Westpac Queenstown Women in Business Conference
Friday, 16 June 2023
Welcome to the 11th Annual Westpac Queenstown Chamber Women in Business Conference. We have hand-picked an incredible line up of women in business from across New Zealand to speak at this years conference.
Speaking to the theme "Creators & Change Makers", we have a varied mix of business leaders sharing their stories and journeys in the business world from a female perspective.
A highlight on the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce calendar for the past 11 years - don't miss out on securing your ticket as this event will sell out!
Tickets will become available for purchase 12pm Wednesday, 5 April 2023.
Speaker Line up - Creators & Change Makers
Kate Rodger - MC
Kate is Newshubs Entertainment Editor and Film Reviewer, and 2018 NZMPIC Industry award for excellence recipient honoring her contribution to the film industry in Aotearoa. Kate's role has taken her all over the world covering film premieres and award ceremonies, visiting movie sets, shooting interviews and filming stories. She has interviewed everyone from Meryl Streep, Keanu Reeves, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, to Jason Bourne, James Bond, Han Solo/Indiana Jones and Captain America.
Simran Kaur - Girls That Invest
With only 15-25% of women investing, globally recognized investing expert Simran Kaur founded Girls That Invest, a money media company that has amassed over 2.5M downloads and has become the world’s #1 investing podcast for women - without the jargon and featured on TEDx US, Forbes, Vogue, Business Insider and Oxford Women in Business. Simran recently spoke at the UK Houses of Parliament for International Women's Day in March 2023. Her mission is simple: Putting money into the hands of women.
Roanne Jacobsen - Saben
Known for her extraordinary head of hair and signature black frames, Roanne Jacobson is a much loved figure in the local fashion scene. She founded the luxury leather goods brand Saben - named after her grandmother, Sarah Saben - in 2002 out of her parent's garage in Auckland, after being unable to find unique quality handbags that were both beautiful and functional.
Dame Fran Wilde - Former MP, Cabinet Minister and Mayor of Wellington
Dame Fran Wilde has held numerous leadership positions in business and politics. She is currently a professional company director, chairing (amongst others) the boards of Auckland Light Rail Ltd, Te Papa and Whanau Awhina Plunket. Previously Fran was an MP, Cabinet minister, Mayor of Wellington and Chair of the Greater Wellington Regional Council. She was also a CEO for six years and has acted as a Chief Crown Negotiator for Treaty of Waitangi settlements. Fran has never shied away from controversy and has championed many important issues, including gay law reform which she managed to get through Parliament in the late 1980s.
Anika Moa - Singer-Songwriter
Singer-songwriter Anika Moa is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated music artists. She has released six studio albums, been nominated for numerous awards, and won four NZ Music Awards – including Best Female Vocalist. As well as her pop albums, Anika has also had three wildly successful children’s albums titled Songs For Bubbas, inspired by all the wonderful tamariki in her life. Anika’s sharp wit and hilarious banter have made waves on television, radio and online. She has had two hit talk shows, All Talk with Anika Moa, and more recently, Anika Moa Unleashed on TVNZ. Whilst being known for her bubbly and comedic personality, Anika is also a staunch supporter of and advocate for equality, diversity and standing up for what you believe in. She is fast becoming a living-legend in NZ!
Brianne West - Ethique
Brianne West is a New Zealand entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Ethique, the world’s most sustainable lifestyle and beauty brand. Ethique has, to date, prevented the manufacture and disposal of over 10 million plastic bottles worldwide. Brianne’s success with Ethique has seen her awarded as the EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Stuff NZ Women of Influence (business enterprise) and be named as an Obama Foundation Leader – among many other entrepreneurial, innovation and business accolades.
Tova O'Brien - Journalist, Political Editor & Today FM Radio Host
Tova O’Brien spent time in the parliamentary press gallery before joining Three in 2007 where she worked on 3 News and Nightline. In 2016 she moved to London to take up a role as Newshub’s European Correspondent, covering stories such as the UK elections, Brexit and the Grenfell Tower disaster. Tova returned to New Zealand in 2018 as Newshub’s Political Editor and received global attention in 2020 after her fierce interview with Jami-Lee Ross went viral. Hardworking, ambitious and known for being an adroit and, at times, ruthless interviewer, in March 2022, Tova began a new phase of her career - headlining her own breakfast talk radio show on Today FM, under the wing of the renowned journalist and broadcaster Carol Hirshfeld. She is joined by experienced broadcasters Mark Dye as co-host and Carly Flynn as newsreader.
The plan for the day
8.30am - Registration
9.00am - Conference begins
10.20am - Morning tea break
12.25pm - Lunch break
3.05pm - Afternoon tea break
5.00pm - Conference concludes, then 1-hour networking in Redz bar
Hints & tips for the day
Parking
There is very little parking in and around the QT Hotel. So please consider how you are going to get to the conference. Consider taking a bus (The Fernhill number 1 stops out the front of the Rydges hotel), carpooling or taking a taxi. The QT Hotel is a short 5min walk from downtown Queenstown - we would recommend if you do drive to park your car, then walk to the hotel. Carparking options: Man Street Carpark & Boundary Street Carpark
Arrival
When you arrive you can enter via both hotel entrances - The QT Hotel, on Brunswick Street - then take the lift or the stairs down to level four to the Coronet & Remarkables Conference Room or you can enter via the Rydges Entrance on Lake Esplanade, and head up to level four to the Coronet & Remarkables Conference Room.
Food & beverage
Your day at the conference includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and post-event networking hour in Redz bar. If you have dietary requirements please specify when you purchase your tickets or reach out to us and let us know at least 7 days prior to the conference.
What if I can no longer attend?
If for some reason you find yourself unable to attend, please let us know in writing at least 14 days prior and you will receive a refund. Please do not on sell your booking to someone else, as there are no official tickets - just your name on the door, and we may ask for identification.
What if I miss out on a ticket?
If you miss out on a ticket, send us an email and we can put you on the waitlist. We cannot guarantee a ticket will become available, but if some do, then we will do our best to re-allocate them.
DO NOT PURCHASE A TICKET FROM ANYONE OTHER THAN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. In the past there have been people selling "tickets" to this event via social media. Don't be caught out. There are no official tickets, just your name on the door, and we may ask for identification. No name, or not the correct name, will mean no entry.
We want you to have the best most inspiring day ever - so if you have any questions or concerns please reach out to any of the team from Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce.
See you there!
Price
Member: $395
Non-member: $595
