digiDirect held its first ever Golf Day at The Coast Golf Club in Sydney this week, hosting more than 100 suppliers and partners.
Canon was the major sponsor of the event with additional sponsorship support from CR Kennedy, Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic, OSA, Maxxum, Lifestyle Brands, Onsport, Pierge, Hamptons Sydney, OM Digital and Videndum. There was also representation from suppliers and partners including Leica, Synnex, Dicker Data, Adobe, Commission Factory, Particular Audience, MMT, EE Group, Salesforce, Ebay, Blonde Robot, Westpac, PWC, Medallion Financial, Ozemu, Commonwealth Bank, Protog, Spruson and Seagate.
An afternoon 18-hole ambrose style round of golf was followed by a three-course charity dinner in the evening to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Australia.
In addition to donations made throughout the day, digiDirect raised funds through an auction with items including a cricket ball tribute signed by Shane Warne, a framed Everlast Glove signed by Mike Tyson, a framed Brazil jersey signed by Pele and an exclusive Sydney Harbour yacht experience with digiDirect founder, Shant Kradjian. The total funds raised exceeded $110,000.
digiDirect general manager, Haig Kayserian said, “I’d like to thank everyone who joined us for the first ever digiDirect Golf Day. Congratulations to Make-A-Wish on a successful event and we are privileged to be partnering with you.
“So why are we holding this event? You all know what we do as you are valued partners of ours. We are a private company owned by a single person, Shant Kradjian, who has no obligations or external pressures to give, is holding a golf day which is all about giving.
“Shant’s father never attended a function without his cheque book to donate to the cause he was supporting and Shant’s mother travels the world volunteering to this day. Understanding Shant’s upbringing is the reason we are here today. digiDirect was born on the belief that the more you have, the more you can give.
“Shant is always asking, ‘What’s next?’ and his humble beginnings have brought the business to what it is today. We no longer need to be reactive, but rather proactive. We understand we have a huge responsibility to ensure our staff are looked after, all 136 of them. By being valued partners, good marketers, investors in technology, advocates of the future and responsible citizens of society, we know where we are and where we want to go. We want you all to come on that journey with us and that’s what today is all about.”
Canon Australia general manager of sales, Aaron Berthelot said, “Thank you to digiDirect for hosting and partnering with Make-A-Wish. digiDirect develops strong and long-lasting relationships with its partners and for us, it was a great opportunity to reconnect with the industry again and give back to the community.”
Make-A-Wish Australia head of partnerships, Rhiahne Ralph expressed her organisation’s delight at the results of the event and thanked digiDirect and all participants for their generosity.
digiDirect group general manager, Sina Clayton concluded the evening with a vote of thanks.