Speakers

Doug Kamo, MC 

Director, Doug Kamo Creative MC

With 25 years in the performance and entertainment industry, Dunedin-based triple threat Doug Kamo, has earned the reputation of 'Mr Entertainment' being one of the busiest producers, directors and entertainment practitioners in the country. He has amassed an impressive array of drama, television, concert, musical theatre and master of ceremony credits.

As a producer and director, Doug has been responsible for over 60 national and international musical theatre productions. He is also founder and director of DKCM Ltd (Doug Kamo Creative Management), a market leader for corporate entertainment solutions, tours, concerts and theatrical experiences which designs live entertainment and event & production solutions for multiple corporate and ticketed events each year.

Hon Matt Doocey 

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

Matt has been the MP for Waimakariri since the 2014 election.

He previously worked in mental health in both New Zealand and the UK, before returning home to work at the Canterbury District Health Board.

Matt went to St Bede’s College before completing a BSc (Hons) in Social Policy, an MA in Healthcare Management from Kingston University in London, and an MSc in Global Politics from Birkbeck College, University of London.

Lisa Hopkins 

Chief Executive, Business Events Industry Aotearoa

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 Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Thailand.

Loren Aberhart 

General Manager - Destination & Attraction, ChristchurchNZ

Loren is ChristchurchNZ’s General Manager of Destination and Attraction, tasked with enhancing and exploring the visitor experience in Ōtautahi Christchurch through her leadership of the ChristchurchNZ major and business events, tourism, destination management and industry liaison responsibilities.

Of Te Ātiawa descent and a Mum of two, Loren has extensive experience in senior tourism and major events roles, including with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei and Nelson Tasman Tourism.

Carmel Foley 

Professor, University of Technology Sydney

Professor Carmel Foley is an internationally recognised expert in the study of business events. High impact research projects include the Beyond Tourism Benefits Series for Business Events Sydney and the global Value of Meetings Case Study Project for the Joint Meetings Industry Council. Her research has influenced public policy and redefined how business events are valued and measured globally. Carmel is lead author of the Goodfellow textbook, Business Event Legacies.

Carmel's expertise in developing economic and social impact measurement methodologies has been applied in a range of contexts. Her current projects include The Conference Legacy Project Powered by Christchurch NZ, and Social Impact Stories and Measurement for Business Events Sydney. All of Carmel's work is underpinned by a mission to support the economic, social and cultural prosperity of our global communities.

Jessica Vandy

Director, The Tenth Letter

Jessica is a passionate sustainability practitioner who built a 16 year career in tourism and events before pivoting in early 2020 to launch her own New Zealand-based consulting business. She works with destinations and event organisers across Asia Pacific to empower the industry to thrive responsibly. She consults, facilitates, and advocates for looking beyond sustainability and into a regenerative mindset. She is a partner and senior consultant for Barcelona-based agency Global Destination Sustainability Movement and social impact non-for-profit, #MEET4IMPACT.

Les Morgan

Chief Operating Officer, Hind Management

Les Morgan is the Chief Operating Officer of Hind Management. He has over 30 years of tourism and hotel experience. A European trained sommelier he has broad experience with leading international hotel brands and has gone on to establish a successful career in the New Zealand hospitality industry. He has been repeatedly recognised with national awards for leadership in business, hotels and tourism and is a recipient of the NZ Ministry of Defence award for Patron Excellence. An advisor to private and government organisations, he holds several governance roles, serves as a sector commentator, industry panellist and awards judge. He was as a member of a recent Prime Minister led trade mission to Southeast Asia. 

The Hind Management group is a New Zealand founded company with over $450m of hospitality and hotel assets under direct ownership or management. The company is nationally recognised as a leader in sustainability, diversity, and as an employer of choice. The group employs over 700 people and is most recognised for the Sudima Hotel brand, a previous winner of the New Zealand ‘Supreme Tourism Award’.

Maretha Smit

Chief Executive, Diversity Works New Zealand

Maretha is the Chief Executive of Diversity Works New Zealand, having taken up this role right in the middle of the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.  She has a background and qualifications in behavioural and business sciences and has held various transformational executive roles in South Africa, prior to her immigration to New Zealand, eight years ago. She has a strong commitment to issues of social cohesion and a deep understanding of the way in which intersectional layers of prejudice have an impact on employment outcomes.

Coltan Wright

Business Manager - Arts and Culture, Hastings District Council

Coltan is an events industry professional with more than 25-years’ experience across hotel, winery and venue based event management.

