The 2004 conference highlighted the important role that the recruitment industry has to play in the upliftment of people and the growth of South Africa's economy. Often likened to the second-hand car sales industry, the recruitment sector is trying hard to shrug this tainted image and show the rest of business how important our role is in ensuring that the South African economy continues to grow successfully as we enter the second decade of democracy.

Whilst the theme focused on the more serious side of the industry the conference was both educational and entertaining and thanks must be given to all who had a hand in organising this wonderful event.

The speaker line up was diverse and many of the speakers managed to get even some of the stalwarts of the industry thinking along different lines. Nic Nortje opened the conference with a lighter look at Sales Negotiation, a topic most useful for the majority of the audience whom I'm sure, like me, aren't all that fond of closing the deal. Suzette Brits helped to educate us on Balanced Scorecards, an interesting concept that I'm sure many of our more corporate clients are working with currently.

Demitri Tambourlas started Saturday's conference with a bang when he spoke about Candidate Presentation Marketing. This proactive approach to recruitment is something new to many of us but as I have experienced personally, can be most effective. Ian Mann's interpretation of the topic "Leadership" was most interesting and informative, who would have believed that Tippex was invented by a lazy typist in the early 80s or that Nandos initially flopped in Mozambique because they failed to realise that peri peri had a distinctly below the belt meaning in Portuguese?

Ivan Israelstam, a seasoned commissioner at the CCMA gave an informative talk on Winning at the CCMA - something that many of us (and our clients) need to ensure that we don't find ourselves losing due to ill preparation or lack of knowledge. Ivor Blumenthal, CEO of the Services SETA, spoke on Recruitment Learnerships and urged the industry to become more actively involved in ensuring that more learnership programmes get under way, particularly within our industry.

The hilarious Renos Spanoudes who, this year looked at Customercentricity, once again rounded off the speaker section of the conference. His light-hearted look at marketing and customer focus had the majority of the delegates in stitches - a most entertaining way to end off a successful conference.

On the social side the delegates were not to be disappointed. Friday night saw the majority of the delegates get into the spirit of the 60s and 70s and special mention must be made of our national office staff and new APSO President who really went to town with their outfits! The décor, atmosphere and jiving music of outspoken conference MC, David Yapp of Red Cap Radio had the party rocking and rolling until the wee hours.

Saturday night's gala dinner was, as usual, a grand affair and it was especially nice to see all the evening
dresses come out. The awards portion of the evening was a big success and congratulations must go to
Theresa Lewthwaite, Kelly (Permanent Consultant of the Year), Michelle Nenkov, The Focus Group
(Temporary Consultant of the Year), Ayanda Mayekiso, Quest (IPSC Student of the Year) and Pat Ryan
and Melanie Dunn who together shared the Elizabeth Klue Award for Service to the Industry.

The conference venue, Champagne Sports Resort, was outstanding, the speakers well chosen and the
social aspects entertaining. Above all though the conference proved successful in sparking new
friendships and business networks and one hopes that this enthusiasm continues during the course of the
next year to ensure that APSO remains the first choice association for recruitment professionals.