Skip to content

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!

Need to know more?

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 - 10:30 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, 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. Moderated by the WHS & Risk Council, industry leaders Abby Hunt, DataDrivesInsight.com, Jess Daly, Everyday Massive and Dr Laura Sowden, Mills Oakley, will lead the conversation. 

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, UTS, Meg Hibbins, UTS and Nicholas Beswick, TAFENSW and Ashleigh Moore from Linkedin who will inform us on current education trends and insights followed by an interactive workshop hosted by Kym Guesdon, BCEC. 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 Petersen 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. 

3:45 pm -

4:15 pm

The Safety Performance Link: Unlocking Team Potential through Psychosocial and Psychological Safety

Psychological Safety seems to be a buzzword these days; however, it's greatly misunderstood regarding what it actually entails. With the new ISO 45003 standards, organisations are beginning to place more emphasis on psychosocial risks, but what does this look like in practice


Led by Abby Hunt, Executive Director at DataDrivesInsight.com, this session will help leaders understand the foundational elements of psychological safety and how these concepts interrelate with psychosocial risks. We will explore actionable strategies that can be employed at all levels of the organisation to foster an environment where employees feel safe to voice their opinions, share concerns, and take risks without fear of negative consequences.


Moreover, we will introduce a solution that enables both leaders and employees to measure psychological safety and psychosocial factors efficiently, all in just three minutes. This tool is designed to empower every individual within the organisation—not just managers—to take ownership of their workplace environment. By shifting accountability to the employees, we can cultivate a culture of active engagement and continuous improvement.

In the Plenary Room

4:30 pm - 4:55 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

4:55 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

Join ABEA Director Matt Pearce and Canberra Convention Bureau’s Michael Matthews for an invigorating jog around Sydney Harbour, where attendees will be treated to breathtaking views of the iconic landmarks.

A loop starting and ending at Darling Harbour

Slient Yoga by Party Higher

Experience an energising yoga session on the stunning ICC Sydney balcony, overlooking the breathtaking views of Darling Harbour, all brought to you by Party Higher. 

ICC Sydney

Guided walk to see Sydney's future developments

Join Karen Catalano, a passionate City of Sydney volunteer and local expert, for a guided walk exploring the wonders of Sydney. Starting at Barangaroo, Karen will lead attendees eastward to the Botanic Gardens, offering insights into the city’s latest developments. The journey continues north through Circular Quay, before looping back to Barangaroo for a glimpse into the future of the harbourside. The tour will conclude in Darling Harbour, where Karen will bid farewell to attendees after an enriching experience.

Start: Barangaroo Wharf 2 Finish: Darling Harbour





8:00 am - 9:00 am


Coffee Connections: Emerging Leaders Unfiltered

Emerging Leaders are invited to join ABEA CEO Melissa Brown and the Emerging Leaders Council for a relaxed networking session to connect, share insights and discuss industry topics. 

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.
Co-Founder and CEO of Pathfindr.ai, Dawid Naude, is an AI pioneer recognised by the Australian Financial Review for driving one of the most innovative companies in Australia.

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

As the world adapts to a post-pandemic landscape, the future of the workplace is shifting. This panel discussion will explore the evolving nature of work in the business events industry. Key topics include the transition from remote work to office environments, generational differences in workplace expectations, and the impact of workplace culture, flexibility, and social consciousness. Facilitated by AV1's Keith Wootton, join panelists Claire Jones, The Thriving Workplace, John Gorton TES Recruitment, Wes Rogers, Marque Lawyers and Luke Achterstraat, COSBOA as they discuss the right to disconnect, challenges in managing workloads, and compliance for freelancers and SMEs in the industry

Refer to the App for room number. 

10:30 am - 11:30 am

For Venue Management & 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. Attendees will be divided into those that work in operations, and those that work in people management.

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, Desmond Campbell, Welcome to Country, 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 Lindsay Page, 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 Linday Page, 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. 