He is currently the Business Manager – Arts and Culture at Hastings District Council based at the award-winning Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre – fully re-opened just 2 year’s ago after a $43 million earthquake-strengthening and refurbishment project.

Coltan played a key role in the fit-out project team and setting up the operational foundations prior to re-opening Toitoi, and now oversees the events and operations functions at Toitoi and leads sales for all events, outside the entertainment program, including conferences, corporate events and private functions.

Coltan has leveraged his experience outside hospitality and events in local government, governance, FMCG and sales to inform his strategic approach to finding solutions for customers and building a collaborative team culture.

Georgina Torrington

Director of Sales & Marketing, Brook Serene Boutique Hotels

Georgina is currently the Director of Sales & Marketing for Brook Serene Boutique Hotels – with experience in the event industry spanning more than 20 years.  Passionate about the BE sector having worked in operations, sales and marketing across hotels, independent venues, audio visual, catering, marquee & equipment hires and even a short foray into event management as well as being a mentor in the BE Mentored and Tourism Export Council mentoring program.  Georgina brings a unique and broad wealth of knowledge of the BE sector to the panel.

Jason Monk

Business Development Manager, Vidcom

With 20yrs in the Events Industry, Jason started this journey in the Audio Visual side of events in 2004 in the United Kingdom.  Spending the first few years working in Event Support then moving more into a technical role to operate AV on events.

In 2013 Jason took a new direction into the sales side of the AV industry and spent the next 5yrs supporting venues and corporate clients with their Audio Visual.  From 2018 to present Jason has been the Business Development Manager for Vidcom New Zealand and still supports other areas of the Business. 

Sandra Julian

Senior Business Development Manager, Arinex | Founder, Auaha

Sandra Julian (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Toa) is the Senior Business Development Manager at Arinex, a leading event management company in the Asia-Pacific region. With over 20 years of experience, Sandra has played a pivotal role in fostering industry collaboration and delivering innovative business event solutions.

In 2001, Sandra founded Auaha, a Māori-owned and industry-approved Professional Conference Organiser (PCO). Under Sandra’s leadership, Auaha became a prominent player in the business event sector, known for integrating Indigenous values and expertise into high-quality event delivery. In 2024, Auaha was acquired by Arinex, solidifying Sandra’s reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the industry.

At Arinex, Sandra focuses on business development and strategic partnerships, helping to grow the company’s client base and expand its impact across various sectors. Sandra is passionate about building strong relationships and advocating for Indigenous representation within the business community.

Shayne Forrest

General Manager / Deputy Chief Executive, Hobbiton Movie Set

Shayne’s career started as a theatre company manager and actor in the south island before moving to the Waikato and landing a role at Hobbiton in 2012. Since then, he has worked his way through different areas of the business; as the original food and beverage manager helping to set up The Green Dragon Inn, before moving over to manage the marketing and commercial side. One of Shayne’s highlights at Hobbiton Movie Set has been developing new products and overseeing the brand development.

Today Shayne is the General Manager and Deputy Chief Executive of the iconic movie set. Hobbiton is one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions and has seen expediential growth in visitor numbers over the years. The Hobbiton team continue to offer a world-class experience, exceed visitor expectations and reinvest in & develop their little piece of Middle-earth.

Billie Moore

Chief Executive, NZ Airports Association

Billie is the Chief Executive of the NZ Airports Association, the industry association for New Zealand’s airports and related businesses. Its members operate 46 airports around the country and support a safe, sustainable and resilient aviation network for Aotearoa.

A former diplomat, Billie worked for Labour and National Ministers in foreign affairs and trade positions in the Beehive from 2008-2014. She served as New Zealand’s Consul-General to New South Wales and Queensland from 2015-2019 before returning to Wellington to lead government relations for Tourism New Zealand. She has also held the role of Chief Advisor at the Ministry for the Environment.
 

James Doolan

Strategic Director, Hotel Council Aotearoa

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.

Rebecca Ingram

Chief Executive, Tourism Industry Aotearoa

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’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. 
 

Steve Armitage

Chief Executive, Hospitality New Zealand

Steve has most recently been Managing Director at Daylight, a strategic consultancy specialising in major events, tourism and business events for the betterment of local communities, visitors and businesses.

He was previously General Manager Destination at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (now Tataki Auckland Unlimited), the region's cultural and economic growth agency, where he had oversight of tourism marketing, destination management, major events, business events and international education.

He is also past-Chair of Business Events Industry Aotearoa and current co-Chair of the Tourism Data Leadership Group.

