Following months of hard work and planning, we hosted the SANA Convention at Coastlands On the Ridge in Musgrave, Durban. The format of our convention was changed to a 1-day event with the option of joining the casual dinner on Wednesday evening.
The event was a great success with 93 delegates joining us for the day and 104 guests at the Gala dinner where GCA Competition and Supplier Awards were presented during this event along with SANA Awards.
The convention morning session started with a welcome from SANA Forum KZN Chairperson, Brian Joliffe followed by SANA President, Wayne Stewart who officially opened the Convention.
After acknowledging SANA 2014 Sponsors with a certificate, the morning was kicked into gear by our first speaker, Brand Pretorius -former CEA of McCarthy Toyota. He delivered a very interesting and though provoking presentation on leadership.
After the mid-morning tea break, official SANA matters received attention at our 67th AGM. The Young Retailer and Grower Awards 2014 were awarded at the start of AGM. Congratulations to Monicque Hills of Garden Pavilion Sunkist and Candice Nightingale of Ball Straathof on receiving the respective awards … you guys have a bright future ahead!
The AGM included reports from the President and Vice Presidents, Financial report back and the information meeting wherefeedback was given on Life is a Garden, SANA Tom Arnold Bursary Fund, Natural Resources, Education and Training, IGCA and Industry memberships. The inclusion of a Transformation seat on the SANA EXCO was also approved during this meeting.
Pieter Duif (Vrone), Monicque Hills (Garden Pavilion Sunkist) and Donvae Hooker (DH Communications) were elected as Elected Members during the AGM – congratulations guys!
Just before the close of AGM, Ryan Goodwin of Peebles Plants was inaugurated as SANA President for the term 2014 -2016. We wish Ryan all the best during your term.
After lunch, Mark Keating, Sales guru, gave relevant information and practical tips on how to increase sales in your business -no matter how big or small.
After this great presentation, Association forums were held. At GCA AGM Tanya Simon of Builders Express Lynnwood was elected as Chairperson and Dirk Hoffman was elected as Growers Association Chairperson during the GA AGM.Congratulations to both and may they have a great 2 years serving on the SANA Executive Council.
After the forum meetings, it was time to get dressed up for our black tie Gala evening. The theme was “Tropical” and everyone looked stunning.
The venue looked beautiful – decorated stylishly to the tropical theme it was the perfect background for announcement of Awards. The SANA Merit Award, Servicer Award, President’s Award and the SANA Gold medal were highlights of the evening. Tensions were almost at breaking point for the announcement of the SANA Supplier Competition and the top GCA Competition Awards.
GCA Competition Departmental, Regional Size Categories and Home Store and Garden Centre of the Year were awarded.
Everyone mingled with one another and congratulations wereshared in celebration of awards received. Festivies lasted well into the night and everyone enjoyed the music, dancing and networking. Slowly, one by one members disappeared to the luxury and warmth of their beds and celebrations came to an end.
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Sana Convention 2014
Our theme “Growing with Vision” is focussed around our two top-class speakers, Brand Pretorius and Mark Keating. They will give inspiration and useful business tips that you can implement in your own business. Don’t forget the importance of networking with peers. Through sharing your experiences and successes with one another, it leads to better understanding, knowledge and ultimately growth.
Coastlands On the Ridge, is nestled on the crest of The Ridge in Musgrave and this hotel offers beautiful views over Durban, harbour and ocean. This hotel is also equipped with an international beauty spa where you can be pampered before the gala evening. The hotel is a mere 27km from King Shaka Airport with easy access via the N2 highway. We will be arranging a shuttle service on Thursday and Friday morning, if you need more information on times please contact Gerdie.
What can you expect at Convention:
- Get all the information on SANA projects and industry activities at the AGM and information meeting
- The best networking opportunity on the SANA Events calendar
- Two exciting speakers to encourage growth and personal development
- SANA, Supplier & GCA Competition Top Awards
Take advantage of our Early Bird all inclusive package of R3100 per full delegate sharing, or R3600 per single delegate. These rates are made possible by the contribution from the SANA 2014 Star Sponsors. Early Bird rates valid until 31/3/2014, so book now and not miss out!
Following months of hard work and planning, we hosted the SANA Convention at the Ranch Hotel in Polokwane last week.
The event was a success and enjoyed by all delegates. GCA Competition and Supplier Awards were presented during this event along with SANA Awards. The bus tour to Greener Tidings and Garden Pavilion Sterkloop was enjoyed by all.
15 May:
Most delegates arrived early Wednesday morning for registration at 10:00 followed by the official opening of Convention 2013 by SANA President, Wayne Stewart.
Professor David Block had a very interesting and thought provoking presentation and showed a link between the universe and ourselves.
After lunch, the SANA 66th Annual General meeting was held that included reports from the President and Vice President, Financial report back and the information meeting where feedback was given on Life is a Garden, the Bursary Fund, Natural Resources, Education and Training, IGCA and Industry memberships.
Peter Runkel of Neutrog was elected as Elected Member during the AGM – congratulations Peter!
The Young Retailer and Grower Awards 2013 were also awarded during AGM. Congratulations to Willie Ngwamba of Builders Express Robindale – The Young Retailer 2013 and Dewald Scholtz of Bristle – The Young Grower for 2013 on receiving the respective awards… you guys have a bright future ahead!
After a quick tea break, Association forums were held and ABSTA, GCA and GA held their National AGM meetings.
At the ABSTA AGM Leonie Coulson was confirmed as Chairperson of this association and we wish her well during her term.
The casual dinner was followed by jolly music and dancing and in true SANA spirit, festivities lasted until early morning and everyone took the opportunity to let their hair down.
16 May:
The convention morning session started with business speaker, Carl Bates, giving advice on how to achieve success within your business.
After tea break, the long awaited GCA Grading Awards ceremony was held. During this event the grading results and the departmental prizes were announced in the Independent Garden Centre and in the Home Store Garden Department competitions, but we kept participants waiting nervously until the gala evening to find out who walked away with the top awards.
As the grading award ceremony ended the complete results were posted live on Facebook which added to the excitement for delegates but also meant that the Members and their staff not at convention could share in the anticipation.
The Awards ceremony was followed by a relaxed lunch on the restaurant patio. After 13:00 delegates jumped onto their respective buses and headed off to visit local Garden Centres. As always, the bus tour was great fun and enjoyed by everyone who participated.
On return to the hotel, it was time to get dressed up for our black tie Gala evening. The theme was “A touch of Africa” and everyone looked stunning.
The venue looked beautiful – decorated stylishly to the African theme it was the perfect background for announcement of Awards. The SANA Merit Award, Servicer Award, President’s Award and the SANA Gold medal were highlights of the evening. Tensions were almost at breaking point for the announcement of the SANA Supplier Competition and the top GCA Competition Awards.
One by one awards were handed out until only the Home Store and Garden Centre of the Year 2013 were left unannounced and with a just a few words, these awards were announced and it was time to celebrate!
Everyone mingled with one another and congratulations were shared. After leaving the venue, delegates who were not quite ready to go to sleep, continued with festivities at the hotel bar. Slowly, one by one members disappeared to the luxury and warmth of their beds and celebrations came to an end.
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