Export Excelerator Conference
Export Excelerator Conference
Export Excelerator Conference
We are pleased to invite you and your team to spend quality time with New Zealand’s innovative business leaders and exporters, for a focused, friendly and fast-paced morning of learning. ExportNZ is working closely alongside our “Export Excelerator” network to create a truly invaluable half-day programme:
The conference is designed to spark fresh ideas and boost your knowledge.
Hear ‘tales from the trenches’ – three stories about the challenges of building a successful global business. Seize the opportunity to learn first-hand what they do and gain insight from their journeys, including what worked and what didn’t. You will likely hear about problems that you haven’t faced yet, but will in the future, and get tips on how you can plan accordingly.
Be inspired by the keynote speaker presentations then join the peer-led interactive breakout sessions, where 24 panellists provide advice on steps you can take to ensure your exporting activity is strategic and profitable in Australia, China, Middle East and the USA.
HEAR ‘TALES FROM THE TRENCHES’ – 3 stories about the challenges of building a successful global business
Gavin de Steur, Customer Success Manager at UneeQ (formerly Faceme)
Gavin de Steur Manages Customer Success for digital human platform company UneeQ. He is originally from South Africa and has over 20 years of experience at an executive level across diverse enterprise and SME arenas, including both technical product / marketing management. He spent 10 years building a highly successful technology start-up company from scratch, four of which were spent as an executive in the company which acquired his high-growth start-up. He is passionate about working with customers and ensuring the successful implementation and use of the latest technologies available to a business/industry.
Ryan Sanders, Founder at Haka Tourism Group
In 2007 Ryan started Haka Tours with no tourism experience, but a desire to break away from the corporate world and to work in an industry he was truly passionate about. Haka Tours goes directly to the consumer online, bypassing the traditional travel agency and wholesaler market. Twelve years later, in addition to its adventure tourism range, the wider Haka Tourism group now includes a growing nationwide chain of up-market hostels, Haka lodges, international educational brand Haka educational tours – which operates in 12 countries globally – and new hotel brand, Haka hotels. Haka Tourism Group is aiming for a $100 million revenue business by 2025.
Vicky Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at Smartfoods Limited
Vicky Taylor is a business leader with a wide experience across a range of roles and industries. Her core experience is in in consumer driven businesses across FMCG, Tourism and Hospitality. Building on my initial career in sales and marketing for leading FMCG businesses, she has developed a detailed understanding of global best-practice strategy, marketing and commercial processes in New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, China and the USA. With Smartfoods, Vicky has focused on export growth to Australia then into South East Asia and China, with Vogel’s Cereals now ranked in the top 10 imported cereals sold on Tmall.
‘EXPORT TIPS, TRICKS, TRAPS’ – 24 panellists provide advice on steps you can take to ensure your exporting activity is strategic and profitable.
We re-examine the eternal exporting questions such as:
- What is the right business model for each market?
- What makes a good channel partner?
- Are cultural differences significant when negotiating terms and managing channel partner relationships? How to ensure your communications and marketing are fit for purpose.
- How do you gain real depth in international markets?
Hear strategic approaches others have made in entering markets and how that might apply in your situation.
Attend any 2 of following, 45-minute interactive discussions about market dynamics across 4 regions. Numbers are limited to 15 people per breakout, booked on a first-come, first –served basis.
Breakout #1 – AUSTRALIA
Ray Connor – Former General Manager, asBUILT Ray Connor has over 15 years of broad senior commercial experience leading award winning SME growth businesses; with a passion for Export focused technology businesses. Ray’s background spans a diverse range of industries including IoT sensor development, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics management, food processing tools and technology, sound editing software development and franchise operations. |
Ryan Sanders – Founder, Haka Tourism Group In 2007 Ryan started Haka Tours with no tourism experience, but a desire to break away from the corporate world and to work in an industry he was truly passionate about. Haka Tours goes directly to the consumer online, bypassing the traditional travel agency and wholesaler market. Twelve years later, in addition to its adventure tourism range, the wider Haka Tourism group now includes a growing nationwide chain of up-market hostels, Haka lodges, international educational brand Haka educational tours – which operates in 12 countries globally – and new hotel brand, Haka hotels. Haka Tourism Group is aiming for a $100 million revenue business by 2025. |
Anne O’Donnell – Head of Operations, Bobux International Anne O’Donnell is Head of Operations at Bobux International Limited. For almost 30 years, Bobux has been making the most loved shoes for little explorers, walking with them as they plant their feet upon the world. Anne is all about ‘getting things done’ and driving results – thru collaboration, partnerships and relationships. With an enthusiastic and friendly attitude, Anne radiates a sincere passion for delivering value to her customers. Anne continues to streamline operations at Bobux, increase efficiencies and customer service levels. |
Amy Wright – Head of Marketing, Brand & E-Commerce, Bobux International Amy Wright is currently Head of Brand, Marketing & Ecommerce for New Zealand owned and operated kids’ shoe brand Bobux. The Bobux journey spans 30 years of design and marketing led innovation in more than 40 countries. Hear about their international growth journey and digital transformation. With 20 years of marketing experience across multiple industries, and facets of the marketing mix. Her experience includes Carter Holt Harvey, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Wellington City Council, and the Food industry. |
