Google, Pepsico execs to speak in NZ at global entrepreneurs conference

An all-star line-up of speakers – including top brass from Google, Facebook, Pepsico, and Saatchi & Saatchi – will inspire 400 top business people from around the world at the 2012 Entrepreneursʼ Organisation Queenstown University conference from 22 to 26 February 2012.

Reservations for the five-star event – one of only three staged worldwide each year – sold out within only eight hours of release late last year, but this comes as no surprise toEntrepreneursʼ Organisation (EO) Queenstown University Chairman Mat Wylie.

“A speakers list as impressive as ours instantly appeals to EOʼs global membership of 8000leading business owners in 40 countries,” he says.

“With the help of Kiwi Expats Abroad (KEA) weʼve tapped into their vast network and booked high-flying NZ businesspeople to share their success secrets and inspire our members toeven greater heights.

“Itʼs an honour to share the views of these special New Zealanders with some of the worldʼs most influential business people and help showcase New Zealand itself as a place where brilliant ideas and innovation can flourish.”

Topping the list of star speakers will be Director of Engineering at Google, New Zealand-born Craig Nevill-Manning, who began his meteoric career with degrees from Canterbury and Waikato Universities.

Also on the schedule will be his Kiwi wife, Kirsten Nevill-Manning, who is Director of Human Resources at facebook and will be presenting on “The future of social media and how it will affect your business”.

Other Kiwis who have scaled the heights of international business will also be speaking,including Sarah Robb OʼHagan, who is now Pepsicoʼs Gatorade President North America and Global Chief Marketing Officer, and Kevin Roberts, Worldwide CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi.

Pharmaceutical scientist, intraocular lens innovator, Kiwi Bank New Zealander of the Year 2010 and recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit Sir Ray Avery will also be speaking,along with Tim Alpe, CEO of tourism company Jucy and the 2010 New Zealand Entrepreneurof the Year.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to climb Bobʼs Peak with Mark Inglis, the only doubleamputee to climb Mt Everest, experience a Martin Jetpack simulator with inventor Glenn Martin, and enjoy a “fireside chat” with Jonah Lomu.

“It all adds up to an amazing package of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and potentially game-changing inspiration for our members. None of it would be possible of course without ourgenerous sponsors, key partner New Zealand Trade and Enterprise along with KPMG, 2Degrees Mobile, Air New Zealand, Jucy, BKA Interactive and Kiwi Expats Abroad,” saysWylie.

This first-ever EO University in New Zealand will be the best chance for our country to presentour “number eight wire” philosophy in business, while encouraging other Kiwis who areeligible to become a member of the Entrepreneursʼ Organisation to make the most of this global business mentoring and networking group.