Thought Leaders Conference

For the last 8 years some of the regions greatest thinkers have come together to share ideas and be inspired!

Whether it's the people in the room or the speakers on the program you will be amazed at the substance and the depth of conversations.

This is a great event for business leaders, experts and the innovators within both public and private sector enterprise. In short its the annual event for Thought Leaders in the Asia Pacific.

Time: 9am - 5pm

Thank you for the best Thought Leaders event yet!  It was a truly inspiring, magical few days.  I loved the design of the program, the venue and I have lots of business opportunities from conversations outside the room! I know how much goes into organising such an event - thank you - you guys are legends!  

Libby Sander, Alegria Human Resoures (Annual Conference 2009)

This weekend's conference has simply been AWESOME - We have been given the opportunity to meet with and sit alongside some of Australia's most brilliant thinkers; hear from an amazing line up of thought leaders / speakers ; be given space and freedom to share ideas, develop our own expertise; inspire others and understand our true, value creation and the impact we are making on the world.  Belinda Yabsley, Quintessentially (Annual Conference 2008)

Inspirational Leaders

Get the inside story directly from this panel of wonderfully inspirational women.

Facilitated by Sallie-Ann Macklin, a.k.a. SAM, who compiled, wrote and photographed the book, Inspirational Women: ordinary women doing the extraordinary.

Emma Isaacs

A self confessed 'serial entrepreneur', Emma has created her dream career.... the ability to pursue her passions while delivering on the corporate social responsibility front. She is the 'Chief Chick' at Business Chicks, a networking organisation for businesswomen; Last Thursday's Club; a networking business for big thinkers; and most recently, Studio Body Fit, a personalised fitness studio for women.

Michelle Falzon

Responsible for promoting, marketing and delivering some of the biggest names in the speaking industry (eg. Robert Kiyosaki) at large scale public events, Michelle is a motivated entrepreneur and knows how to build strong relationships.

Ronni Kahn

A socialpreneur, feeding Sydney's needy with fresh nourishing food that would normally go to waste. Starting with running a hugely successful event production company, Ronni began a food rescue program, Oz Harvest - where the left over food from events is distributed to shelters for the homeless.

Sallie Ann Macklin

Known to all as SAM, she is one of the Director's of Amazing People and the author and photographer of Inpirational Women, Ordinary people doing Extraordinary things, this amazing book had her travelling to places such as the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and China to seek out and find the inspirational stories.

Kim McGuinness

Kim knows the importance of team building, networking, productivity and brand credibility. She is a motivating leader who understands the power of encouragement and the effectiveness of setting boundaries in life. Managing Director of Network Central, a collaborative network for women leading teams. The network run events such as the Businesswomens Breakfast Series.

Lisa Messenger

Lisa encourages, and certainly demonstates entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and innovation in marketing and publishing. Her unique publishing model is currently in negotiation to be licensed globally and is currently expanding into the US.

Table Topics

In this up close, intimate Table Topics Session, you have the chance to choose three topics you would like to workshop.

Make your Table Topics selection here

Hypotheticals

Andrew Horabin and Yvonne Adele are designing a hilarious hypothetical to explore some of the complex ethical dilemmas of thought leadership - plagiarism, social networking, reputation marketing, the psycho-spiritual dangers of thought leadership and whether people who say "value-add" ever really add value.

The hypothetical panel will feature some of our conference speakers and include you, the audience.

Comedian, keynote speaker, world class facilitator and genius Andrew Horabin will help us consider the challenges of being humble when promoting ourselves, and how we can really ensure there's leadership in our thoughts, as he ties the many disparate ideas and questions into a coherent conversation - one that is likely to continue through the rest of the event. 

A fast moving session in the style of Geoffrey Robinson's classic hypothetical format is sure to entertain, challenge and inform.

Each year Thought Leaders acknowledges one person who is the leading thinker on some subject and who demonstrates mastery, leverage and success at the highest level. We award one from each category of Expert, Entrepreneur, Innovator, Socialpreneur and Mentor, to celebrate their phenomenal achievements and their consistent contribution to the Thought Leaders Community.

View last years award winners here!

Extraordinary professionalism, excellent organisation and superb content. The experiences I have had through Thought Leaders events have allowed me to redefine what I do. I am sure we all have days of wondering if what we do matters, and I wanted to let you know that all you have done has mattered very much to me, and to the experiences I am now able to create for my students.

Lightning Talks

For years now the tech and design industry have been using speed talk formats to reduce death by power point and increase the volume of ideas presented at conferences. This year we plan to run a series of lightning talks throughout the conference. Each presenter (delegates only) will have 5 minutes to deliver 20 slides with 15 seconds per slide. The slides will be on automatic advance. We often say the conversations in the room are as valuable as those on stage. So, here we get to mash both together by getting those in the room on stage.

There are a limited number of spots for lightning talks as they will be peppered throughout the program. You have to register to attend the conference to be eligible to deliver a lightning talk. We hope to see you there...

READ further information and apply to present a Lightning Talk here

We have some really cool events happening around the Thought Leaders Conference... all delegates of the Conference will be able to attend at no extra cost.

Thanks for a great event.  I was so impressed by the entire program - all the incredible people together in the room - so many different perspectives.  It was a joy to be part of the energy. Caroline Gregson, NESA (Annual Conference 2008)

By far the most stimulating, entertaining and valuable conference I have ever attended. Would recommend to everyone I know in business.  Michelle Bowden, Michelle Bowden & Associates (Annual Conference 2008)

I loved the Thought Leaders Conference and all the doors that keep getting opened.  I love the infectiousness of the creative virus.  Thank you for the privilege of being here.  The conference exceeded all my expectations.  Brilliant, energising and totally inspiring.  On and off stage, everyone was exceptional. Helena Popovic (Summer Conference 2008)

Annual Conference was a real thought provoking couple of days that I enjoyed immensely.  It has definitely given me some real food for thought on my return to work.  It was simply a great event and I am really pleased I was able to attend.  Thank you. Anna Campbell, Warehouse Stationary (Summer Conference 2008)

Thanks so much for the experience of Conference.  I really enjoyed the variety of speakers and congratulate you on the smooth running of the event. Robyn Henderson, National Speakers Association (Summer Conference 2008)

Well you guys set the world on fire. You will never know the effect you have on the entire world. You throw in a pebble and it becomes a Tsunami. I love how you love. I embrace how you embrace and I give thanks that you have come into my life and thousands of others. Terry Hawkins, People in Progress (Annual Conference 2006)

The calibre of the presenters and participants is fantastic. The energy in the room for the two days has been amazing from both a learning perspective and to inspire. Kelly Terizakis, Raising Eyebrows Marketing (Annual Conference 2006)