BEIA Annual Conference Speakers

Speakers listed in order of presentation.

*Please note this page may be subject to change.

 

 

David Downs

David Downs, CMInstD Genetically Modified Optimist David has had a successful career in the private and public sector, with senior roles at organisations such as Microsoft, and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. David is a published author on New Zealand Innovation, with two highly successful books – No.8 Re-wired, and No.8 Recharged.
He’s an ex-comedian, TV and Radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, and a genetically modified organism who documented his battle with cancer in his book A Mild Touch of the Cancer. David co-founded sosbusiness.nz a not-for-profit initiative to help cafes and other small businesses during covid-19. It quickly became a huge hit and to date has sold over $2 million in vouchers for over 2500 small businesses.
David released a new book, Silver Linings in March 2021, and continues to act as a consultant for government and industry, as well as a director on a number of boards, including as chairman of The Icehouse, the Hi-Tech Trust and the Well Foundation. David is now CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious organisation marketing New Zealand to the world.

Cameron Bagrie

Cameron is the Managing Director of Bagrie Economics a straight shooting research firm. He was previously Chief Economist of ANZ.
Other hats include Chaperon – helping business navigate banking, property. Board NZ Apple and Pear, Advisor to NZ Police Association Welfare Fund.
He continues to support the Highlanders, despite residing in Wellington and Auckland.

Senthil Gopinath

Senthil has over 20 years’ experience in the meetings, association and leisure industry. He has held wide spectrum of positions in the meetings industry. Such as CEO of Convention Bureau of Sri Lanka, Vice President of Kuoni.
He moved to Dubai in 2006 and has been working for Congress Solutions International, the Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) arm of Emirates Group, eventually holding responsibility for wide ranging business development, sales and operations functions for some of the largest international meetings held in the UAE and the Region. A passionate strategist. Being creative and adaptable to the constantly changing environment are his key strengths.
Senthil has been working with the global association and business tourism fraternity for more than two decades and has in depth knowledge on global association and business tourism segment development. At present Senthil is the CEO of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) – Global Meetings Industry Association headquartered in Netherlands.

Ross Steele

Ross has over 25 years’ experience in business events and venue management. Currently General Manager of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Ross has led the strategic planning, organisational recruitment, marketing and business development of Te Pae Christchurch since pre-opening, along with the subsequent transition from pre-opening to operations.
Prior to moving to Christchurch in March 2019, Ross spent 12 years as General Manager of Cairns Convention Centre, voted International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) World’s Best Congress Centre in 2014, and before that was with the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
With a background in finance, Ross is a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Fellow Certified Venue Executive (FCVE). Ross has experience across several industries and extensive board and governance experience directly aligned to BEIA, including 11 years with the Business Events Council of Australia.

Lisa Hopkins

Lisa joined BEIA in 2020 as Chief Executive and is responsible for the strategic direction, advocacy and promotion of the business events industry within New Zealand. She is also responsible to the membership to ensure they are well represented on both domestic and international platforms.
A 25 year industry leader, Lisa has extensive knowledge of the business events community, specifically across Asia Pacific. Lisa led BCD Meetings & Events Asia Pacific, based in Singapore since 2011 before taking on an industry leadership role within the company in 2019, working with international hotel chains, tourism offices, airlines and Destination Management Companies. She was also directly responsible for BCD M&E APAC's partner offices in the APAC region.
With an established background in sales, operations and management of large-scale public sector and corporate events, Lisa has also worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on APEC, as well as other global events organisations in New Zealand and overseas. Her experience in building mutually beneficial partnerships as well as relationship management is well established. Lisa also serves on the Asia Pacific Regional Advisory Board of PCMA.

Rob Burn

Although not quite regarded as a Local, Rob has been resident in Picton and a NZ Tourism Award winning affordable accommodation business owner for the last 30 years. Married to Carolyn, they have two sons, one in Auckland, one in London.
Rob is intimately involved in Marlborough’s Cruise ship industry as Shipping Agent representing the Cruise Lines and continually works to ensure that the Cruise Visitor’s experience is a great one, the visitor spend across the whole of Marlborough is maximised by happy passengers and crew. He has a firm awareness of social licence, maintained by assisting clear communications between ships, Port and residents.
Rob has side interests in Road transport and his secret pleasure is driving trucks in the Marlborough Grape Harvest. Currently Commodore of Queen Charlotte Yacht Club, a Life Member of the International Optimist Dinghy Association and a pretty average Masters Laser sailor. Rob loves being on our local waters in any type of marine craft, especially entertaining visitors with local beverages and local cuisine.

