Key speakers 

Five key speakers featured at the Rotorua Economic Opportunity Forum. Forum Opening Mayor Kevin Winters Mayor Kevin Winters opened the event. He stressed the importance of a community approach to sustainable economic growth.   Changing Perceptions Heidi Ward-McGrath Heidi provided some lighter touches and moments of inspiration and enthusiasm as she traced her development from Oamaru schoolgirl to the owner of an award-winning veterinary practice by the time she was 30, and the 2003 Ernst & Young NZ Young Entrepreneur. A summary of Heidi’s comments and advice is here. Heidi Ward McGrath notes   The Governments Perspective Hon Dr Michael Cullen Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Dr Michael Cullen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, talked about the Government’s vision for achieving long-term, sustained economic growth, and where regional economies such as Rotorua fit into that vision. Dr Cullen’s speech is here. Forum - Dr Michael Cullens speech notes  Rotorua Future Insights Process 2025 Professor Wayne Cartwright Professor Wayne Cartwright detailed the rigorous planning the BrightEconomy Board has done to identify important drivers of change that will contribute to sustainable economic growth opportunities over the next two decades. Wayne has been Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Auckland since 1988. Before that, he established the marketing departments at both Auckland and Massey Universities. He has served on a number of boards, including Forestry Corporation of New Zealand, Direct Capital Partners, Nobilo Vintners, Auckland Uniservices and NZ Dairy Research Institute. He has consulted on strategic management to organisations in the manufacturing, health, energy and services sectors, and has worked with land-based industries (dairy, meat, and kiwifruit) and research institutes. Prof. Cartwright’s Forum presentation is here. Forum Prof Wayne Cartwright Presentation  BrightEconomy Advisory Board Economic Framework Bryce Heard Chairman BrightEconomy Advisory Board Bryce Heard, Chairman of the BrightEconomy Advisory Board, set out the Board’s nine-point development framework. He showed how the framework had been built up from Prof Cartwright’s “Drivers of Change” process, and explained the next steps the Board is taking towards identifying specific business opportunities. Bryce has spent 25 years in top management positions in the forest industry. He headed Tasman Forestry for nine years, and Forest Research for eight years, turning it into Scion. Bryce is a former President of NZ Forest Owners Association, a former councillor of NZ Forest Industries Councillor and has served on many other industry boards. He is a stud deer farmer and is consulting in business growth for Lockwood Homes. Bryce’s Forum presentation is here. Bryce Presentation   For more information please make contact: Mark Rawson - Destination Rotorua Economic Development General Manager 1209 Hinemaru Str Rotorua New Zealand Postal Private Bag 3029 Rotorua New Zealand Tel: +64 7 348 4199 Fax:+64 7 350 0182 e-mail: info@rotorua-business.com