My speech for the evening went some thing like this….

Here I am standing in front of you all again. It’s been 10 years since it all started for Artisan, and we’ve been through a lot and I’m happy to say we are still standing, growing and looking forward to a bright future.

So many familiar faces and so many new faces, it’s very exciting for me to look around and see how many lives we have touched, we’ve helped and supported.

I’m going to be a little selfish here, 2008 has been filled with career highlights for me.

Last September, we found out that Artisan is the number one supplier of creatives in Melbourne. Number ONE, that’s amazing, even bigger than the international American company!!

[Insert applause here]

This last year has been our most successful yet. Artisan has grown year on year, and we were honoured with a ranking in the prestigious BRW Fast 100, our ranking of 53rd fastest growing private company means we beat 47 others, and the only way from here is up.

[Insert laughter here]

As most of you know, we sponsored AGIdeas in 2008. This was one of the most amazing events we’ve ever been involved with. Why was this a career highlight for me? Well, I got to interview 40 of the keynote speakers, people who are so passionate about their creativity, it was over whelming how generous these people are.

The best thing is that you’ll be seeing these interviews the weeks to come as we launch Artisan TV, another personal milestone for me.

I also have to tell you how proud I am of the team we’ve built. Over the past year we’ve employed so many new people in the office that I couldn’t keep up with all the names. But today I’m going to rattle them all off to you, I really want you to know that I am so proud of each and every one of them:

Lawrence
Diana
Spencer
Elke
Sophy
Cristal
Jenna
Erica
Michelle
Ally
Debbie
Mathew
Charlie
Karen
Tara
Laura
Edwin
Joe
James
Symon
Jane
Lyle
Kevin
And finally Kaitlin

This is my team, my family, I love them so much.

By employing all these new people we’ve been adding value to our Artisan DNA. Each of the teams has brought in new expertise and skills to make the company a stronger, smarter and a more determined business for the future. And I am happy to say that Diana joined our management team to take the role of General Manager, to lead us on into the future. And give me a little break.

[Insert laugh here]

Now, if you’ve been counting. that’s like 10 newbies in one year.

Although we did say goodbye to a couple of really great people too – The ever talented Evan is now traveling the world and our good friend Charlotte has returned home to the UK.

Now putting together an event like this is never easy. This year we sent out over 1700 invitations to past and present Artisans. Lawrence again worked his magic, and organised the compilation of music you are enjoying on The Album – Vol 3. The team in the studio, put together the CD artwork, the invites and this amazing photo wall of a thousand hearts.

And Tara, has managed to keep the whole thing within a budget and make sure all 500 of you has a beer in your hand, and something to eat tonight. I have to thank everyone else in the office who all chipped in to make this the BIGGEST EVENT on the creative calendar.

So as you can see why this has been MY most amazing year ever.

We’ve been really lucky in so many ways, we get to hang out with people we love to hang out with, we get to work with the most amazing creatives and we get to do a job we love everyday. Thanks to every one who helped support Artisan in 2008 and we look forward to support in YOU in 2009 and beyond.

As I say every year, without YOU there is no Artisan.

Now drink and be merry, because next year it's BYO.