The biggest event of So~Safe calendar is its International Convention which is convened once in every two year's time. The International Convention'2002 was organized much splendidly as compared to the previous conventions and this time at So~Safe's hometown Sharjah, between March 27 - 29, 2002 at Hotel Holiday International. The international participation rose manifolds from the last convention'2000 in Karachi and not less than 24 nations were in attendance.

Opening Ceremony

The second international convention of So~Safe took off in a lively opening ceremony held at the Al-Dana hall in presence of hundreds of guests. Mr. Ahmad Mohammad Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was the honorable chief guest on the occasion. Mr. Midfa inaugurated the convention by cutting the ribbon and tying string of the bag packed with helium filled balloons in a colorful ceremony. The 52 water specialists who flew in from 24 countries of the world were escorted in a grand style on a catwalk in their traditional and cultural attires and were greeted by the chief guest Mr. Midfa, MD So~Safe Mr. Sultan Mahmood, convention director Mr. Salman Siddiqui and co-director Mr. Basharat Sharif.

Convention Director Salman A. Siddiqui presented his welcome address and highlighted the details of convention programs. He assured the audience that this convention would be an ideal platform for voicing the opinions and pronouncing the solutions related to water. Convention director also extended his gratitude to the international delegates for their presence, which added the color to this mega event. Speaking on the occasion MD Sultan Mahmood informed that So~Safe opted to put up a manufacturing plant of water filters in UAE, because of its ideal geographical location and due to the fact that from Italy to Taiwan there was not a single country possessing a manufacturing plant, which produces water filters and its related products. He informed that the company is on the road of success and shall be soon ISO-9001 certified. Mr. Sultan said that his company believes in sheer quality as there can be no compromise on drinking water. He said that the purpose of organizing this convention was to bring leading professionals from the water industry under one roof to discuss this highly sensitive subject.

In his keynote address the chief guest Mr. Ahmed Mohammad Al Midfa highly appreciated the idea for a convention on water in Sharjah. He said that government is also giving its prime importance to water and that the resolutions of this convention can be forwarded to the government for its implication and assured the full cooperation of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce in this regard. Chief guest also suggested that there could be a special advisory committee on water in the chamber and in that committee, big companies like So~Safe can play a very pivotal role. He then proceeded to formally inaugurate the world's largest water web portal www.watergenius.com by pressing the computer button and lauded the idea for such a wonderful search engine on water. This water portal is been nurtured under the aegis of So~Safe and pronounces entire search results for web surfers looking for any kind of information relating to water. Mr. Midfa again assured his support for this water portal and said that he can look into the prospects of promoting this site through the magazines.

The ceremony compeered by Ms. Saima Sultan was concluded on a vote of thanks from the co-director convention Mr. Basharat Sharif, who thanked the chief guest, government officials, audience, press and hotel management for their presence and patronage to this convention. A wide range of So~Safe products was also displayed in the adjacent lobby, in which the delegates, government officials and elites took a keen interest. High tea was served at the conclusion of program.

Seminar on Water Filtration

The second leg of day's program was a comprehensive technical session on water filtration. This seminar was divided in two main parts, whereby the MD Mr. Sultan Mahmood covered the basic water filtration techniques and the chief engineer of So~Safe Mr. Tariq Mahmood presented his deliberations on the delicate subject of Reverse Osmosis. Delegates were escorted to KFC and Burger King for a swift working lunch in between the two sessions.

During the earlier fraction of session, CEO elaborated the various procedures and techniques, being used worldwide to combat the peril of contamination of water, which is a potential threat to mankind, especially in the third world countries. He pointed out that water contamination is the biggest cause of a high child mortality rate in these countries and that the 60% diseases suffered by the adults also originate due to drinking of impure water. He also pointed out that resources of potable water are quickly diminishing due to the significant growth in population and dearth of rainfall. He then went on at length to pronounce the role of So~Safe in combating this hazard exposed to human life. Mr. Sultan gave a thorough demonstration of a number of So~Safe products, brought up by a gigantic manufacturing plant in Sharjah. The delegates who took a keen interest in these products threw a series of questions, especially about the Reverse Osmosis units, which were very ably answered by Mr. Sultan. 

