The Questions
1. How many APIA Conventions have you been involved in sponsoring?
2. Why does the company sponsor the event?
3. Why is it important for companies within the Australian pipeline industry to support such an event?
4. How does APIA help the industry?
5. What has been a Convention highlight for your company over your involvement in the Convention?
6. What is your company hoping to achieve at the 2010 Darwin Convention?
Fay Lim, Marketing Services Officer – Vermeer
1. Vermeer has been sponsoring the APIA Convention since its first trade display, and most often we have been a host sponsor.
2. As APIA is the most popular pipeline industry association, the event has a high reputation in the pipeline industry and attracts a wide range of contractors, government sectors and engineers to attend each year. Vermeer, as a leader in providing equipment solutions to the pipeline industry, is sponsoring to show continuous support to the event. Most of our pipeline customers expect to see us there.
3. It is an event that you should not miss if you are in the industry. Visitors and exhibitors from Australia and overseas meet together at this event once a year to share the latest news, technology and services in the pipeline industry. To stay up-to-date with any business opportunities and to boost your business networking, this event is crucial and it can only run successfully every year with support from its members. It’s a two-way street; the pipeliners support us, and we support APIA.
4. APIA gets all of the participants in the industry connected at one place; a perfect networking platform. They provide the latest information on technology, industrial practices, policy and regulation, as well as project updates from the pipeline industry.
5. The sponsorship of the Golf Day, winning the Best Stand Award last year, and the annual APIA/Vermeer polo shirt.
6. We’re introducing products and services as well as providing information and support to our customers. We’re learning new things that are happening in the industry. We’re meeting and networking with business partners, prospects and customers.
Dave Langley, Industry Manager Water, Oil and Gas – BlueScope Steel
1. We first had an exhibition stand at APIA in 2002, and began our hosting-level sponsorship in 2004.
2. This is the one annual event that gets everyone in the industry “˜family’ together, so it provides us with opportunities to build relationships; learn from our peers; contribute to the industry’s knowledge of steel’s use in pipelines; reinforce our support of the association and the industry as a whole; and, showcase our successes in pipeline projects, along with the technical support value-add that we offer.
3. We believe in the future of this industry. That future will only achieve its potential if a partnership approach is taken. Being a partner of APIA is one way we support the industry and, most importantly, support the people within the industry.
4. APIA is a forum for the pipeline industry, covering everyone from steel makers to people selling equipment that positions the pipe in the ground. It facilitates links between all the pipeline players, which we think is of great collective value. APIA’s insight into government and regulatory developments, and their lobbying on behalf of the industry, is also extremely valuable, while the Association’s support for innovation and professional development – especially for emerging pipeline professionals – is a bonus for all of us.
5. Relationships are at the heart of any successful business, and people are what make or break relationships. The ongoing opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones always provides us with our convention highlights.
6. Improved relationships with key industry players, increased awareness of steel’s utility for pipelines, and absolutely no nasty surprises from any crocodiles in the vicinity!
Stephen Ohl, Group Manager Operations – APA Group
1. I expect that it has been 10 years -since 2000, when APA was formed.
2. As the major gas pipeline owner in Australia, APA conducts its business across all aspects of the industry including commercial regulation, pipeline research, pipeline codes and standards, engineering, construction, material and equipment procurement, and operations. The annual APIA convention is the major Australian industry event that brings papers and participants from all these areas together to inform, promote and develop the industry. It is an event that APA wants to see continue, and hopefully our sponsorship plays a part in assuring that it can.
3. Supporting the event it helps ensure that it remains the major Australian industry event, where attendees can make contact with others in the industry, as well as show the industry what they have to offer through the exhibition.
4. In addition to strategic objectives, APIA is unique as a pipeline representative body across the world because its membership covers all facets of the industry, from Australian-based single-person consultants, pipeline operators, pipeline owners, equipment suppliers and contractors all the way through to major international corporations. It is this broad industry representation that allows APIA to carry out its objectives in a manner that is of benefit to the whole industry.
5. It is always appreciated when recognition is shown through the annual awards to people and companies for their contribution to the industry. APA has been well-represented in this area over the 10 years of its existence, with Ian Haddow receiving the Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award in 2004, two life members in myself and Jim McDonald, and last year being awarded the APIA Safety Award.
