Spice Knowledge Sessions

The Spice Knowledge Sessions will give you the opportunity to learn about new concepts, and gain first-hand knowledge and experience in a friendly environment.

The 2022 program will offer a great mix of panel discussions, presentations and Q&As in which leading industry experts will share an update on where the event industry is at and where it’s going.

2022 PROGRAM
10:45 – 10:50 Opening Welcome Welcome 
By Editor Lana Bogunovich & SMC General Manager Paul Davison
10:50 – 11:20 Keynote Creativity, thinking
outside the box,
rethinking events

Keynote

Simla Sooboodoo, Serial Social Entrepreneur

 
11:20 – 11:50 Panel 1 Industry Update Industry update
Business events leaders share insight into the state of the industry and the path forward

Nigel Collin, Chair, Meetings & Events Australia
Claudia Sagripanti, Chief Executive, Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia
Geoff Donaghy, CEO, International Convention Centre Sydney and Deputy Chair, BECA
11:55 – 12:25 Presentation Legal Protecting yourself and your events
It’s more important than ever to understand the ins and outs of event legalities. Delegates will leave this session with a legal checklist for future-proofing business events

Matt Crouch, Principal, Matt Crouch Legal
12:30 – 1:20      EXPO – LUNCH BREAK
1:20 – 1:40 Q&A Indigenous Culture Celebrating and embracing Indigenous Australia
How to incorporate Indigenous Australian culture into your events in a meaningful, sensitive way

Marie Barbaric, Manager, Koori Kulcha
1:45 – 2:15 Panel 2 Sustainability, Social Responsibility Events with a conscience
Learn from the experts on how to create events that embrace sustainability and social responsibility, while providing strong ROI

 

Virginia Loyola, Senior Business Development Manager – International, Arinex
Anna Sheppard, CEO, Bambuddha Group
Simla Sooboodoo, Founder, SLAK Flowers
2:20 – 2:50 Panel 3 Technology The future of event tech
The last 12 months has forced the event industry to innovate, and fast. As in-person events resume, our technology experts will share the latest advancements in event tech and the top trends to watch

Thomas Gray, Business Development Manager, EventsAir
Vanessa Soldatos, Senior Producer, EventFrog
Keith Wootton, managing director, AV1
2:50 – 3:20      EXPO BREAK
3:30 – 4:00 Panel 4 Females of the future Inspiring the next gen of industry leaders
While the event industry has a strong representation of women, high-level positions and boards still often lack gender balance. Our female panellists share tips and advice for those looking to advance their career

Felicity Zadro, Managing Director, ZADRO
Jane Lyons, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Sydney
Paula Nolan, Member of the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Board of Directors
Sonia Sadiq Gandhi, Director, Gandhi Creations
4:05 – 4:25 Q&A / Presentation Mental Health & Wellbeing Finding balance in work and life
Hear a first-hand experience and take away practical tools to help maintain mental health and wellbeing in today’s everchanging, fast-paced world

Crosbie Lorimer, BeyondBlue Speaker
4:30 – 5:00 Panel 5 Case Studies Three events, three lessons
Hear from the organisers of three inspiring events about the challenges, triumphs and lessons we can learn about the new ways of delivering experiences.

Lana Boardman, Director of Corporate Communications, Optus
Carrie Kwan, Co-founder & CEO, Mums & Co

 
5:00     FINISH

Note: This program is subject to change

Should you wish to read more about any of the Spice Knowledge Session speakers, you can do so by clicking here.