conference sessions
Our sessions at the 2025 Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific have been thoughtfully crafted to provide you with real-world tools and takeaways for navigating change in family businesses. Featuring a range of expert keynote presentations, family business stories, interactive workshops, and parallel sessions, this year’s conference program will guide you through vital topics—economic outlooks, the technology landscape, intergenerational dynamics, resilience, family transitions, the value of partnerships, adaptability, and more. Every session is designed to equip you with strategies to navigate current challenges, embrace future opportunities, and achieve sustained success for your family business.
keynote sessions
Our keynote sessions at the 2025 Family Business Conference will cover important topics, including global and local economic updates and trends, future technologies, and "gentelligence"—an exploration of generational understanding. Join these thought leaders for powerful insights on staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving world. In addition, hear from successful family businesses on preparing the next generation to become owners, the value of partnerships for success, and stepping into a leadership role within a family business.
ECONOMIC
UPDATE
ECONOMIC
UPDATE
David Koch,
Pinstripe Media
9:15am - 9:50am
Thursday 22 May
David Koch, otherwise affectionately known by the public as Kochie, is one of Australia’s most recognised and respected faces. Before Sunrise, Kochie was a (self-proclaimed) finance nerd who started as a cadet on the business pages of …
SUCCEEDING IN A CONTINUOUSLY CHANGING WORLD
SUCCEEDING IN A CONTINUOUSLY CHANGING WORLD
Göran Roos,
Intellectual Capital Services
10:40am - 11:30am
Thursday 22 May
Over the past quarter-century, family businesses have faced significant changes and challenges that have transformed their operations. Technological advancements, along with social and environmental influences, have disrupted traditional …
TURNING THE ORDINARY INTO EXTRAORDINARY
Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, The Big Group
11:30am - 12:15pm
Thursday 22 May
In 1990, a very young Bruce Keebaugh, post a degree in Hotel Management, was given an office and a phone from his Dad. He then spent 500 dollars at Pink Panther Printing on some very fancy letterhead titled “BIG & Small Catering and Event …
THE MORRISON FAMILY'S MUSICAL JOURNEY
James, Harry and
William Morrison
3:20pm - 4:10pm
Thursday 22 May
James Morrison is Australia's jazz legend and one of the best-known musicians in the country. He has recorded with The London Symphony Orchestra, rock legends INXS, written the opening fanfare for the Olympic Games, played classical trumpet at ...
GENTELLIGENCE
FOR THE FAMILY BUSINESS
Dr Megan Gerhardt,
Miami University
9:00am - 9:50am
Friday 23 May
Featured as one of Harvard Business Review’s Top 10 Must Reads for 2024, Megan developed the Gentelligence® concept to help organizations change the way they approach generational differences. Gentelligence assists family businesses in …
WEAVING A LEGACY THROUGH SUCCESSION
Ajay and Kunal Amalean,
MAS Holdings
9:50am - 10:40am
Friday 23 May
It’s often said that succession planning in family businesses is a process, not a one-time event. The key question is: when is it too early to start this process? In reality, it’s never too early. Effective succession planning should start long before the actual transition …
FOSTERING A STRONG ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE
Lieutenant General Natasha Fox AO CSC, Australian Defence Force
1:45pm - 2:30pm
Friday 23 May
Join Lieutenant General Natasha Fox, the inaugural Chief of Personnel for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), for a deep dive into fostering a resilient and cohesive organisational culture in the face of significant workforce challenges ...
STEPPING IN
AND STEPPING
UP IN STYLE
Elisha Hopkinson,
Sportscraft, SABA, and JAG
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Friday 23 May
For over 50 years, APG & Co has curated some of Australia’s most iconic fashion brands, including Sportscraft, SABA, and JAG. Owned by the Marshall and Michael families, the company has evolved from a white label business of design and manufacturing into a ...
