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Memories of Holland

By Noel Kelleway

As MGI is an international organisation, I should perhaps begin with the words “plus ça change” It is twenty one years since I attended an MGI conference in Scheveningen in Holland. 

The warmth of the welcome this time in Amsterdam and the professionalism of the arrangements were equal to the excellent standards set in 1986.  This was a perfect opportunity to meet up with many old friends and to make many new ones.  The technical content of the presentations was first class and I identified some new opportunities for both the Association and MGI Rickard Keen.

It was a particular delight for me to meet up with Wim and Gerrit van der Hoek who were our hosts in 1986.  Wim is now retired and for his unstinting efforts for charity over very many years, he has been knighted by Queen Beatrix.

The opportunities for networking afforded by a gathering such as this are immense.  A wise old man once said “you only get out of life what you put into it”.  The same, to an extent, is true of MGI.  The opportunities are there but are

unlikely to simply drop into our laps.  We have to use these gatherings to recognise the opportunities and markets and to think “outside the box”. 

On behalf of those who were fortunate enough to attend this excellent conference in Amsterdam, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks.  Everything about the event was first class and Wim Cornelissen, Kees Euser and their colleagues deserve our sincere congratulations.  Nothing was too much trouble and MGI Verstegen were the perfect hosts.

They did shatter our illusions by advising us that they did not wear their clogs for 24 hours a day or indeed even in the workplace!  Sadly, in 21 years’ time, I may no longer be working and so I may not be available to attend another MGI conference in Holland.  However, I can assure those who do, that they will have the time of their lives.  Work really can be fun particularly when arranged by people from Lekkerland!

And from Chris Padgett: My thoughts on Amsterdam..

Well organized by the host firm MGI Verstegen. There were 100 delegates from 32 countries plus over 50 accompanying persons.

The format of the conference programme was a little different to previous conferences in that there were no formal “break out sessions.” There also seemed to be more time allocated to the refreshment and lunch breaks. In my opinion this was a positive change as it allowed more time for delegates to network with other associates in a relaxed environment rather than being allocated to a pre selected break out group and being given a specific topic to discuss.

The Hotel and conference facilities were first rate and the provision of foreign language interpreters seemed to be well received by the delegates where English was not their first language.

The content of the program was well balanced but the session on the European Union 8th directive probably raised more questions than it answered. As a result the mandatory use of the prefix and taking on the new corporate identity have been postponed until we receive a definitive answer as to whether MGI will be considered to be a network under the new legislation. We understand the timetable for this to be June 2008.

At the end of the conference Andrew Grout, from MGI Midgley Snelling in the UK, was introduced as the new Chaiman of MGI and Patrick Riley from Braver PC in the USA was thanked for his hard work and dedication during his two year tenure as Chairman.