Hamish Saxton

Hamish Saxton is the CEO of Hawke’s Bay Tourism. A job at the Dunedin Visitor Centre to assist with paying tuition fees for University of Otago courses (that ended up as a BA major in Anthropology) led to a career in tourism.
Hamish has worked for wholesale travel companies (Mount Cook Line, TravelMarvel/NZTP), led two other regional tourism organisations (Wānaka, and Dunedin), had marketing management roles (Southern Encounter Aquarium of Discovery, Canterbury Museum), run his own tourism businesses (TalkWalk Toronto, The Settlers Dunedin, Hamish Saxton Consulting) and consulted to a variety of tourism businesses (Dunedin Airport Ltd, Destination Queenstown, Fleurs Place, Bella Vista Accommodation Network).
He is a trustee of RTNZ and the New Zealand Gardens Trust. As time allows, his interests include tourism, architecture, art, trees, cooking (seems to be collecting cook books right now) and eating (no particular order). He owns a rumpty 1860s crib (retirement plan) on The Pigroot, set in two acres that are becoming increasingly “manageable”.

Steve Armitage

Steve was appointed to the position of Independent Chair in November 2021. A seasoned and well-respected industry leader he brings to the role, experience working with all levels of local and central government, public affairs, and the corporate sector. In 2013, Steve joined Auckland Unlimited (formerly Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) - the region’s cultural and economic growth agency.
Steve guided the development of the Destination AKL 2025 strategy document, which set a new direction for the development of the region as a leading global destination for domestic and international travellers while at the same time enhancing it as the place to live, work, do business and invest in.
More recently, Steve has been Managing Partner at Daylight, a consultancy specialising on strategy across the visitor economy, and he is currently Chief Executive of Hospitality New Zealand. Steve has a Masters of Arts (Hons) in political science from the University of Auckland.

Elaine Linnell

Elaine Linnell is a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for the events and marketing industry. With over 16 years of experience across various sectors, including corporate, agency, not-for-profit, and sporting, Elaine is now the General Manager of the New Zealand Events Association.
Throughout her career, Elaine has developed a reputation for her leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and commitment to excellence. She has successfully managed complex projects, orchestrated large-scale events, and executed impactful marketing campaigns, all while maintaining an unwavering passion for her work. She actively seeks opportunities to connect professionals, share knowledge, and advocate for the industry's growth and recognition.

Rebecca Ingram

Rebecca joins TIA from seven years at Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) where she has held multiple roles including most recently as General Manager of New Zealand and Government Relations. Previously, Rebecca was responsible for TNZ’s PR and Major Events team, leading a global team across 14 markets in showcasing the best of what New Zealand has to offer.
Rebecca has over fifteen years of marketing and communications expertise, with proven experience delivering successful business strategies, communications and engagement programmes and leading complex transformation in her time at both Spark (then Telecom) and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.
Rebecca is already well-known by many in the industry due to her current role. She holds established and valuable relationships across NZ Inc and will deliver strategic expertise and practical action from day one. Rebecca’s unique mix of tourism experience and understanding of membership bodies from her time with the Institute of Chartered Accountants makes her a unique and ideal leader for TIA.

James Doolan

James Doolan leads Hotel Council Aotearoa, an industry body that advocates on behalf of New Zealand hotels and hoteliers. James returned home to New Zealand with his family in December 2018, following 13 years based in Hong Kong where his final role was Regional Vice President of Hotel Development for Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hotel company.
James was lead executive responsible for securing new franchise and management contracts in Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific for all Marriott International group brands including Bulgari, Ritz-Carlton, St Regis, W Hotels & Resorts, Marriott, Sheraton, Westin and Courtyard by Marriott. In addition to deals in those markets, he worked on hotel projects in locations throughout Asia, including Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korean, Macau and Japan.
Prior to becoming a hospitality industry executive, James practiced as a corporate/commercial lawyer, with particular emphasis on off-market mergers & acquisitions, complex contract negotiations and regulatory advice for listed and large privately-held entities. He practiced two years in Hong Kong with international law firm Norton Rose, and before that was with Bell Gully in Auckland for five years.

