Environmental entrepreneur announced in Connect line-up
June 2, 2015
Connect 2015 event organisers, the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce, today announced that award-winning sustainability business expert and Firestarter Managing Director Arron Wood will join the event’s speaker line-up in July.
Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce Event Chair Ross Hepworth said Mr Wood will provide insight into attracting sustainable investment to the Sunshine Coast region, having accumulated substantial experience in this area in his role as Councillor for the City of Melbourne and while sitting on the Enterprise Melbourne Advisory Board.
“Arron has played a significant role in protecting and strengthening Melbourne’s economic prosperity, and his expertise and broad knowledge base will be of huge benefit to the Sunshine Coast community,” Mr Hepworth said.
“As a passionate environmentalist, Arron focuses heavily on balancing the needs of the environment with economic development, which is a primary area of interest for our region.”
“I have no doubt he will be an inspirational speaker given he has successfully turned his passions into a viable business and can share how adaptive and responsive businesses can provide solutions to the problems of our time.”
Mayor Mark Jamieson said Sunshine Coast Council — a gold sponsor of the Connect 2015 event — was excited to be bringing Mr Wood to the Sunshine Coast.
“Arron’s insight and ability to identify emerging green markets and risks to existing markets has seen him engaged to speak to business at the highest level, including corporates Ernst and Young, KPMG and Sony Australia,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“Arron also initiated the highly successful, Kids Teaching Kids program, which the Sunshine Coast Council proudly supports through delivering the annual Kids in Action conference – the Kids Teaching Kids program has attracted more than $30 million in funding (raised single-handedly by Arron) and seen a phenomenal 90,000 students participate.
“His success as a micro business owner, radio presenter, reporter, sustainable business expert, professional speaker, advisor, environmentalist, communications expert and Councillor not only reflects Mr Wood’s diverse range of skills and expertise, but also his ability to be an influencer and understand a broad range of business operations and the challenges faced by business owners on a day-to-day basis.
“We look forward to having him impart his wisdom at Connect 2015 and share tips to assist the Sunshine Coast in living up to its vision of becoming Australia’s most sustainable region—vibrant, green, diverse.”
Mr Wood will deliver a keynote address to Connect 2015 attendees on the morning of Thursday, 30 July. He joins RedEye founder Wayne Gerard, CSIRO principal scientist in strategic foresight Dr Stefan Hajkowicz and atmail CEO Zach Johnson on this year’s speaker line-up.
For a full list of speakers presenting at Connect 2015 on July 30, please visit www.connect2015.com.au. Tickets to the one-day event cost $199 per person (including GST) and include the full-day conference program, lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea, as well as canapés and a drink at the post-event networking function.
The event will take place at the Mooloolaba campus of TAFE Queensland East Coast and is open to all members of the Sunshine Coast business community.
Please visit the website, ‘like’ the Connect 2015 Facebook page or call (07) 5443 5661 for further information or to secure your seat.
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Media contact: Maya Gurry, Fresh PR & Marketing l T: 0410 109 102 l E: maya@freshprm.com.au
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