Innovation, Inspiration & 100-Year Celebration in Queenstown
ATT Chief Executive, Nicola Dashper
From 31 October to 2 November, Queenstown played host to the 2025 Master Electricians Conference – a dynamic three-day event that blended professional development, cutting-edge innovation, and unforgettable camaraderie.
Day 1: Kicking Off with CPD & Apprentice Excellence
The conference opened with a morning CPD session, setting the tone for learning and growth. Later, attendees gathered at the iconic Kawarau Bungy venue for the official opening and the Apprentice Challenge Awards. The energy was electric as we celebrated the next generation of talent in our industry.
Day 2: Electrifying Ideas & Empowering Insights
The day began with a compelling presentation by Mike Casey from Electric Cherries. He shared their journey from diesel dependency to full electrification of their cherry orchard, powered largely by solar energy. Notably, they imported New Zealand’s first electric tractor.
Their innovative approach has saved tens of thousands of dollars and even feeds power back to the grid. A visit to the orchard brought these ideas to life.
The afternoon featured a lineup of inspiring speakers:
- Sir Ian Taylor showcased his groundbreaking work in sports graphics for golf and the America’s Cup and offered a glimpse into how AI could revolutionise training
- Lance Burdett delivered a powerful session on resilience, sharing practical tips for managing stress, improving sleep, and staying focused – even when things go pear-shaped
The evening wrapped up with a fun-filled social event where attendees tested their skills in darts, pool, karaoke, and ten-pin bowling.
(Images from trip to Electric Cherries, including NZ’s first electric tractor)
Day 3: Adventure & 100-Year Celebration
The final day offered adventure activities that doubled as networking opportunities, followed by the highly anticipated 100-Year Centenary celebration at The Church. Under the glow of tipis and surrounded by great food and even better company, we honoured a century of excellence in the electrical industry.
(Images from centenary celebration. Middle image – ATT’s National Commercial Manager, Nigel Bell-Booth and Chief Executive, Nicola Dashper)
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