President's Comments

On behalf of the Australian Taxi Industry Association (ATIA) it gives me great pleasure to invite you to the 2010 Australian Taxi Conference to be held in Darwin.

2009 was a difficult year for many as we struggled with a sluggish domestic economy and the effects of the Global Financial Crisis. Amidst the doom and gloom though, our national conference in Cairns proved to be a great success. It provided attendees with a welcome opportunity to get away and refresh tired batteries in the warmth and beauty of tropical Queensland. It also provided much needed time away for business delegates to escape the daily grind and focus on the longer term, big picture issues so necessary for effective strategy development.

Our 2010 conference in Darwin promises to be even more of the same - warm, tropical, relaxing and inspirational.

2010 presents as a year for rebuilding. Having narrowly avoided recession the Australian taxi industry needs to bounce back. We need to start contemplating big goals and ambitious targets. What better place to do so than in the Northern Territory - Australia's Top End.

How will our industry rise the challenges of:

- a fragile economy?

- climate change?

- carbon pollution reduction and emissions trading schemes?

- the new Industrial Relations environment?

- a proposed National Licensing Scheme?

It is my belief that we will need new paradigms and innovative approaches to succeed. It is time to let go of old thinking. We need to grasp the nettle and work together to build a better future.

Our conference in 2010 will provide the place and the forum for leaders and stakeholders in our industry to collectively engage the challenge ahead.

Darwin presents us with a wonderful opportunity to discuss and debate the task of, "Bouncing Back, Bigger & Better".

John L Bowe
ATIA President