RMBF Conference 2007 — an overview

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Taranaki turned on some stunning weather for the record number of 420-plus attendees who gathered in New Plymouth in April for the annual Registered Master Builders Federation conference.

The sun wasn’t the only thing to shine over the weekend either — members of the Taranaki Registered Master Builders Association were also outstanding in the part they played in the organisation of the conference.

President Dave Fabish and his team, along with Tony Laker and his crew from Invercargill House of Travel, plus the RMBF national office conference team, all worked extremely well together to produce a high energy, high impact conference packed with inspiring business sessions, educational and motivational speakers, and entertaining evening functions.

Although newly invested RMBF Board member Dave Fabish admits to being a “bit tired” after the conference, he praises his “dream team” of Association members and their wives for working so well together and putting on such a good show.

Delegates were on the go from the moment Minister of Building and Construction Clayton Cosgrove opened the conference. NBPR put on the first happy hour and after a quick spruce-up everyone was on the bus to Yarrow Stadium for the ITM Welcome Function where All Black legend Ian Jones entertained the crowd.

The RMBF Charity Auction held at the function raised a remarkable sum of $38,750 for New Plymouth’s House for Karen.
Other highlights of the conference included Sika’s tasty martinis at the Sika happy hour, inspirational talks from double amputee Mark Inglis and The Attitude Doctor Tom Mullholland, Carters’ adventurous progressive dinner and, of course, the PlaceMakers Gala Dinner — James Bond style.

Wives and partners of RMBs enjoyed a full and fun GIB Partners Programme while the Mico Kids Club looked after the kids and ensured they burned heaps of energy with all the activities they had lined up.

On a more serious note, Anthony Leighs and Dave Fabish were invested on to the RMBF Board, while John Marshall stood down from the Board after seven years of dedicated service.
Speakers from Beacon Pathways and the Green Building Council talked about one of the trends set to impact the construction industry over the next few years — Green Building — highlighting that sustainability is here to stay.

There was some political football played between Labour’s Clayton Cosgrove and National MP Nick Smith, with Builder Practitioner Licensing being a serious issue in the lead-up to the general election in 2008.

RMBF chief executive Pieter Burghout has heard back from many delegates who said they thoroughly enjoyed the 2007 conference and were already looking forward to 2008. “We work extremely hard to put on an informative, entertaining and high-energy conference event, and that was reflected in the 30% increase in attendees this year plus, of course, Taranaki being the great location that it is! We will have to get our thinking caps on again pretty soon for the 2008 conference — so watch this space!”

• The RMBF wishes to thank the Conference silver sponsors who provided funding for all these fantastic events: Accident Compensation Corporation, Air New Zealand, Bluesky Wireless, BCITO, Department of Building and Housing, Caltex, Firth Industries, Gib, Inland Revenue, James Hardie, Master Build Services Ltd, MasterSure, Mico Plumbing, NBPR, Nulook Windows and Doors, Site Safe, Telecom, Velux and Woodwork Treated Timber.

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