AES Virtual Event

Michelle Albert

Event Director, Ozaccom+ Conference Services

Michelle is Ozaccom Conference Services' Event Director and holds a Bachelor of Business (Communication). She brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and 20 years' experience having managed a broad range of association, corporate, not-for-profit and government events, many with large scientific, business and social programs as well as substantial trade exhibitions and poster displays.

Kerry Casemore

Business Development Manager, Moreton Hire

Kerry has worked in the Exhibition, Meetings and Event industry for over 20 years. She has account managed projects both throughout Australia and internationally. Her experience extends from sales through to account management of large scale events. Joined Moreton Hire at the beginning of 2002 and has continued to grow and develop the client relationships of the business nationally. Kerry has managed a large number of events extending into the following industry sectors:

Exhibition Organisers
Professional Conference Organisers
Associations
Government
Corporate

Amy Flint

Member Engagement Executive

Amy Flint is a Membership Engagement Executive with 15 years’ experience across multiple sectors ranging from associations, State and Local Government, Not for profit, and corporate who thrives on networking and collaboration, creating long-term value for current and prospective members, markets and relationships. Amy is focused on building engaging, innovative, trusting relationships within communities to exceed delivery outcomes into the future for the benefit of others.

Amy holds a Bachelor in Social and Community Welfare, Business and Training and Assessment, and is a member of the Australian Society of Association Executives (AUSAE) and IAP2 Australasia.

Elizabeth Foley

MAIPM MCom Bus FAICD CPPS, CEO, Australian Institute of Project Management

Elizabeth has had over 20 years in senior executive roles in financial services organisations such as MLC, ING, Prudential and AXA (now part of AMP). She also brings experience as a CEO for member-based organisations firstly with five years at Research Australia and currently at Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM). Elizabeth has also had over 17 years Board experience and is currently an Independent Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee of Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS). Elizabeth was also the Director of Research and Business Engagement at Chief Executive Women (CEW), assisting this member organisation build its advocacy and research platform.

The Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) is a member of AES.

Alison Gardiner

Director of Sales, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC)

With more than 20 years involved in research and the business events sector, Alison Gardiner is one of the most experienced specialists working in the meetings and events industry in Australia.

Alison commenced her career in her native Scotland in research centre administration and continued this direction on arrival in Australia, expanding her interests to include a more marketing-focussed environment in business tourism.

Previous to her joining the team at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Alison turned to the science and technology sectors to apply her marketing and sales skills to research and to commercialisation of intellectual property. Alison’s research and academic sector knowledge and experience covers many industries, including speech technology and IT, nursing and allied health, mining and exploration.

In her role as Director of Sales, Alison is responsible for harnessing and enhancing the strong sales and research expertise of both the International and National Convention Sales Teams whose activities result in the securing of 65% of Brisbane’s conference wins as well as driving the strategic agenda for the Corporate Sales Team.

Alison developed and leads the Centre’s very successful Convention Advocates Partnership, a group of eminent Australian scientists, researchers and academics who work with the Centre to attract international conferences to Brisbane and who to date have assisted in securing 101 conferences for Brisbane with an economic benefit to Queensland of $138 million.

Dale Gilson

CEO, Australian Funeral Directors Association Ltd.

Dale is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Funeral Directors Association, which provides membership services to AFDA members throughout Australia. Dale is a professional association executive whose experience as a CEO of associations expands over twenty years. Dale has significant experience and skills in advocacy, governance, finance, budgeting, strategic planning, sponsorship, marketing and event management. His senior roles have included such organisations as Society of Automotive Engineers Australia, Motorcycling Australia, Speedway Australia, Netball Victoria, Table Tennis Victoria and Four-Wheel Drive Victoria plus volunteer leadership roles as President of the Ringwood & District Cricket Association and President of the Warranwood Cricket Club. Dale has enjoyed being part of the 'member community' of each of the associations he has been involved with and being able to assist these associations to become the best they can be to service their members.

The Australian Funeral Directors Association Ltd is a member of AES.

Andrea Heath

Managing Director, Onstage Entertainment

Andrea knows her way around an event having been in the thick of hundreds of them, of all types – all around Australia. Her unique experience creating and delivering events means her understanding of site logistics, combined with an exceptional ability for creative thinking, ensures your experience is going to be next level in both concept and delivery. She is considered one of Australia’s leading event professionals and is the ‘go-to’ for corporate, associations, government and venue clients looking for exceptional innovation with engaging entertainment design.

Andrew Hiebl

CEO, Association of Australian Convention Bureaux

Andrew Hiebl has been leading the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) as CEO and representing Australia’s business events industry on the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) board for over eight years.

Andrew also represents the business events industry on the long-standing Tourism Visa Advisory Group, convened by the Department of Home Affairs, the recently mobilised National Tourism Incident Communication Plan group convened by Austrade, and has joined the Australian Regional Tourism board.

