2025 ATA NZ Conference and Trade Show
The annual conference is the only trade show for NZ Industrial Textiles and Equipment Suppliers to be in one place at one time. It is a great platform to establish new business relationships and share information.
Our 2025 Conference and Trade Show will be held in Lower Hutt (just outside of Wellington) 24-25 July 2025 at the Lower Hutt Events Centre.
What to expect:
- Trade Show with Suppliers from across the country
- International Keynote Speaker Freddie Bennet
- Fabricator Workshop for Marine and Motor Trimmers
- Business Workshops
- Networking Opportunities
- Awards for Excellence Celebration Dinner honouring the Best in the Industry
2025 ATA NZ Awards for Excellence
These awards are a chance for members to showcase their technical skills, design excellence and innovation to other members and the industry at large.
All members of ATA-NZ are eligible to enter the Awards for Excellence.
The winners will be announced on 25th July 2025 at The Lower Hutt Events Centre.
All entries must be submitted by Friday 9th May 2025.
2025 ATA NZ Apprentice of the Year Awards
Entry for the 2025 Apprentice of the Year will open soon. We look forward to announcing the winners at our Awards dinner on 25th July.
All entries must be submitted by 13th June 2025.
Our 2025 Conference and Trade Show will be held in Lower Hutt (just outside of Wellington) 24-25 July 2025 at the Lower Hutt Events Centre.
What to expect:
- Trade Show with Suppliers from across the country
- International Keynote Speaker Freddie Bennet
- Fabricator Workshop for Marine and Motor Trimmers
- Business Workshops
- Networking Opportunities
- Awards for Excellence Celebration Dinner honouring the Best in the Industry
2025 ATA NZ Awards for Excellence
These awards are a chance for members to showcase their technical skills, design excellence and innovation to other members and the industry at large.
All members of ATA-NZ are eligible to enter the Awards for Excellence.
The winners will be announced on 25th July 2025 at The Lower Hutt Events Centre.
All entries must be submitted by Friday 9th May 2025.
2025 ATA NZ Apprentice of the Year Awards
Entry for the 2025 Apprentice of the Year will open soon. We look forward to announcing the winners at our Awards dinner on 25th July.
All entries must be submitted by 13th June 2025.
Location
Lower Hutt Events Centre
Date & Time
July 24, 2025, 11:00 AM -
July 25, 2025 - 11:00 PM
July 25, 2025 - 11:00 PM
Entries Due Monday 9th May 2025
Accommodation at The Sebel Hotel has sold out.
You can book your accommodation at The Angus Quality Inn. A discount code will be made available soon.
2025 Conference Speakers
We have a great lineup of speakers for you for the conference and workshops and are continuing to add to the list.
Freddie Bennett
Keynote speaker
Thursday24th July
Thursday24th July
Described by Men’s Health magazine as ‘The foremost expert in mindset, resilience and high performance’, Freddie Bennett is a bestselling author with ‘Starting at Zero - The Guide To Making Your Dreams Come True With Everything Else is F**ked’’, Apple Top-25 Podcast host,
sought after consultant and speaker at a variety of leading global brands including Coca-Cola, Amazon, Microsoft, IHG, Vodafone, Heineken, PwC, Accenture, Virgin Atlantic… and The United Nations.
sought after consultant and speaker at a variety of leading global brands including Coca-Cola, Amazon, Microsoft, IHG, Vodafone, Heineken, PwC, Accenture, Virgin Atlantic… and The United Nations.
Giles Day
Efficient by Design: Practical Approaches to Lean Business
Giles Day is a leading provider of practical, hands-on workplace learning programmes. Including Lean Manufacturing, Team Leadership, Problem solving and Health and Safety.
With a unique delivery style and engaging approach, Giles can provide tailored solutions to implement positive workplace culture change.
Joe Daw
The Future of Industry Qualifications: Advancing Your Skills with MAST Academy
The industrial textiles industry is evolving, and so are the qualifications that define professional excellence. Joe Daw, training manager for MAST Academy, will guide us through the latest advancements, including the improved Level 3 Qualification and the introduction of the NEW Level 4 Qualification
Stanley Henry
Own Your Brand: Getting Noticed with Organic Social Marketing
Your brand is the most important asset your business has—so why keep it a secret? In this interactive session, Stanley Henry from The Attention Seeker will share expert insights on how to build your brand organically using social media. Learn how to craft compelling content, engage your audience authentically, and make an impact without relying on paid ads. It’s time to start telling the world what you do and why you do it—because if you’re not talking about your brand, who will?
Fabricator Workshop Topics
Beyond the Basics: Ordinary Products, Extraordinary Uses in Marine & Auto Trimming
In the world of marine and auto trimming, some of the most powerful solutions come from thinking outside the box. This session explores how everyday materials and tools—originally designed for one purpose—are being cleverly repurposed for innovative applications. From unexpected uses for adhesives and fasteners to unconventional patterning techniques and problem-solving hacks, discover how trimmers are pushing the boundaries of traditional materials. Whether you're looking to improve efficiency, durability, or creativity in your work, this session will inspire you to see ordinary products in an extraordinary new light.
