Four of the industry’s best known names, Clipsal Schneider, Gerard Lighting, L&H and NHP, are working with NECA to deliver an information-packed and exciting three-day conference in Stellenbosch – just 45-minutes from Cape Town, 17-21 April 2016.

“It’s going to be a great event,” says NECA national president Dave McInnes.  “We’ve been talking to our four strategic supply-chain partners for six months now.  We wanted to get this right and we are confident we now have the right formula for this event.  Having one of our major wholesalers and three of Australia’s leading manufacturers on board sits very well with NECA’s commitment to ensuring everything we do is run by contractors, for contractors.  This event is organised by the industry, for the industry,” he added.

“The program will be a mix of presentations, panels and workshops – with a real emphasis on participation and discussion.  We understand that contractors attending the event want to learn as well as networking with suppliers.  We believe we have a program that allows for both.  We also have a fabulous range of excursions and entertainment – and everything you see in the program is included in the registration fee,” Mr McInnes concluded.

NECA has secured exclusive use of one of South Africa’s oldest and finest wineries, Spier, set within the magnificent Stellenbosch region.  The venue is perfect for breakout sessions and informal networking.  The basis for our program came from the recent Market Monitor 2015 industry survey, where almost over 1,500 contractors gave us their views on today’s challenges.

The first day will look at the broader challenges our industry is facing – both in Australia, and globally, and will conclude with two panels.  The first panel will focus on Innovation and the second on The contractor of tomorrow.

The following two days are mainly workshops, and the topics include:

• An evolving supply-chain,
• A digital revolution,
• The grey market,
• Stamping out non-compliant products,
• Growing trends to specialise,
• The new consumer,
• The next generation of contractors,
• Managing a successful contracting business,
• Women in the trade,
• Learning and development,
• Work health and safety,
• Industrial relations.