economic summits

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4th Regional Economic Summit - 23rd August 2011

On Tuesday August 23 the EDA held its 4th annual Economic Summit at the Suburban Club, on Tahunanui Drive. Our four speakers had a wide range of experience, and came along ready to answer our key questions:

  • What’s really happening in the wider economy?
  • What are the worldwide trends that we need to understand?
  • Are we ready to handle the challenges?

The first speaker was Dr Ganesh Nana, from BERL. Ganesh is a return visitor to the Summit, and is always a thought provoking speaker. The title of his presentation this year was “NZ in a debt-w(e)ary world”, and the key message was that we need to be realistic about what's going on out in the world—and we also need to be clever enough to recognize what we have. The underlying problems that caused the global financial crisis remain in place, and the recovery will be export led - and while we're at it, invest in infrastructure. In the end, we have the resources to produce what the world wants, so we are potentially in a great position.

The Honorable David Carter, acting Minister of Economic Development, talked about the synergy between our primary production base and the country's economic development, and outlined the government’s six point growth agenda, which addresses tax reform to create incentives, infrastructure investment, education, the reduction of red tape and regulations, an efficient public service, and an increased focus on science, innovation and trade.

Nelson MP, the Honorable Dr Nick Smith also addressed a growth strategy, but focused more closely on the Nelson Tasman Region. Nick’s key areas included skill development, infrastructure, trade access, research and innovation, reducing compliance costs, and green growth. He also acknowledged the short term opportunities that exist as part of the Rugby World Cup and the Canterbury rebuild.

Finally, BERL’s Chief Executive Amanda Lynn gave us an interesting insight into the entrepreneurial personality, using both her own personal experiences as a business owner and her academic background in psychology. Given that doubling our earnings through pure primary production or tourism is not necessarily realistic or manageable, and that we are a nation of very hard workers who, sadly, don’t always manage to turn that hard work into productivity, innovation is going to be the key to growth in the future. And innovation needs entrepreneurs and their functional creativity - right up into their fifties and sixties! Recent research shows that the fastest growing groups of entrepreneurs are over forty.

We were very pleased to see the great audience turnout and would like to thank all those who attended and presented questions to our speakers.

Presentations available for download include:

 

 

Regional Economic Summit - 25 June 2010

Following on from the successful first and second Regional Economic Summits, the Nelson Regional EDA held its third Regional Summit.

Key note speakers were:

  • Hon Dr Nick Smith - Minister for the Environment, for Climate Change Issues, and for ACC
  • John Palmer - Chairman of Air New Zealand and Solid Energy, and local Nelson businessman
  • Dr Ganesh Nana - Senior Economist, Business and Economic Research Limited
  • Tim Hampton - Manager Macro Policy, Treasury

Topics addressed by the speakers included:

  • Is the global recession over?
  • How has it changed New Zealand's, and Nelson's situation?
  • What is the outlook for our economy right now?

Presentations available for download include:

 

 

Regional Economic Summit - 30 April 2009

Following a very successful first Regional Economic Summit in December 2008, the Nelson Regional EDA held its second summit, with support from the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT).

Key note speakers were:

  • Rod Oram - Economist & Financial Journalist                       
  • Tim Hampton - Manager Forecasting, Reserve Bank
  • Roger Wigglesworth - Ministry of Economic Development
  • Aldo Miccio - Nelson City Council Councillor and businessman.

It was Rod Oram's opinion that when the economic crisis is over, the world economy would recover but won't go back to the way it was before, advising that Nelson businesses would be prudent to strategise for the future economy 'through technological development and sustainable business practices'.  

Bill Findlater, EDA's Chief Executive said there was good response from business owners and leaders, from a range of sectors.   "This sort of event offers an excellent environment for informed comment and insights into opportunities for businesses in Nelson".

To view summit presentations, please click on the following selection:

Regional Economic Summit - Rod Oram Presentation

Regional Economic Summit - Roger Wigglesworth Presentation

Regional Economic Summit - Councillor Aldo Miccio Presentation

 

"NMIT was delighted to be involved with the EDA in presenting this Stage 2 Economic Summit, believing that it was an excellent opportunity to address issues currently facing the region as a result of the global economic downturn.  The Summit gave participants an opportunity to identify positive go-forward outcomes for the region's businesses.   This is part of a commitment by NMIT and the EDA to work together to ensure that education supports the economic development of the region.

 Tony Gray, Chief Executive - NMIT

 "It was a sobering message from Rod Oram, but coupled with that was the recognition of both the potential and actual strength of our region ain leading the way with new technologies - especially in the development of alternative and better use of energy sources and smart reponses to challenging conditions.   From the Chamber's perspective, it was heartening that the core message running through all the sessions was the benefits of businesses working together and utilising organisations like our own to build business relationships and connections.   Well done to the EDA in organising and hosting another successful Summit."

Dot Kettle, Chief Executive - Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce

 

 

Regional Economic Summit - 12 December 2008

The Nelson Regional EDA and the Ministry of Social Development held a Regional Economic Summit Friday 12 December at the Nelson Suburban Club.

Key speakers at the summit were:

  • Hon. Dr. Nick Smith, Nelson MP & Government Minister
  • Tim Hampton, Manager of Forecasting for the Reserve Bank
  • Dominick Stephens, Senior Research Economist for Westpac
  • John McCliskie, Regional Management Focus Champion

All speakers provided their opinions on how the global economic crisis will impact the Nelson Tasman region.

The summit was considered as a great success and was well received by business leaders and owners alike with 220 registrations received, many whom just turned up on the day to attend, a real indication as to the level of interest and concern about the economic future of our region.

To view summit presentations, please click on the following selection: