The PMA (Professional Movers Association) conference 2011 took place this year at Sun City in South Africa from 4-7 August. Reports from some of those who attended suggest it was one of the best industry conferences of the year.
This year’s PMA congress had the theme ‘Your passport to moving excellence’. Along with the PMA and SAIMA delegates there were many guests from around the globe including representatives from: Al Futtaim Logistics; AMJ Campbell Intl; Chess Moving; Doree Bonner; Grace International; New Zealand Van Lines; Overseas Shipping Association (OSA); Reason Global Insurance; The Moving Company; and White and Company.
The congress kicked off with a speed networking event, the delegates were split into teams. In keeping with the theme of the congress they were each issued with a passport, this required stamping by the sponsors. The teams made their way round the sponsors’ themed tables to be asked three questions of which one was false. If they guessed the false answer their passport was stamped accordingly. Some of the sponsors provided drinks representative of their respective countries. The whole evening was a lot of fun, especially with Gerry Skerritt the Programme Director driving things with his inimitable humour.
Business proper started the next day, the business sessions opened with a Roll Call of the delegates followed by the prize giving of the “Moving Team of the Year” won by the team from Pickfords Cape Town. The PMA, AGM included PMA President, Heather Badenhorst of Stuttaford Van Lines handing over the Presidency to Mike Kitshoff of Pickfords Capetown. There were also several amendments to the constitution for approval.
The highlight of this session was a presentation by Peter Van Kets entitled ‘Surviving the Storm - Lessons from an Ocean Crossing’. Peter is the winner of OutThere Adventurer of the year 2011. He described his two rowing adventures across the Atlantic.
Peter posed analogies between running a business and planning an adventure, the similarities were obvious. Peter included pictures and video which were frightening to look at, let alone experience in a rowing boat in the middle of the Atlantic. Details of Peter’s adventures can be found on his web site, well worth a look http://petervankets.com.
The sponsors had the dubious job of following Peter’s presentation, when they were invited to introduce their services.
The opening day business sessions closed with an excellent presentation by Elna Smit, Senior Online Research Specialist at Columinate. Elna informed the delegates about Navigating Web2.0: how to Internet market your business and generate sales.
Lunch was of the truckers’ version, where the delegates ate wholesome food while being entertained by an excellent singer guitarist.
The evening was sponsored by Shaft Packaging and held at the Sun City Shebeen. The boys from Shaft have a reputation and didn’t disappoint: the delegates where fed some traditional food supported by the usual Shebeen drinks - a whole lot of fun.
Business started the next day with an early breakfast followed by the SAIMA AGM. This was followed by further presentations by various sponsors. The business sessions ended with an uplifting and fun participation presentation by Justin Cohen, entitled ‘The Psychology of Success - Practical tools to take your business to the next level’.
Forty-four of the delegates then made their way to the Lost City Golf Course for an exciting afternoon including taking on the notorious 13th hole across the Crocodile Pit. The golf was won by the team of Ignatius Muthien of the sponsor Hino trucks, John Luker of sponsor Reason Global and Stewart Romanis of Biddulphs International. Nearest the pin over the Crocodile Pit was won by Graham Puddephatt of Reason Global.
The Congress closed with the Gala dinner, held in the ‘Hall of Treasures’. The evening included a number of presentations, a great dinner, drinks and lots of dancing.
Next year’s congress is at ‘The Legend Golf and Safari Resort’ 9-12 August, 2012. Interested delegates and sponsors can get further information from the PMA web site: http://pmamovers.co.za/congress/.
Photos: (top to bottom) Ian Palmer from White and Company in the UK and Errol Gardiner of New Zealand Van Lines catch a moment’s relaxation; Marlane Bystydziesnki (right) and Adele Lawrence both of Master Movers International in South Africa with Graham Puddephatt of Reason Global Insurance at the PMA conference; Reason Global Insurance making sure everyone knows they're British and intrepid rower and OutThereAdventurer 2011 Peter Van Kets.