Australia’s second longest serving Prime Minister John Howard paid a surprise visit to the Convention’s Trade Exhibit prior to presenting his highly acclaimed closing keynote at this year’s Convention.

Accompanied by AADA CEO Patrick Tessier, John Howard stopped and generously posed for photographs with many of the delegates, exhibitors and AADA Board Members.

The magnificent RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast was the host for the Convention’s Pentana Solutions Trade Exhibit and it also served as a great vehicle for the St. George Bank and Bank of Melbourne sponsored Pitstop Breaks, which recharged delegates between sessions and workshops.

Pentana Solutions also sponsored the enormously popular Trade Luncheon which was held beside the resort’s immaculately groomed championship golf course. One of the exhibitors commented on the site by saying that the Royal Pines was a ‘Great venue, easy to navigate, and far enough out of town to keep people there longer.’ Another said that the venue was ‘Very hard to beat.’

As in previous years, over 30 exhibitors showcased some of the hottest new products and technologies on the market today including online marketing services, CRM and DMS strategies, lubricants, customer retention systems, workshop waste removal and recycling services, sales training programs and media promotions to mention just a few.

Once again all the exhibits were of an exceptionally high standard and engaged delegates with exciting video presentations, informative brochures and free product giveaways as well as enticing competitions offering valuable prizes such as Apple iPADs, a V8 Supercar Hot Lap Experience and high end audio equipment.

Another highlight of the exhibit was the Trade Village Reports featuring Cam Williams’ entertaining interviews with exhibitors which were then played on the massive state-of-the-art video screen in the Marquis/Monarch Room during the Convention’s breakfast and luncheon sessions. If you missed Cam’s AADA TV interviews, or would like see them again visit YouTube and type ‘AADA 2014 – Trade Village Reports 1 – 4’ in the search bar.

While the products presented certainly wowed delegates, many of the exhibitors had nothing but praise for the layout of the booths, easy accessibility and communication between staff and participants. ‘Well done to all involved, everyone communicated really well prior and during the event.’

At the Convention’s end, exhibitors congratulated the organisers on the location, presentation and astute planning that went into staging this successful Trade Exhibit with one respected international exhibitor saying it is the ‘Best Association Convention in the world with the best support staff…anywhere!’