EEAA Leaders Forum to challenge industry thinkers

Chess board business concept.

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has secured an impressive speaker line-up for its 2017 Leaders Forum that promises to challenge current thinking in the industry.

Being held on 8 June, the annual Leaders Forum is a high-level thought leadership event that brings the leaders of the exhibition and event industry together to discuss and debate trends, challenges and opportunities relevant to the sector and help them prepare for the future.

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio, said the program had been curated to prompt the industry’s leaders to critically examine the current exhibition and event model in the context of change.

“At a time when industries are being profoundly disrupted by technological and business environment changes, we need to ensure we’re on the front foot and actively responding to the factors shaping our future,” DiMascio said.

“We know that many leaders are consumed by the day-to-day operations of their businesses. They’re so busy working ‘in’ their business, they can rarely find time to spend ‘on’ their business.

“Allocating time to step back and look at the big picture is absolutely critical, not just for their individual success, but for the sustainability of our sector.

“The Leaders Forum gives them that opportunity. The one-day, intensive format cuts through the noise to focus on the issues and opportunities that are having the greatest influence on our sector.

“It’s also a valuable opportunity for organisers, associations, venues and suppliers to bring their unique perspectives to the conversation and work collaboratively on solutions.”

Representatives from major global companies including CRM giant Salesforce, event analytics provider Explori, event registration leader Eventbrite and major tourism industry disrupter Airbnb will feature on the program, as well as experts from the digital and experiential marketing community – Fourth Wall, Jomablue and Jack Morton.

Program highlights include:

End-to-end “curation” – cost or opportunity?

One of the key challenges facing the global exhibition and event industry is how best to curate events integrating all aspects of the visitor and customer experience. What can we learn from those who live and breathe strategy in event curation?

Speakers:

  • Oz Dean, Executive Creative Director, Jack Morton
  • Jeremy Garling, Creator, Fourth Wall
  • Jodie Richmond, Marketer and former Board Member of the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia

Curating the Salesforce World Tour in Australia to maximise business and brand health

The Salesforce World Tour in Australia has gone from strength to strength – what is driving the 25 -30% growth? Speaker: Stuart Frank, Events Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific, Salesforce.

Lifecycle of visitors to shows – a perspective from global researcher, Explori

Explori is employed by major organisers around the world to track the profile and habits of visitors. The insights present a compelling profile of visitors and exhibitors to shows and the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. Speaker: Rory Govan, Associate Research Director, Explori.

The Rise and Rise of Airbnb – where next?

The sharing economy has changed the way people buy in many industry categories. Airbnb is a case study in what is possible. Now established in the consumer travel market, Airbnb has launched into corporate travel. Where to next? Speaker: Sam McDonagh, Country Manager, Australia and NZ, Airbnb.

Other topics in the program address business performance in the context of workplace diversity and gender equality, driving the talent pool, and the future of the industry from the perspectives of the next generation of leaders.

The EEAA will also welcome attendance from two government representatives. Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon. Keith Pitt will represent the Federal Government at the Leaders Forum dinner and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the Premier and Treasurer, Jonathan O’Dea, will represent the NSW Premier at the Leaders Forum and Global Exhibitions Day Reception.

The Leaders Forum is part of a two-day program of activity (7-8 June) that is being delivered by EEAA alongside Global Exhibitions Day (7 June). Other activities include the EEAA Annual General Meeting, EEAA Global Exhibitions Day reception and the Power of Exhibitions masterclass session at the Mumbrella360 Conference. You can view complete program details and register your attendance for these events on our website.

Latest News