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Nigel Collin
Founder & CEO | Thinkativity
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As founder and CEO of 'Thinkativity' Nigel has spent most of his working life helping organizations find ideas that drive growth, outpace competition and ultimately boost profits. Having spent two decades on the 'ideas' front line he understands the important role ideas play in a complex and competitive world. More importantly, he understands the importance of being able to find which ideas cut-through and ultimately make money. Many companies across a myriad of industries including IT, Entertainment, Design, Events, Marketing, Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Government and Telecommunications have benefited from Nigel’s experience and expertise. Having grown up in the events industry, Nigel's talent is being able to draw out the best ideas from people. He has worked on a multitude of corporate and public events including the 2000 Sydney Olympics and Paralympics, and was Show Director for Australia’s largest-ever corporate event in Sydney in 2005. Author of 2 books 'Think BITS' and 'Herding Monkeys', Nigel has travelled the globe helping business leaders and their people think more creatively and find ideas that are valuable. He has studied organizational creativity at The Walt Disney Company, and sat on the roundtable for the Queensland Governments 'Year of Creativity'. For 9 years Nigel owned and ran Absurd Entertainment - a Creative Entertainment design company. Nigel is a CSP, (Certified Professional Speaker) the highest designation offered by the National Speakers Association of Australia.
Nigel Collin will be a speaker at ‘Open your mind: How to come up with ideas that drive innovation and business growth’ which takes place on Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 10:45am-11:45am |
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Georgie Farmer
Head of Asia Travel, Microsoft
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Georgie Farmer is the Head of Asia Travel in Microsoft's Global Procurement Group and is responsible for managing and innovating Microsoft’s Asia business travel program across 17 countries. Utilizing technology and innovative business practices her primary objective is to deliver a cost effective and employee experience focused travel program.
Prior to Microsoft, Georgie was the VP of Travel, Asia Pacific with JPMorgan Chase for four years. Before becoming a corporate buyer, Georgie held various Sales and Account Management positions with Diners Club International and started her industry career in Melbourne with Ansett Australia Airlines in operations. These experiences have provided Georgie with a balanced view of the industry and a deep understanding of corporate travel and expense management practices, trends and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
Georgie holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship and is an avid aviation and travel enthusiast.
In March 2008, Georgie was nominated as the Regional Chair for ACTE Asia Pacific based in Singapore and served to grow the association’s presence and enhance the regional education program. Having relocated back to Melbourne, Georgie was appointed as the ACTE Australasia Board Member in December 2011 and will be representing the industry’s education needs of newly created sub-region of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Georgie Farmer will be a speaker at "Integrating the Multigenerational Voices of Business Travelers into Managed Travel & Meetings Programs" which will take place on Wednesday 22nd February 2012 from 12pm-1pm |
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Richard Foulkes
Director of Special Events & Productions | Imagination London, UK
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Richard Foulkes is Director of Special Events & Productions at Imagination, one of the world's largest independent integrated communications agencies.
With over 30 years' experience working with leading brands Imagination is renowned for unexpected ideas that liberate creativity. Joining Imagination from the Theatre in 1982, Richard was instrumental in establishing the company’s Technical and Production strategy for its event and exhibition activities. Moving on from that challenge, he became an influential member of Imagination’s client facing Brand Communications Group, where he was responsible for initiating and implementing face-to-face and marketing projects for a diversity of blue-chip clients including Warner Brothers, Ford, Coca-Cola, Orange and Guinness. In 1999, Richard was invited to join the Imagination Board of Directors as Director of Special Events & Productions. Since then Richard has worked on an international scale delivering bespoke events and large scale brand campaigns. Richard is a keen advocate for ‘experiential marketing’ and has been published in a wide range of International journals including Special Event, Event Magazine, RSVP and Marketing Magazine. Richard was President of the International Special Event Society (ISES) UK Chapter until July 2011. He remains actively involved in (ISES) as past-president of the chapter, and now sits on the ISES International Board of Governors.
Richard Foulkes will be the speaker at "Global Trends in Special Events", which will take place on Wednesday the 22 February 2012 from 10:45am-11:45am |
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Sally Greenhill
Director of The
Right Solution
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Sally Greenhill is a director of The Right Solution, specialist consultants in the development of conference and exhibition venues and destinations. The Right Solution’s services include feasibility, marketing, operations, and design projects for conference destinations and venues including many major convention centres.
Before starting The Right Solution in 1995 Sally had spent 20 years in the conference industry, and is
extremely experienced in the needs of the market and their requirements from destinations and venues.
A key part of consultancy work for The Right Solution is undertaking and analysing industry research to keep up to date with trends and provide valuable information for future planning, in particular with emerging economies in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Sally Greenhill will be speaking at the business Events Forum: What in the worlds going on? which will take place on Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 8am-9:30am |
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Danielle Puceta
Director JAPA, American Express Meetings & Events
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Danielle joined American Express in 2005 and has held various roles in Business Travel Advisory Services and Client Management. Prior to moving to Australia, she was the Director of Product Innovation for Meetings & Events and led our meetings product initiatives. Danielle was instrumental in the launch of the MEETINGS EXPERT and virtual meetings eXpert. Over a year ago, Danielle relocated and is now responsible for Meetings & Events across JAPA. She leads the Operations and Account Management teams across the region and is focused on continuing to build a regional team that exceeds our customers' current needs as well as preparing for their future long term requirements.
Prior to American Express, Danielle was employed by Archstone Consulting as a Strategy Consultant and by Chatham Partners as Sr. Market Research Analyst. She holds an MS in Economics and an MA in English and Economics from Lehigh University.
Danielle Puceta will be a speaker at "Integrating the Multigenerational Voices of Business Travelers into Managed Travel & Meetings Programs" which will take place on Wednesday 22nd February 2012 from 12pm-1pm |
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Tass Messinis
Vice President, Head of Sales - JAPA Region American Express Business Travel
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Tass has over 25 years experience in sales, marketing and operations at a senior executive management level throughout Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa regions. He has developed and implemented effective transformation, business development and go-to-market strategies for organisations in the travel services, information technology, telecommunications, and financial services industries; ranging from large global companies such as American Express, British Telecom and Alcatel to regional companies such as Batelco (Bahrain Telecommunications Company) and Dialect Solutions.
Tass is known for his extensive achievements and gained respect from his colleagues and peers for his vision, motivation, versatility and hands-on approach. During his career Tass has led, coached, mentored and managed over 1,000 sales, marketing and customer service personnel.
Tass holds qualifications in marketing, sales management and international business. He is a board member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), has conducted many keynote addresses on sales effectiveness and business transformation strategies and has delivered over 100 development workshops across the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions.
Tass Messinis will be speaking at the Business Events Forum: What in the World's Going On? which will take place on Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 8am-9:30am |
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Sarah Mitchell
Content Marketing Consultant | Global Copywriting
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Sarah Mitchell is the Director of Site Content at AMMA miningoilandgasjobs.com. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing content marketing and social media strategies to attract new business and gain competitive advantage. She edits the Australian edition of Chief Content Officer Magazine and is a featured contributor at Social Media Today, Content Marketing Institute and the Business2Community blog. Sarah’s public speaking engagements focus on the broad topics of social media and content marketing. Her blog on social media and content marketing has received numerous awards in Australia and overseas. Based in Western Australia, Sarah brings international experience to her work. Her writing has been published in five countries. She has been resident on five and worked in corporate environments on six continents.
Sarah Mitchell will be the speaker at "Planning an Effective Social Media Strategy for Your Next Event" which will take place on Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 12pm-1pm |
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Kathy Miller
President, Chief Creative Officer, Business Development
| Total Event Resources,
Chicago, USA
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Kathy Miller, is President, Chief Creative Officer and Business Development for Total Event Resources. For the past 35 years, Kathy has been working with Fortune 1000 companies, major trade associations and not for profit organizations nationwide in the management and production of their major events, trade shows and meetings. Fourteen years ago, she combined her initiative and significant experience in the sales, marketing and production of special events to form Total Event Resources. Total Event Resources clients look to Kathy for innovation and direction in creative messaging, branding as well as strategic marketing development. Kathy’s keen sense of the “next great idea” is what keeps her clients on the cutting edge and competitive in their respective industries. She has been involved in the production of thousands of meetings and events from a 9 person leadership recognition program to a corporate centennial celebration simultaneously throughout the world for 75,000 employees. Kathy is committed to the meeting and events industry on a global level serving on several boards including an Officer position for the International Special Events Society where she will serve as the International President 2012-2013. She is also a past Advisory Board member for The Special Event Magazine.
