great company, and a touch of rock-and-roll flair! This evening’s corporate casual dinner will have a fun rock-and-roll theme, so get creative with your outfits!

Car Museum

Saturday, 19th October

7:00 AM - Breakfast at your leisure

8.45 AM - A full day of conference

Gala Awards Dinner
5.45 PM - Meet in the Rutherford lobby to board coaches for dinner at Harvest Kitchen, a function venue nestled amongst the vines at Seifried Estate in Appleby. This lovely venue will host our prestigious Gala Awards Dinner as we recognise success both with the Sign & Branding Awards along with business performance achievements of the past year.

Harvest Kitchen

Sunday, 20th October

Optional Breakfast. Checkout is at 10.00am

Speakers

Kevin Biggar

Kevin Biggar (Keynote)

Taking Performance to the Next Level

Motivational speaker, Kevin Biggar, will be joining us as the keynote speaker at this year's national conference. He has been presenting at conferences and corporate events throughout New Zealand since 2004. Over the last few years, he’s spoken at nearly 900 events!

With a B.Sc degree from Auckland University and a Masters in Environment and Development from the University of Cambridge (UK), he worked for the NZ Treasury and the Boston Consulting Group before deciding to take part in the world’s toughest endurance event- the trans-Atlantic rowing race. Despite not having rowed before he won the race and set a new world record. Together with his rowing partner Jamie Fitzgerald he went on to become the first NZ team to trek unsupported and unresupplied to the South Pole. You might also recognise Kevin from his role as co-presenter of TVNZ’s ‘First Crossings’ and ‘Intrepid NZ’. He has also authored three books.

Kevin's presentation, titled "Taking Performance to the Next Level," is designed to tackle unspoken doubts, offer practical tips, and deliver proven strategies that will elevate your team's performance and lead to lasting success.

Every organisation faces moments when performance plateaus and teams settle into their comfort zones. In these times, a fresh perspective can serve as a powerful catalyst for change. Kevin Biggar's keynote promises to be just that—a spark that redefines challenges and reinvigorates enthusiasm, showing us how much more there is to achieve.

During his keynote, you will discover:

  • Why performance requires a goal, what the real point of a goal is
  • How to uncover and deal with the doubts that limit performance
  • The winning attitude – how to get it, why it’s important, how it can backfire
  • How to get the best out of your team mates
  • How to improve your ability to persevere through adversity
  • How to navigate through the mid-challenge ‘slump’

This presentation is more than just a motivational talk; it's a guide to unlocking your teams potential. Get ready to be inspired, energised, and empowered.

Steve lilac looking away

Steve Ballantyne

Marketing Made Easy with AI

Join us as Steve Ballantyne, Principal of the renowned advertising agency Brand IQ, shares his cutting-edge insights on the key AI tools that will help elevate your local marketing game and give you the competitive edge. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the B2B industry's leading minds!

 

Anthony - GD

Anthony Gherghetta

Gorilla Dash: New Tools Unleashed

Anthony Gherghetta, the founder of Gorilla Dash, will be running brand specific workshops where he will showcase the new features integrated into the website platform. He'll also share his expert tips on enhancing your SEO, managing social media, gaining more Google reviews, plus advice on email marketing and online reordering.

Antony Joll

Antony Joll

A 21-Year Journey: Valuable Lessons and Insights

Antony Joll has successfully owned and operated Speedy Signs Hamilton for over 21 years, expanding it into a business with an annual turnover exceeding $2.5 million. For a period he also managed an EmbroidMe business. Antony will share the invaluable lessons and insights he and his wife Toni have gathered from their extensive journey in business.

MicMichael Michalowicz

Michael Michalowicz

Michael Michalowicz, author of Profit First, discusses how to 'pay yourself first'. One of the highest rated sessions from the United Franchise Group World Expo.

2018 Grant1 MR

Grant Archibald

State of the Brands - From Good to Great

Ready to elevate your business to greatness? Join Grant as he dives into this year’s network performance, offering a comprehensive review of what’s working and where we’re headed. But the real game-changer is his focus on uncovering key opportunities that can propel your business from good to GREAT. Don’t miss out on Grant’s actionable strategies designed to help you thrive and outshine the competition!