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux is a member of AES.

Hayden Hughes

General Manager, Sofitel Brisbane Central

Serving as General Manager, Sofitel Brisbane Central for past 5 years, and with Accor Hotels for over 20 years across wide range of brands including Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis. Prior to Accor, Hayden started his hotel career with Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, after being introduced to the hospitality trade through working in his parent’s restaurants and pubs as a teen.

Hayden’s strengths are in owner relationships, empowering and developing leaders, managing refurbishments and special projects, as well as being focused on building Brand strength and asset integrity. Above all, employee culture and guest service remains his key focus, which has assisted Sofitel Brisbane Central improve Brand scores and guest satisfaction KPIs each year.

Peta Irvine

CEO, Local Government Managers Association of Queensland

CEO of Local Government Managers Australia (Qld), the professional association for officers working in Queensland local government, Peta has an extensive background in both the Association environment and public sector management. She previously held roles with the Australian and Queensland Hotels Associations and with Queensland Transport. Peta’s focus on membership-based organisations extends to her board roles where she has been a non-executive director on industry superfund, Intrust, and private health insurer, TUH.

Peta holds an MBA from Griffith University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the Australian National University, Diplomas in Neuroscience of Leadership and Financial Planning and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also Chair of QLeave and deputy chair of International House at the University of Queensland.

John Kilgour

CEO, Civil Contractors Federation of Victoria

John Kilgour is the Chief Executive Officer for the Civil Contractors Federation Victoria, a peak industry body supporting over 500 members responsible for the construction and maintenance of over $13bn per annum of Victoria’s major infrastructure, including roads, bridges, pipelines, drainage, ports and utilities.

Nick Koerbin

CEO, Australian Executive Services

With over 30 years of management expertise, Executive Director and Founder of AES, Nick Koerbin is one of the most experienced NFP leaders in Australia. He has held positions as the CEO of Materials Australia, the National Parts Code, Master Painters Australia Ltd, as well as General Manager positions in the Institute of Insurance, Australian Quality Council, the Financial Planning Association, the Australian Human Resources Institute, and the Furniture Industry Association of Australia.

By establishing AES and creating the NFP Association Best Practice Self-Assessment, Nick has been able to assist leaders in becoming more confident and informed decision makers so that they can create more effective strategies and implementation plans.

Greg Mullins

Research Australia

Specialist in Government Relations, Advocacy, Submissions, Lobbying Campaigns, Greg Mullins has over 25 years' experience in policy development in the community sector, public service and business. Greg has been involved in numerous consultations and submissions and is well versed in the engagement of government and the submission process. Most recently, he has been involved in developing submissions to the national review of health medical research funding.

Research Australia is a member of AES and Greg is an AES Consultant

Adrienne Readings

General Manager, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

Adrienne Readings is the General Manager of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC). The first woman to be appointed GM of an Australian Convention Centre, she currently oversees a team of more than 300 employees. With a passion for Business Events, particularly National and International Conventions and Incentives, her aim is to ensure that the market continues to thrive within the destination.

A member of the recently formed, City Heart Taskforce, Adrienne is committed to working with leaders of industry on a way forward for the future of the Gold Coast.

Adrienne is currently the Vice Chair of Destination Gold Coast and has proudly represented tourism on the Gold Coast as a Board Member for 16 years. She works in conjunction with her peers to capitalise on the success Destination Gold Coast has garnered in recent years and further nurture the rapid growth of the destinations market share across tourism, leisure and business events sectors.

With more than 28 years’ experience across hospitality and business events, Adrienne is a destination advocate with an unwavering commitment to providing a voice for the Gold Coast and Queensland.

Gavin Sharp

Novoture Executive Coaching

Gavin is a Corporate Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience specialising in executive coaching, career transition, team culture reviews, conflict resolution and training in managing mental health and building resilience. He has expertise across many sectors including SME, Government (all tiers), Higher Education, Health, Professional Services and NFP.

Gavin has been running his own business, Novoture, for over 7 years. Prior to this he held Organisational Consulting roles with a number of businesses, both multinational and local.

Gavin has a Bachelor of Psychology Degree from UWA and a Masters of Management Degree from Monash University.

Novoture is a member of AES.

Liza Watt

Principal, Ozaccom+

Liza is Ozaccom+'s founder and has been company principal since 1992. Previously Marketing Manager for Brisbane Marketing, Liza saw a need in Australia for a specialist conference accommodation and registration provider so created her company, Ozaccom to deliver these specialist conference services. She has since added licensed travel, touring and full professional conference management to the company's suite of services. Liza is an active member of the Brisbane Marketing Advisory Board and a member of the Brisbane Convention Partnership.

Liza is a previous award recipient of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Industry by an Individual’ and is recognised by her peers and national industry suppliers as a font of knowledge and guidance within the conference sector.

Speakers