Conferences

Summary

Making the executive decision to continue trading, even though things look terminal, is a courageous judgement ..... often more so than simply calling in the administrators. Turnarounds are tough, soul searching enterprises which stretch the skills of even the most accomplished professionals.

Each turnaround is different, a unique escape from insolvency.

So, Tonkin Corporation has created The Great Escape, the Turnaround Management Association's 4th Annual Conference and Gala Dinner to celebrate Australia's most dramatic corporate escapes.

Profiling 10 of the most amazing war stories our research could uncover, The Great Escape is conceived, researched, marketed and staged for the following groups:

• Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Divisional General Managers and Company Secretaries of BRW Top 1,000 Public Companies
• Chairman, Directors, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors and General Managers of BRW Top 500 Private Companies
• SME business owners
• Turnaround practitioners
• Reconstruction lawyers
• Executive directors of private equity funds
• Asset restructuring managers from commercial banks
• Non-bank asset-based lenders
• Asset auction houses
• Business coaches
• Corporate psychologists
• Human resources consultants
• Broadsheet financial and trade journalists

Learning Objectives

9 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

EXPLORE how to overcome adversity through determination, discipline and teamwork by analysing Powerlan s recovery
DETERMINE how Westbus avoided financial disaster and escaped from voluntary administration to show $18 million profit
GAIN an insight into how Advance Engine Components survived 22 years of extreme adversity through focus and perseverance
UNCOVER how to dodge financial bullet through creativity and determination by examining Destra s story.
LEARN how RuleBurst grew the business after a turnaround
OBSERVE how Cellnet became a market leader after a narrow escape
IMPROVE your performance by assessing how Realestate.com.au won the cost battle and lift its share price by 7000%.
EXAMINE the most comprehensive business restructure by hearing Davnet s remarkable story
DISCOVER how KraMar Pets Supplies improved by identifying the profitable products and customers

Speakers

Speakers You Can't Afford To Miss

• Dr Tomislav Matic, Former Chief Executive Officer, Powerlan
• Bill Wavish, Executive Chairman, Myer
• Kevin Chin, Director, RuleBurst and Managing Director, Arowana Capital
• Owen Eckford, Chief Executive Officer, ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
• Tony Middleton, Managing Director, Advance Engine Components Limited
• Domenic Carosa, Chief Executive Officer, destra Corporation Limited
• Mark Hubbard, Finance Director and Company Secretary, UXC Limited
• Simon Baker, Chief Executive Officer, realestate.com.au Limited
• Michael Fingland, Managing Director, Vantage Performance
• Adrian Loader, Managing Director, Quay Capital and Director, Turnaround Management Association
• Ed Kreamer, Chairman, KraMar Pets Supplies
• Peter Hocking, Group General Manager, John Hewson Group
• Dr Paul Carter, Innovation Manager, Cochlear Limited
• Michael Collins, Managing Director, Talent Solutions
• Marina Yastreboff, Director, ONMARQ
• Schon Condon, Partner, Condon Associates and President, Turnaround Management Association
• Ian Hyman, Chief Executive Officer, Hymans Asset Management and Director, Turnaround Management Association
• Geoff Sutherland, Partner, Deacons and Director, Turnaround Management Association
• Ian Johnson, Director, Helmsman Funds Management and Director, Turnaround Management Association
• Terry Van Der Velde, Director, SV Partners and Director, Turnaround Management Association
• Kevin Pringle, Partner, Gray & Perkins Lawyers and Conference Committee Member, Turnaround Management Association
• Matthew Erwin, State Manager Business Development NSW, Bibby Financial Services Australia and Conference Committee Chair, Turnaround Management Association

Conference Agenda

THE GREAT ESCAPE

15th 16th November 2007 * Hilton, Sydney

The Turnaround Management Association's
4th Annual Conference and Gala Dinner

DAY 1: 15th November 2007

8:30 Registration

9:00 Official Conference Welcome

Escapee: Schon Condon
Rank: President
Serial #: TMA001
Camp: Turnaround Management Association

9:05 Opening Remarks By The Morning Chair

Escapee: Matthew Erwin
Rank: Conference Committee Chair
Serial #: TMA002
Camp: Turnaround Management Association

9:10 Overcoming adversity through determination, discipline and teamwork

Escapee: Dr Tomislav Matic
Rank: Former Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA003
Camp: Powerlan
Escape From: Poorly planned and managed growth
Escape Plan: Implementing fiscal discipline