Kathy Miller will be a speaker at Global Trends in Special Events on Wednesday 22 February 2012 from 10:45am-11:45am |
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Deborah Monk
Director, Innovation and
Industry Policy
|Medicine Australia
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Deborah Monk holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Sydney and a Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy. She started her working life as a clinical pharmacist in a major teaching hospital in Sydney. Deborah joined the innovative medicines industry association in mid-1989. She is now the Director of Innovation and Industry Policy at Medicines Australia. Deborah's responsibilities within Medicines Australia include seeking to negotiate a more favourable Government industry policy environment that will attract great global investment to Australia and managing the Ethical Conduct Program.
Deborah Monk will be a speaker at "Strategic developments in the medical and pharmaceutical industry" which will take place on Wednesday 22 February 2012 from 2pm-3pm |
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Julia Palmer
Networking Strategist and CEO| Business
Networking Academy
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Julia Palmer is a respected Networking Strategist and best known for leading the face-to-face revolution! Her expertise includes 15 years of practice and research combined with Advanced Certifications in Neuro- linguistics, Emotional Intelligence (MSCEIT), Performance Consulting, Training and Assessment. By age 25 Julia was the General Manager of a Multi-Million dollar global organisation, she has built her career by organising and attending thousands of networking events across all industries internationally. Now as CEO of the Business Networking Academy, Julia and her team help empower people to create and manage more sustainable and viable networks. Julia presents at functions and conferences around the world. Her clients include; AMP, Nestle, Sara Lee, St George Bank, Sun Microsystems and Vodafone. She has authored two books ‘Schmoozing the Globe’ and ‘BUZZ’ and appears regularly in TV, Radio and Print Media promoting the growing importance of networking relationships in business today.
Julie Palmer will be the speaker at "Face-to-Face Networking for Events - there is so much more to it" which will take place on Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 2pm-3:15pm |
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Wendy Reynolds
Manager, Global Travel Procurement | Hewlett Packard Global Travel and Meeting Services
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Wendy Reynolds manages Hewlett Packard’s space procurement for all travel categories globally. Her job involves sourcing and contracting with travel suppliers, managing travel suppliers’ performance, as well as incorporating HP’s global travel strategies in all the strategic sourcing activities. She is chartered to drive cost reduction while maintain service delivery efficiencies through effective outsourcing and automation strategies. Her experience includes consolidating and centralising HP’s travel agency call centres globally, and improving HP’s global hotel programs through driving spend to and negotiating with strategic hotel chain partners. Wendy has held several different positions within HP, her roles include the positions of Asia Pacific Operations Manager, Marketing Commodity Manager, and Market Development Manager within HP. Wendy has a consultative management style and is passionate about building effective teams.
Wendy Reynolds will be a speaker at "Integrating the Multigenerational Voices of Business Travelers into Managed Travel & Meetings Programs" which will take place on Wednesday 22 February 12pm-1pm |
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Elizabeth Rich
Agenda Pty Ltd
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Well known as one of the leading figures of the meetings industry in Australia, Elizabeth has over 30 years experience in business events, as an association manager, conference organiser, trainer and writer through her own company Agenda Pty Ltd. Since its formation in 1994 until August 2011, Elizabeth was the Chief Executive of the Business Events Industry Council of Australia (BECA), a peak advocacy body representing the meetings, incentives and exhibition industry. Elizabeth has in-depth knowledge of the development of the meetings industry in Australia and is a keen observer of the global market. Elizabeth's background includes a 10 year period as chief executive of the Meetings Industry Association of Australia (MEA). She regularly presents at industry conferences and training programs, and manages the ICCA Forum for Young Professionals at AIME each year. In addition she is a contributor to MICEnet trade magazine for both the Australian and Asian editions. In 2008 Elizabeth joined the Faculty of the International College of Management Sydney. She also sits on the Industry Advisory Board for the School of Tourism & Hospitality, Southern Cross University, Australia. Elizabeth has received awards for her outstanding contribution to the business events sector from both industry and government.
Elizabeth Rich will be facilitating the Business Events Forum: What in the World's Going On? which will take place on Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 8am-9:30am |
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Robert Rogers
CSEP | Event Management & Productions Ltd., Hong Kong
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Robert Rogers, CSEP has lived and worked in Asia for over 20 years. He is a special event designer and producer. He creates memorable events for both the corporate and private world. He has a background in theatre and a penchant for performance. He is the only certified special events professional in China and has over 25 years in the event and hospitality industry. In his work he continually seeks out new trends and inspires new ones. He has designed and produced countless events for the corporate sector as well as many VIP private celebrations and launch parties.
