The Conference Organising Committee under the guidance of our professional conference organiser, Petrie International is keeping the momentum moving with respect to planning for the Perth 2000 NO-DIG Conference and Exhibition. There are a number of activities that are on the conference planning schedule being addressed.

On the promotion side, it is extremely pleasing to report that we have already received some 300 expressions of interest for the Perth 2000. Included in these numbers are 45 people who wish to present papers, 75 who are interested in exhibiting, 20 companies that are eager to provide sponsorship support and the balance just want to come along in October 2000. If these trends continue to rise at a steady rate, then we are extremely confident that the Perth show will be very successful.

For those members who have never been to Perth, Western Australia, the following information about the venue and the accommodation for the Perth 2000 No-Dig International Conference and Exhibition will be of interest.The hotel is immediately adjacent to the Burswood Ballroom, the location for the plenary sessions and the Dome is the venue for the Exhibition.Combine a resort hotel, casino and convention centre into one stunning pyramid shaped complex and you have Burswood International Resort Casino. One of the world's most spectacular resorts in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Perth Western Australia. A warm welcome awaits you. The Burswood Dome is the biggest indoor venue in the Southern Hemisphere. Bathed in natural light through a column-free 35 metre high air supported fibreglass roof, the Dome is Australia's largest enclosed sporting and special events venue. Dome is perhaps most famous for its annual hosting of the international Hopman Cup tennis tournament.

The financial agreement between ASTT and ISTT, the International Society for Trenchless Technology needs to be finalised. It is understood this will be based on a 50/50 basis with respect to sharing of any surplus or deficit. As ASTT will be undertaking all the up front financing risk as well as the greatest component of the work load, signing of the Agreement will be dependent on a better understanding of the role ISTT will undertake.

The following are some of the main features being considered for the programme: Speaker programme of 36 speakers over three days with a mix of single and dual streams; Targeted workshop sessions (micro-tunnelling, commercial opportunities); Three hour No-Dig live on adjacent site, with concurrent site visits; Concurrent five day Training Module for Operators;Sunday morning Industry Breakfast; Linkages with support and like industries; Exhibition in futuristic Superdome, with more than 2000 square metres net of useable space; "Taste of Australia" Social and Accompanying Person’s Programme.

It is intended that the Event will have a greater practical focus, offering more for the Contracting and Service sectors of the industry, as well as the normal scope of interest for client, manufacturing, educational and industry support organisations. There will be an emphasis on the commercial and business opportunities for Trenchless Technology available in South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand

The distinctive Perth 2000 logo and letterhead have been designed and used on promotional material. Preliminary Announcement promotional material in three languages has been distributed at Taipei, Lausanne, Tokyo, Houston, Budapest and at national events at Brisbane, Auckland and Adelaide. Preliminary announcements have been distributed to other TT Societies and Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology members.

The "No-Dig 2000" Homepage has been established, with links to the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology Homepage. The site address is:http://www.petrieinternational.com.au/no-dig.html This site kept is up to date with "sold only" exhibition space being clearly shown in red at the Trade Exhibition part of the web site.

The Sponsorship package has been produced and are available to the industry. Several significant international companies have indicated they wished to be major sponsors.

The Trade Exhibition pre-release has been produced and distributed. Features include:Fully themed, carpeted exhibition space in adjacent futuristic Superdome; Opportunity to use fully serviced booths or space only; Special offer to other national TT Societies or trade groups for half price space if they can interest a group of their members to exhibit "expo" style; Linkages with sponsorship packages; Hospitality suites; Potential for pipeline industry linkage with previous National Pipeline Convention being conducted immediately prior to the No-Dig event.

The Trade Exhibition floor plan can be viewed on line. The web site is kept is up to date with "sold only" exhibition space being clearly shown in red.Trade Exhibition space can be ordered directly through the conference web site. The address is: http://www.petrieinternational.com.au/no-dig.html.

The Conference Organising Committee has developed a theme for the Perth No-Dig as follows: "Underground Space Technology - the Hole Solution"

This theme covers the widest possible scope for trenchless technology, and provides the linkage with a greater range of tunnelling methodologies and the underground space movement. It elaborates on the often-asked question "What is trenchless technology?" with a somewhat gimmicky description. It is also considered to have international application, and can readily cover a number of sub-themes. This could include any Regional sub-themes if this were considered appropriate.                                       

By Menno Henneveld - Chairman ASTT