6. Another successful convention that ensures the continued development of a strong and successful Australian industry, along with that of a strong and successful APA Group.
Jasmin Sebire, Marketing Manager – Sargent
1. We have sponsored every APIA Convention as a host sponsor since the creation of the new Sargent. This will be our fourth year as a host sponsor.
2. Sargent continues to sponsor the APIA Convention to reinforce our commitment to serving the needs of the pipeline industry, to increase our exposure to members, and to network and strengthen relationships with all involved in the industry.
3. In our experience, the annual APIA Convention and Exhibition is like no other. APIA has achieved the perfect balance of delivering business value, networking opportunities and a whole lot of fun. The pipeline industry is not unlike a large family. For us, the annual Convention is the family reunion. Without the continued support of its members, the Convention would not be the success it is today.
4. APIA’s initiatives are far-reaching, benefiting suppliers, service providers, individuals and businesses directly involved in the pipeline process. APIA is acutely focused on the future success of the industry, fostering knowledge and information sharing, and improvements through product development and dedicated committees such as the safety and environment committees.
5. The brand recognition and relationships stemming from our sponsorship of and presence at the event are always a highlight for Sargent. We’re also very proud of our sponsorship of arguably the most anticipated event of the convention – the Fancy Dress Dinner.
6. We look forward to seeing some old faces again and meeting some new ones as well. At the 2010Darwin Convention, we hope to cement our position as a leading and dedicated partner of fleet solutions for the pipeline industry.
Dean Bennett, Business Development Manager – Bredero Shaw
1. Bredero Shaw has been part of the Association since its inception. We have been represented at all Conventions.
2. We are a strong supporter of APIA. We see the conventions as the yearly premier event for the industry. Bredero Shaw is keen to participate in many activities on the APIA Convention, and we therefore want to be part of a successful Convention.
3. Our industry is fairly unique – we all have a responsibility to ensure that major infrastructure projects are
co-ordinated successfully. The camaraderie in the industry and between organisations make it a pleasure to be a part of. The Convention allows key people from the industry to socialise informally, and also to meet new business associates that we can all work with on future projects. The question really is: why wouldn’t you be here?
4. APIA is integral to representing the interests of the industry throughout business and political realms.
5. They are all exceptional. The introduction of Young Pipeliners Forum has been tremendous. The APIA staff have been instrumental in supporting and driving this initiative. Personally, I enjoyed the Alice Springs Convention, and the fancy dress “˜drag queens’ were a highlight!
6. We always enjoy ourselves, and hope to further the friendships we have developed during this year and in previous years. Meeting new contacts, and explaining our products and services to those not familiar with Bredero Shaw is definitely a bonus. We would also like to win the Golf Day!
Dave Maloney, Director, CNC Project Management
1. This is our second Convention as a host sponsor.
2. Sponsorship of this major event has allowed us to get our name out there and show that we are keen to put a bit back into the Association that has looked after us so well in the past.
3. Without the support of members there wouldn’t be an industry association. It’s as simple as that.
4. I think that APIA provides assistance to the industry on multiple levels. It provides assistance on the technical side, with the Research and Standards Committee; on the political side by dealing with issues and producing submissions on regulation; and, with the educational values it provides to the industry – in particular bringing a focus in recent years to the Young Pipeliners Forum. I should add that you can’t underestimate the value of the networking and social interactions that go on at APIA events throughout the year.
5. For me personally, it was receiving a Young Achievement Award in 2006. At this point CNC had only been formed a few months earlier, so it was great to have a big confidence boost just after going out on my own, and to know that the work I’d been doing had been recognised. Importantly, it provided some focus on the new company and helped get the word out about CNC.
6. We want to bring out our inner Charles. We want to keep our company name in front of the industry and build our brand. Networking and information sharing during this event is also really important for us. We want to get what we can from the business sessions as it’s a good opportunity for learning about different facets of the industry that we wouldn’t ordinarily be exposed to. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for some of our senior staff to have a bit of a break together, which is great for moral. We also just want to have some fun!