EWPA Trade Day

LAST yEAR, THE EWpA DECIDED IT WANTED TO HOLD A TRADE DAy THAT WAS JUST ABOUT EWp’S

originally planned at the hampton downs motorway Park for mid-february the event was postponed due to another covid lockdown and instead took place in may.

thE dEcISIon to hold a separate trade day was because there are a lot of EWPA members who don’t attend the HIANZ Conference, despite the fact that the EWPA and HIANZ share a lot of members (approx. 50%). So, there was obviously a need to focus specifically on the EWP market and provide a platform (excuse the pun) for EWP’s to be the centre of attention. Hampton Downs Motorsport Park provided the ideal venue with heaps of room, indoor space, catering, Go-Karts, and better still close was enough for Auckland members to have no excuse not go to the event. Despite earlier predictions the weather behaved itself and our inaugural event although starting slowly grew steadily throughout the day. A total of 70 people attended and whilst it was not quite the numbers we wanted it was at least an encouraging start to what we hope will be an annual event. Throughout the day there was a lot of networking, meeting people, having a crack on the Go Karts and listening to two very well polished speakers. We listened in awe to Mad Mike Whiddett who is a Red Bull sponsored Drift Car champion. He talked about how he got to where he is today and his future in supporting his son chase his own dreams. A real level-headed guy with an amazing story. He even bought down his Lamborghini drift car and told us the story about how straight after being given it, he took an angle grinder to the $500,000 car and hacked it to bits! The day was completed with a presentation of a trophy and prize to Steve Boyd of EHL Solutions who had driven up from the Taranaki for the day. Steve was the fastest Go-Karter around the track out of all the attendees. There were 16 drivers within 1 second of him so it was a very tight race for the coveted trophy! The prize kindly sponsored by EWP Technical Solutions was a drive in a V8 Muscle Car around Hampton Downs. All in all, the day was a good test of what the EWPA can do for its members. The Association has put out an email to attendees asking for some feedback. Don’t forget to reply so we better understand what worked, what didn’t and what we should do going forward. Oh, who was the other speaker…you will have to get along to next year’s event as there is a good chance, he will be a bit more polished by then! ■