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 More than 100 delegates attended the Midland Region Business Conference and Architectural Study Tour in July enjoying the delights of Lisbon, Portugal.
The opulent Tivoli Lisboa Hotel was the base for the three night trip which was ideally placed in the city centre for sightseeing and for visits to local restaurants and shops.
The hotel outdoor swimming pool proved a bonus especially with temperatures ranging from 36 - 40 șC.
Regional President Graham Urwin welcomed delegates to an informal buffet meal on the first evening (Thursday) before many set off for Docas or the town centre for a late night chat about politics, the future of mankind ------ or perhaps just a drink or two and a laugh!
The splendid Sintra Room in the Tivoli; was the setting for a full and packed conference with the first part of the day themed around the recruitment and training of apprentices into the building industry.
National President Geoff Lister as Chairman of the Cross Industry Task Force gave an interesting and informative talk and pleaded for employers to participate in the Programme led Apprenticeship (PLA) proposals.
Kevin Gowdy Director of Construction at New College Nottingham supported the various task force initiatives.
As part of the 'Young People' theme; Simon Bond of Challinors gave an thought provoking talk on the obligations and complications of employing apprentices.
Nigel Geary of Aon FMB Insurance Services informed delegates of the generous discount of 50% negotiated with insures for the apprentices recruitment campaign.
Good friend to FMB John Loftus of B & CE Benefit Schemes expanded the theme to general employment and mentioned in particular the implications of the National Insurance concession being lost in 2012 thanks to a change in Government policy and the new requirements for mandatory pensions.
As the business programme widened to other issues; Ian Fowler of Bigwoods Chartered Surveyors discussed the regions forthcoming workshops on estimating and tendering which are intended to cut through the myths and fears that many builders have when invited to tender for a particular project.
Lawyer Peter McHugh discussed the methods and procedures builders should adopt to avoid bad debts or late payments but did not recommend the 'Nigel Bray' approach. Nigel is the now infamous builder owed money for a porch and conservatory that he built but was not paid for so he took the construction down - with some force!!
 Director General Richard Diment gave and insight into the Federations response to the current economic climate with a theme of 'Survive & Thrive' based around many of the issues affecting members such as the Credit Crunch and the Environment.
The final guest speaker was Paulo Prazeres Pais, Director of Urban Planning for the city of Lisbon. The delegates found his address most interesting and listened intensely to the construction programme for the development of Lisbon based on the expansion of open spaces within the city whilst maintaining its heritage. Also, the city intends to completely redevelop the River Tagus link with the sea. The existing port was built for roll on roll off cargo but this is losing its importance so the city of Lisbon wants to establish a more valuable sea front for cruise ships and modern containers.
Graham Urwin reviewed the business programme and thanked all the delegates for their attendance.
Delegates also enjoyed a full city tour of Lisbon that took them to Edward VII Park with its fantastic panoramic views of Lisbon, the Sintra Cabo Da Roca, and Tower of Belem, Padro Dos Descobrimentos (statue of Discoveries), Bairro Alto, Castello San George and lots more.
 Delegates were able to take many photographs which will last long in the memory of a wonderful historic city.
The conference Gala dinner in the Tivoli Sintra Ballroom was a most enjoyable experience with much humour thanks to Master of Ceremonies Patrick McGeever who as ever used his Irish charm (and blarney) to much effect.
National Vice - President Ron Storer (standing in for the by then departed Geoff Lister) proposed the toast to Midland Region with Regional President Graham Urwin responding.
A new introduction was the now to be known Conference Awards which were really a bit of fun.
The first award of a t-shirt was to Simon Bond who intrigued delegates with his unusual outfit for a conference speech.
The second award was made to Vice President Arthur McArdle who has developed a habit of losing various items.
He was given an extremely colourful bag for him to keep his belongings in and it couldn't possibly be left behind - anywhere!
John Watson the Regional Director presented the Bottle of Champagne for the first correct quiz answers to David & Eileen Skinner. John said that he was delighted with the entries and almost all were 100% correct. Mind you, all the answers were given in the delegate souvenir pack.
Finally, Richard Diment read a tale of Noah, now living in Birmingham and being asked to build a new Ark before the destruction of the world.
Noah claimed he couldn't build the Ark in time due to new building regulations, workforce issues, Inland Revenue and the environment agenda. Noah asked the lord if he was still going to destroy the world because he had failed to build the Ark but the lord said no Noah, somebody has already beaten me to it.
As the conference came to an end on the Sunday morning, the delegates reluctantly packed their bags in readiness for the journey back to reality.
Many delegates congratulated John Watson on his organizational skills for the conference including the wonderful weather. He had even managed the Sunday morning to be much cooler and cloudy - perfect preparation for arriving back in England!
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