Robert Rogers will be a speaker at "Global Trends in Special Events" which will take place on Wednesday 22 February 2012 from 10:45am-11:45pm |
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Phil Ruthven
Founder and Chairman
| IBISWorld
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Phil Ruthven is the founder and Chairman of IBISWorld, an international corporation providing online business information, forecasting and strategic services. He is also a director of other companies, advisory boards and charitable organizations. IBISWorld now operates in Australia, the USA, China, the UK and Indonesia. It plans to add the rest of the EU, Canada and Japan over the next five years or so.
Phil contributes regularly to radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and documentaries on business, economic and social issues. He continues to be one of Australia's most frequent and prolific commentators in demand by the media, and is widely considered the nation's most respected strategist and futurist on business, social and economic matters.
IBISWorld has earned the reputation as an astute forecasting and advisory corporation, based on its unique and comprehensive databases. Its website www.ibisworld.com is rated as one of the most sophisticated and powerful industry and marketing websites in the world today. Its foresight and insight of business trends is outstanding, with the most envious record of accuracy among its peers. Their clients include almost half of Australia's Top 1000 corporations and government authorities, and over 500 major US corporate and institutional clients. IBISWorld has become the premier provider of industry information in the US, Australia, China, the UK, Indonesia and other nations. It has now also produces global industry reports on selected industries and markets.
Phil Ruthven will be speaking at the Business Events Forum: What in the world's going on? which will take place on Tuesday 21 February 2012 from 8am-9:30am |
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Kate Smith
Principal and Managing Director | WALDRONSMITH Management
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As Principal and Managing Director of WALDRONSMITH Management, Kate Smith brings to the role 28 years experience in the business events industry, primarily in the hotel and conference management sectors. Recognised as one of the country’s leading conference organisers, WALDRONSMITH Management has been in operation for almost 18 years. With offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Kate offers association clients and team members alike substantial knowledge and expertise in the strategic planning and delivery of international and national conferences throughout Australia. Kate plays an active role in the business events industry as a Member Representative Board Member of Business Events Sydney, past Council Member of Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), past Advisory Board Member for Sofitel Melbourne and long standing Member of Meetings Events Association.
Kate Smith will be a speaker at "Strategic developments in the medical and pharmaceutical industry" which will take place on Wednesday 22 February 2012 from 2pm-3pm |
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Vanessa Young
Manager, Corporate & Government Sales AU & NZ | Virgin Australia
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Vanessa Young has extensive experience in the travel and aviation industries spanning 20 years with proven success in securing profitable new business across the private and public sector.
Joining Virgin Australia in 2006 Vanessa is based in Sydney and leads the Virgin Australia Corporate, Government, TMC and Online Travel Agents national sales team. This team is responsible for securing and maintaining profitable business contracts whilst delivering the highest level of client and Guest satisfaction. In this role Vanessa is responsible for increasing the airlines share of the corporate and government market supporting the airlines 'Game Change program'.
Prior to joining the then Virgin Blue Vanessa held the position of Director of Sales for Carlson Wagonlit Travel based in Sydney leading the national new business development team including holding responsibility for the Leisure Sales division. In this role Vanessa was responsible for the development and execution of the Australian new business sales strategy. Vanessa commenced her career working for Tourism South Australia working in front line sales, followed by a ten year career at Qantas Airways Limited working in a variety of sales positions including inbound tourism.
Vanessa has played an active role in the Corporate & Government sales channel as an active member of ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives), past Board Member of the Business Travel Agents Association of Australia (Treasurer 2003-2005), past member of the GBTA Allied Leadership Committee 2008-2009.
Vanessa Young will be a speaker at "Integrating the Multigenerational Voices of Business Travelers into Managed Travel & Meetings Programs" which will take place on Wednesday 22 February 2012 from 12pm-1pm |
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Nicky Long
Brand and marketing strategy consultant
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Nicky Long is an experienced marketing and brand strategist with broad experience in pharmaceutical, retail and philanthropic businesses. This includes close involvement in the development of promotional and awareness campaigns for major pharmaceutical brands with GlaxoSmithKline and more recently, Vaccine brands with CSL. Nicky has also been closely involved in training internal staff yearly on the changing requirements of the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct, including adapting long standing campaigns to meet Code updates. Currently, Nicky is a volunteer board member of the Snowdome Foundation, a philanthropic organisation, that raises funding to accelerate the availability of advanced therapies for blood cancer patients.
Nicky Long will be a panellist at "Strategic developments in the medical and pharmaceutical industry" which will take place on Wednesday 22 February 2012 from 2pm-3pm.
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