Organisers

Producers, Managers
and Convenors

The Conference Collective Podcast Series 4

Welcome to the ‘The Conference Collective’ Podcast, celebrating the best in innovation and leadership from those who are creating a positive change in the business events industry. A podcast brought to you by the Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc. and hosted by Libbie Ray from Connected Event Group. This podcast provides listeners with behind the scenes access to some of the key innovators in our industry as they share their honest and raw insights. It highlights how collaboration, innovation and resilience are at the core of the events industry and the reasons we have managed to survive through the most challenging time our industry has faced. Get ready to learn more about the brave new world of the business events industry.

This season of ‘The Conference Collective’ Podcast was primarily recorded live at the PCOA24 conference, in Connected Event Group’s portable recording studio. We will be back recording new episodes at PCOA25, so please reach out to The PCOA if you are interested in starring as a guest for next season!

Episode 7

Entrepreneurial Insights and Building Lasting Partnerships with Jacqui Bates

Jacqui shares her journey from working in hotels to starting her own business, revealing the lessons learned along the way. She talks about the importance of training, mentorship, and fostering relationships in the event industry. Jacqui also discusses the challenges of running a business in an industry with frequent turnover, the value of word-of-mouth marketing, and the importance of turning down clients that don’t align with your business vision.

About Jacqui Bates:

Jacqui Bates is Director of The Conference Manager, a Melbourne based professional conference organising company established in 2008. She has worked in the meetings and events industry for over 30 years, holding both senior sales/marketing and operational management positions in the hospitality industry before becoming a Conference Organiser.

Connected Event Group

Thank you to our webinar and podcast partner for 2025 – Connected Event Group