Can Sustainable Businesses Be Profitable?
Yes! Find out how at the NZOQ Learn Share Grow Conference 2008, Rydges Lakeside Resort, Queenstown, 22-24 October 2008.
http://conference2008.nzoq.org.nz/
Press release, NZOQ, 6-Mar-08: The New Zealand Organisation for Quality (NZOQ) is calling for papers to present at its
inaugural ‘Learn-Share-Grow 2008 Conference’to be held in Queenstown 22-24 October. The two-day event will be NZOQ’s and
Queentown’s first ever ‘carboNZero’ certified conference that will walk the talk and lead by example on the subjects of
business Quality, Productivity and Sustainability.
The aim of NZOQ’s ‘Learn-Share-Grow’ Conference is to help business leaders and quality professionals learn and
implement sustainable business processes that ensure long-term viability and integrity of their business without
compromising profitability.
Helen Baines, NZOQ General Manager says, “The focus of the event will be on Quality, Productivity and Sustainability
where attendees can study proactive approaches to elevating business performance. It is a unique opportunity to get
valuable insights from some of the world’s leading experts on quality, and to share ideas, experience and news ways of
thinking with others.”
NZOQ is calling for papers in a variety of subjects from Productivity / Lean / Six Sigma, Creativity & Innovation and Professional Development to Quality Strategies & Best Practice Initiatives, Business Sustainability, Knowledge Management and more. The extended deadline is Monday 17
March.
“The last Quality event held in NZ was the World Quality Congress held in Wellington in 2006. The event was run in
partnership with the NZOQ and was a huge success which attracted and enlightened over 350 delegates; we hope to achieve
similar success in Queenstown,” says Helen.
The 2-day conference will comprise a packed schedule of high-value events for delegates, speakers and exhibitors alike,
including the opening and closing ceremonies, exhibition, welcome luncheon, social evening and conference dinner. All
events will be held in Queenstown at the prestigious Rydges Lakeside Resort which overlooks Lake Wakatipu to the
Remarkables.
As business sustainability is about optimising resource needs, reducing environment, energy and social impacts, and
managing resources more efficiently, NZOQ decided to walk the talk and commit the Conference to the carboNZero
programme.
“With alarms bells ringing at every corner about the impact of our carbon footprint on global warming and climate
change, more and more organisations are understanding the increasing importance for and positive impact of having a
business sustainability strategy.” says Michael Voss, NZOQ’s Development Director. “For this reason we are committing
the event to becoming carboNZero certified and we are thrilled that Landcare Research will be sponsoring the event in
relation to the programme.”
Implementing and enforcing business sustainability is not just good governance and business management, it shows
stakeholders that yours is a responsible company.
By joining the carboNZero programme everyone associated with the NZOQ Conference - including organisers, speakers,
delegates and partner organisations from New Zealand and around the world - will be encouraged to reduce their carbon
footprint as much as possible. For example all presentations and exhibition material will be shared digitally instead of
on printed material, waste will be reduced or recycled, tap water will be encouraged over bottled water, natural
lighting will be used where possible, and more.
Sam Bridgman carboNZero programme sustainability advisor explains, “The carboNZero programme is an internationally
recognised certification scheme providing resources to measure, manage and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions with
credibility and integrity. We are proud to sponsor the Learn-Share-Grow conference because of our alignment with the
aims of the New Zealand Organisation of Quality. We place a strong emphasis on quality management and best practice
within the carboNZero programme to ensure all our clients can claim to be carbon neutral with confidence.”
NZOQ is proud to be working in association with the following organisations to bring you the Learn-Share-Grow Conference
2008: Landcare Research, New Zealand Institute of Management (NZIM), New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation (NZBEF),
the Centre for Organisational Excellence Research (COER), and Business Performance Improvement Resource (BPIR.com).
To present a paper at the conference, or to register your interest, or to find out about becoming a sponsor, please
visit http://conference2008.nzoq.org.nz.
About NZOQ
The NZOQ - New Zealand Organisation for Quality - is a national body with its headquarters in Palmerston North and
regional groups throughout the country. It is a member based non-profit organisation which provides training and
education in quality standards for both its members and the industry as a whole. NZOQ was formed in 1977 and champions
members’ needs throughout New Zealand. For more information on NZOQ visit www.nzoq.org.nz.
About the carboNZero programme
The carboNZero programme was established in 2001 by Landcare Research, one of New Zealand's leading Crown Research
Institutes. The programme is based on over a decade of research on climate change, greenhouse gas measurement and carbon
monitoring.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is good for the atmosphere, the planet and good for business. It requires us to make
changes to the way that we manage energy, water, waste and biodiversity. In taking up the challenge to reduce your
greenhouse gas emissions, you are setting out on a sustainability journey that will bring many other benefits.
Our goal is to provide robust tools for individuals, organisations and events to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
or carbon footprint with the highest level of credibility and integrity. For more information about the carboNZero
programme visit www.carbonzero.co.nz.
ENDS