Overseas trips a potential NZFGA member benefit

The NZFGA Executive Committee is considering organising knowledge-sharing trips overseas as part of the member benefits scheme.

NZFGA Executive member, Ian Kempthorne, says the idea was tabled at the NZFGA Annual General Meeting, and the committee would like feedback from members.

“The idea of overseas trips for the purpose of knowledge-sharing, as a member benefit, was brought up in the general discussion at the AGM,” he says.

“The Executive is certainly interested in the idea; however we are here for our members. We’re interested in what members have to say about this potential initiative, because ultimately it is a membership decision.”

Ian says he has learnt through his own experiences of work-related overseas trips that they are great learning opportunities.

“Last year I attended a conference in Australia, which was really eye opening. They held sessions for florists, floral design workshops, and there were a lot of networking opportunities,” he says.

“You see things; you see how other people do things. You meet people. It’s amazing what you can pick up.

“I would absolutely love to go somewhere like Asia, to see what they do differently there – that would be mind-blowing.”

Ian says he envisions the NZFGA taking responsibility for the management of these trips, should they be something the membership wants.

“Personally, I picture the NZFGA as taking control of organising the logistics of these trips. People would pay their own way, but the committee would look after the itinerary and other logistical details.”

Ian says the Executive Committee is currently putting together a survey, in the hope of finding out whether members are interested in overseas trips as a member benefit.

“This initiative would only be worthwhile if it is what our members want,” he says.

“We are putting together a survey for members, and from there we will see what kind of interest arises. Hopefully, we will receive constructive feedback which we can use to make an informed decision.”

The Executive Committee aims to make a decision about offering knowledge-sharing trips overseas as a member benefit following a full consultation with members.