Women in Business ‘Walk the Talk’ in Queenstown

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Women in Business ‘Walk the Talk’ in Queenstown

March 7 2013:The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Women’s Business Conference on May 17 is expected to be a sell-out following on from the highly successful and inspirational inaugural conference last year which attracted glowing reviews from businesswomen around the region.

Chamber CEO Ann Lockhart says there has been intensive planning during the past year to provide a strong line-up of motivational speakers for the 2013 conference with its theme “Walking the Talk.”

“Last year’s speakers were outstanding and it has been our mission to cap that. I think we have assembled an excellent group of women who have extensive backgrounds in a range of businesses in New Zealand. They all have a lot to contribute on both a professional and a personal level.”

Media personality Mary Lambie is the conference MC and is widely respected for her talents as a journalist and broadcaster. She has had significant roles in both radio and television and earned a high profile as host of TV One’s Good Morning Show.

Mary has practical business experience as owner and operator of a Subway franchise in Central Auckland. She purchased her first franchise six years ago and has bought and sold a number of Subway stores during that period.

The panel of speakers includes entrepreneur Melissa Clark-Reynolds who was the youngest person ever to attend university in New Zealand in 1980. She is the founder of Fusion, a health and safety and ACC consultancy company which became New Zealand’s largest private accident compensation insurer.

Peri Drysdale is the founder of Untouched World and Snowy Peak and widely respected in the business world. She has won several significant business awards and was awarded the MBE for her contribution to New Zealand’s manufacturing and exporting industries.

Linden Leaves founder and Executive Chairman Brigit Blair was driven by her passion for quality, effective and safe skincare and lifestyle products to set up the company which exports to many countries including Asia, Australia, Germany, Canada and the USA. She received the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for services to business.

Carmel Fisher is the founder and Managing Director of Fisher Funds with more than 25 years’ experience investing in the New Zealand share market. Fisher Funds’ New Zealand Growth Fund has been the country’s top performing share fund during the past decade.

Rachel Taulelei established Yellow Brick Road and is now CEO of the company which has made a large investment in New Zealand’s food culture. She is also co-founder of the City market and chairs Wellington’s On a Plate Advisory Board. She was named last year as a Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader.

Radio Live and Live Sport Mediaworks Radio General Manager Jane Rangooni has led the way for women in senior editorial and management positions in the radio industry and will share her experiences as a “glass ceiling smasher” who has juggled a career and solo motherhood for 17 years.

Due to her outstanding performance at the 2012 conference, style guru and entertaining motivational speaker Lisa O’Neill, is returning and will speak about her varied experience in the fashion industry spanning 20 years.

Ms Lockhart says while the conference will provide valuable insights into business methods and opportunities through its panel of speaker the forum is also an excellent opportunity for networking.

“We want to encourage women from all walks of business life, throughout the region, to come along and exchange ideas and information. The feedback we had last year highlighted just how inspired so many of the delegates were by the professionalism of the presenters and the chance to network with a group of likeminded people. There was certainly some excellent business connections established.”

The major sponsors for the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce’s “Walking the Talk” Women’s Business Conference are Hilton Queenstown and Vodafone.

ENDS

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