The theme for Auckland 2004 is Diversity. To make a success of doing business in this new and challenging world, and to plan for a successful future, we need to take time out to reflect on what we do, and how it may need to adapt and develop to meet the challenge of present and future diversity.

Our programme will keep you on your toes with a range of workshop sessions aimed at all levels of experience. As there was last year, there will be five workshop streams at Success Forum Auckland: two with an insurance focus; two focusing on investments, and one looking at best practice issues. We have some top class keynote speakers, all of whom are new to the FPIA platform. And of course there will be plenty of time for socialising, networking, and seeing the sights of Auckland, the City of Sails.

One of the most spectacular vantage points is the Sky Tower itself. The new Sky City Convention Centre promises to be a first class venue. Everything is under one roof, with registrations and exhibition hall on one level; the theatre and breakout rooms on the level immediately above, connected by a short skyway to the hotel complex. And it's all smack in the middle of Auckland.

As a brand new venue the acoustics, amenities, and general furnishings will all be superb, and venue has the latest audio visual and communications technology built in. Data show facilities, radio mike loops, and fast internet access are available in every room. That means exhibitors, speakers and delegates should find themselves in an ideal environment.

Auckland 2004 has assembled an enthusiastic, creative and committed group of organisers, led as ever by Marg Craig and her colleagues at The Conference Team. The committee consists of five practitioners, plus CEO Phillip Matthews. Each practitioner is overseeing one stream of the business sessions. Cecilia Farrow and Katrina Denize (risk specialists) are coordinating the Risk and Advanced Risk streams. Clair MacPherson-Jones and Tracee Crammond (investment specialists) are looking after the Investment and Advanced Investment streams, and Board Member Simon Hassan is looking after the fifth stream, Best Practice.

Convenor of the insurance streams, Cecilia Farrow, says they offer a wide an varied programme. "Some of the comment after past conferences has been along the lines that insurance topics were not that well covered. I can assure you that this will not be the case this year".

Clair Jones, Convenor of the Investment Streams, is also excited about what will be there for investment advisers. "As a practising adviser, I was very keen to hear from people who can add some real value to what I do with clients", she added. "I want everyone to go home with a variety of really usable new ideas."

Success Forum 2004 looks like living up to the high expectations of the talented Auckland committee. It will be a must for anyone who is serious about working in the financial services area.

So, if you have already registered, we'll see you there. And if not, it's still not too late!