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Phew, what a huge few days with last guests leaving the Bay this afternoon.
Accelerate 2011 was another fantastic event with over 80 people enjoying learning from others how to Accelerate their businesses. The idea behind Accelerate is to build the network of active entrepreneurs, companies and investors by getting them away for a couple of nights, spoil them with a great Bay experience, and share stories.
We kicked off in the new Pipi bar on Thursday night. What a great venue and the perfect icebreaker.
Friday was BlackBarn where we had a number of great companies present on their business model, opening questions up from the floor. The standard of entrepreneurs and their presentations was a real step up. All were 'up for it', slick, and knew their businesses. It felt like all the companies were at the next level. Well past start up and into the growth stages. I learned something from each presentation.
You could feel the new confidence in New Zealand businesses. Mark Robotham wrote a good summary of the discussion: Its Business Not Technology – Accelerate 2011
We all took some pride in again breaking the record for longest lunch at a conference with 2.5 hours under the vines. But that's when people really get to know each other so - all good! Blackbarn food was superb as usual.
Following the afternoon sessions was standup supper and ice creams before the short walk up to the underground cellar. We probably started a bit early but as it got dark people headed inside to Minuit going off.
Minuit finished with Aotearoa - which should be a new national Anthem for NZ. I've been hammering it in the car since. Everyone would have been up for them replaying their first set as everyone was in the mood. I hope Francis brings them back for the winter series -the cellar is such a special venue.
Thank you to Odette Bowyer who ran the event like clockwork for attendees and partners; Blackbarn for an outstanding venue, food and concert; the moteliers of Havelock North for working with us as we filled the event, Village Shuttles who got everyone where they needed to and the Accelerate sponsors.
The feedback from the day has been fantastic and I'm confident we achieved our purpose of lifting the game for everyone and accelerating the network. We look forward to making Accelerate a regular event in the calendar.
Update: A few more pics
It’s a great venture that provides some...
20:42, 20.02.2011
Accelerate was top notch – in fact, I’ll be encouraging any of my clients that want to scale fast and global to get along next year.
Fab mix of entrepreneurs, execs, investors and advisors – what was special though was having the likes of Sidhe, Sonar6, Snapper, Aptimize, Jucy and of course Xero/Trade Me share insights and numbers that don’t get shared outside of a trusted network.
I’m looking forward to applying those insights as I too try the scale fast, global adventure with Spotlight Reporting
14:16, 21.02.2011
Well done Rod and Odette!
It was great to hear the war stories from those that are succeeding overseas.
Wouldn’t it be great if HB had the right strategy to lure some of these businesses away from Wellington and Auckland etc. Odette and Rod did their best – with perfect weather, a stunning location for an event like this and awesome hospitality – those ingredients i’m sure we can add to.
Watch out for the next issue of The Profit for stories and pics.
22:32, 22.02.2011
Great day Rod … for those that did not attend here are some notes I took and comments on the day
http://succinctstories.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/its-business-not-technology-accelerate-2011/
12:01, 24.02.2011
It was a fab day, I was inspired and in awe of the businesses that were case studied, and it was amazing to meet the interesting and often extremely successful people that attended.
I was a little surprised that for some of the businesses in attendance the basic sales funnel process (leads>>suspects>>prospects>>customers) was revolutionary – Brett Burgess http://www.salesimpactgroup.co.nz/ has been training HB companies to sell using this process for years!
Rod’s style of conference is great, mostly ‘freestyle’ which gives everyone the opportunity to participate, and the long lunch certainly helps everyone to loosen up!
The aftermatch was great fun, and some of us kicked on it at Diva until it closed. Sigh. And some of us should have gone home earlier than they did so they didn’t nearly make people miss their flights the next day. Nice one Jimmy
Looking forward to next year!