AI FOR THE FUTURE
OF BUSINESS: NAVIGATING THE
NEW FRONTIER
Stephen Scheeler,
Former Facebook CEO
3:45pm - 4:35pm
Friday 23 May
Join Stephen Scheeler, renowned for his direct involvement in pioneering AI ventures, as he presents a thought-provoking keynote on the future of business in an AI-driven era. Drawing from his experiences leading Facebook Australia & New Zealand and Omniscient, Stephen …
plenary sessions
MESSAGE FROM ALLEGRA SPENDER MP
8:55am – 9:15am
Thursday 22 May
Allegra Spender is the Independent Member for Wentworth. She was elected in May 2022 on a platform climate action, political integrity, future-focused economic reform, gender equity and decency. Before parliament, Allegra …
THE IMPACT OF GEOPOLITICAL DISRUPTION ON FAMILY BUSINESSES
9:50am - 10:10am
Thursday 22 May
Geopolitical volatility is creating some of the biggest challenges that family businesses face today, while also opening new opportunities. To not only survive but thrive in the years ahead, business leaders need to understand how …
workshops and parallel sessions
Our Parallel Sessions let you ‘choose your own adventure,’ with two sets of concurrent sessions on Thursday and Friday. Select from 1.5-hour interactive workshops or 45-minute expert-led talks to match your interests. With multiple topics available, you’ll create a personalised conference experience to suit you and your family business.
WORKSHOP:
LEVERAGING FAMILY BUSINESS AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
1:00pm - 2:45pm
Thursday 22 May
Many family businesses possess unique elements in their proposition and identity yet fall short in effectively communicating and capitalising on their brand’s inherent value. This workshop will delve into the significance of leveraging "family …
WORKSHOP:
TURNING CRISIS INTO CURRENCY - THE COST AND REWARD FROM CRISIS WORK
1:00pm - 2:45pm
Thursday 22 May
What sets successful family enterprises apart isn't the absence of challenges but their preparedness and response when faced with the unexpected. Join crisis management expert Sally Branson of SBCG for an intensive workshop …
SESSION:
NAVIGATING CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVES, BELIEFS, AND BEHAVIOURS
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Thursday 22 May
SESSION:
LEADING AND INFLUENCING CHANGE IN FAMILY BUSINESS
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Thursday 22 May
Family enterprises form the backbone of economies around the world, built on traditions, shared values, and a strong foundation of trust among family members and employees. While these qualities are often strengths, they can also foster ...
SESSION:
THE ROLE OF FAMILY OFFICES IN SHAPING THE FUTURE
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Thursday 22 May
Family businesses and business families face unique challenges as they navigate generational transitions, complex family dynamics, and evolving market landscapes. As these enterprises strive to balance growth, legacy, and harmony, the role …
SESSION:
FORGING STRONGER FUTURES: STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Thursday 22 May
WORKSHOP:
IT'S TIME FOR A
SALES REVOLUTION
11:15am - 1:00pm
Friday 23 May
Revolution is a powerful word, isn’t it? We use it intentionally because it signifies a complete shift from the status quo—a transformation our customers, employees, and results are all demanding. That’s precisely what The Sales Doctor, Ingrid Maynard is proposing …
SESSION:
FAMILY TRANSITIONS: WHY THEY STALL AND STRATEGIES FOR RESTORING THE FLOW TO BRING CHANGE
11:15am - 12:00pm
Friday 23 May
All families and the individuals they contain are born, grow and eventually end. As we move through the lifecycle, individuals and families encounter developmental challenges that require rearranging relationships to meet the needs of those …
SESSION:
ALIGNING FAMILY INTERESTS AND BUSINESS STRUCTURE FOR GENERATIONAL SUCCESS
11:15am - 12:00pm
Friday 23 May
SESSION:
ADVISORY BOARDS: GUIDING FAMILY BUSINESSES
11:15am - 12:00pm
Friday 23 May
More family businesses are appointing advisory boards to help navigate complex risks and opportunities, and to provide valuable guidance and expertise to their management teams or boards. This trend aligns with a global shift, driven in part by the …
SESSION:
IF DISRUPTION IS THE PROBLEM, THEN INNOVATION IS THE SOLUTION
12:15pm - 1:00pm
Friday 23 May
Richard Turner is a renowned Australian entrepreneur, leader, and innovator who has founded four successful companies across diverse industry sectors. With expertise in reinvention and industry disruption, Richard is passionate about …
SESSION:
RESILIENCE AND IMPOSTER SYNDROME
12:15pm - 1:00pm
Friday 23 May
SESSION:
FROM FAMILY DREAM TO SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP
12:15pm - 1:00pm
Friday 23 May
Sustainability has become a critical priority for organisations across all sectors—not only for environmental stewardship but also for long-term business success. Family businesses have a natural advantage in this regard, with strong values embedded in their …