Spice Knowledge Sessions

 

2024 Spice Knowledgesessions

Ready to spice up your event knowledge?

Join us at the 2024 Spice Knowledge Sessions for a sizzling blend of panel discussions, presentations, and Q&As. Learn and unlearn everything you need to know about running successful events. We’re throwing the rulebook out. 

Leading industry experts will share an update on where the event industry is at and where it’s going. Take a look at the 2024 program overview below. Stay tuned for more updates, because this is one knowledge-packed party you don’t want to miss.  

2024 EVENTS UNCOVERED OVERVIEW
9:30am Registration
10:30am – 10:35am

Introduction and acknowledgement of country

  • Anna Sheppard – Bambuddha Group, Founder & CEO
 FREE
UNCOVERED
SHOWCASE
10:35am – 10:40am

Welcome to Events Uncovered

  • Gavin Denett – Editor, Spice
  • Kirsty Esson – Head if Venues (Sales & Operations), MCA
10:40am – 11:25am
Opening Keynote: Let us Edu-tain you
Powered by Inspire Speakers

Events and conferences are one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of the organisational calendar. It’s a chance to connect with peers, to share new thoughts, discover exciting innovations and, critically, to have thoughts we may never have had before. And yet, every year after a successful nd event organisers are challenged to ‘make it bigger or better or most cost-effective or more sustainable or never seen before’ next time! In short to constantly re-invent and re-imagine.

In “Let us Edu-tain” you, Kieran and Dan will share with you the tips and tricks they use as human behaviouralists and creative problem solvers every day to keep the ideas flowing even when you’ve got a million other things to do. They want you to feel more creative, more connected and more courageous so you can stay inspired and love being in events.

  • Dan Gregory and Kieran Flanagan – Co-Founders, The Behaviour Report
11:25am – 11:55am
Future focus: Outlook for the events industry
From innovation and tech, to the economy and emerging trends, thought leaders from the events industry shine a spotlight on where the sector is headed, and present the challenges and opportunities that await.
Join Spice Magazine Editor Gavin Dennett as he talks with;
  • Domenic Genua – Chief Operating Officer, ABEA (Australian Business Events Association)
  • Janene Wardrop – Event Specialist, International College of Management, Sydney
  • Anthony Bastic – Chief Executive Officer, AGB Creative
11:55am – 12:25pm

Panel: Innovation trends in the events industry
Deep dive into a new world of innovation and tech that is driving the events industry in Australia and worldwide. This session will explore how AI is shaping the events landscape; bust myths about the evolution of tech; and explore exciting developments in the innovation space and how they can be implemented in your business

  • Izzy Hettiarachchi, Senior Manager of Account Management, Cvent is joined by
  • Chris Schlueter – Director of Business & Innovation, Sprintr
  • Cesar Ramirez – Managing Director, SixthSense Experiences
  • Matt Cameron-Smith – CEO, Voyages
  • Nigel Mintern –  Managing Director, AV1
12:25pm – 12:40pm

Mastering event marketing
Lauren Hayward from Forum Group Events and Marketing delivers the tips and tricks to help sell your events and get cut-through in a crowded digital landscape.

  • Lauren Hayward – Owner and Managing Director, Forum Group Events & Marketing; in conversation with
  • Gavin Dennett– Editor Spice Magazine
12:40pm – 1:30pm SHOWCASE AND NETWORKING BREAK
1:30pm – 2:00pm
Panel: Sustainability: Saving the planet through events
No longer a nice-to-have, sustainability is an essential driver for successful events. Learn from industry crusaders how to incorporate conscience-driven practices that conserve the environment and make economic sense.

