Program
The Australian Business Events Association Conference 2024 is where the leaders, teams, and innovators of the industry will meet to shape the future of business events.
What to expect
Plenary sessions
Immerse yourself in the industry with a focus on future thinking and how we can prepare for change.
Pillar meetings
Organiser, Supplier, Bureaux and Venue sector issues will be unpacked and discussed, and best practice and opportunities sought.
Special Interest Groups
In depth discussions covering Sustainability, Careers and Pathways in our industry, WH&S and Risk Management.
Education sessions
12 subjects over three sessions. Select from four sessions and walk away with positive actionable learnings.
Networking
Delegates at all levels and from all areas of the industry are invited to experience genuine connection amongst our community.
ABEA Garden & Expo
An immersive experience to network, learn, interact, relax, connect, exchange, eat, drink, view, feel, flavour, challenge and be challenged!
Schedule
Time | Subject | Room | |
9:00 am - Open all day | Registration Open | Parkside Foyer | |
9:00 am - 10:00am | Tea and coffee on arrival | Parkside Dining and Exhibition Hall | |
In the Plenary Room | |||
10:00 am - 10:15 am | Official Opening and Conference formalities | Rosie Yeo, strategist and author, will inspire bold and forward-thinking strategies during her MC duties. | Pyrmont Theatre |
Keynote Plenary | |||
10:30 am - 11:30 am | Mark McCrindle - The business event of the future | Mark is a social researcher and demographer. He will give data-driven insights into 6 emerging trends that will shape the future of the business events industry. What a Gen Z wants is very different to what Baby Boomers expect - prepare to adapt. | Pyrmont Theatre |
11:30 am - 11:45 am | Morning Tea | Parkside Dining and Exhibition Hall | |
Special Interest Group Concurrent Sessions - Attend one session of your choice: | |||
11:45 am - 12:45 pm | Work, Health, Safety and Risk - Creating a safety culture. It is our duty of care. | In today’s business events environment, fostering a safety culture is essential for sustainable growth and operational excellence. This session will explore practical strategies for creating and nurturing a safety-focused environment, where safety becomes an integral part of every decision and process. Attendees will gain insights into the key elements of a strong safety culture, including employee engagement, psychological safety, risk management, legal accountability, industry wide inductions, and continuous improvement. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and expert-led presentations, participants will learn how to shift safety from a compliance-based mindset to a value-driven culture. | Refer to the App for room number. |
11:45 am - 12:45 pm | Sustainability in Focus - What can business events learn from a grassroots approach to sustainability | Jess Miller, Director, A New Normal Sydney, will share insights and examples into how community-based events are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to integrating energy and waste solutions into events at varying scales. This is an opportunity to learn about the challenges and opportunities in the sector and how these can help not only save money, but also engage communities and clients. | Refer to the App for room number. |
11:45 am - 12:45 pm | Education & Career Pathways - Future Ready – Education & Industry Collaboration in Business Events | Join prominent industry educators, Carmel Foley and Meg Hibbins, who will inform us on current education trends and insights followed by an interactive workshop hosted by Kym Guesdon. All participants will take part in the discussion, workshopping the challenges and opportunities for our industry. Be involved and have your say in the future of skills and career pathways for business events. Your input matters. | Refer to the App for room number. |
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm | Lunch | Parkside Dining and Exhibition Hall | |
Industry Pillar Sessions - Get together with your tribe and attend your industry pillar session: | |||
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm | For Organiser Management & staff - The market and customer are changing! Are we? | Are organisers, suppliers and venues adapting or just serving up the same old models with a few tweaks? In this session, we will hear from Freemans on their latest Event Organiser Trends Report. We will then look at what changes the industry needs to make as we acknowledge the generational shifts in the market. An interactive discussion where the attendees will determine the agenda for the meeting. - with Matt Pearce and Jo-Anne Kelleway | Refer to the App for room number. |
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm | For Supplier Management & staff - Future Customer - are you ready? | An informative and interactive session focusing on customer insights and journeys, how to attract and retain, what's goes beyond the contract, how to cut through red tape and much more. A facilitated session by Andrew Everingham of Capital-E Marketing & Events, with a trio of talented speakers in Ali Lord, HeadBox Australia; Chris Carroll, The Eventful Group; and Jenifer Dwyer-Slee, Trippas White Group. The workshop component will explore tools, insights, hurdles and building customer loyalty with the future customer. | Refer to the App for room number. |
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm | For Venue Management & Staff - Optimising Business Event Venues Through Data Insights | This session explores how data-driven insights can enhance the optimisation of business event venues, focusing on operational services, customer experience, and sales and marketing strategies. Attendees will learn how to leverage data analytics to drive decision-making, streamline operations, and improve profit through data-driven decisions. Hosted by Sarah Goldfinch, Adelaide Convention Centre and Toustone, data analytics specialists. | Refer to the App for room number. |
