Conference dollars stay home next year

The traditional wanderlust of most financial planning groups has been overcome this year by the allure of destinations much closer to home.

Of the groups in the Top 100 survey that revealed their conference destinations for 2003, the majority indicated they would rather kick up their heels at home than make a trek to the other side of the world.

Dealer groups have typically been more than enthusiastic about packing themselves off to exotic overseas destinations, with last year’s popular choices including Las Vegas, Mexico, Beijing and Dubai.

This year, out of the 44 companies that disclosed their conference locations, only six decided to travel further than a stone’s throw from the mainland.

Queensland has been given a ringing endorsement by conference organisers this year, with 32 per cent of respondents indicating they were ready to don their straw hats, sandals and sunnies, as they head off to destinations including Port Douglas, Hamilton Island, Noosa and Cairns.

Sealcorp was one financial planning group that decided sun and surf was more appealing than creased clothes and language dictionaries.

Though it had held past conferences in Bali and New Zealand, group advisers indicated they would prefer attending a conference onshore, with Port Douglas named the best option for 2003.

Convenience was the main consideration in their choice, as the venue allowed advisers to combine the trip with family holidays within Australia.

“We were looking for a destination that would attract attention,” Sealcorp’s director of marketing Kate Mulligan says.

“If you have a conference in a capital city you can’t expect the same attendance from advisers because it’s just not as interesting for them to go to,” she says.

“There will be a definite Australian theme to this conference. The emphasis will be placed on embracing the surrounding landscape, which is made up of hinterlands and rainforest,” she says.

Sealcorp will spice up the usual mundane flavour of group conferences by involving advisers in activities, with one highlight being a banquet dinner in the rainforest.

“The move away from boring environments will assist in the uptake of information provided by workshops and speakers,” Mulligan says.

Though most groups conscientiously tried to avoid jet lag and a cramped, day-long flight, a few financial planning groups did decide to hold their conferences overseas, in destinations as diverse as Hawaii, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Colorado Springs, Prague and Italy.

After having recently held conferences in China (2001) and Noosa (2002), Premium Accounting Group is hoping that the European floods haven’t carried too much of Prague away, after booking in for 2003.

Though the group had considered holding their conference in the US, organisers believed that after September 11, advisers might not be happy about the choice, so planning shifted towards Europe.

“We originally thought that we would go to Italy, but when one of our organisers said that members would probably enjoy Prague a lot more and that it would probably be cheaper, we decided to look into it,” group co-ordinator Lianne Mclaughlan says.

Premium Accounting Group thought there would be educational advantages in a trip to Europe. Delegates will be able to experience first-hand the type of market that exists in that area of the world, as well as being able to listen to quality fund manager speakers from Europe.

“It also gives people a chance to do some sightseeing, talking and bonding. They will get to visit the usual, popular tourist attractions in Prague, including the Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge. Afterwards they always have the option of going anywhere they want to in Europe,” Mclaughlan says.

Though dealer groups may have favoured the warmer climate and convenience of Australia for 2003, the destinations for 2004 are still being decided — so get your preferences in early. Bon voyage.