Speakers
Amanda Stevens
Amanda Stevens is a renowned thought leader on the customer experience.
She combines current consumer insights with fascinating research into buying behaviour, delivering organisations and business owners powerful strategies for connecting with their customers. Amanda has a double degree in consumer psychology and marketing. She has consulted to some of the country’s biggest brands, including LendLease, Microsoft, Procter and Gamble, and even the Australian Liberal Party.
Recognised as one of the most entertaining Speakers on the circuit, Amanda has presented at over 700 conferences in 14 countries. She combines practical strategies with a mesmerizing storytelling style, leaving audiences with memorable messages and actionable insights.
Amanda is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), one of the highest accolades awarded by the Professional Speakers Association of Australia. She has shared the stage with Sir Richard Branson, and Sir Bob Geldof and in 2014 was the supporting speaker for Condoleezza Rice at the Global Leadership Summit.
Amanda is a former Young Australian of the Year (Career Achievement, NSW) and in 2003 was awarded the prestigious Centenary Medal by the Governor-General for Business Innovation.
Listen to Amanda speak at the NZ Plumbing Conference at 8:00am on Friday the 2nd of May.
Darren Shand
Darren Shand was the highly regarded All Blacks Manager from 2004 to 2023. A time that many call the golden era, when the All Blacks won back-to-back tournaments in 2011 and 2015.
In his time, the All Blacks also won the Tri Nations and subsequent Rugby Championship six times. The All Blacks have also won three Grand Slams against the Home Nations in 2005, 2008 and 2010 and been World Rugby Team of the Year ten times: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 – 2016 as well as World Sports Team of the Year at the 2015 Laureus Awards.
Darren has a Bachelor of Physical Education (Otago University) and previously served as Marketing Manager with tourism pioneers AJ Hackett Bungy in Queenstown.
In 2022, Darren was brought onto the Culture and Leadership Advisory Board at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, to provide his expertise and experience and help to build a team of thought leaders at Novartis with diverse perspectives.
In 2014, Darren was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Darren talks about leadership, wellbeing, building teams and growing people, working under pressure, change management and living your values.
Listen to Darren speak at the NZ Plumbing Conference at 8:15am on Thursday the 1st of May.
Julian Moore
Julian is well-known across Australasia for helping associations and other nonprofits boost their revenue through high-value partnership and sponsorship programs. As an unabashed technology geek, has a deep understanding of the AI world and how associations can use AI to improve their operational performance and make a greater impact on the sectors they represent.
Having worked extensively in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, Julian has a knack for making complex topics easy to grasp. He loves to showcase practical ideas through stories and examples that people can relate to. Julian can guide organisations in adopting simple yet impactful solutions via his coaching, consulting, or customised training services.
Listen to Julian speak at the NZ Plumbing Conference at 11:45am on Friday the 2nd of May.