• Setting the scene: posting a $146.4 million loss in 2002
• Analysing the pain: chaotic growth with 33 acquisitions in 2 years
• Too big too fast: Growing the company from $40 million revenue, two offices and 70 staff to $300 million revenue and 31 offices dispersed around the globe with 1100 staff
• Saving the business by shedding subsidiaries and staff
• Overcoming adversity by working together with the bank ($12 million)
• Implementing fiscal discipline to survive the art of careful cash flow and continuous reinvestment
• Recovering with a $4 million profit in 2005
• Examining the lessons learnt

9:45 Interrogation
In this Chair facilitated Q&A session, delegates have the opportunity to quiz the speaker on key aspects of Powerlan s acquisition strategy.

10:00 SNAPSHOT SESSION: Assessing the importance of determination in crisis
Among the several topics covered in this snapshot discussion will be restoring staff and investor confidence, practical tips for reversing downward spirals, proven strategies for clear communication and candid insights about seeing adversity through.

Commandant Name: Kevin Pringle
Rank: Partner
Serial #: TMA004
Camp: Gray & Perkins Lawyers

Escapee: Dr Tomislav Matic
Rank: Former Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA003
Camp: Powerlan

Escapee: Owen Eckford
Rank: Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA005
Camp: Westbus

Escapee: Tony Middleton
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA006
Camp: AEC

10:30 Morning Tea

10:50 Unleashing suppressed abilities

Escapee: Owen Eckford
Rank: Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA005
Camp: Westbus
Escape From: Financial disaster leading to voluntary administration
Escape Plan: Strategic overhaul

• Examining the reasons for going into voluntary administration
• Discovering that the parent company called in loans of $94 million
• Improving the Company s position with new ownership ($106.7 million)
• Unveiling the secrets to orchestrating this strategic turnaround
• Increasing revenue to $110 million with a profit of $18 million
• Where are we now: enhancing growth through acquisitions

11:20 Interrogation
Time here is dedicated to uncovering the intricate nuances of this success story. In this rare setting, delegates take the floor for the chance to tease additional detail from the speaker about Westbus.

11:35 Surviving extreme adversity through focus and perseverance

Escapee: Tony Middleton
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA006
Camp: Advance Engine Components Limited
Escape From: Parent company collapse
Escape Plan: Capital infusion and product innovation

• Surviving the NewTel collapse by focusing on the high-margin end of the business and getting close to the customers
• Escaping disaster through perseverance in the face of extreme adversity
• Overcoming 22 years of losses through capital infusion and product investment
• Lifting revenue by exploring opportunities in the Chinese market

12:05 Interrogation
Delegates gain direct access to the speaker in this Q&A session to probe further how Advance Engine Components Limited survived 22 years of loss. This is an interactive session not to miss.

12:20 Lunch

1:25 Afternoon Chair

Escapee: Geoff Sutherland
Rank: Partner
Serial #: TMA007
Camp: Deacons (and Director, Turnaround Management Association)
Escape From: Parent company collapse
Escape Plan: Capital infusion and product innovation

1:30 HYPOTHETICAL: How to effectively deal with stakeholders in a turnaround scenario

Escapee: Schon Condon
Rank: Partner
Serial #: TMA001
Camp: Condon Associates (and President, Turnaround Management Association)
Classification: Practical work out

Prior to attending, delegates will be sent a short factual scenario involving a stakeholder crisis during a turnaround. On the day, further factual information will be revealed recognising stakeholder importance and identifying their needs and wants. Delegates will then be divided into groups where they will discuss what the issues are and how to determine the most effective strategy to deal with them. Later in the day, the groups will be asked to report back on choice of strategy and the rationale behind it. In the spirit of we learn best by doing , delegate engagement in this exercise will result in a valuable learning experience.

2:20 SNAPSHOT SESSION: Leveraging innovation for competitive advantage
Tonkin Corporation has assembled an array of celebrated business minds here to cover issues like innovation as a driver of improved performance, constructing more competitive business to avoid past difficulties and the next step beyond the turnaround.

