BEIA Conference & AGM 2025 Speakers

We’re thrilled to welcome Doug Kamo back as our Conference MC for 2025, bringing his signature energy and expertise to the stage once again.

With over 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.

Dr. Alia Bojilova, former SAS psychologist, is a leading expert in leadership, resilience and curiosity. Known for her insight, energy and commitment, she has guided thousands of leaders, teams and organisations in high-pressure environments across New Zealand and globally. As a peak performance psychologist, she has worked with Government, Olympians, commercial sectors, health, education, creative industries and not-for-profits. Her book, The Resilience Toolkit, outlines a proven four-step process to unlock potential. A sought-after keynote speaker, she is also a recipient of the United Nations Commendation and the Inaugural Meritorious Service Medal for negotiating critical incidents in the Middle East. Alia currently partners in two venture firms in New Zealand and North America.

Dave Wild is the author of Futurework – A Guidebook for The Future of Work.

Living on the edge of the world in Aotearoa New Zealand, Dave has presented on stages and screens across the globe from San Francisco to South Auckland to Sydney.

As a Futurist he’s inspired and guided audiences at industry conferences, government meetings and team events for clients such as Microsoft, L’Oréal, Toyota and Red Cross.

Dave inspires audiences with future insights and tools that open minds to new possibilities ahead.

His engaging and uplifting approach reaches beyond stages and screens to challenge and energise audiences – creating a greater future for all.

International speaker, coach, and author of seven personal development books, Jess specialises in mindset, performance, and leadership. With a background in senior HR roles and a decade in people development, she connects easily with businesses. Her mission is to bring the ‘being’ back into human-being, blending ancient wisdom with modern challenges.

A brush with burnout led her to train with Buddhist monks and nuns, shaping her approach to resilience and self-belief. Now, she empowers others through her writing, business, and speaking engagements. A proud member of the rainbow community, Jess has been featured on TV3, BBC, RNZ, Stuff, and NZ Business Magazine, and is praised as inspiring, articulate, and relatable by audiences.

Sean Brown is the Managing Director of Mango Communications, one of the country’s leading PR, experiential and social agencies. Part of the DDB Group, Sean’s team uses the power of third-party influence – whether that’s media, an influencer or your flatmate at an event – to build brands.

Mango’s client list includes global brands like McDonald’s, AMEX, Samsung, Volkswagen, Booking.com and Nestlé, alongside local brands like Northland Inc, Auckland Airport, Goodman Fielder, Coastguard and NZ Blood.

Sean will talk about the art of storytelling, how to generate talkability and shareability beyond direct engagements, and how to cut through the clutter to make your brand and experience impossible to ignore.

Described by the NZ Herald as the Headmistress of Gen Z, Alexia Hilbertidou founded GirlBoss NZ at 16 to get more women to the boardroom table. It’s now Aotearoa’s largest organisation for young women, reaching 27 countries and 100,000+ students. Through GirlBoss Edge, 5,000+ youth have launched leadership projects. Alexia has spoken at the UN, World Economic Forum, and shared platforms with Sir Richard Branson and Meghan Markle. At 19, she joined a USD $4.8B philanthropic board. Her 50+ honours include Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Queen’s Young Leader Medal. A National Geographic Explorer and former NASA VIP, she holds a Master’s in Emerging Tech and studied at Cambridge. Her Disney+ documentary premieres in 2025.

Smart tourism leaders know that a great visitor experience is tied to the success of their business. But have you ever been taught how experience design really works?

Better-than-the-rest visitor experiences rarely happen by chance. They are often carefully architected using key principles that can be applied to any business. Brad Rowe is a tourism strategist and founder of Tourism x Design, specialising in creating unforgettable visitor experiences and commercially successful tourism ventures. Based in Queenstown, Brad has spent over 15 years leading the design, development and launch of innovative tourism products, from first-in-the-world experiences to destination-wide strategies.

