I can’t wait to head to Auckland next week for the Strata Community Association (SCA) national conference. It’s an action-packed week and a chance to reflect on what we’re doing well and what we can ‘be better’ at (Bright & Duggan’s new leading value).
I have been fortunate enough to attend the last two national conferences and I think this will be the best one yet – not least because it involves a trip over the ditch. I am very excited to be joined by my wife Kylie and daughter Thea, who will make their own fun whilst I am conferencing.
I am looking forward to:
- Seeing and meeting a number of our interstate friends and business partners (along with more local ones I have barely seen since a move to the Hunter and starting a family).
- Events at the Auckland War Memorial and the Viaduct.
- Bright & Duggan NSW (or Cambridge Management Services QLD) winning the Large Strata Community Management Business of the Year award at the gala awards (high confidence – 2/5 chance!), along with three other awards our business/staff are in the running for.
- Zipping around Auckland on a Lime Scooter.
The conference program is excellent and I’m picking the following sessions as the stars:
- Macquarie strata Benchmarking report insights.
- Panel – challenging times for strata managers (featuring our own Chris Duggan).
- Panel – driving the building defects agenda. I believe that Bright & Duggan leads the market with our approach to defects, which seeks to bring the various parties together for non-litigated outcomes.
- Providing reassurance during a time of need – presented by Sir Bob Parker, the mayor for Christchurch during the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
- Why utility management is critical for strata managers – I am a big believer that data drives better decision making (or removes a need for decision making in some cases as it presents such a compelling argument). Also moderated by Mr C Duggan.
- Panel – building a career in strata. I don’t believe (as an industry) that we do an amazing job at attracting and retaining people; concentrating on how we improve at this is vital to long term business success and recognition as a profession.
- Panel – The right amount of business growth, moderated by our fearless leader Chris Duggan.
- Keynote – The impact of design and development, presented by Matt Davis from Davis and Davis Architects
I am particularly interested in speaking to people about a blended strata/facility management approach (asset/governance/finances)- I believe this is where the market is going and it’s an area that Bright & Duggan/Cambridge Management Services will lead – particularly in the Hunter!
If you’re going – look forward to catching up there.
Stay tuned for a recap of the event after I catch my breath the week following.
