2015 SKF National Maintenance Engineering Conference all set to inspire and inform

The countdown to the 2015 SKF National Maintenance Engineering Conference is on with registrations filling rapidly. The much heralded event, provided by the Maintenance Engineering Society of NZ and sponsored by SKF has relocated to a new permanent base at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton on November 18, 19. The move to the world class Claudelands venue is one of a brace of changes designed to accommodate growth and further evolve the event to return value to the delegates.

Having sold out every exhibition venue in recent years, the organisers have taken the step of separating the conference venue from the accommodation. Delegates are now presented with a range of discounted options at either the Novotel or Ibis Hotels, a short walk from the venue complimented w3ith a conference shuttle bus.

At the core of the event, the conference agenda is a tribute to the work of the MESNZ team, who with SKF’s support will present a wide range of international and expert speakers presenting real life case studies on relevant topics to maintenance, manufacturing and line management. As ever, the ethos is to inform and inspire.

In addition to the conference papers, the event will feature the presentation of the MESNZ’s Bill Buckley Scholarship for engineering students and the Competenz sponsored Stuart Tolhurst Trophy, whilst the MESNZ AGM will provide an opportunity for those interested in becoming more involved in MESNZ activities to put their hands up.

Key behind the move to Claudelands is the enormous exhibition area. The sheer size of the halls is stunning and delegates will be treated to the largest array of industry exhibitors ever seen at this event. From reliability engineering to valves, filters, gaskets, compressed air, services and consulting, the exhibition hall presents a unique annual opportunity for delegates to explore a multitude of solutions to take back to their workplace.

Regular attendees to the National Maintenance Engineering Conference will be familiar with the unique personable ethos of the event, mirroring the society itself in bringing diverse people together. The social evening is the epitome of this ethos, providing legendary mirth and memories without sore heads the next day. The social event is traditionally a closely guarded secret, but in yet another step change, this year the organisers have gone public with the details. The DEMM 100, a soap box trolley derby, will be staged at Claudleands with teams of delegates building, preparing, scheming and racing soap box trolleys in a bid to win exceptional prizes. MESNZ have enlisted industry suppliers to provide components and sponsorship for the pre-prepared trolleys. NMEC exhibitors Kembla used their versatile KemPress Stainless Steel piping system to provide roll/push bars, whilst SAFE Engineering provided design and fabrication resources and SKF are looking after the rolling bits. Given the history of NMEC, the night promises fun for all tastes and laughter for all.

NMEC has for some years, strived to provide contiguous activities leading up to the main conference, inspiring delegates to arrive early for the main event. This continues in 2015, with the preconference Tuesday providing lots of casual and public activities. Delegates can attend short course training in the Training Village, take an afternoon