The Conference Collective - Event Management Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Join us on The Conference Collective as Nicole White delves into the crucial topic of self-care in the bustling world of events. Nicole emphasises the importance of personal well-being for professionals in the industry, highlighting how taking time for oneself contributes to enhanced performance and productivity.

Discover practical mindfulness tips as Nicole shares insights on finding balance in a demanding field that often involves future planning months in advance. The discussion encourages a mindful approach, reminding listeners to live in the present despite working in the future.


About Nicole White:
Nicole White, is the founder of the Hold Space For Me Community and as a dedicated entrepreneur, is on a mission to create a lasting impact for individuals thriving in the corporate realm through the power of sound and music. With an impressive 35-year career in the business events industry, Nicole has traversed the globe, delivering unparalleled high-end incentive travel programs for renowned global brands.

Nicole’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-white-74b02912/
Rock and Roll Team Building: https://www.rockandrollteambuilding.com/
Vibrate Your Mind: https://www.vibrateyourmind.com/
Hold Space For Me: https://www.holdspaceforme.org/ 


About The PCOA:
The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au


About Connected Event Group:
At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV equipment and service, technical event production management and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com


About Libbie Ray:
Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

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In this episode of The Conference Collective, Darrell Hardidge takes centre stage to unravel the intricacies of customer success in the realm of business events. Join us as we delve into the critical role of analytics and reporting in monitoring client satisfaction, event success, and attendee engagement.

Darrell sheds light on common pitfalls affecting client happiness and emphasises the pivotal role of effective communication. The discussion unveils why proactive engagement with clients is paramount and explores the contrast between proactive and reactive approaches in ensuring long-term success.


About Darrell Hardidge:
Darrell is the founder and CEO of Saguity. A specialist customer experience company that has interviewed over 600,000 customers.Darrell helps businesses understand what creates extreme Customer loyalty, and how to create and replicate the service excellence behaviours that earn the trust of your market.

Customer Satisfaction as a measurement of your loyalty is no longer valid or effective, it’s the yellow pages of the past. The new focus, leading companies have, is on measuring Customer Appreciation, the heart connection and what makes you highly Relevant to your market. Darrell is the published author of “The Client Revolution” and the best seller “The 10 Commandments of Client Appreciation”.

Darrell’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellhardidge/
Saguity Website: https://saguity.com/


About The PCOA:
The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au


About Connected Event Group:
At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV equipment and service, technical event production management and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com


About Libbie Ray:
Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

Send us a text

In this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast we welcome Helen Oswald who shares her top tips on capturing prominent moments from your next event. Helen discusses how to maximise staging and what design features will have a positive impact on photograph composition. Helens warns you on common mistakes event organisers make that can detract from your images while shedding light on how an event photographer can add value for your sponsors and enhance your brand. Helen further shares ways in which event imagery can be used in marketing and promotional efforts in the future to get added value from your photographer. 

About Helen Oswald:

Helen is the owner and operator of Magnetic Shots, an event photography business which she started back in 2013 with her wife Megan, after moving home to Sydney from London.

Using the people and business skills she had learnt in hotels and restaurants, whilst travelling and working overseas, it was time to try her hand at running her own show.

Helen has always loved the visual arts, and it was back in school that she picked up photography to express herself after quickly learning that drawing wasn’t her forte.

Combining her passion for photography and events, she has refined her skills as both a photographer and business owner over the last 10 years. Helen now travels to capture her client’s amazing events all over Australia and so is rarely back at her Hunter Valley home to tend to the veggie garden. She doesn’t do it all alone, Magnetic Shots now with a team spread from Newcastle to Canberra who are equally passionate about event photography.

Magnetic Shots Website: https://magneticshots.com/ 

Helen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenoswaldphotographer/ 

Don't forget to email Helen at 'helen@magneticshots.com' to receive your free event photography guide!

About The PCOA: 

The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au

About Connected Event Group: 

At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV production, content creation and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com

About Libbie Ray: 

Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

Send us a text

In this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast we welcome Belinda Meredith who discusses the significant waste problems in the exhibition and event space along with the sustainability practices that event organisers, stand builders, and exhibitors can implement to combat this. Belinda also draws attention to the impact that an event’s venue has upon stand design and further highlights the benefits of innovation when designing your exhibition booth.

About Belinda Meredith:

Belinda is an event professional, of nearly 25 years. Having studied a Bachelor of Business & Events Management, she started her career as an Event Manager working across a range of different sectors: NFP, public and private, including Brisbane International Airport, The Gabba Corporate Suites, Landscape Queensland and Spotless Services at South Bank Institute of TAFE. 

In 2013 Belinda made the decision to transfer her venue knowledge and event planning skills to the supply side of business events; And along with her husband Tom Meredith, and business partners David and Keryn Coulthard started a new exhibitions company, Outstanding Displays – supplying quality, sustainable and modern exhibition infrastructure to the Business Events sector.  

Belinda is passionate about working collaboratively with event managers and venues to deliver unique, memorable event experiences. Her key focus is on education relating to sustainable exhibitions and how to develop intrinsic networking opportunities to improve overall delegate and sponsor satisfaction.

Outstanding Displays Website: https://outstandingdisplays.com.au/ 

Belinda’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-meredith-b09503188/ 

About The PCOA: 

The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au

About Connected Event Group: 

At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV production, content creation and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com

About Libbie Ray: 

Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

Send us a text

In this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast we welcome Liliana Sanelli who takes us through the process of creating and implementing The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 event for Legacy Australia. Liliana sheds light on the challenges the team faced throughout both the planning and execution stages of the event, along with how she managed to keep the team motivated across this large international project. Liliana further shares with us a few of her core memories while working on the event, from meeting The King to partnering with the band KISS.

