Christchurch hosts biggest ever building trade conference

Christchurch hosts biggest ever building trade conference

For the first time since the Canterbury earthquakes, the Certified Builders’ Annual Conference and Expo is being held in Christchurch. A record number of attendees and exhibitors are registered to attend, reflecting the fact that this is a time of unprecedented demands on the building industry.

Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith will open the conference on Friday 22 May and Labour Party Leader Andrew Little will close the conference on Saturday 23 May.

Certified Builders Chief Executive, Grant Florence, said the conference’s focus on health and safety is particularly relevant given the legislative changes that are set to be introduced later this year.

“One of the keynote speakers, Rhett Brown, suffered a life-changing fall whilst working on site and will be speaking about his experience first-hand. His story is a good reminder for people in the industry who deal with hazardous situations every day, and as we’re starting to prepare our members for the changes ahead to ensure they’re safe and that they understand their obligations regarding safety in the workplace.”

Another featured speaker at the conference is Davey Hughes, known as the “Swazi Man” after his outdoor clothing company, a burgeoning business that he’s built from the ground up.

“With his conservation background and experience in the Arctic Circle, Alaska and Tanzania, I have no doubt Davey will have a few interesting stories to share. His insights into leadership and business growth and development will be of particular interest given our members are predominantly smaller to medium sized building firms that focus on residential and light commercial construction,” said Mr Florence.

Another highlight of the conference is a live hook-up with New Zealand’s southern-most construction project at Scott Base, Antarctica, where two talented ‘Apprent-ICEs’ have been working since January 2015 on a major reconfiguration of the Hillary Field Centre, supported by Antarctica New Zealand and Certified Builders, in conjunction with the Industry Training Association Building (ITAB) and the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO).

The conference will also include the New Zealand Final of the Carpentry Apprenticeship Challenge with 12 regional winners from across New Zealand competing for the top spot and winning prizes valued at over $10,000, including an experience at Outward Bound.

“The programme for this year’s conference, which spans apprentices, leadership, business development, health and safety, and educational workshops, as well as some fun for our members, illustrates the scope of Certified Builders’ activities as one of the two main building trade associations in New Zealand,” said Mr Florence.

Certified Builders’ point of difference is that it is the only building trade association that requires trade-qualification for membership, and the number of attendees expected at this year’s conference is a reflection of the value of being part of an association that is committed to continuous improvement within the industry and ongoing professional development for its members.

“The conference is a great opportunity for our members and the wider industry to get together and share best practice, and to discuss how we can help them manage through the current challenges in the regulatory environment while driving their businesses to take advantage of increased demand for professional builders and high quality workmanship,” said Mr Florence.

ENDS

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