Commandant Name: Matthew Erwin
Rank: State Manager Business Development
Serial #: TMA002
Camp: Bibby Financial Services (and Conference Committee Chair, Turnaround Management Association)

Escapee: Domenic Carosa
Rank: Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA008
Camp: Destra

Escapee: Marina Yastreboff
Rank: Brand Director
Serial #: TMA009
Camp: ONMARQ

Escapee: Dr Paul Carter
Rank: Innovation Manager
Serial #: TMA010
Camp: Cochlear

2:50 Afternoon Tea

3:10 Dodging a financial bullet through creativity and determination

Escapee: Domenic Carosa
Rank: Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA008
Camp: Destra
Escape From: Dot com crash and impending cash crunch
Escape Plan: Determination and teamwork

• Recognising the need to reduce the workforce in half to survive the dot com crash
• Grasping the cash flow difficulties and the reluctance of banks to lend
• Identifying determination and creativity as key drivers for succeeding
• Reporting record sales of $33 million and profit of $1.6 million in 2006
• Enhancing growth through strategic partnerships

3:40 Interrogation
Now here is a timely opportunity for proactive delegates. Seize the moment offered by this debrief session to ask Destra s seasoned CEO about his experiences in surviving a cash crunch and the role of banks in turnaround. This is bound to be revealing. To offer anonymity to delegates, questions may be forwarded in advance to australis@TonkinCorporation.com

3:55 RuleBurst: From turnaround to growth

Escapee: Kevin Chin
Rank: Director, Managing Director
Serial #: TMA011
Camp: RuleBurst, Arowana Capital
Escape From: Insufficient cash flow
Escape Plan: Quick turnaround

• Assessing the crisis: November 2004, enough cash for only 3 months of operations
• Achieving turnaround within 6 months of new management
• Growing the business from $12 million to over $50 million within 3 years
• Enhancing further growth through acquisitions

4:30 Interrogation
Delegates here benefit from access to one of Australia s sharpest investment and commercial luminaries. Quiz this Mr Fix-It on a range of turnaround issues.

4:45 Report back from hypothetical
This is Part 2 of the Hypothetical introduced earlier in the day s proceedings. Here, delegate groups are required to report back their findings in relation to the factual scenario revealed before. This exercise will uncover structured, experiential learning objectives as led by the Hypothetical facilitator.

Escapee: Schon Condon
Rank: Partner
Serial #: TMA001
Camp: Condon Associates (and President, Turnaround Management Association)

5:00 Closing remarks by the Chair

5:05 Close of Conference Day One

5:05 Cocktail Function Registration
No need to settle for The Great Escape film s famous moonshine! Relax and enjoy Herbert Geer Rundle s generous hospitality at the official pre-dinner Cocktail Function. A full range of the best beverages and canap?will be served for your enjoyment at this great networking opportunity. Conference delegates, dinner guests . come one, come all!

7:00 Conference Gala Dinner
After the comprehensive educational experience during the day, this is it. The premier social function of the Turnaround Management Association s calendar is here and it s time to take full advantage of the warm hospitality provided. Delight in an award-winning Hilton Hotel three course dinner with complimentary drinks. Be utterly mesmerised by the newest international cabaret sensation, Nikki Bennett. Wile the hours away amongst friends and meet international turnaround dignitaries to cap-off your busiest and most profitable year yet. The Conference Gala Dinner always pleases!

DAY 2: 16th November 2007

8:30 Registration

9:00 Opening remarks by the Morning Chair

Escapee: Ian Hyman
Rank: Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA012
Camp: Hymans Asset Management (and Director, Turnaround Management Association)

9:05  Escape from capital crunch and poorly executed expansion

Escapee: Michael Fingland
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA013
Camp: Vantage Performance
Case study:  Project Drott
Escape Plan: Overhaul of working capital, financial and operational reporting structure

• Assessing working capital requirements and other KPI's -  for an earthmoving contractor which expanded into construction, and incurred immediate major losses due to poor project management
• Restoring relationships with financiers
• Implementing a turnaround plan which went back to focusing on the core business

9:45 Interrogation
In the first interactive session on Day 2, delegates are offered the chance to ask the speaker questions about this fascinating case study. The more you ask, the better the learning experience. Again, delegates may forward questions to the Chair in advance by sending them to australis@TonkinCorporation.com.

10:00 INTERACTIVE SESSION: Leading in turbulent times

Commandant: Michael Collins
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA014
Camp: Talent Solutions

• How to effectively deal with the human factor in a crisis
• Assessing the importance of leadership in turbulent times
• Examining the role of Emotional Intelligence in decision-making
• Providing practical insight into managing people issues associated with large-scale organisational change

11:00 Morning Tea

11:20 Davnet: wrecked, rescued, and renovated: the story of a comprehensive business restructure

Escapee: Mark Hubbard
Rank: Finance Director and Company Secretary
Serial #: TMA015
Camp: UXC Limited
Escape From: Aggressive expansion and global downturn in the industry
Escape Plan: Strategic organisational overhaul