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm | For Bureau Management & Staff - Contemplating the Future of Business Events and Strengthening the CVB Community | This session will deliver insights and trends from Tourism Australia followed by speed networking with Bureau colleagues. The session will finish with preparing attendees for the Day 2 workshop through an introduction to the Pillar sector leads for each stream and workshop expectations including focus and outcomes. Hosted by Gareth Martin, Business Events Perth and Robin Mack, Tourism Australia. | Refer to the App for room number. |
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm | Afternoon Tea | Parkside Dining and Exhibition Hall | |
Education Sessions - Attend one session of your choice | |||
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm | Sustainability Case Studies: Learn from others how you can reduce your carbon footprint and impact your community | Jess Zickar, Emma Peterson Bernie Stephens - Through case studies from members, take away real life examples on how to reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive impact in your community. | Refer to the App for room number. |
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm | Resilience, risk and reward: The path ahead for small and medium businesses | This is the toughest operating environment in recent memory for small businesses with rapid rises across energy, rent, insurance and borrowing costs. Luke Achterstraat, CEO, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) explores the pathway forward for small businesses as they seek to not only survive but thrive in a challenging marketplace. | Refer to the App for room number. |
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm | Unlock the secrets to crafting actionable business plans: Drive growth, unify your team, and help you stand out in a competitive market! | In this informative and interactive masterclass, Jarther Taylor from 24HR Business Plan will share the practical learnings from over 150 strategic business, marketing, and transformation plans for organisations across Australia. Jarther will also draw on his experience on leading growth as a CMO and CEO, to step you through some proven techniques for developing simple, powerful, and actionable business plans for growth. | Refer to the App for room number. |
In the Plenary Room | |||
4:15 pm - 4:45 pm | The Collaboration Conversation | A moderated panel discussion with the pillar leads . As one united group, we now have the opportunity to collaborate and drive the elephants from the room to build a better future. What are the outcomes we need? | Pyrmont Theatre |
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm | Melissa Brown | Day wrap up & special announcement | Pyrmont Theatre |
5:00 pm | Close of Conference Day 1 | ||
6:30 pm | Awards Dinner Commences | Grand Ballroom | |
Join us for the Australian Business Events Awards, celebrating the exceptional work of the business events industry
Time | Subject | Room | |
7:00 am - 8:00 am | Morning jog to the Opera House | Harbour | |
Yoga on the balcony | ICC Sydney | ||
Emerging Leaders Nexus Networking breakfast | Refer to the App for room number. | ||
8:30 am - 1:00 pm | Registration Open | Parkside Foyer | |
8:30 am - 9:00 am | Coffee and Tea on Arrival | Parkside Foyer | |
In the Plenary Room | |||
9:00 am - 9:15 am | Rosie Yeo & Melissa Brown | Day 2 Opening | Pyrmont Theatre |
Keynote Plenary | |||
9:15 am - 10:00 am | Dawid Naude - Completely Reimagine What’s Possible – How to Leap into AI Today | Discover how AI is reshaping industries and explore bold strategies for integrating AI into your organisation. This session will inspire you to unlock new possibilities and leap into the future of AI. This isn’t a futuristic art of the possible, but practical stories and demos of how to get started today. | Pyrmont Theatre |
10:00 am - 10:30 am | Morning Tea | Parkside Dining and Exhibition Hall | |
Industry Pillar Sessions - Get together with your tribe and attend your industry pillar session: | |||
10:30 am - 11:30 am | For Organiser Management & staff | The outcomes from Day One will inform the second session, where we’ll take a deeper dive into the challenges raised by the group. Participants will likely be split into topic-based groups—stay tuned for more details! | Refer to the App for room number. |
10:30 am - 11:30 am | For Supplier Management & staff -Future Workplace: Reconnection or Right to Disconnect | Working from home is becoming passe, so what does the future workplace look like? Is the open plan office and the ping pong table gone? Are you getting a corner office? | Refer to the App for room number. |
10:30 am - 11:30 am | For Venue Management & staff - Venue: Operations - Harnessing Data | Following Day One's session, we'll explore as an industry what data we have access to, what's collected, what we can do with it, and how to establish a national consistent criteria for venues. | Refer to the App for room number. |
10:30 am - 11:30 am | For Venue Management & staff - People and Staff - Harnessing Data | Following Day One's session, we'll explore as an industry what data we have access to, what's collected, what we can do with it, and how to establish a national consistent criteria for venues. | Refer to the App for room number. |
10:30 am - 11:30 am | For Bureau Management & staff | Attendees will be split into 5 streams and engage in a workshop to identify and discuss how best to overcome future challenges and harness future opportunities. Workshops will be followed by short presentations from each stream and a collaborative discussion around key focuses for 2025. | Refer to the App for room number. |
Education Sessions - Attend one session of your choice: | |||
