O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing and Laser Group joined forces for The Advantage Conference 2024!

Over 440 delegates across O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing and the Laser Network came together for The Advantage Conference 2024. This spectacular 4-day event marked the first trans-Tasman conference since 2019. It provided an opportunity for the Network to come together as a family and celebrate their outstanding achievements. The Conference program, including interactive workshops offering opportunities for business learning and inspiration. The trans-Tasman spirit was in full flight as the Network reconnected with old mates and forged new partnerships.

Taskforce

Touch down in Wellington New Zealand, and the Network hit the ground running with an incredible Taskforce Project. Taskforce is the Network’s annual Giving Back Project and it is in its 17th year running! This year’s Taskforce was held at Wellington’s Life Flight Westpac Helicopter Base. Over 100 suppliers, Members and friendly Volunteers put in some hard yakka to support this very worthy non-for profit organisation. Life Flight provides crucial emergency aeromedical services.

Head of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications at Life Flight Trust, Sebastian Grodd said “Our Air rescue base is the hub, where our urgent missions start and end. To get this help and expertise, to make it the best that it can be, means so much to our team. Thank you so much for taking the opportunity to make a difference!”

An incredibly important part of what makes this Network so successful are our valued suppliers. The trade expo was a standout feature, showcasing 45 Australian and New Zealand Suppliers. The suppliers demonstrated new products, held interactive presentations, and showed how they could support business needs, discover and learn how they can support their business needs. 

Keynote Speakers

The Advantage Conference program this year featured three incredible keynote speakers who delivered insights that will resonate long after the conference. Inspirational keynote speakers such as former professional boxer, Dave Letele (AKA Brown Buttabean) and Gilbert Enoka renowned for his work as a mental skills coach with New Zealand’s corporate and sporting elite. On day two of the conference we heard from Dr Michelle Dickonson – nanotechnologist and science educator. Michelle also appeared on stage at the Women’s event, presenting on her experiences in her career.

We also took time to celebrate significant milestones, honouring our trans-Tasman Members with 25, 20, 15 and 10 year anniversaries. 

Networking was at its peak with amazing offsite evening functions, where attendees enjoyed opportunities to connect and collaborate. The Network wound back the clock at the renaissance and medieval themed night! Members and Suppliers also made some wonderful memories at the offsite networking event held at the entertainment complex – Brewtown. Brewtown provided loads of fun activities with go-kart racing, putt putt golf and more. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success!