AFEC AGM 2003

The AGM of Australian Flower Export Council was conveniently held last Wednesday at 46^th floor, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne, the same venue where the AFEC cocktail party was happening that very night. 

Whilst a celebration is not the normal call in getting AFEC members together, welcoming Frances Dudley to our industry certainly gave encouragement to do so. The AGM was a held an hour prior to the guests arriving at the cocktail party in her honour and the Board certainly appreciated a cool drink after the intensity of an AGM. 

Not that this AGM held anything out of the ordinary.  AFEC is committed to openly communicating with its members so there were no surprises other than this being the first AGM known where members were eager to take their place on the Executive!  

The flower export industry has faced many challenges this past year with freight concerns being a major one.  With Peru and South America ferocious in their growing of competitive wax, there is no reason to believe the oncoming year is going to be any easier.  Hence, it is heartening to see the motivation of the associations members who have been quick to commit to being “on board” in such difficult times.  

The AFEC Board meet monthly, with telephone hook up ensuring easy communication.  The AFEC Executive Officer, Sally Sutton, communicates regularly to members and Board members are involved in all decision-making aspects. And, there are many of them.  With AFEC spreading its wings and venturing into new opportunities and horizons, the commitment of an intelligent and stable Executive is vital. 

AFEC President, Adrian Parsons, was voted in for his second year and gave a sterling speech to a grand audience on the developments of the year that has been. Under Adrian’s leadership the association has extended its promotional role to be far more active politically, especially commendable is the recent success of AFEC’s lobbying against freight increases and changes.   

AFEC faces the year ahead with the  solid grounding of  firm leadership  from its  decision makers  who are committed not only to increasing global sales of Australian grown flowers and foliages, but to the long term future  of the industry.