11:40 am - 12:15 pm | Socially Impactful Events of the Future | Engage with industry experts and organisations with purpose “in the round” as we discuss how to embed social impact into events and supply chains through this interactive session introduced by Samantha Glass, ICC Sydney. You are invited to share your stories on what successful socially impactful events look like today and how they will be achieved 10 years from now. Contributors include: Julie Turpie, Destination NSW, Malu Barrios, ICC Sydney, Carolin Lenehan, BE Sydney, and Peter Savoff, Darwin Convention Centre. | Refer to the App for room number. |
11:40 am - 12:15 pm | Introduction to Scalability for Events Business | Learn how to break the cycle of feast and famine, generate profit year-round, and spend more time supporting the events that matter most for your success. In this session, event business expert, Tom Stimson, will share the foundational tenets of his Scalable Business Model so you can manage more projects with less overhead expense. Tom Stimson is a Business Advisor, Coach, and Speaker who works with Event Production teams that want to make more money and have more fun doing it. His Intentional Success® framework has helped hundreds of companies ditch their rental business mindset and become valuable service companies. Learn More at www.trstimson.com | Refer to the App for room number. |
11:40 am - 12:15 pm | Building cyber resilience and digital confidence: It’s a team game | A cyber crime occurs every 6 minutes in Australia and attacks can be fatal to a business owner – however, Cyber Wardens has emerged to deliver practical tips and tricks to reduce cyber risk and build resilience for businesses of all sizes. Join this critical conversation with Luke Achterstraat, CEO, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) | Refer to the App for room number. |
11:40 am - 12:15 pm | Getting Started with AI for Marketing and Business Development | Learn practical ways to harness AI in marketing and sales to drive smarter campaigns, automate processes, and enhance customer engagement. Drive more attendance, find more sponsors, get higher engagement with Dawid Naude, CEO Pathfindr.ai | Refer to the App for room number. |
Education Sessions - Attend one session of your choice: | |||
12:25 pm - 1:00 pm | Environmentally Sustainable Events of the Future | Every one of us needs to take action today to support Australia’s goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Mandatory carbon reporting commenced this year for some organisations, and further regulation should be expected. This interactive session, introduced by Samantha Glass, ICC Sydney is an “in the round” discussion where you are invited to share solutions to ensure carbon light events today for a net zero future. Contributors include Bernie Stephens, Harry the Hirer, Lorelle Chittick, BEDA, Philip Wells, Adelaide Venue Management and Nicole Walker, ARINEX. | Refer to the App for room number. |
12:25 pm - 1:00 pm | Getting Started with AI in Ops | Explore how AI can streamline operations, optimise workflows, and boost efficiency. This is all about drudgery removal. This session offers actionable insights for operations professionals ready to leverage AI in day-to-day processes, hosted by Dawid Naude, Pathfindr.ai. | Refer to the App for room number. |
12:25 pm - 1:00 pm | Disability Inclusion in the Business Events Community | Everyone should have the opportunity to be fully involved with their community. Working and attending business events should not be a challenge or confronting for people with any form of disability. Peter Bacon, CEO of Disability Employment Australia, will provide insights and considerations for disability inclusion and the improvements we can make in this constantly evolving area. This session will be a first step in working with DEA on creating a checklist for the Australian business events industry. | Refer to the App for room number. |
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Lunch | Parkside Dining and Exhibition Hall | |
In the Plenary Room | |||
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm | The Future Wish Face-Off | Pillar and Special Interest Group leads deliver a quick-fire outcome wrap and 2025 ABEA Wish before the 5-minute bell. Who will be the winner….it's up to you! | Pyrmont Theatre |
Keynote Plenary | |||
2:50 pm - 3:45 pm | Michael McQueen | Change strategist and bestselling author, known for helping global brands like Google and Mastercard stay ahead of market shifts. | Pyrmont Theatre |
3:45 pm- 4:00 pm | Peter King and Melissa Brown | Conference Wrap Up | Pyrmont Theatre |
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Farewell Coffee | Parkside Dining and Exhibition Hall | |
4:30 pm | Close of Conference Day 2 | ||
Speakers
As the business events landscape rapidly evolves, it is crucial to stay ahead of trends, adapt to new challenges, and embrace the opportunities.
The ABEA Conference 2024’s theme Focused on the Future will offer unparalleled insights, strategies, and networking opportunities to ensure your success in the years ahead.
Attend the ABEA Conference to hear from globally recognised speakers
Education & Pillar Group Streams
Actionable takeaways for every role
With a lineup of Plenary Sessions and Special Interest Groups, covering the critical areas of sustainability, risk management, education and career pathways, each team member will walk away with specific, practical knowledge they can apply in their roles
Industry connections
The conference is designed to foster connections between industry professionals, innovators and thought leaders. The interactive ABEA Garden & Expo will offer a unique sensory experience of cutting-edge innovations in business events – an invaluable space for networking and collaborations.
Ensure industry leadership & growth
The ABEA Conference is not just about learning – it’s about setting the direction for the future of our industry. Attending as a team will position your organisation as a leader, empowering your people with the insights they need to thrive and shape the business events landscape.
Invest in your team’s professional growth to help your organisation stay competitive and ahead of industry trends.