12:25 pm - 1:00 pm



What keeps venue management up at night?

Led by VMA's CEO Joel Edmondson, this is an informative and participatory session looking at emerging challenges, opportunities and solutions for venues.

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

Preparing Now for What's Next, with 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

MC

Rosie Yeo

Strategist and author

Rosie Yeo, strategist and author, will inspire bold and forward-thinking strategies during her MC duties.

Keynote

Mark McCrindle

Social researcher and demographer

Keynote

Michael McQueen

Change strategist and bestselling author

Keynote

Dawid Naude

CEO of Pathfindr AI and innovation pioneer

Education

Luke Achterstraat

Chief Executive Officer, The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)

Education

Tom Stimson

Tom Stimson, Business Advisor, Coach and Speaker

Pillar Group

Andrew Everingham

Founder & CEO, CAPITAL-e Marketing & Events

Pillar Group

Ali Lord

CEO, HeadBox Australia

Pillar Group

Jenifer Dwyer Slee

Head of Sales & Events, Trippas White Group

Pillar Group

Chris Carroll

Co-founder and Chairman, the Eventful Group.

Special Interest Group

Jess Miller

Director, New Normal

Education

Samantha Glass

Director of Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability, ICC Sydney

Pillar Group

Matt Pearce

CEO and co-founder, Talk2 Media & Events

Pillar Group

Sarah Goldfinch

General Manager, Adelaide Convention Centre

Special Interest Group

Kym Guesdon

General Manager, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC)

Pillar Group

Jo-Anne Kelleway

International Industry Ambassador, Freeman Company

Education

Peter Savoff

General Manager, Darwin Convention Centre

Pillar Group

Gareth Martin

CEO, Business Events Perth

Special Interest Group

David Longman

Managing Director, Diversified Communications Australia

Education

Jarther Taylor

Partner and Senior Advisor, 24HR Business Plan

Education

Malu Barrios

Director of Event Services, ICC Sydney

Education

Bernie Stephens

General Manager, Harry the Hirer

Education

Jess Zickar

CSR Manager, ICC Sydney

Education

Desmond Campbell

CEO and Director, Welcome to Country

Education

Julie Turpie

General Manager, Events, Destination NSW

Education

Philip Wells

ESG Planning & Project Manager, Adelaide Venue Management

Special Interest Group

Carmel Foley

Professor, UTS

Education

Peter Bacon

Chief Executive Officer, Disability Employment Australia

Education

Carolin Lenehan

Chief Reputation & Brand Officer, Business Events Sydney

Pillar Group

Keith Wootton

Principal, FSTVL GRP

Education

Emma Petersen

Senior Operations Manager, Reed Exhibitions

Pillar Group

Robin Mack

Executive General Manager Commercial & Business Events Australia, Tourism Australia

Education

Lorelle Chittick

General Manager, Tourism, Business & Major Events, Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA)

Education

Nicole Walker

Chief Executive Officer & Director, Arinex

Special Interest Group

Claire Jones

Chief Connection Officer, The Serenity Collective

Special Interest Group

Dr. Meg Hibbins

Director, Bachelor of Management, UTS

Pillar Group

John Gorton

Co-Founder, Turnkey Event Solutions and TES Recruitment

Pillar Group

Wes Rogers

Partner, Marque Lawyers

Special Interest Group

Dr. Laura Sowden

Partner, Mills Oakley

Special Interest Group

Abby Hunt

Executive Director, DataDrivesInsight.com

Education

Joel Edmonson

CEO, Venue Management Association (VMA)

Special Interest Group

Jess Daly

Chief Strategy Officer, Everyday Massive

Special Interest Group

Ashleigh Moore

Senior Manager, Field Marketing, LinkedIn Talent

Special Interest Group

Nick Beswick

Manager Microskills, TAFE NSW

Education

Lindsay Page

AI Experience Design Lead, Pathfindr

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.