• Pinpointing aggressive expansion and global downturn in the telecommunications industry as the main reasons for financial difficulties
• Rescuing the company from imminent insolvency and implementing a strategic turnaround through an overhaul of the board, management and staff
• Streamlining operations through the sale of assets and implementing repayment discipline
• Emerging from the reconstruction with $9 million in cash, a healthy balance sheet and a single operating subsidiary strengthened by strategic acquisitions to make the company the leader in the data storage solutions market
• Moving forward through a merger to rebuild the company to a market capitalisation of over $410 million and annual revenue of over $400 million

12:00 Case study: Turnaround led by a "Been-there, done that" team of 15

Commandant:  Bill Wavish
Rank: Executive Chairman
Serial #: TMA 016
Camp: Myer

• Reviewing 101 significant simultaneous projects to achieve turnaround results
• Understanding the detailed plan for the first 100 days
• Managing culture transformation across the company
• Ensuring high levels of communication

12:30 Luncheon

1:25 Opening remarks by the aftrernoon Chair

Escapee: Terry Van Der Velde
Rank: Director
Serial #: TMA017
Camp: SV Partners (and Director, Turnaround Management Association)

1:30 PRACTICAL SESSION: Enhancing business growth by analysing your capital requirements

Escapee: Peter Hocking
Rank: Group General Manager
Serial #: TMA018
Camp: John Hewson Group
Classification: Strategic partnership

• What to consider before you get private equity involved
• Examining a non-capital intensive scenario
• When is the right time to raise capital?
• Forming strategic partnerships and alliances
• Identifying key learnings from real examples

2.10 Wining the cost battle to improve performance

Escapee: Simon Baker
Rank: Chief Executive Officer
Serial #: TMA019
Camp: realestate.com.au
Escape From: High cost
Escape Plan: Reducing product range and improving advertisement sales

• Identifying high cost as the main reason for a downward spiral with only 3 months cash coverage
• Improving performance by cutting product range and improving advertisement sales
• Increasing revenue by 2400% from $2.4 million in 2000 to $60.9 million in 2006
• Moving from a net loss of $6.2 million in 2000 to a net profit of $8.2 million in 2006
• Lifting the share price by 7000% from 8c to $5.55
• Lessons learnt and looking towards the future

2:40 Afternoon Tea

3.00 PANEL SESSION: How to attract private equity involvement in turnarounds
It s not everyday that the Who s Who of turnaround private equity gather to discuss practical issues like the viability of private equity as an alternative funding option, frequently applied criteria for their involvement and real-world tips for attracting private equity to your company. So, this panel discussion comes highly recommended.

Commandant: Adrian Loader
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA020
Camp: Quay Capital

Escapee Names: Ian Johnson
Rank: Director
Serial #: TMA021
Camp: Helmsman Funds
Classification: Outside help

Escapee Names: Peter Hocking
Rank: Group GM
Serial #: TMA018
Camp: John Hewson Group
Classification: Outside help

Escapee Names: Kevin Chin
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA011
Camp: Arowana Capital
Classification: Outside help

Escapee Names: Michael Fingland
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA013
Camp: Vantage Performance
Classification: Capital crunch

3:45 Shooting the dogs

Escapee: Ed Kreamer
Rank: Managing Director
Serial #: TMA022
Camp: KraMar Pets Supplies
Escape From: Poor performance
Escape Plan: Changing the focus to the products, customers, staff and suppliers who deliver profit

• Examining the key lessons
• Knowing what returns you should receive
• How the business was restructured: highlighting the marketing perspective to achieve desired margins
• Improving the business by identifying the profitable products and customers
• Determining the pricing structure
• Incorporating the right management systems and people in place
• Preparing to exit the business through sale

4:15 Interrogation
It s a coup to have access to so many and varied war stories in one conference programme. So, the event crescendos with this last case study on KraMar Pet Supplies and delegates opportunity to extract the most information possible in one last interactive Q&A session with the presenter.

4:30 CONCLUDING REMARKS & OPEN FORUM: The future of turnaround in Australia

Commandant: Schon Condon
Rank: President
Serial #: TMA001
Camp: Turnaround Management Association

4:55 Closing remarks by the Chair

5:00 Close of conference

Workshop Agenda

There are no workshops being conducted at The Great Escape.

However, there is an extensive social component to the event.

COCKTAIL FUNCTION

GALA DINNER with entertainment from Nikki Bennett

Pricing
(must register & pay by dates listed)