BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS: The AI Advantage: Smarter events. Stronger impact.

Events should do more than run smoothly. They should drive a real impact. In this session, you’ll see how an AI-powered platform helps planners make sharper decisions, create more relevant attendee experiences, work faster, and prove event value with more confidence. Walk away with practical ways to turn event data into stronger strategy, better execution, and clearer business impact.

Presented by

Sophie Tabet, Regional Director, Cvent ANZ

Brought to you by

WELCOME to EVENTS UNCOVERED 2026

By Emcee Jessica Ridley

OPENING ADDRESS

By Spice Editor Gavin Dennett and Hyatt Regency Sydney

OPENING KEYNOTE: The courage to connect

A first-movers guide to a human future in the AI era

With Yasmin London, Founder of First Movers Co and Former Professional Swimmer.

Presented by

PANEL: Nine trends shaping modern events and marketing

As the business events and experiential marketing landscape rapidly evolves, it is essential for industry professionals to stay on top of emerging trends separating leaders from laggards. In this panel session, three experts outline the hottest innovations, ideas and cutting-edge design concepts that are wowing event delegates and guests.

Panellists

Gavin Maloney, Director of Sales Marketing, Hyatt Regency Sydney
Katerina Grant, Director, The World Of, and Founder, Unend
Shelley Mitchell, Head of Events, Doltone Hospitality Group

Moderated by Spice Editor Gavin Dennett

PRESENTATION: Sales resilience: Accelerating business development in competitive markets

Michael Licenblat is one of Australia’s leading sales resilience experts, who builds pressure-proof teams that bounce back in tough and competitive markets. In this keynote session, the author of Pressure Proof will infuse personal stories, scientific research and real-life applications to show event planners and conference professionals how to get past apprehension and build simple, repeatable business development habits that drive results. No scripts and no pressure tactics – just clear, commercially smart ways to open doors, stay top of mind and convert relationships into revenue.

Presented by
Michael Licenblat, CEO, Bounce Back Fast

PANEL: Emerging Leaders: The next-generation talent reshaping events

The next generation of events professionals are currently transforming purpose, leadership and connection in business events. This panel of young events industry leaders from across hospitality, destination marketing, live experiences and event delivery represent the present and future of the sector, demonstrating new approaches to leadership, community, creativity, culture and career growth.

Panellists

Kirsty Boase, Business Events Coordinator, Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Terence Smith, Events Manager, Known Associates Events
Edward Callen, Technology Operations Manager, Adelaide Convention Centre
Holly Barnett, Project Manager, Touchpoint Meeting Services

Moderated by Andrew Crook, Chair, ABEA Emerging Leaders Council

PRESENTATION: Teamership: What does a great team member do?

With Keegan Luiters, Author, Teamership and Team Up.

PANEL: Events debrief: Essential steps for assessing the performance of your event

Three experienced events professionals address the importance of a thorough post-event debrief and outline key steps to analysing what worked and what can be improved as part of a comprehensive events strategy.

Panellists

Ellie James, Head of Events, The Association Specialists
Marc Singerling, Director of Event Delivery, ICC Sydney
Nicci Gow, Event Producer, Nicci Gow Events

Moderated by Spice Editor Gavin Dennett

FIRESIDE CHAT: Perfecting the most underrated role at your event

Often overlooked at events, your MC is one of the biggest drivers of audience engagement and events success. In this engaging chat, Events Uncovered MC Jessica Ridley will share her experience as a professional MC and discuss her role training and developing internal MCs within companies. Inspire Speakers' managing director, Keith Harwood, will also reveal what sets exceptional professional MCs apart. The duo will reveal how a top MC can elevate content, connect speakers and create a seamless events experience.

Jessica Ridley, Television Presenter, Journalist, Media Coach, Entrepreneur and Events Uncovered MC

in conversation with

Keith Harwood, Managing Director, Inspire Speakers

PANEL: Embracing AI: Where to next for technology shaping business events?

From professionals at the forefront of the tech revolution to those striving to keep up, the question across the events industry is, “How will AI impact my business?” This panel of esteemed experts will dissect the current state of play in the sector, what the future holds, and how to amplify the value of AI and events technology.

Panellists

Chris Schlueter, Director of Business and Innovation, Sprintr
Sandra Parisi, Business Improvement Manager, Encore Event Technologies
Marcus FitzGerald, Co-Founder and Project Director, The Bite Project

Moderated by Andrew Everingham, Founder and CEO, CAPITAL-e

PRESENTATION: Defining success: What high-performing exhibitors do differently

Many business events exhibitors invest significant time and budget into events, yet struggle to clearly define what success looks like. In this keynote session, trade show strategist Jessica Turnbull explores the often-overlooked gaps that influence event performance before, during and after an event, and offers practical solutions to maximising return on investment. From strategy and team alignment to visitor engagement and post-event follow-up, exhibitors need to think beyond stand design and realise event success starts long before the show floor opens.

With Jessica Turnbull, Trade Show Strategist, Oscar Events Co

PANEL: Tailoring events: Transforming attendee data into elevated, personalised experiences

In this informative panel session, a trio of exceptional events professionals will outline how attendee registration data can be used as an essential tool for curating highly personalised experiences. Offering practical tips and case studies, the panellists will deliver insights on ways to ensure event delegates feel connected and valued.

Panellists

Nadia Kentera, Director, Ke. Creative Events
Katie Fraser, Customer/Operations General Manager, FCM Meetings and Events
Stephen Noble, General Manager, Asia Pacific, The Conference Company

Moderated by Spice Editor Gavin Dennett

FIRESIDE CHAT: Business for good: Social responsibility and the art of giving back

When Adam McCurdie co-founded Humanitix, his goal was to do something meaningful as a not-for-profit social entrepreneur. His endeavour has transformed the ticketing industry with a successful business aligning profit with purpose, driving more than $20 million into education, healthcare and other worthy causes. In this one-on-one chat with Spice editor Gavin Dennett, Chung will speak on the power of social responsibility and values-aligned business, with lessons on making a difference.

Jenny Chung, Chief of Staff, Humanitix

in conversation with

CLOSING KEYNOTE: Resilient by choice: The power of gratitude and optimism

Following a life-threatening illness and major surgery, Bondi Rescue’s Quinn Darragh has rebuilt his health and mindset to return to elite ocean swimming through resilience, gratitude and optimism. His inspiring and deeply personal closing keynote at the Spice Knowledge Sessions at Events Uncovered explores how choosing your response in life’s toughest moments can transform adversity into strength and fuel high performance. Drawing from his experiences as a paramedic, lifeguard and endurance swimmer, Darragh explores how resilience isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a choice.

With Quinn Darragh, Bondi Rescue Lifeguard, Paramedic and Endurance Swimmer

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