In 2017, Connect Networking held its first conference. Based on its success, plans were put in place to hold biennial conference for office professionals from Ballarat and region. The 2019 conference, Shoot for the Stars, commenced with a conference dinner and provided a varied program the following day. Regrettably plans for the 2021 Conference were put on hold because of COVID-19. Let's hope that there will an opportunity to hold another exciting program in 2022.
2019 Conference: May 2019 Following on the success of our 2017 Connecting Conference, and the positive feedback from conference participants, the second Connecting Conference was held in May 2019.
Shoot for the Stars: Navigating your Future. The Conference commenced with a dinner on Tuesday, 7 May 2019. Key note speaker was Academy Award winner, Adam Elliot who wowed the audience with his tales of his career journey. A full-day program of plenary sessions and workshops followed on Wednesday, 8 May 2019 with MC Bryce Ives and guest presenters including Peter Cain, Prof Bridget Aitchison, Tash Spencer, Garry Trotter, Sally Kennedy and Chris Waters. As in 2017, the panel session was a highlight as was the lunch-time "fashion parade" of office workwear by Bolton's. The conference program can be found here. We captured the event in some great photos - check them out! conference dinner
Connecting Conference 2017 What a great success! Fantastic speakers and facilitators and plenty of opportunity to network. Over a 100 regional office professionals attended the conference held on 8 March 2017 at the Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre. Emceed by Committee for Ballarat Chair, Janet Dore, the conference got off to an excellent start with Sue Anderson (Good2Gr8) who challenged participants with her presentation on The Three Intelligences of Strong Minds at Work. This was followed by Connect Patron, Judy Verlin, who shared her journey from an EA to Mayor in her presentation entitled, From the Desk to the Lectern. Motivated, conference attendees headed into their workshop sessions - Going Viral - Enhancing Your On-Line Reputation with Bronwen Clark Thriving Regions), Your Role and Key Interpersonal Skills with Julie Warnock (Change Management Consultant) and How Managing Stress Can Help You be Healthier, Happier and More Productive with Damien Adler (Mind Life Clinic). Who's Making the Coffee was a fun and enlightening panel session with Janelle Burns, Tracey Rayner and Rebekah Fraser and their managers, and ably facilitated by Lynne McLennan. Sadhana Smiles (CEO Harcourts Victoria) closed the conference with an inspiring presentation, I Want What She's Having. To round off an already busy day, conference attendees enjoyed a conference dinner (many bringing their CEOs along) with Gorgi Coghlan as keynote speaker. A full-on, enjoyable and valuable day! (check out the pics in the gallery) Feedback from the conference was overwhelmingly positive. Comments included
I was sceptical about attending the conference but was extremely thankful that I did. It was incredibly well-organised and provided great food-for-thought whilst networking with like-minded registrants.
I found the conference not only beneficial from a professional and work-related perspective, but also found it to be very strong and empowering on a personal level.
Thanks for the opportunity to network locally, meet new people and feel supported as an office professional in our region.
A professionally run Conference that exceeded all expectations. Congratulations to all concerned.