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.au

About 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.com

About 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/

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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.au

About 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.com

About 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/

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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 Hone
Dr 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.au

About 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.com

About 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