Clever Tools & Trade Tricks: Thinking Outside the Square in Auto & Marine Trimming
Innovation often comes from the simplest ideas—using everyday tools in unexpected ways to solve challenges and improve efficiency. In this interactive session, we invite you to bring along a tool, technique, or material that has helped you think outside the square in your auto and marine trimming work. From modified hand tools and clever measuring hacks to unexpected uses for common products, this session is all about sharing and discovering new ways to work smarter. Come ready to showcase your favorite trick of the trade and pick up fresh ideas from fellow professionals that you can apply immediately in your own workshop!
The Future of Industry Qualifications: Advancing Your Skills with MAST Academy
The industrial textiles industry is evolving, and so are the qualifications that define professional excellence. MAST Academy will guide us through the latest advancements, including the improved Level 3 Qualification and the introduction of the NEW Level 4 Qualification. This session will help you understand which qualification is right for you, eligibility requirements, and how micro-credentials can enhance your expertise in specialized areas. Additionally, we’ll explore leadership qualifications designed to support career growth and business success. Whether you’re an apprentice, an experienced trimmer, or a business owner, this session will provide clarity on the best path forward in your professional development.
Business Workshop Topics
State of the Industry: What’s Working, What’s Not, and What’s Next
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the current state of the advanced textiles industry. Our expert panelists will explore what’s driving success, the key challenges businesses are facing, and the opportunities ahead. This open-ended discussion will invite insights from industry leaders and participants alike, focusing on practical solutions and strategic directions. How can the industry association better support its members in navigating these changes? Be part of the conversation and help shape the future of our sector.
Own Your Brand: Getting Noticed with Organic Social Marketing
Your brand is the most important asset your business has—so why keep it a secret? In this interactive session, Stanley Henry from The Attention Seeker will share expert insights on how to build your brand organically using social media. Learn how to craft compelling content, engage your audience authentically, and make an impact without relying on paid ads. It’s time to start telling the world what you do and why you do it—because if you’re not talking about your brand, who will?
Efficient by Design: Practical Approaches to Lean Business
This hands-on, team-based session will take lean manufacturing training beyond theory and into action. In this engaging session, you will gain the tools to identify inefficiencies, streamline operations, and implement immediate improvements in your workplace. Designed for manufacturing companies looking to achieve tangible results, this workshop fosters collaboration to ensure lean principles become embedded in your company culture. The result? Sustained efficiency gains, reduced waste, measurable cost savings, and increased employee ownership of continuous improvement processes.
Building a Strong Health & Safety Plan: Compliance & Prevention
Join us for an engaging and insightful session on the importance of having a strong health and safety plan in the workplace. We’ll explore key legislation, regulations, and industry standards that businesses must follow to ensure a safe environment for employees. Through a thought-provoking hypothetical scenario, we’ll analyze potential risks, discuss the necessary controls to prevent incidents, and identify the best strategies for response and improvement. This interactive discussion will equip you with practical knowledge on compliance, risk management, and best practices to strengthen your workplace safety culture. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or safety professional, this session will provide valuable insights to help protect your people and your business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your approach to health and safety!
The Business Exit Playbook: Selling, Buying, and What Comes Next
Exiting a business is more than just a transaction—it’s a transition for both the seller and the buyer. But what happens when the new owner comes from outside the trade? How does the journey differ for an industry insider versus an outsider? And what options exist when there’s no natural successor within the business?
This panel discussion brings together sellers and buyers with diverse experiences—those who have taken over a business from within the industry and those who have entered from the outside. They will share insights on preparing for sale, ensuring a smooth transition, and setting both the business and its new owner up for success. Whether you're looking to sell, buy, or simply understand what’s next, this session will provide valuable perspectives on navigating the process and securing a strong future for your business.
Building Future Experts: Maximizing Career Pathways & Apprenticeships in Industrial Textiles
Investing in your team’s growth is investing in the future of your business. In this session, MAST Academy will guide employers through the best strategies for developing strong career pathways within their workforce. Learn how to effectively utilize the Apprenticeship Boost subsidy to support apprentices, understand how structured training can benefit both your business and employees, and discover key insights on becoming a top-tier trainer for your apprentices. Whether you're new to hiring apprentices or looking to enhance your training approach, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to foster a skilled and motivated team.
2025 Sponsors
Thank you to the sponsors who have dedicated themselves year after year to support our industry and our conference.
Click here to become a sponsor or exhibit at the 2025 Trade Show.
Click here to become a sponsor or exhibit at the 2025 Trade Show.
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Workshop Sponsors
Apprentice of the Year Sponsors
