The Conference Collective - Event Management Podcast

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May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the 'The Conference Collective' Podcast, celebrating the best in innovation and leadership from those who are creating a positive change in the business events industry. A podcast brought to you by the Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc. and hosted by Libbie Ray from Connected Event Group. This podcast provides listeners with behind the scenes access to some of the key innovators in our industry as they share their honest and raw insights. It highlights how collaboration, innovation and resilience are at the core of the events industry and the reasons we have managed to survive through the most challenging time our industry has faced. Get ready to learn more about the brave new world of the business events industry. This season of 'The Conference Collective' Podcast was primarily recorded live at the PCOA24 conference, in Connected Event Group’s portable recording studio. We will be back recording new episodes at PCOA25, so please reach out to The PCOA if you are interested in starring as a guest for next season! About The PCOA: The PCO Association Inc. is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand. The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector. Website: www.pco.asn.au About Connected Event Group: At Connected Event Group we offer innovation and creativity in audio-visual services and event production, employing technical solutions that help people and businesses communicate with each other. We’ve been translating event technologies for our clients for over two decades specialising in AV equipment and service, technical event production management and broadcasting, across a range of industries. We’re experts in making the impossible possible. Website: www.connectedeventgroup.com About Libbie Ray: Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group, a full-service technical production company that utilises creative AV solutions to produce innovative and meaningful event experiences. With 20 years of experience across marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a well-rounded approach to the new world of events. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, Libbie is particularly enthusiastic about the potential of AI to transform the industry and is dedicated to sharing her wealth of knowledge with her sector. She also serves as a Global Learning Ambassador for the Entrepreneurs' Organisation, further amplifying her impact on the industry. Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/

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43 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 623 min

How Economics Shapes Innovation and Events with Shamubeel Eaqub

Shamubeel Eaqub, economist and author, unpacks the economic trends shaping our world and what they mean for leaders and organisations. He shares how businesses can anticipate change, plan strategically, and stay resilient in the face of uncertainty. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how macroeconomic shifts affect their industries and the events sector specifically.Shamubeel also discusses actionable strategies for leaders to make better data-driven decisions. From identifying opportunities in disruption to leveraging insights for innovative solutions, this episode provides practical takeaways for anyone looking to future-proof their organisation while remaining grounded in evidence-based thinking.Website: https://www.eaqub.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eaqub/About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape. A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/Send us Fan Mail

May 26, 2026Episode 532 min

From Culture Fit to Culture Add with Joe Consedine

Recorded live at the PCOA25 Conference in Christchurch, this episode of The Conference Collective features inclusion strategist Joe Consedine.Joe shares his journey from traditional corporate leadership into diversity, equity and inclusion, and why he believes inclusion is not a moral add-on but a commercial imperative. From demographic change and future talent pipelines to psychological safety and innovation, this conversation explores how organisations can remain relevant in a rapidly shifting world.Libbie and Joe unpack practical ways to move beyond performative DEI, open up safe dialogue across generations, rethink recruitment from “culture fit” to “culture add,” and design events and workplaces that amplify diverse voices.About Joe Consedine Joe is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading voices on inclusion. A highly engaging and in-demand speaker and consultant to a range of organisations and industries in New Zealand and globally, Joe has a unique ability to unite audiences around why inclusion is such a critical capability for individuals and organisations to adopt to survive and thrive in a diverse and complex future of work.Joe is a former Director of Champions for Change with Global Women where he worked with New Zealand’s leading 80 Chief Executives and Board Chairs on scaled Diversity Equity and Inclusion strategies for Aotearoa, New Zealand. Joe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeconsedinenz/About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape. A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/Send us Fan Mail

May 6, 2026Episode 437 min

Real-Time Resilience for High-Pressure Humans with Dr Lucy Hone

Recorded live at the PCOA25 Conference in New Zealand, this episode of The Conference Collective features resilience researcher and bestselling author Dr Lucy Hone.Dr Lucy shares the deeply personal journey that shaped her work in resilience, alongside the science behind how humans adapt to disruption. From her globally recognised TEDx Talk to her latest research on “living losses”, this conversation explores what actually helps people stay steady in high-pressure environments.Together, Lucy and Libbie unpack practical tools for real-time resilience, how to sit with difficult emotions, why community is critical, and how leaders can reduce burnout by creating clarity, fairness and psychological safety in their teams.About Dr Lucy HoneDr Lucy Hone is a bestselling author and resilience researcher who helps people and organisations turn disruption into opportunity. Her work bridges science and real-world experience, showing audiences how to stay steady, connected and effective in times of change. Lucy’s TED Talk Three Secrets of Resilient People -now ranked by TEDx as one of the Top 100 “must-watch” talks of all time - has inspired more than nine million viewers worldwide. Her forthcoming book How Will I Ever Get Through This? shares fresh insights on thriving through uncertainty with clarity, compassion and confidence.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlucyhone/ Website: https://www.drlucyhone.com/ About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape. A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/Send us Fan Mail