Andrew Everingham – Founder & CEO, CAPITAL-e Marketing & Events sits down with:

  • Hilary Bloomfield – Senior Client and Events Manager, Radish Events
  • Samuel Clarke – Creative Director & Procurement Manager, Valiant
  • Jess Zickar – Corporate Responsibility Manager, International Convention Centre Sydney
2:00pm – 2:15pm
Running a war-zone hotel: Lessons in crisis management
Having managed a Middle Eastern hotel in the fog of war, Paul Hutton delivers a fascinating case study into crisis management and learnings for when things don’t go to plan.
  • Paul Hutton – Vice President, APAC, Hilton; in conversation with
  • Gavin Dennett – Editor Spice Magazine
2:15pm – 2:45pm
Enhancing multi-sensory experiences in event design
Leading event producers share secrets to elevating the sensory journey for guests. From setting the mood through ambient soundscapes, live music and audiovisual brilliance, to tactile art installations and culinary flavours and scents that wow, these interactive ideas will stimulate the senses.
Facilitated by Gavin Dennett, Editor, Spice Magazine
  • Cesar Ramirez – Managing Director, SixthSense Experiences
  • Steffanie D’Alberto – Creative Director, The Big Group
  • Bella Gregory – General Manager, Solution Entertainment
  • Julz Partington – Creative Director, Encore APAC
2:45pm – 3:15pm
Burnout Buster
Powered by Bambuddha Group
Business events leaders share insights into the current state of the industry and forecast the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for people and wellbeing.
  • Anna Sheppard – Founder & CEO, Bambuddha Group shares insights and perspectives with;
  • Shelly McElroy – Managing Director, Dream Culture
  • Luke Fleming – Director of Human Resources, ICC Sydney
  • Martine Beaumont – Founder & CEO, Select Counsellors & Select Wellness Aus
  • Manisha Amin – CEO, Centre for Inclusive Design
3:15pm – 3:45pm
SHOWCASE AND NETWORKING BREAK
3:45pm – 4:15pm
Big Names. Big Decisions. Get Your Talent Right.
Securing a big name speaker can make a massive difference to your event. Hear from four industry experts who have engaged talent from all over the world. They’ll share the lessons, risks, advice, speaker fee’s, what’s possible with virtual and what to do when it doesn’t go to plan.
Panel Moderator: Sharmila Nahna – Industry Expert
  • Keith Harwood – Managing Director, Inspire Speakers
  • Nichola Byrne – Event Producer, Nichola Byrne Events
  • Evonne Green – Global Head of Event Marketing, Macquarie Group
4:15pm – 4:30pm
Musical Recap & Energizer: Transforming the Day’s Insights into Song
Powered by SongDivision & written & performed by Kartik Kuna & Min Ansell
Join us for a high-energy segment to kick off the finale! In just 15 minutes, we’ll reinvigorate you with an engaging musical energiser and recap the day’s highlights with a unique Summary Song. Don’t miss this fun and memorable wrap-up to the day!
4:30pm – 5:00pm
Closing Keynote: A Double Shot of Happiness
Powered by Inspire Speakers
Tim and Judy Sharp’s story is one of great love and inspiration. Tim Sharp was diagnosed with Autism at age three, his mother was told that she should “put him away and forget about him”. Ignoring this advice, Judy Sharp, a single mother of two young sons, tried everything she could think of to communicate with Tim, including drawing. Tim is now an internationally acclaimed 25 year-old Australian artist and his artistic creation, the quirky super hero Laser Beak Man is world famous. Tim’s creativity has seen him become the first person in the world with Autism to have his art turned into an animated television series screening on the ABC and internationally. In 2012, a film about Tim was shown in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His art is sold to collectors from around the world and in 2012, Tim’s collaboration with a young rock band from Nashville Tennessee inspired a music festival raising awareness of Autism. Judy is currently working on a book about her life with Tim. Find out more about Tim Sharp at http://www.laserbeakman.com/
  • Tim & Judy Sharp – Inspire Speakers
5:00pm Spice Knowledge Session close
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Sundowner Happy Hour
Foundation Hall and Terrace
6:00pm – 8:00pm Uncovered After Dark
Harbourside Room

*Program is subject to change