Seminar on Reverse Osmosis

The post lunch session was a typical technical session on Reverse Osmosis, which was professionally conducted by our seasoned engineer. Mr. Tariq Mahmood displayed his splendid qualities while sharing the information on this sensitive subject. The comprehensive presentation on power point engrossed the delegates till the very conclusion of the session. As the subject was relatively new for some of the delegates therefore the trainer with his soft and easy technical language ensured that not a single participant feels stranded. In his earlier part of presentation Mr. Tariq covered the theoretical concepts of Reverse Osmosis, whereas the later part revolved round the tailor made designing of a Reverse Osmosis unit according to the very specific requirements of user, depending on the qualification of the feed water. The session was wrapped up on refreshments but not before the delegates grilled the trainer with a series of questions, to which they were satisfactorily replied both by Mr. Tariq, who was also joined by MD in the panel.

Off to Dubai Shopping Festival

United Arab Emirates becomes the favorite tourist resort for the millions of travelers in the month of March (until 2002), not because of its lovely weather in that period but due to the biggest shopping spree of the world, organized with a great fervor. This festival, which used to run throughout the month of March, known as DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL, was in its 6th consecutive year. It features pavilions from several countries that exhibit their top line products and famous rituals of their respective countries, besides, fun, food and frolic of high standards. The delegates took great interest in such an entertainment, as they were treated as special guests of the festival by the organizers, since So~Safe had arranged exclusive permission for this visit. They bought a number of articles from various pavilions, out of which the Chinese was the central attraction for most of the delegates.

Sailing on the Dhow Cruise

Straight from the DSF the delegates were escorted to the bay area, from where they embarked on a Dhow Cruise exclusively reserved for their recreational pleasure. This cruise sailed for about three hours, exhibiting the fascinating and highly impressive sky scrappers at Dubai's coastline, very specially illuminated during the entire DSF days. The fire crackers were a delight to watch as they created a galaxy of colors on the sky. The delegates took no time to mix up and an environment of fellowship was witnessed. People across the continents seem to become good friends as if they knew each other for decades. A very sumptuous dinner was served on board during the sailing, which mainly comprised of hot Arabian cuisine and grilled sea-food dishes. This entertaining activity brought the day to its conclusion and the delegates retired to their hotel rooms around mid night.

Art of Delegation

The second day commenced with an interesting training session, Art of Delegation which proved to be a highly informative session and was conducted by one and only, our dynamic Managing Director, Mr. Sultan Mahmood who is also a qualified trainer and a Prime graduate of Junior Chamber International. In his exclusive style of training Mr. Sultan gave a wonderful presentation on the subject and punctuated his session with team work concept games and workouts. He displayed the factual qualities of a trainer and not a single participant felt short of interest at any point of time during his presentation. The delegates after the session then headed to Pizza hut and Mc Donald's for lunch and returned in an hours time.

Effective Marketing

The post lunch session, without any doubt can be termed as the most absorbing, impressive and rewarding session of the entire convention. A gentleman with a great spark and talent was at the helm of affairs. Mr. Mahmood Nanji widely respected for his authority on marketing subject and his presentation abilities of highest order, conducted this three hours session on Effective Marketing in such a manner that, delegates never realized how quickly time ran out for them. Mr. Nanji's presentation, although being so simple and down to earth, proved as real dynamite, as normally in post lunch sessions, delegates tend to get drowsy after having their food. He very artistically segmented his presentation with some role plays, case studies and groups presentations and never for once seemed to loose his grip on the subject.

Excursion at Sand Dunes

After the two training sessions in a day the delegates were not given sufficient rest for the big adventure, which awaited them some 100 miles away from Sharjah, in the deserts of Sand Dunes. For most of the delegates it was entirely a new kind of adventure, where they experienced a different kind of driving on the bumpy and uneven surfaces of the desert. They were escorted to the final destination in two phases, firstly in a big bus to the outskirts of the venue and then from there in heavy jeeps in a group of four. The experts on the driving seats also enjoyed the mixed sort of face expressions, being relayed on most of the faces and exhibited their great driving skills by throwing their heavy jeeps from considerable heights into the slippery sands. Finally after half an hour they landed at a historic back drop of Arabian culture, where a model Arabian village was set up depicting the rich traditions of the locals. In a gloomy, open to sky atmosphere, where huge carpets served as the seating furniture, the delegates formed a big circle to take their seats. A live wire was then introduced in the centre of the circle, who instantly became the centre of attraction and enthralled everyone watching her as she really did justice with her articulate belly dancing performance. No one seemed to wink the eyes even for once as she created a magical milieu in no time and also pulled certain delegates to accompany her in expressing their dancing talent. Even for that matter she did not spare our MD Mr. Sultan and Convention Director Mr. Salman, who to surprises of many of delegates proved to be quite astounding in their ballet movements.

