It’s been another busy fortnight for everyone at NGINA HQ.
On Wednesday 8 May we held our Sydney Trade Day a week earlier than usual to get in before Mothers Day. Over the past year we have focussed our efforts on increasing the number of buyers coming to trade day with a particular emphasis on attracting buyers that have never come before. This month we welcomed 32 standholders and 45 buyer companies. We are incredibly grateful to our regular standholders for coming every month. Your consistent presence contributes immensely to the vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings that keep our visitors coming back for more. Your unique displays play a crucial role in attracting new visitors to our events. As we gear up for June Trade Day we kindly remind you of the significance of your participation. Your presence is not just appreciated but essential in ensuring the success and continued growth of Sydney Trade Day.
On Thursday 9 May I had the honour of speaking at a meeting of Local Government community nurseries which was organised by the Local Land Services at Hornsby Council Nursery. It was such a privilege to have the opportunity to meet these amazing nursery coordinators who have such an amazing array of technical skills plus the ability to work with volunteers in the nursery space. Community nurseries provide thousands of locally grown native plants for community and local government infrastructure projects as well as for local residents. I spoke about the many benefits of NGINA membership and it was our networking events and training courses that resonated the most. There was also a lot of interest in our apprenticeship model. I hope all those who attended the meeting will take advantage of the free offer to attend a Sydney Trade Day in the future.
On Monday 13 May Business NSW’s Elizabeth Greenwood, Colourwise’s Malcolm Thompson and I met with representatives of I-Care. We discussed how the industry’s Workers Compensation Industry Classification (WIC) is determined, the types and severity of workplace injuries, and what measures we could introduce to reduce our rate over time. I-Care will provide further clarity on some of the industry codes as well as information specifically on our members.
I hope to see many of you online tomorrow for our monthly online member forum. This month we have Belinda Bean, the strategic leader behind Greener Spaces Better Places and discover the game-changing impact of Hort Innovation's top campaign. Learn how your levy is driving sales, inspiring communities, and transforming our cities into green paradises. There is more information on how to register further down in this e-news.