Steve's vision is to lead a collaborative organisation which engages efficiently and effectively on behalf of the membership, delivers meaningful action through the insights of members, and continues to support, attract and develop capability for the sector. 
 

Brad Olsen

Proudly Sponsored by Celebrity Speakers NZ

Brad Olsen is a dynamic Principal Economist and Director at Infometrics, renowned for his incisive economic commentary throughout New Zealand. His work delivers crucial insights to businesses, decision-makers, and the public.

Since joining Infometrics in July 2015 as a part-time data analyst while studying at Victoria University of Wellington, Brad has ascended to become one of New Zealand's most prominent and youngest economic commentators. His analyses frequently feature across TV, radio, print, and online platforms.

Brad's role at Infometrics spans the entire business. In regional and sectoral analysis, he interacts with clients to provide critical economic insights. As part of the forecasting team, he scrutinizes the latest trends and assesses economic shifts.

Bjoern Spreitzer

General Manager New Zealand & Business Events, Tourism New Zealand

Bjoern has a strong background in commercial partnership, business events and the tourism sector. His career in destination marketing includes multiple roles at Tourism New Zealand, including General Manager Domestic, General Manager Americas & Europe, and currently General Manager New Zealand & Business Events.

Originally from Germany, Bjoern has worked across multiple international markets including the UK, Europe, North America, Brazil, and Argentina. In his current role as GM New Zealand and Business Events, Bjoern is responsible for Tourism New Zealand’s domestic marketing, International Business Events, and commercial partnerships including Tourism New Zealand’s subsidiaries Qualmark and i-SITE.

Iain Walker

General Manager Domestic, Air New Zealand

Iain is General Manager Domestic, responsible for growing the domestic airline with the purpose of connecting New Zealanders to each other and New Zealand to the world.

With over 14 years’ experience in Air New Zealand, Iain has worked across many roles within Revenue Management, Commercial, Tandem Travel and Alliances, building a deep appreciation of the importance air connectivity has on tourism and business in New Zealand.

Iain has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) and Bachelor of Science in Management Science/Operations Research from the University of Canterbury.

Jenny Walsh

Founder, Motive Events NZ

With over 18 years of experience in the event incentive industry, Jenny Walsh has built a reputation for creating memorable, results-driven events.

Jenny’s leadership took her to the UK, where she led a successful team before returning to New Zealand in 2017. When the pandemic caused industry-wide upheavals in 2019, Jenny and her two partners threw caution to the wind and seized the opportunity to create Motive Events in 2020 believing that events and travel would some day come back (if only they today, what 2022 would bring).

Under Jen's expert guidance as Managing Director the agency has flourished, specializing in corporate incentives and national /international meetings and conferences, blending creativity with flexibility to achieve remarkable success.

At the helm of this 8-person team, Jenny drives the strategic vision of the company while nurturing its growth and fly high mentality. She is committed to fostering a uniquely bold and heartfelt approach to event management in New Zealand, focusing on delivering exceptional experiences that in turn create long-lasting trusted client relationships.

Renee Goodsell

General Manager, Tomahawk

Renee, a dynamic digital marketing expert with a passion for tourism and hospitality, has carved a successful career path from the front desk to the helm of Tomahawk.

With a strong foundation in both design and marketing, Renee brings a unique perspective to her work. She has honed her skills through various roles in the industry, including positions at Mitchell Corp and Sudima Hotels. In 2017, Renee joined Tomahawk as a Marketing Executive and has steadily risen through the ranks to become the General Manager.

Renee is passionate about keeping up with current trends and using new tech to improve results and work-life balance. During her commute, she enjoys listening to podcasts, which allows her to learn and unwind while traveling. She's particularly interested in podcasts that cover topics related to digital marketing, and exploring how technology can be used to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

Dave Letele & Manu Vatuvei

Proudly Sponsored by Celebrity Speakers NZ

Dave Letele, one of New Zealand's most sought-after motivators and influential community advocates, is the founder of BBM—a life-changing programme for thousands who might otherwise be forgotten.

Manu Vatuvei, also known as “The Beast,” is a name synonymous with rugby league greatness in Aotearoa. Yet, despite his success on the field, Manu’s life took a dark turn.

Join us at the BEIA Conference to hear Dave and Manu’s story of community, hope, and the transformative power of brotherhood. It's a compelling narrative about the pressures and pitfalls that come with high-profile careers and gang life, but most importantly, it's a story of second chances.

We all make mistakes—some bigger than others—but no matter what, there is always hope.