Sarah grew up on a farm in Hawke’s Bay and now lives in Wellington with her partner, two children and a shed full of bikes. As a speaker and advocate, she facilitates menopause / ruahinetanga conversations across Aotearoa, sharing her lived experience with 50+ organisations including Air New Zealand, Xero, NZDF, IRD, MBIE, councils and the PPTA. A freelance writer and campaigner, she’s explored menopause since 2019 after perimenopause impacted her health. In 2020, she launched Menopause Over Martinis, a grassroots movement to make menopause less taboo. Her mahi features in media and social platforms. For World Menopause Day 2024, her third ad series appeared on 55 Locky Dock screens and in shopping centres nationwide.

With over 20 years of experience hosting conferences, awards nights, and corporate gatherings, Nicky brings confidence, professionalism, and dynamic stage presence. Her ability to connect with audiences in a relaxed, warm, and often humorous way sets her apart.

With a passion for health and wellbeing and a background in broadcasting, journalism, and media production, including TV news presenting, reporting, and interviewing, Nicky’s diverse skills ensure smooth event execution and an engaging experience for all.

Liam Dann is Business Editor at The New Zealand Herald and author of bestselling BBQ Economics. With over two decades in journalism, he’s a writer, columnist, radio commentator, and multimedia producer. He found his niche in financial journalism in the early 2000s, covering agriculture, aviation, tech, markets, and economics. As Editor of the Business Herald (2007–2015), he led coverage through the global financial crisis. His reporting has taken him from China to Europe and the US. Liam’s passion for economic storytelling stems from time in London’s financial sector. He’s a devoted father, vinyl collector, and part-time DJ. Through humour and insight, he makes economics accessible, drawing on a vast network to illuminate New Zealand’s financial landscape.

Iain is General Manager Workforce Management, responsible for leading Air New Zealand’s resource planning, productivity, rostering and optimisation for more than 7,000 pilots, cabin crew, airport and maintenance staff. He works closely with stakeholders and unions to ensure the airline’s workforce is well supported and positioned for future growth and success.

Prior to this role, Iain was General Manager Domestic at Air New Zealand, leading the airline’s domestic network and ensuring New Zealanders remain well connected across the country and beyond

With over 17 years’ experience across Air New Zealand, Iain has held senior roles in Commercial, Alliances, Revenue Management and Tandem Travel. This breadth of experience has given him a strong understanding of how air connectivity supports communities, tourism and the wider New Zealand economy.

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 experience marketing, International Business Events, and commercial partnerships including Tourism New Zealand’s subsidiaries Qualmark and isite.

Bjoern is a proud resident of Titirangi in West Auckland, and in his free time enjoys exploring the West Coast beaches, following his kids in multiple sporting events, and travelling around Aotearoa New Zealand.

Amy McNicol is a distinguished sports marketing strategist and events expert, currently serving as National Sponsorship and Events Manager at the Institute of Directors New Zealand. She is a Board Member of The Blues and North Harbour Rugby Union. Amy has played pivotal roles in elevating women’s sports, notably leading the EQUALIZE event series at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and spearheading commercial partnerships for Rugby World Cup 2021. Her leadership highlights her flair for delivering large-scale events. A former NZEA Best Event Sponsorship Professional, Amy was recognised for her strategic direction as Director of Global Sponsorship at AIG, where she led the New Zealand Rugby partnership. Her experience includes high-profile stints at Manchester United, New Zealand Cricket, Leeds Rugby, Toyota, and Lexus. She is renowned for her passion, lateral thinking, and success orchestrating major sponsorships and global sporting activations.

Lisa joined BEIA in February 2020 as Chief Executive and leads the strategic direction, advocacy, and promotion of New Zealand’s peak industry body domestically and internationally.

With more than 25 years of experience in the sector, including hotels and venues, Lisa spent 10 years in Singapore, and the rest in her native New Zealand. She holds a deep understanding of doing business in Asia Pacific and was responsible for 14 offices and over 250 staff across Asia Pacific including China, Japan, and India, in her previous role as Managing Director at BCD Meetings & Events.

Lisa initially trained as a journalist, gaining a Grade 3 qualification and is part-way through a Communications degree at Massey University. She is also a trained member of the New Zealand Community Patrol, partnering with Police in her region to create safer communities.