April 13, 2026Episode 335 min

Response-Ability: The Secret to Powerful Leadership with Lisa O'Neill

Recorded live at the PCOA25 Conference in New Zealand, this episode of The Conference Collective features leadership expert Lisa O'Neill.Known for delivering hard truths with humour, Lisa shares her powerful perspective on responsibility, energy and what it truly means to lead. She unpacks the idea of “response-ability”, the importance of setting clear boundaries, and why leadership is less about what you do and more about who you choose to be.Practical, honest and energising, this conversation is a reminder that in high-pressure industries like events, your energy isn’t optional. It’s your job.About Lisa O'Neill:For over two decades, Lisa O'Neill has been electrifying audiences with her unique ability to deliver profound messages through side-splitting humour. After watching countless people struggle with energy, leadership and personal growth, Lisa discovered that transformation happens when hard truths are delivered with lightness and laughter. Lisa's Website: https://www.lisaoneill.co.nz/ Lisa's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaonz/ About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape. A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/Send us Fan Mail

March 24, 2026Episode 234 min

How The Creator Economy Is Reshaping Events with Brooke Howard-Smith

Recorded live at PCOA25, this episode of The Conference Collective Podcast features futurist and entrepreneur Brooke Howard-Smith in conversation with Libbie Ray.Together they explore how AI, the creator economy and changing audience behaviour are transforming the business events industry. Brooke shares why conferences should think like media companies, how empowering delegate-creators can outperform traditional production models, and why “always-on” content is becoming essential for event growth.The conversation moves from big-picture tech shifts to practical actions event organisers can take now, from lowering barriers to content creation to building advocacy and trust in an attention-scarce world. Expect equal parts optimism, realism and actionable insight for anyone navigating rapid change in events, marketing or business.About Brooke Howard-SmithBrooke Howard-Smith is a futurist and entrepreneur with a decade leading ventures in AI, extended reality, and the creator economy. A former X Games medallist and TV presenter, he co-founded global brand Senate, talent agency WeAreTENZING, and Non Fungible Labs/Futureverse, the first Māori-founded tech unicorn. He has led major New Zealand fundraisers, including work that helped find a cure for Batten’s disease, and now fronts projects like NZCreatorCon and NZRenoTok, following his appearance on The Traitors in 2023.Brooke’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookehowardsmith/ NZCreatorCon: https://nzcreatorcon.com/ About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand. The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape. A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/Send us Fan Mail

March 10, 2026Episode 136 min

Resilience, Loss and the Impact of Kindness with Kath Koschel

Recorded live at PCOA25 in New Zealand, Libbie Ray sits down with Kath Koschel to explore the real impact of kindness on leadership, workplace culture and human connection.The conversation unpacks the difference between being nice and being kind, the science behind psychological safety, and why empathy, communication and positive intent drive stronger teams and better outcomes.A practical and thought-provoking discussion on how small actions can create meaningful change - for individuals, organisations and the wider events community.About Kath Koschel 2024 Australian of the Year, Kath Koschel is a former professional cricketer and Ironman competitor whose world came crashing down when she broke her back twice in the span of five years and was told that she would never walk again. Instead, she faced the challenges head-on and defied all medical prognosis by teaching herself to walk again on three separate occasions. Driven by a passion to spread gratitude and kindness in the world, she founded Kindness Factory™ with the goal of encouraging one million acts of kindness. To date, Kindness Factory has recorded over 7 million acts of kindness and is now a registered not-for-profit in three countries.Kath’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kath-koschel-74044436/ Kindness Factory: https://kindnessfactory.com/ Kath’s Website: https://kathkoschel.com/ About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape. A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/Send us Fan Mail

November 9, 2025Episode 946 min

Next Horizon Thinking: How to Future-Proof Your Events with Ashton Bishop

In this episode of The Conference Collective, we’re joined by Ashton Bishop, strategy expert and award-winning keynote speaker, to explore how event professionals can apply Next Horizon Thinking to stay competitive in a fast-moving landscape.We dive into the power of AV technology as a strategic tool, the importance of long-term innovation in event planning, and how Predatory Marketing can help your event messaging stand out. Ashton shares actionable insights on how to elevate your events with smarter tech decisions, stronger messaging, and a clearer vision for the future.About Ashton Bishop: When it comes to speakers, Ashton is of the rare variety, in that he’s actually out in the field applying his theories and working the tools with some of Australia’s largest brands every day. This is because he believes that with things changing so quickly the only way to constantly provide value to audiences is to be a part of the madness.Ashton has spent over 20 years working internationally on some of the world’s biggest brands, running million-dollar campaigns for billion-dollar brands - specialising in Predatory Marketing - pinpointing how brands can grow by outsmarting their competitors. He’s a business owner and serial entrepreneur, always challenging, often controversial, and alwaysfocused on what gets results.Step Change website: https://www.hellostepchange.com/Ashton's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonbishop/ About The PCOA: The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group: Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray: Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape.A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. She is committed to sharing knowledge across the industry and works closely with Skills IQ and TAFE to support the development of training and education frameworks that prepare the next generation of event professionals.Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ Send us Fan Mail

