The Qut Group’s new Asa Sleep Downunder Conference in Australia will bring together leading thinkers and doers from across the country for a week of learning and networking opportunities, inspiring discussions and, of course, fun social events!
This year, the conference will gather in the beautiful Sydney on January 14-20, 2019.
The motto for the 2019 event is ‘A celebration of growth, connection and curiosity.’
The conference will consist of keynotes, panel discussions and social events throughout the week. A full schedule of activities and details on how to register can be found on the website.
Australia is world-class, with some of the best universities, biggest cities and most beautiful coastlines. If you’ve never been there, then this is a great opportunity to visit the country of the kangaroo and the koala!
One of the world’s great summer cities, Brisbane, is Australia’s capital. It is a bustling metropolis with a very European vibe. There is also always a lot going on in Sydney. If you have a couple of days there, then you can experience it all – from the beauty of the Blue Mountains to sandy beaches and surfing!
This week’s social events in Sydney will range from intimate dinner parties to big, group events. There will be something for everyone.
Experienced Speakers
One of the main reasons for the popularity of the Asa Sleep Downunder Conference is that it draws some of the best speakers and presenters from Australia and around the world. Some of the guests who have been previously confirmed to speak at the conference include:
Alan Joyce
Alan Joyce is the CEO of Qantas Airways. He is an experienced speaker and has presented at various international and national events, including the Fortune Global Forum. He has also spoken at length on the airline industry and the future of Australian travel.
In August 2018, Qantas had to suspend its operations temporarily due to declining demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the carrier has since made a successful return, and it continues to grow.
Gerry Harvey
Gerry Harvey is the founder and former director of Harvey Norman, one of Australia’s largest retail companies. Last year, he became a brand ambassador for Nivea, the skincare brand, and in April 2019, he was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of Australia for helping to grow the nation’s economy and supporting disadvantaged communities.
Harvey Norman has more than 200 stores across Australia and New Zealand. It also has a chain of convenience stores, Harvey Nino’s, which is popularly known for its friendly staff and engaging owner, Gerry Harvey. He founded the company in 1966 and became one of Australia’s most respected and popular business leaders. He is a member of the Order of Australia’s Business Hall of Fame, a recipient of the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia, and a global ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.
Adam Holland
Adam Holland is the founder of the business group, A.C. Limited, which owns and operates a number of iconic restaurants and bars in Sydney, including the iconic Majestic Hotel. He is also the group’s managing director. A graduate of the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York, he has worked in some of the most prestigious restaurants in the world.
Holland’s restaurants feature a range of tasting menus that can be customized for different diets, including vegetarian and vegan options. He also offers an executive chef program through A.C. Limited’s head office in Sydney, where participants work with a personal chef and take part in group outings to local restaurants. In 2013, Adam opened the doors to his first cookbook, ‘My Farm to Table,’ which follows a season-by-season guide to organic produce, offering simple, fresh and seasonal recipes. The book is a collaboration with renowned Perth pastry chef, Mary McFadden and celebrates Australian produce with European and American dishes that make the most of the country’s bountiful summer and winter seasons.
Deborah Kirkpatrick
A champion for women in business, Deborah Kirkpatrick is the founder of the Daring and Divine Enterprises, a business which provides support and opportunities for women. Kirkpatrick also served as the chairperson of the Australian Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2014-2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and marketing from the University of Queensland.
Kirkpatrick is committed to supporting and boosting Australian businesses and initiatives, and she is also active in a range of community and charity work. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2018 University Women’s Enterprise Award for Excellence in Innovation. In 2020, Kirkpatrick was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for her services to business and the community.
Wendy Fouda
Wendy Fouda has extensive experience in marketing and communications, having worked for both global and Australian companies. She has established strategic marketing communications firms in Sydney and London and now works as a solo practitioner, specializing in brand management, marketing strategy and digital marketing. She is also the co-founder of brand agency, Brandola, which she established in 2016 with her partner, Nick Jones.
Fouda has more than 20 years of experience in brand development and marketing with a focus on beauty and wellness. She has helped numerous high-profile clients build and grow their brands, including Nivea, Garnier, Lancôme, Dior and Victoria Secret.
Tanya Beck
Tanya Beck is the founder and managing director of Tanya Beck Estate & Gifts, a luxury goods company which designs, creates and delivers bespoke gift bags, gift boxes and other gift items. Established in 2007, the company has since expanded to create and deliver gifts and stationery items to some of Australia’s most prominent figures. Beck has also designed unique bespoke gift bags for some of the country’s best-known spas, including The Glasshouse, Daylesford and Yarra Yacht and Country Club.
A mother of two, Beck is a committed family woman who also spends a lot of time outdoors, especially at Springwood Park in Melbourne, where her house is located. She is a member of the Victorian Country Women’s Association and the Yarra Yacht and Country Club Women’s Network. She also serves on the board of the Springwood Children’s Centre and the Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation in Melbourne.
Shauna Reid
Shauna Reid is an accomplished marketing and communications professional, having worked for 15 years for an international property developer. She has also worked for a management consultant and a marketing agency. Reid has helped several Australian companies establish themselves internationally and has assisted with corporate brand strategy, marketing planning and media planning. She is a graduate of the University of Queensland with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics. Reid is also a member of the Australian Institute of Marketing and the Queensland Institute of Marketing.
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton is an experienced PR business owner who has held senior management positions with well-known agencies in London and Sydney. She is also the author of the business book, ‘From Princess to Posh.’
An advocate for women in business, Middleton is the founder and director of PR firm, KCM London, which she established in 2014. She is also the founder of Sydney PR agency, PMS Group, which she established in 2016. In 2018, she launched a weekly newsletter to keep readers abreast of the latest trends and insights.
Megan Washington
Megan Washington is a professional makeup artist who has worked with A-list celebs and high-profile individuals, including Miranda Kerr, Megan Washington, Elle MacLeman and Kate Middleton. She is also the author of the bestselling makeup and skincare guide, ‘Ultimate Megan Washington,’ and she has established herself as one of the country’s leading authorities on skin anatomy and skincare. Washington is the founder of Megan Washington Beauty and skincare, a dermatological practice based in New York City. She is also a faculty member at New York University’s School of Medicine.