With a career that bridges the worlds of AI evangelism, business strategy, broadcast media, and brand innovation, Tony Eades brings unmatched energy and insight to the stage. As Chief Strategy Officer at Salted Stone, a global digital growth agency and HubSpot Elite Partner, Tony helps companies navigate the leverage of AI, power of digital, brand storytelling, and customer experience engagement. A sought-after keynote speaker and media commentator, Tony appears regularly on TV and radio, breaking down complex topics like AI, marketing trends, and business growth into actionable insights. He’s also been featured on Sky News, SBS, and in publications like Forbes and SmartCompany.

James helps founders and executive teams align culture, reporting and systems so their teams focus on what matters most and deliver their company vision to market. An entrepreneurial spirit, he’s passionate about transformational business growth and market adoption; linking customer-focused strategies, people, cultures, and ecosystems.

With over 10 years in the recruitment industry — and more than 9 years dedicated to the Shopfitting & Fitout sector —Ashlea brings unmatched insight, energy, and expertise to her role at Nobul Recruitment.

She’s seen the industry evolve through major shifts, from pre-COVID growth to the new post-COVID expectations, and she knows exactly what today’s businesses need — and what candidates are truly looking for.

Ashlea recruits across South East Queensland, specialising in roles such as Cabinet Makers, Shopfitters, Drafters, Estimators, and Management. She’s not just about filling roles — she’s passionate about building real connections, long-term partnerships, and high-performing teams that thrive through every peak and trough.

Michael Cleghorn is the CEO and founder of MC&Co Trend, a global leader in trend intelligence, design strategy, and business growth consulting. With over 30 years of experience across manufacturing, product development, and design, Michael helps businesses uncover profitable opportunities by aligning emotional consumer insights with rigorous commercial strategy.

His proprietary MC&Co Trend Intelligence System offers a robust, practical framework for future success. Michael advises businesses, governments, and industries on building meaningful, profitable innovation strategies worldwide.

As Creative Director at Trout, Anthony has spent over 20 years crafting impactful brands in construction and lifestyle, working closely with the Reece Group to elevate customer experiences.

Effie, Strategy Lead at Trout, shapes and builds brands for the trade industry – tapping into what trades care about to create brands that truly connect.

Seana, Innovation Designer at Next, leads hands-on innovation, uncovering opportunities through rapid experimentation and deep research with tradespeople and industry partners.

Sarah is a quantity surveyor and business leader with over 30 years’ experience. She was the first woman in Australia to lead a quantity surveying firm, serving as CEO of Slattery from 2017 to 2024, where she drove major growth and positioned the firm among Australia’s top five. Now Director of Partnerships and Innovation, she leads long-term value creation through strategy and sustainability. She chairs the Responsible Products Advisory Group, is a member of the Green Building Council’s Green Star Advisory Committee, and holds multiple board roles, including at Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Victoria. She is also a Vincent Fairfax Fellow.

Lisa Qiu is a Partner and Solicitor with Citation Legal. She has extensive experience in Employment Law and Business Migration. This dual qualification allows for a unique perspective on client matters and enables her to provide clients with niche advice addressing both employment and migration concerns. She has experience in the jurisdictions of the Fair Work Commission, Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia, Fair Work Ombudsman and Australian Human Rights Commission. She frequently advises employers on a range of employment issues, including underpayments, restraints of trade and breach of confidentiality, sexual harassment, discrimination, redundancies and negotiating complex disputes.