Foster

Evan Foster (MC)

Master of Ceremonies + Secrets of Success: What Top Owners Do Differently

We are thrilled to have Evan Foster, UFG's Global Director, will serve as our Master of Ceremonies! With nearly two decades of franchising experience, Evan brings a wealth of knowledge and an energetic presence to our conference. Many of you may recall Evan from previous events, including our unforgettable conference in Fiji.

Evan will also lead a session titled "Secrets of Success: What Top Owners Do Differently," where he will share actionable strategies that you can implement in your own business to enhance profitability significantly.

Evan's journey with UFG began in 2006, where he quickly ascended to lead the Australian operations across the UFG portfolio, demonstrating exceptional leadership for seven years. In 2017, he took charge of the Signarama brand in Australia, driving its success until his appointment as Global Director in 2022. Today, Evan collaborates with Master Licensees worldwide, sharing his passion and vision on the international stage.

Join us in welcoming Evan, and get ready for an inspiring and insightful conference experience!

Agenda

Friday, 18 October 2024

Saturday, 19 October 2024

Accommodation & Travel

ACCOMMODATION

We have a group booking at the Rutherford Hotel with a limited amount of standard rooms due to it being a busy conference and tourism season. Saturday breakfast is provided. Sunday breakfast is optional and on a pay-own-way basis.

All accommodation bookings are to be made using the Hotel Booking Form and returned to the franchise office. We will collate them, note the date they are received, and forward them to the Rutherford Hotel.

We encourage you to register early as rooms at the Rutherford Hotel will be allocated on a first in first served basis. Once our allocation is exhausted your choices will be Rutherford’s higher priced rooms (suites) or you will need to book direct with an alternative accommodation provider (see below choices all within walking distance to the Rutherford Hotel).

Admirals Motor Inn 0800 745 755 stay@admiralsmotorinn.co.nz
Palazzo 0800 472 5293 info@palazzomotorlodge.co.nz
Century Park 03 546 6197 info@centuryparkmotorlodge.com
Hotel Nelson 03 548 2089 stay@thehotelnelson.co.nz
Tides 03 548 7049 enquiries@trailwayshotel.co.nz
Quest Apartments 0800 944 400 host@questnelson.co.nz

TRAVEL SUBSIDY

To ensure we start conference on time we ask that you book flights to ensure you arrive at Nelson airport by 9.30am on Friday 18th October. The airport is only a 15 minute taxi/uber drive from to the hotel.

For those flying or using the Cook Strait ferry, a $200 pp travel subsidy will be paid (or $300 pp if two flights are required to get to Nelson) following full attendance at conference. Maximum of two travel subsidies per store.

Sign & Branding Awards

Thank you to everyone who made the effort to submit entries into the Sign & Branding Awards. With over 300 entries to judge, this is certainly not going to be an easy task for our judging panel.

Supreme Sign Award 2023 - Speedy Signs Rotorua
Supreme Sign Award 2023 - Speedy Signs Rotorua
EDIT Not-For-Profits - EM Newmarket
EDIT Vehicle Graphics (Vinyl) - SS Taupo
EDIT Vehicle Graphics (Vinyl) - SS Nelson
EDIT Rebrands _ Makeovers - SS Riccarton (2)

Sponsors

Key suppliers are financially supporting your national conference so please ensure you attend all the events where they will be present. And following conference take the time to thank them for their support.

Platinum Sponsors

Computaleta-Group-Logo
FB

Gold Sponsors

PSP
TS_Logo_WITH DATE_RGB
TRENDS-1200x630

Silver Sponsors

Mulford Plastics Logo
Premium Apparel Logo
Kosmo Business Management Logo for Light Background

Bronze Sponsors

JB-logo
ASC_WORD_LOGO_BLK
Aussie Pacific Logo
Cloke-logo

Committee Meetings

For those on the Speedy Signs FAC or EmbroidMe Marketing Committee, you will be required to arrive in Nelson the day prior to conference (accommodation for Thursday night will be complimentary).

Thursday 17th October

  • Speedy Signs FAC Meeting – Starts with a working Lunch at 12.30pm
  • EmbroidMe Marketing Fund Meeting at 3.00pm
  • SS FAC & EM MF Dinner at 6.00pm

Register Now!

Please help us by getting your conference registration in as soon as you can.