October 12, 2025Episode 835 min

Decoding Human Behaviour: Anthony Laye on Mastering Client Relationships

Anthony Laye reveals the power of understanding human behavior in business and events. In this episode, he shares strategies for reading body language, responding to client feedback, and ensuring your communication resonates deeply. He emphasizes the importance of embodying the words you speak and developing consistent, small habits to improve your communication skills.About Anthony Laye:Behaviour Expert, Anthony Laye has an exceptional ability to understand how we think and behave. Through Anthony's insights, you can elevate your professional communication to stand out, win trust and amplify your influence. Imagine becoming so attuned to your customers' needs that you can deliver experiences that far exceed their expectations. But there's more to Anthony than just reading and influencing people. He also shows you how to understand and influence the way you are thinking too, so you can build more self confidence and awareness.Anthony’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonylaye/ Website: https://www.anthonylaye.com/ About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape.A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. She is committed to sharing knowledge across the industry and works closely with Skills IQ and TAFE to support the development of training and education frameworks that prepare the next generation of event professionals.Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ Send us Fan Mail

September 14, 2025Episode 734 min

Entrepreneurial Insights and Building Lasting Partnerships with Jacqui Bates

Jacqui shares her journey from hotels to starting her own business, revealing the lessons learned along the way. She talks about the importance of training, mentorship, and fostering relationships in the event industry. Jacqui also discusses the challenges of running a business in an industry with frequent turnover, the value of word-of-mouth marketing, and the importance of turning down clients that don’t align with your business vision.About Jacqui Bates:Jacqui Bates is Director of The Conference Manager, a Melbourne based professional conference organising company established in 2008. She has worked in the meetings and events industry for over 30 years, holding both senior sales/marketing and operational management positions in the hospitality industry before becoming a Conference Organiser.Jacqui’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-bates-53ba3915/ Website: https://www.theconferencemanager.net.au/ About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape.A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. She is committed to sharing knowledge across the industry and works closely with Skills IQ and TAFE to support the development of training and education frameworks that prepare the next generation of event professionals.Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ Send us Fan Mail

August 17, 2025Episode 640 min

Building Resilient Teams and Leading Through Change with Dr. Sean Richardson

Dr. Sean Richardson draws from his experience in high-intensity sports to discuss how to perform at the highest level under pressure. In this episode, he reveals strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout, and creating successful, resilient teams. He also explores the importance of clearly defined company values and how leadership can model these values for their teams, all while navigating the uncertainties and last-minute changes often faced in the events industry.About Dr. Sean Richardson:High performance and leadership consultant to professional athletes, performing artists, and successful CEOs, Sean brings an Olympic level of commitment to excellence to his work with clients. Combining 30 years as an athlete in competitive sports with a PhD, MA & BA in psychology, ongoing research & professional development in brain and behaviour functionality, and 22 years in practice, Sean has found that the principles of mental discipline, and mental & physical health, required for performance at the highest levels in sport apply similarly to performance at the highest levels in business & life.Sean’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drseanr/ About The PCOA:The PCO Association is the leading body representing the interests of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers in Australia and New Zealand.The Association’s objectives are to increase the standard of professionalism of its members and promote a better understanding of the roles, functions and contributions of Professional Conference Organisers and Event Managers and other practitioners in the conference and event sector.Website: www.pco.asn.auAbout Connected Event Group:Connected Event Group delivers innovative audio-visual services, event production, and digital experiences that help people and businesses connect in meaningful ways. With over two decades of experience, the team specialises in AV equipment and services, technical event production management, broadcasting, and interactive event technology across a wide range of industries.In 2026, Connected Event Group expanded its offering with the launch of Connected Apps, a dedicated branch focused on custom event apps, business platforms, fast websites, and AI-powered automation. Designed for live environments, these solutions bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world delivery, ensuring technology performs on site, on the day.Website: www.connectedeventgroup.comAbout Libbie Ray:Libbie Ray is the Director of Connected Event Group and Founder of Connected Apps. With 20 years of experience spanning marketing, events, technology, and broadcast production, Libbie brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to the evolving events landscape.A strong advocate for innovation, Libbie is particularly passionate about the role of digital platforms and AI in shaping the future of live and hybrid events. She is committed to sharing knowledge across the industry and works closely with Skills IQ and TAFE to support the development of training and education frameworks that prepare the next generation of event professionals.Libbie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbie-ray/ Send us Fan Mail