Let’s meet the team!

Karen Sainsbury – Managing Director Cornerstone Events

Karen is a founder and Managing Director of Cornerstone Events. She has a unique ability to really understand what a customer needs, and takes the time to get to know their business – Karen is extremely passionate about delivering what is promised, and ensures every little detail is covered.

Karen’s career has seen her achieve a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, work in both Education and Private Hospital Industry, as well as a strong background in Hospitality. In the hotel industry, she has managed to win two national industry awards leading her teams to success, both as a Director of Sales, then as a General Manager. Her business acumen leading large hotel based teams and national committees within the Accor Network gives Cornerstone a unique edge and value add to its customers.

Karen is an accredited meeting professional with the Professional Conference Organisers Association Australia and New Zealand and is also the NSW Councillor on the PCOA Board.

Amy Abel – Head of Events, Conferences & Events Ltd

Amy has worked as Professional Conference Organiser since 2005 having spent her career organising national and international conferences in the UK and Europe, and since 2011 in New Zealand.  Amy has experience organising conferences and trade exhibitions for clients in a wide range of sectors including medical, educational, engineering and scientific at venues all over the country.

Amy is passionate about the events industry in New Zealand and loves the collaborative nature of how people work here. Amy is looking forward to being part of the PCOA25 committee to help develop a programme inspires our sector and challenges us to do things differently.

Holly Barnett – Project Manager, Touchpoint Meeting Services

Holly started her events career straight out of high school, running events and campaigns across the sporting and hospitality industries whilst also completing her bachelor’s degree in business at UTS. She has now been in the industry for 9 years.

Currently working at Touchpoint Meeting Services Pty Ltdas a Project Manager, her day to day now consists of managing clients across Australia to ensure the seamless delivery of their in-person, hybrid and virtual events.

Holly was honoured to have won the PCOA Tim Birley Rising Star Award in 2024 and looks forward to continuing support the next generations of event industry professionals climbing the ranks.

Simone Bouton – Conference Manager, Think Business Events

Simone Bouton is a dynamic and results-driven Conference Manager with over a decade of experience in the events industry, including seven years at Think Business Events . She has a knack for client collaboration, getting the job done and problem-solving. Simone is most fulfilled when she is working on a diverse range of conferences while collaborating with various clients in the events industry.

She delights in the diversity of events and the creative opportunities they present, viewing each conference as a chance to make a positive impact and create memorable experiences. Describing herself as ambitious, resilient, and open-minded, Simone brings a proactive approach to her work, ensuring each event is executed with precision and passion.

Emily Churchley – Event Coordinator, Answers For Associations

Emily’s journey into the events industry began in high school, sparking a five-year educational adventure culminating in a bachelor’s degree in Event and Tourism Management – including an unforgettable semester in Orlando, experiencing the magic of Disney firsthand. She brings over a decade of experience in operations, administration, and customer service, with a strong foundation in project management, marketing and communications.

As a young professional, Emily is passionate about connecting people and amplifying voices with fresh ideas and innovative thinking. She is a strong advocate for mental wellbeing, accessibility, neurodivergence inclusion, and sustainability as pillars of impactful events.

Kate Davies – Events Manager, ANZ NZ

With nearly 20 years of experience in events, communications, change management, and operations, I thrive on leading the entire event lifecycle. From concept development and project management to content creation and running marathons at ‘go live’, I’m passionate about crafting meaningful events with an incredible team (it takes an army!).

Kate’s expertise spans virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, including large-scale conferences and bespoke experiences. Recently, I’ve embraced incorporating Māori tikanga into my events, guided by wonderful mentors. At home, I juggle life with a busy husband, two spirited teenagers, and lively boxer dog on our semi-rural property in Tauranga, NZ.

Hayley Kimber – Assistant Director – Event Management, Comcare

Hayley Kimber has been working in the events industry in Canberra for over 15 years with experience in both not-for-profit associations and government departments. As Events Manager at Comcare, she leads a small team in the planning and delivery of the biennial Comcare National Conference and the Comcare National Work Health and Safety Awards.

Hayley has a keen interest in stakeholder engagement and creating memorable and valuable experiences for event attendees. Hayley is looking forward to helping shape the PCOA program to provide event professionals the opportunity to network, learn, and advance within our evolving and dynamic industry.

Tracey Thomas – Director, Conference Innovators

Tracey is passionate about the events industry, contributing to it and the tourism industry for over 30 years. With extensive hospitality and hotel development experience, Tracey is currently the Managing Director of Conference Innovators Ltd.

Tracey has been heavily involved in CI’s events, drawing on his expertise and extensive project management experience. He has served on the CINZ / BEIA boards and is a fountain of wisdom when it comes to curating engaging, high-quality content and impactful events.

With a passion for authenticity, Tracey will draw on his extensive networks, contributing expertise and strategic oversight to the Conference programme committee.

Josephine Trudinger – Member Services and Events, Australian Food and Grocery Council

Josephine is a strategic and results-driven professional with expertise in industry engagement, member relations, and event organisation and execution. As part of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, she works closely with members and stakeholders to foster meaningful industry connections, drive advocacy efforts, and deliver value to businesses.

With a strong focus on industry event organisation, Josephine plays a key role in curating impactful conferences and forums that bring together business leaders and policymakers. Passionate about member engagement, she excels at creating platforms for collaboration and driving industry-wide conversations.

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