Find out more about the The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 event:  https://legacytorchrelay.com.au/ 

About Liliana Sanelli:

Producing life-changing events, Liliana Sanelli is the CEO of The Perfect Events Group. With a Masters of Business in Events and over 25 years of experience in the industry producing over 1000 world renowned events across Australia and overseas including:

• The Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave for a Cure
• 2000 Sydney Olympics
• The Melbourne International Film Festival
• Arnold Schwarzenegger Family Walk
• Fred Hollows Foundation launch in Los Angeles
• Al Gore exclusive function in Sydney
• Olivia Newton John Walk & Gala
• Prime Minister of Australia Literary Awards
• City of Melbourne Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome
• VMC: Premier’s Gala Dinner
• MAV Technology Conference
• Equal Access for Autism Inaugural Gala
• The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023

Liliana is a key industry thought leader in event production and strategy, fundraising, building key partnerships and sponsorships. She has spoken to thousands of students across Australia on the event industry over the past decade.

Perfect Events Website: https://www.theperfecteventsgroup.com.au/ 

Liliana’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilianasanelli/ 

About The PCOA: 

The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au

About Connected Event Group: 

At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV production, content creation and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com

About Libbie Ray: 

Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

Send us a text

In this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast we welcome Adrian Smith, director of Cor Comms, who discusses his top marketing tips for your event. Adrian sheds light on how social media platforms have shifted the ways in which marketing content is produced, highlighting the need to create different forms of the same piece of content to suit the needs of the variety of platforms available. Adrian further talks about focusing marketing budget into content production and creation rather than securing prime slots or paid reach. Adrian also shares his experience working on various viral campaigns and how these ideas came to be.


About Adrian Smith:
Adrian is a Hobart based marketing and communications specialist with close to 30 years experience in the industry. Having made such a hash of school, the fact he has made it to where he is now, is remarkable. He is a father of four grown up kids, a heavy metal musician, keen cyclist and strong supporter of the arts, with a particular passion for theatre.

Cor Comms Website: https://corcomms.com.au/


About The PCOA:
The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au


About Connected Event Group:
At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV production, content creation and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com


About Libbie Ray:
Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

Send us a text

In this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast we welcome Denise Broeren, Co-Director of Think Business Events. Denise shares her journey in the events industry and sheds light on her experience working on the 2022 WFOT Congress. Denise further discusses the challenges that come with hosting international events and how she managed to overcome any cultural differences that were experienced during the WFOT Congress in Paris.


About Denise Broeren:
Denise Broeren is an accomplished PCO and accredited CEM with over 18 years’ experience in the MICE industry. Together with her business partner, Kim Stevenson, Denise’s company, Think Business Events has managed over 200 events across Australia and abroad, spanning associations, government sector, medical, and education to name a few. Denise loves the dynamic nature of business events and the varied clientele and innovative solutions that come with the end-to-end process of conference management. Her creative thinking means no challenge is too big and no idea too outrageous. She is particularly adept at working collaboratively with clients to achieve their strategic goals.

Denise’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-broeren/
Think Business Events Website: https://thinkbusinessevents.com.au/


About The PCOA:
The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au


About Connected Event Group:
At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV production, content creation and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com


About Libbie Ray:
Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

Send us a text

In this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast we welcome Chris Ridd, CEO of EventsAir. Chris discusses how industry trends have shaped and are continuing to shape EventAir’s strategy along with how event organisers can effectively implement event technology. Chris sheds light on the importance of data safety and further shares tips on how to engage a virtual and hybrid event audience.

About Chris Ridd:
Chris joined EventsAir as CEO in September 2022 and has over 30 years' experience in the IT industry including 5 years as Managing Director for Xero Australia and 15 years at Microsoft in various senior executive roles. He led Xero’s expansion in the Australian market from a small startup to become the largest online cloud accounting software company, growing from seven staff and 4,500 customers, to 270 staff and 320,000 paying customers. In 2015, Chris was awarded The CEO Magazine’s Financial Services Executive of the Year & Runner Up in Managing Director of the Year.

Chris’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisridd/  
Events Air Website: https://www.eventsair.com/ 


About The PCOA:
The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au


About Connected Event Group:
At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV production, content creation and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com


About Libbie Ray:
Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/  

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In this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast we welcome Anne-Marie Quinn, Managing Director at All Occasions Group. Anne-Marie shares her experience with discovering a sense of purpose, both personally, and within her business. Anne-Marie further highlights how her environmental beliefs channel into the ways she runs her business and provides guidance and tips on how to run your events more sustainably. Anne-Marie also sheds light on how she fosters growth within her team and is hopeful for the future of the events industry.


About Anne-Marie Quinn:
Anne-Marie Quinn is the Founder and Managing Director of the All Occasions Group and has built the company since its inception in 1998. She has developed the organisation over the past 24 years to a staff of 12 multi-skilled team members and has attracted a very impressive range of major national and international clients. All Occasions Group is a true South Australian success story, offering award winning conference, event and travel management services.

All Occasions Group Website: https://alloccasionsgroup.com/
Anne-Marie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-quinn-69138517/


About The PCOA:
The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.

Website: www.pco.asn.au


About Connected Event Group:
At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV production, content creation and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible.

Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com


About Libbie Ray:
Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and the President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation Sydney. Libbie's 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production provides a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Libbie's passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights and works with Skills IQ and TAFE to assist in the development of the training and education framework for her sector. 

Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ 

Send us a text

In this episode of ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’, Andrew Klein sheds light on how event organisers can create a better conference experience for attendees through changing the traditional agenda timeline and switching to shorter presentation sessions. Andrew also discusses the ways in which an MC can elevate your event and when an MC may not be worth your while. 

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