The main focus of the event was a presentation by the unit’s founding members and directors, Prof Elmarie Venter (NMMU) and Dr Margaret Cullen (NMMU Business School). The presentation was entitled, “Feedback from the 11th Annual International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA) Conference 2011”. The presentation focused on family business, its importance, benefits to global and national economies, common issues faced by family businesses and the interesting findings and trends followed at the 2011 IFERA Conference in Palermo, Italy. Three of the NMMU FBU’s founding members, namely Prof Venter, Dr Cullen and Dr Shelley Farrington attended the conference this year, with Prof Venter and Dr Farrington being awarded the prestigious Best Paper award. This accolade is one that both academics can be very proud of as there were more than 200 academics in attendance at this year’s conference, representing more than 32 countries. Four South Africans attended the conference, the NMMU FBU’s three members and one other academic from North-West University only.
The families in attendance at the NMMU FBU’s event included Pieter and Jaco Rademeyer; Chuck and Adam Volpe (Volpes); Markus and Donieta Herr (Don Marco CC); Alan Taverner (Tavcor Motor Group); Julian Botha (The Terminators); Carol and Charlie Jackson (Havilah Designer Jewellers); Giovanni and Manuele Zanutta (The Havelock Hotel & Conference Center); Guy Thomson (Pizza Guys) and Peppie and Nick Augoustatos (K & W Amusements). The presentation was followed by a question and answer session, with several important comments and suggestions about the unit’s focus and product offerings being made. Refreshments were served immediately after the presentation and the foyer of the Beach Hotel was abuzz with family business related discussions. The unit was well received by all in attendance and a conversation platform and network that is vital to the unit’s future offerings was clearly established between the family business academics and owners present. “Hopefully this event is the first of many to follow where we can join hands with the family business community to help them manage their families and businesses more effectively and harmoniously.We have a passion for families in business and as a Unit we would like to serve them as best we could,” said Prof Venter. “The success of this unit will depend on Family Businesses getting involved - sharing their experiences and problems.We envisage this unit becoming a key instrument in promoting their success and look forward to working with family businesses, not only in Port Elizabeth, but all over the African continent,” said Dr Cullen.
From left: Prof Niekie Dorfling, Dr Margaret Cullen, Dr Shelley Farrington, Prof Elmarie Venter & Prof Miemie Struwig