CONFERENCE 2008
Testing The Waters: Connecting Through Communication
4-5 December, Hamilton, New Zealand

Keynote Speakers

TED ZORN

Ted Zorn is Professor of Management Communication at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. His teaching and research interests are organizational change processes, such as IT implementation, change-related communication, and enhancing workplace well-being. Ted has received more than $2M in research grant funding, was a member of the 2006 Business & Economics panel in the PBRF exercise and is currently on the Social Sciences panel for the Marsden fund. He is past editor of Management Communication Quarterly, past chair of the Organizational Communication Division of the National Communication Association, USA, and the 2006 recipient of the International Communication Association’s Frederic Jablin Award for Outstanding Contribution to Organizational Communication.

ANNAH STRETTON

Sixteen years ago with a potpourri of experiences that included Art School, successfully obtaining an Accountancy Degree and heading a design team for a large clothing company, Annah chose to embark on establishing a business within the ‘rag trade’. Today, with her business- Stretton Clothing Company- still based in the Waikato, her success has grown to include over 30 retail stores (7 of which are franchised) through-out New Zealand. 

As an active participant in New Zealand Fashion Week, Annah’s business has also gone global.  She has establishing markets in the U.K., Ireland, Europe, USA (California) and Australia, with involvement at Australian Fashion Week 2007 and 2008. 

2007 saw the establishment of the ‘Stretton Group’; such are the diverse interests and abilities of this dynamic entrepreneur. With new  businesses including  publishing, hospitality, and the continuation of her  extensive mentoring programme, Annah may be forgiven for taking her eye off the ‘fashion ball’, however this could not be further from the truth.

Annah’s businesses are now based in a purpose built head office building. This is allowing her to factor for growth, particularly in the global fashion market.

The head office building also houses, Stretton Publishing. The publishing team produce the monthly magazine Her Magazine which continues to gain ground on the more established women’s interest magazines. (Currently ranked in the top twelve).

“I absolutely love the connections this magazine allows me to have with women in business throughout New Zealand. Being able to guide others, connect businesses and feel first-hand the energy of so many entrepreneurs is a privilege I treasure every day.”

In addition to directing her collection of business interests Annah continues to grow her philanthropic endeavours, supporting many national groups (NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, Look good Feel Better, Starship, SPCA) but she also remains happy to get involved at the ‘grass roots’ level, often speaking, judging or supporting small organizations with fundraising or educational events.

Annah recently received the Honour, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Business, Fashion and Community. Such special recognition in itself was fantastic but the fact that her honour related to her contribution to three significant categories reinforces the unique skills, tremendous energy and generous spirit Annah has.