ACE New Zealand SME Summit

About

Aotearoa New Zealand is a nation of small and medium-sized businesses and there are unique challenges for consultancies of this size operating in the built and natural environment. 

In 2024 we're bringing you the ACE New Zealand SME Summit, an action-packed day of presentations and workshops on topics that matter to you most. The event will be a tailored experience to support professionals at different stages of the business development journey.  

You'll have the ability to customise your day by choosing between two tracks – business development, or business governance and leadership. The programme has been designed with facilitated workshops following each speaker to help you apply the learning to your organisation straight away.

The summit is a one-day event to minimise your time away from the office, and you can also take the hybrid option and join us online.

It's a great chance to get together with your peers from other ACE firms around the country – grow your network, have new conversations and share ideas.

Programme

• 8.30am: Registration, networking, light breakfast 
• 9.20am: Karakia, welcome, housekeeping
• 9.30am: Opening keynote speaker Ana Ivanovic-Tongue, Head of Delivery at AcademyEX
• 10.20am: Introduction session on how the programme will run and how to design your day  
• 10.35am: Concurrent session one  (keynote speaker followed by workshop)   
  • Winning the big deals with Warner Cowin at Height OR
  • The ESG landscape and future planning for your business with Steve Bowman at Board Pro
• 11.50am: Lunch 
• 12.35pm: Concurrent session two (keynote speaker followed by workshop)
  • AI, digital disruption and creating your digital strategy with Louisa Bloomer at Stantec OR
  • Equity engineering: Crafting share plans to engage talented employees with Luke Smith at Orchestra
• 1.55pm: Concurrent session three (keynote speaker followed by workshop)
  • Recruitment and retention with Ben Tinker at HainesAttract OR
  • SME ownership and governance - panel discussion featuring Ian McKnight at BMC, Chris Short at CGW Consulting Engineers,  Phil Bull at BlueBarn, Emily Afoa at Tektus, and Samantha Almeida  at Egis
• 3.10pm: Afternoon tea
• 3.40pm: Closing keynote speaker Mike Bennetts, former Chief Executive of Z Energy
• 4.40pm: Debrief and facilitated action plan
• 5pm: Networking, drinks, nibbles
• 6pm: Event ends 

Cost

• In-person ACE member $350
• In-person non-member $550
• Online ACE member $200
• Online non-member $400

Registration

Register for the ACE New Zealand SME Summit