A decade ago, the year Semi-Permenent set up a chapter in Auckland, I was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, first-year design student. I had just started going out with The Koala and when we heard about a new, fledgling design conference we purchased our precious tickets. For a student, even the concession ticket was a lot of money. The Koala and I attended the very first NZ Semi-Permanent event at the Bruce Mason Theatre in Takapuna and we were blown away by the world-famous calibre of creative speakers.

Since then, I’ve barely missed an event. I think I’ve missed two. One because we were saving our pennies for our wedding and another time we were out of town. Semi-Permenent took a break from our shores last year, but this year they are back and on in just a few weeks! I won’t be in Auckland so I won’t be attending this year. But if you are around, you should check it out.

The two day event runs on 18 and 19 May 2012 at the ASB Theatre at Aotea Centre, Auckland. ASB Theatre has just been refurbished which is really a long time coming. It hasn’t been refurbished since it opented in 1985! Tickets for Semi-Permenent are  not cheap, but if you can scrape together the cash for a ticket, it is totally worthwhile.

This year’s line up come from a huge range of creative backgrounds:

• Documentary Photography: Stefano De Luigi
• Web/Digital: Hi-Res
• Art: Ron English
• Special Effects: Industrial Light & Magic
• Art/Typography: Alex Trochu
• Street Art: Miss Van
• Fashion: Stolen Girlfriends Club
• Industrial: Tomas Gabzdil Libertiny
• Motion: Gmunk
• Publishing: Meirion Pritchard, Wallpaper Magazine
• Paper Engineering: Benja Harney
• Graphic: SouthSouthWest
• Graphic: Swifty

EARLY BIRD COST: two day $220 / one day $180
STANDARD COST: two day $290 / one day $220
VIP COST: $350 – VIP ticket holders receive dedicated seating, bumper goodie bags, special invitation to all workshops side events, exhibitions and parties.

There also lots of creative side events on during this time, so if you can’t afford the ticket to the conference, but still want to be inspired with amazing creative events, keep your eyes peeled for parties, exhibitions and workshops around the city.