[Tim G]

Having just got back, did anyone else think it was a total waste of time and money?

No health recruitment what so ever, only one agency (Accent)! So much for skills shortage. And only one bank which I found strange.

The whole thing seemed to be aimed at construction trades etc, which is all very well if that's your profession. I went to the Manchester one a couple of years ago which was far, far better, with most trades/professions represented.

Well that’s my moan over with; it just wasn't much of an Expo!!!

Tim.

[StevieD]

Who organised this one? Because as you said, the Manchester one had health as well as other trades/professions represented. I have just cancelled my email that I got from them to tell me of the EXPO, and recycled the mailshot I received in the post. Amazing the difference in how I would have been feeling getting these things, now I here, it seems so far behind me.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

We had a similar experience at the first one they tried in Edinburgh - it was terrible, we went with the primary reason to open bank accounts prior to leaving (we were only a few weeks from departing at the time). Not a bank in sight, not one! Rubbish.

The London one a year earlier was ten times the size and hugely more worthwhile.

We did enjoy seeing a snippet of Leeds on the news here though, having spent 15 years of my life there (PP significantly longer as she's a Leeds lass by birth, for her sins).

It didn't make me want to return though. Hamilton or Leeds? No contest!!

As StevieD says it's funny how these events seem, and their significance once you've completed the move. I remember being desperate to get in there and accumulate more NZ info when still in the UK. Ultimately were they a huge help? Probably not really, but they provided useful starting points to go away and do our own research I suppose. This forum was, and remains, far more help.

The news story here was saying how the UK was one of the very few developed countries (possibly the only one) with a bigger 'brain drain' happening than NZ. Lot's of quotes from English people saying "UK is rubbish, we just want to get out and bring our kids up somewhere nice" or words to that effect.

Sound familiar?

[StevieD]

Hmm... reminds me of our first "expo" which was held in Chester. Was going to go to the inaugral NW meet, but had already agreed to go to Chester. In hindsight we would have been better going to the meet, but never mind. You can only learn.

Good luck Tim, but I sure you'll get plenty from help on here if you ask around. There are lots of members on here who work in the health profession, so who knows, put your worm in the pond and see what bites??

[wolfie33]

i went to leeds expo too, felt that it had been oversold. no representation from agriculture side other than venture southland. however people who i spoke to were friendly & knowledgable especially mike bell from move2nz. think i will aim to get to london at end of year & see what is there....