Breakout #2 – China
Michele Lam – Export Markets Manager, Villa Maria Estate Michele Lam, Export Markets Manager, is very passionate about New Zealand wines and enthusiastic about sharing this with the rest of the world. In her current role, she supports Villa Maria’s global export teams from the NZ Head Office base. She is also the Market Manager for Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, India, Thailand and Philippines. |
Todd Graydon – Global General Manager, Blunt Umbrellas Todd is a tenacious & entrepreneurial sales and marketing leader with many years of global brand building experience and an impeccable track record in seeding and growing Kiwi brands throughout the world. Todd was a foundation member of the 42 Below team and more recently Ecoya Home Fragrance under Trilogy International. He is currently the Global General Manager for Iconic New Zealand Umbrella brand BLUNT. |
Vicky Taylor – Chief Operating Officer, Smartfoods Limited Vicky Taylor is a business leader with a wide experience across a range of roles and industries. Her core experience is in in consumer driven businesses across FMCG, Tourism and Hospitality. Building on my initial career in sales and marketing for leading FMCG businesses, she has developed a detailed understanding of global best-practice strategy, marketing and commercial processes in New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, China and the USA. With Smartfoods, Vicky has focused on export growth to Australia then into South East Asia and China, with Vogel’s Cereals now ranked in the top 10 imported cereals sold on Tmall. |
Breakout #3 – Middle East
Mike Millet, Jack Links NZ Ltd Mike has been working at Jack Links NZ as the Commerical Manager for the past 10 years. Initially employed as an IT manager 15 years ago. During the last 10 years, Mike has been working with various customers from the Middle East to Asia Pacific including the creation of the initial contracts for the supply of products to the paperwork and shipping requirements expected by the customers. |
Brian Astridge – Group Technical Services Manager, Tegel Foods Brian’s role as Tegels Group Technical Services Manager provides leadership and governance in technical, risk management and assurance systems (Animal Health and Welfare, Food Safety, Quality and Export Assurances), meeting customer and regulatory approval over all aspects of the fully integrated Tegel Group businesses (processing plants, growing animals, feed mills, hatcheries). This role not only enables Tegel Foods to process on a day to day basis, but also positions them to seize commercial and export opportunities through recognition of great systems. |
Panellist to be confirmed |
Breakout #4 – USA
Chris Leonard – Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at SnapComms Chris Leonard is the CEO and Co-Founder of SnapComms,a world-leading provider of internal communications software. Chris has built a successful, fast-growing business based on three principles: unwavering commitment to customer service excellence; a genuine desire to push technology to the limit; and leading an industry in product innovation for effective employee communications. Having been involved with SnapComms from its inception has meant Chris has acquired substantial business acumen and broad capability within technology start-up and growth-phased environments. |
Christine Fenby – Marketing Director, Vista Group Limited Christine is the Marketing Director of Vista Group, which was founded in NZ in 1996 and listed in 2014. Vista provides software and additional technology solutions across the film industry sectors of distribution, exhibition, and consumer (moviegoers). Prior to joining Vista full-time in 2012, Christine provided consultancy services to a broad range of businesses including Vista. Her marketing career began at TVNZ, when following “halcyon days” working in television production, and completing tertiary study with The University of Auckland, she was appointed to roles that supported TVNZ’s then global commercial operations; her export services and international marketing career was underway and has progressed ever since. In both 2018 and 2019, Christine was included in the ‘Top 50 Women in Global Cinema’ organised by the film industry sector online media channel Celluloid Junkie and judged by an independent group of peers. Christine believes her role at Vista to be one of the best available in the NZ tech export sector. |
Gavin de Steur – Customer Success Manager, UneeQ Gavin de Steur Manages Customer Success for digital human platform company UneeQ. He is originally from South Africa and has over 20 years of experience at an executive level across diverse enterprise and SME arenas, including both technical product / marketing management. He spent 10 years building a highly successful technology start-up company from scratch, four of which were spent as an executive in the company which acquired his high-growth start-up. He is passionate about working with customers and ensuring the successful implementation and use of the latest technologies available to a business/industry. |
Cameron Ross – Director of Sales, Ross Roof Group Ross Roof Group is a family owned and celebrating 75 years in roofing. Originally manufacturing concrete tiles they started manufacturing steel roofing tiles in 1989 and had JV manufacturing facilities in Europe and USA. Having sold these in 2010 they now manufacture solely out of NZ with sales offices in Europe, Dubai, Japan, USA and Argentina. They are heavily focused on export, which makes up 75% of their revenue, and have 20 staff located overseas. 10 of these are in the USA spread across multiple states with warehouses in California and Texas. Our USA sales now make up 20% of the business. |
Platinum Partner:
Gold Partners:
NZ INC Partners:
This is Export NZ’s last event for the year and as a treat for our last, premium event we have a Goody Bag for each attendee filled with products from our export community. Our motto is helping businesses succeed!
Come and see for yourself why our Export Excelerator events are becoming the most talked about in the export business community.
Limited to 100 seats! Reserve your place now!
Auckland
145 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton
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