Kylee Daniel

Kylee heads the new role of Director of Partnerships at NZ Māori Tourism following two decades in senior global roles within the corporate, sports, major events, tourism, and government sectors.
It is safe to say that Kylee is passionate about events. With a long history in the Aotearoa’s major events scene, Kylee has worked in many senior roles with some of the country’s biggest sporting events. In 2017 she cut her teeth in tourism, where she held the Head of Marketing position at Visit Sunshine Coast, Australis overseeing a large team and portfolio that included the Conference Bureau and Events Marketing teams.
These days, Kylee is most passionate about the role she plays at NZ Māori Tourism where her contribution combines her corporate and industry experience to provide greater marketing opportunities for Māori tourism businesses and support their aspirations and the communities in which they operate. Collaborating with Tourism NZ and key industry partners, she optimises global and national initiatives, elevating storytelling, knowledge, connections, and visitor experiences.

Joseph Mooney

Joseph Mooney MP is the MP for Southland and the National Party Spokesperson for the Tourism, Forestry, Space and Treaty Negotiations portfolios. He also holds an Associate Spokesperson role in Agriculture. Joseph is a member of the Primary Production Select Committee, and the Parliamentary Service Commission Artworks Committee.
Before being elected the MP for Southland, Joseph was a senior trial lawyer, affiliated to the Southland Branch Council of the New Zealand Law Society. He was appointed to the Crown Prosecution Panel for the Invercargill Crown Solicitor by the Deputy Solicitor General in 2017. He was a Youth Advocate appointed by the Court.
Joseph has been an Army reservist and volunteer firefighter and in his spare time he likes to ski, mountain bike, and spend time with his family. He lives in Queenstown with his wife and three children.

Shane Vuletich

Shane Vuletich is the founder and Managing Director of economics consultancy Fresh Info. He has over 25 years’ experience designing research and evaluation frameworks to measure the impacts of tourism, major events, and business events in New Zealand.
Shane has a first-class honours degree in Economics and a degree in Commercial Law, both from the University of Auckland.

Fiona White

Fiona is an Engagement Partner with Immigration New Zealand in the Stakeholder Engagement team in the Customer Branch.
The Stakeholder Engagement team works with various sectors to help them understand and navigate the Immigration System effectively, efficiently and compliantly. Equally working together to bring valuable insights and intelligence that will ultimately help Immigration New Zealand create a better customer experience.
Fiona was previously Relationship Manager, Sectors and Skills for the lower North Island, and an Investment Relationship Manager in the Investor Migrant Attraction team.

Martin Sirk

Martin Sirk founded the strategic consultancy Sirk Serendipity in 2019. His areas of expertise and interest include meeting design, association strategy and development, social and economic impact of meetings, destination marketing, networking theory, and the future evolution of the meetings industry. He is a frequent media commentator, event designer and moderator in all these areas.
Major clients include Global Association Hubs Partnership, advising Brussels, Dubai, Singapore and Washington DC how to assist international associations in achieving their strategic goals, as well as tech start-ups, international associations and meetings industry companies.
From 2002 to 2018, Martin was CEO of ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association, and prior to that, he held senior positions with Hilton International, Brighton and Hove City Council, and the British Tourist Authority, working and organising meetings in all regions of the world.

Susan Sawbridge

Sooz is a Managing Partner at Daylight, a consultancy which specialises in the visitor economy: major events, business events, tourism, international education, and especially where they come together. Focused on strategy and strategy implementation, Daylight enjoys interesting and meaningful work with good people in great places.
Sooz has spent more than 20 years in events and tourism. As Manager NZ Major Events she led government’s role in events such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, Rugby World Cup, Women's Cricket World Cup, World Choir Games and America's Cup. Sooz has also held Stakeholder Relationship, Event Prospecting and Convention Bureau roles for Auckland. Since that early stint in bureau-world, Sooz has always sought ways to link business event and major event opportunities.

Sarah O'Connell

Sarah O’Connell and her team at Soul Works exist to ensure delegates and teams stay well whilst at business events. From the delivery of keynote topics with a particular focus on wellbeing to installing reset rooms at conference venues. To leading breathing and chair yoga and supplying therapeutic massage sessions at events.
Sarah has a background as a PCO, Event Manager as well as time with the Christchurch Bureau. More recently she acquired and grew NZ’s leading occupational health and safety company until its offshore sale in 2018. Sarah owns Soul Studio Yoga. She leads and runs Soul Community Trust Otautahi. Speaker, Managing Director, Certified Board Member, Business Coach, MC and studying to be a trauma sensitive specialist.
She is proud to be the first NZ yoga and wellness business owner to lead her team through the BCORP certification process – managing and measuring the businesses social and environmental impact. She has just recently been nominated and in the running for the Exercise NZ Sports Leadership Award for 2023.

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