Family Business Australia and New Zealand puts our members at the heart of everything we do, culminating in the Family Business Conference. This event gives our members an opportunity to come together to learn, inspire and grow through a program of learning, networking and keynote talks from leading industry professionals. This access to a wealth of knowledge and experience helps to empower our members to secure their businesses future and legacy.

For over 23 years, the Family Business Conference – Asia Pacific has been connecting leaders across Australia and this year we are also celebrating our own legacy as we approach our 25 year anniversary, we are excited to be part of creating events like this for a quarter of a century for our members.

This year, the conference aims to capture the lasting legacy of family business that can be passed down and celebrated by future generations.

With high engagement and participation from members, the Family Business Conference is a great opportunity for you to meet with people from businesses of all sizes, showcase your commitment to supporting family-owned businesses throughout Australia and New Zealand. It’s a melting pot of experience and wisdom that enables you to consolidate your skills and those of your family members and employees. You’ll have the opportunity to create a lasting impact within the industry that will become part of your own legacy.

I’m excited to announce that we have several keynote speakers taking the stage including six generation family member Robert-Hill Smith from Hill-Smith Family Estates whose family story began more than 170 years ago and international speaker Natalie McVeigh, Managing Director at EisnerAmper’s Center for Family Business Excellence who will explore the nuances of how these cultural changes can influence communication between family members.

With such a strong conference program and dedicated sessions for you, your family and your family business advisors, we know that there is something for everyone.

I hope to see you in Adelaide.

Mark Kagan
Chairman
Family Business Australia

This year the Family Business Conference – Asia Pacific includes a contingent from our New Zealand membership, you will also hear from some of them on stage and I look forward to connecting our whole family business community together in Australia. The conference program hosts several social events and activities planned to help you get to know your Trans-Tasman peers and share stories and learn of each other’s business ventures. Everyone approaches conference differently, some of you will listen and observe and some of you will actively interact. This is your opportunity to learn from both the formal and informal networking opportunities. This year sees the introduction of a site visit program, building on our local Meet the Owners’ events these will give you a sneak peek behind the diverse family business sector in South Australia which is home to some of the countries largest and most prominent family lead brands. To help leaders make informed decisions about their own legacy we have curated a program that focuses on how to create a positive and lasting legacy, how to adapt to change and create a brand that withstands each generational change alongside protecting your family business legacy as you move through each succession and how to work together in harmony. The Family Business Conference is often the starting point for families in business; it provides the foundation for ongoing discussion about important principles and issues. It brings people together – in one place – from widely dispersed regions, and for many it becomes the foundation of longstanding friendships and alliances. We understand that the friendships and connections you make are just as important as the things you learn, and I encourage you to take advantage of the wide range of social events on offer.

I look forward to joining you in Adelaide and flying the flag for FBNZ.

Iain Blakeley
Chairman
Family Business New Zealand