the annual global Russell Bedford conference, edition 36 held in Sydney, on days 23–27 October 2019 The host was Camphin Boston. The conference was held at the historic Fullerton Sydney Hotel, conveniently located near the most famous restaurants, shops and theatres in Sydney, as well as the city's iconic attractions – Opera and Harbour Bridge.
The conference began on Wednesday evening with welcome drinks and dinner at the hotel. Participants from all four regions six continents quickly introduced themselves to new members who had recently joined the network and warmly welcomed them. After the traditional Aboriginal welcome of the conference, he solemnly opened the CEO Stephen Hamlet.
The theme of this year's vocational programme was leadership and technology. The arrivals had a unique opportunity to listen to sessions conducted by successful professionals from different countries.
Thursday 24 October The professional program began with the introduction of Stephen Hamlet, who summed up the fantastic year of network operation (the main prize in the competition for the network of the year 2019!). Stephen discussed some exciting initiatives and changes.
A special panel was then held with chairs of Russell Bedford, where Geoff Goodyear sat (1996-2014), Bill Rucci (2014-2019) And Bruce Saward. Gentlemen have discussed the development of the network over the past years.
first The Culture and Leadership session was led by Giam Sweigers.
After the break, she moved. first Round of workshops. Delegates could use the one led by Dan Weis of Kiandra IT, who discussed cyber security and hacking; or attend a meeting led by Fiona Campbell of the IASB, speaking on external audit and quality standards.
The impressive programme ended with a feedback session on the future strategy Russell Bedford. To Vienna, in which the next edition of the conference will be held next year, Wolfgang Wiesner, partner with RT Revisionstreuhand, the event-organiser company in 2020
In the afternoon, after Jo Maloney's presentation from Project Futures, Stephen Hamlet launched an interesting initiative, announcing the creation of Russell Bedford Charity Foundation and donating first a donation to charity that changes the lives of women and girls affected by human trafficking, sexual slavery and sexual abuse in Australia and Cambodia.
Then a fantastic session “Generation Next – attract, engage and preserve”, led by Claire Madden founder of Hello Clarity, the leading international voice of Generation Z. Claire led a panel discussion with a panel of panelists including Charles Edwards, Laura Craft and Anastasia Cao.
The new members then had the opportunity to present their companies from Brisbane, Tokyo, Dhaki, São Paulo and Chicago.
An evening social program took delegates to Pier One on Sydney Harbour Bridge, with spectacular views.
The second day of the conference began with a parallel session on internal audit, led by Stephen Coates, President of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Australia; on an effective transition to business advisory services, as James Mason, Managing Director of Mindshop, spoke of; and a “Leading with the Heart” session led by Julia van Graas, a world-renowned consultant, co-founder of Spiique (advising for managers).
After the networking lunch was held second Round of workshops. Delegates were invited to one of them focusing on technology and development opportunities, led by Greg Clarke of ABM Systems; as well as another “Powerful tools and techniques to ask questions that solve every customer problem”, arranged by James Mason.
Peter Bliss, Health Coach and Business founder to Bliss, joined the discussion on the benefits of mindfulness in achieving peak results. He pointed out that mental health is becoming more important than ever in increasingly demanding jobs.
Brett Fraser's presentation on Microsoft collaboration tools and products for professional services was then held.
The last day of the annual global conference began an audit quality control session conducted by Jim Sylph, audit quality consultant Russell Bedford, and then the presentation of John van Dieren, a management partner from our member company in Perth, Stantons, on the preparation of new international standards for ISQM (quality management in the company).
Petera Williams of Rexster Consulting discussed the disruptions in the accounting work during the session "Hatch the Day".
After the break, the program ended with a feedback session on the future strategy Russell Bedford. To Vienna, in which the next edition of the conference will be held next year, Wolfgang Wiesner, partner with RT Revisionstreuhand, the event-organiser company in 2020.
The highlight of the event was a wonderful gala at The Art Gallery, New South Wales. Entertainment, wonderful food and drink, more speeches, more mentions of our awards and dances and talks culminated in intense conference days.
A huge thanks to Mark Edwards and the entire Camphin Boston team, who helped realize the impressive plan of the event.