President's Comments

On behalf of the Australian Taxi Industry Association it gives me great pleasure to invite you to the 2008 Australian Taxi Conference in our Nation's Capital. Canberra.

Canberra is one of the best kept secrets in Australia. For me, it is always a pleasure to visit and each time I do, I marvel at the unfolding of this monument to the Australian people who have gone before us, and see the evidence of the commitment to make this city one in which all Australians can be proud.

Australia's Capital obviously aims To Be the Best. In the Olympic year 2008 Australians will aim To Be the Best at the Olympics as they Go for Gold and the nation will own and be proud of their efforts.

The theme of the 2008 Australian Taxi Conference will challenge the taxi industry to show that it is aiming to be the best. Actually being the best is good, but aiming to be the best and to be seen to be aiming to be the best, going for gold, Is more admired and appreciated and each little victory is more fulfilling.

The taxi industry is never short of a challenge. We are a bit like the night riders in the sky. We have to keep riding. We have to keep searching. We have to keep trying. Our search and our efforts do have their rewards, but only if we accept the challenge to keep going on.

The 2008 Australian Taxi Conference comes at time when some of our old challenges still need to be addressed and when new challenges are emerging.

As well as addressing some perennial challenges, this conference will stimulate discussion on the way we meet the challenge of fueling our vehicles so that costs are contained and the environment respected. It will outline some technological changes that are coming our way and the effects they may have on our call taking and dispatching methods. In short, this conference promises to keep us thinking, keep us communicating, keep us focused so that we may assist all in the taxi industry To Be the Best and Go For Gold.

I very much look forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new friends at what promises to be a. exciting conference.

John L Bowe
ATIA President