A very typical Arabian food was served in a distinctive local manner followed up by traditional black tea and Sheesha (a flavored tobacco burnt in a small chimney inhaled though a long pipe). The sensation ended up late in the night and delegates landed back in their rooms in the small hours of next morning.

Non Verbal Communication

The final day took off with on a high note when the Dean of SZABIST University, Karachi, Ms. Azra Maqsood, unfolded her panache for conducting training session in a befitting manner. The faculty who finished up with yet another excellent presentation, (previous being in last convention) on the day's topic Non Verbal Communication was highly lauded by the delegates for her great sense of humor which made her stand out from other faculties. She literally involved every single delegate in her presentation and the shy faces tried to seek a shelter from her hunting eyes. Lots of gimmicks were shared and the three-hour session proved to be a great source of information for the delegates as they acquired some new stuff on this kind of subject, which is rarely presented in such conventions. After the conclusion of session, the delegates went to King Faisal Mosque to offer Friday prayers and from then to their favorite fast food spots for a light lunch.

General Assembly

In order to incorporate the true corporate culture in our SAFIAN family, the management in last five years has introduced lots of innovative concepts and one of them is the adherence of parliamentary procedures in all official meetings and gatherings. Our MD Mr. Sultan Mahmood took the chair and after taking the roll call the quorum was established, necessary for declaring this gathering as official. The business of organization was discussed and debated at length with an open forum staged to voice any issue relating to the organization. Few interesting strategies were debated and approved by the general assembly for the progress of organization. Some realistic targets were also set up for the ensuing term and a unanimous decision went in favor of Dubai City for hosting the next International Convention. The session concluded on yet another innovation, introduced for the first time to boast the fellowship spirits. This was the gift exchange ceremony, whereby every delegate exchanged gifts (Pre-informed ahead of time) amongst themselves and a scene of great association and mingling was created. The delegates who were asked to bring gifts for each other even brought some for the hosts and both MD and convention director were also generously showered along with some COC members. Soon after the assembly session a city / sightseeing tour was arranged in order to present the glorious and most splendid look of Dubai city.

Closing Ceremony and Awards Banquet

The final segment of the convention was also the most awaited one. The Closing Ceremony comprised of speeches and an awards banquet. Another innovation was practiced, when surprisingly a chief guest was selected from within the delegates. The idea was basically to prepare SAFIANS to meet any challenges which can occur at any odd hour of the day. Mr. Anthony Wangondu from So~Safe Kenya was chosen as a unanimous choice by his fellow delegates to represent them on stage for expressing the feelings they had for their hosts. In their welcome speeches Convention Director Salman A. Siddiqui and MD Sultan Mahmood, highlighted the activities unfolded during the convention and the progress of organization, respectively. Speaking on the occasion the chief Guest Mr. Mr. Anthony Wangondu lauded the role of So~Safe in addressing the water problems, which he acknowledged were highly regarded. He showed his delight on the expansion of So~Safe network to over 60 countries of the world and seemed to be quite impressed on the high level on which the convention was organized. He paid rich tributes to the organizing committee and assured his presence in the forth coming conventions.

The awards finale was even an impressive show and the outstanding achievements were rewarded on merit basis. Production Manager Mr. Altaf was adjudged as the most outstanding member of organizing committee whereas Mr. Faiz Fareed bagged the coveted award for the Best salesperson for the year 2001. MD Mr. Sultan Mahmood announced the formal closure of convention and Co-director Dr. Naveed Piracha moved a vote of thanks to the people in attendance, before inviting them to the dinner. Both master and madam of ceremony Mr. Usman Mahmood and Miss Saima Sultan were praised by everyone on account of their deliberations and eloquence, which ensured a flawless presentation. This convention shall always remembered for long time for its variety of activities and the magical environment it was able to create. For the first time so many international delegates participated in the mega event and their feedback was very heartening for the organizing committee and it should be mentioned on record here, the manner in which each ad every member of organizing committee displayed his sheer commitment, worked in those laborious days and ensured an energetic participation with great enthusiasm. This team building has to be credited to an individual who performed the duties of convention director for the second time in succession. Under his vibrant management Mr. Salman Siddiqui emerged as a true leader, who would certainly leave behind a legacy to cherish in the coming years. It is the untiring contribution of these warriors, which mustered the rainbows for the organization and ensured the rich corporate values the mega event was able to congregate. This convention was also publicized by the media and bettered its previous attendance records.