SPEAKERS
.png)
MC - Verity James
Verity was one of Perth’s leading television and radio presenters for over 25 years.
Verity commenced her career as a TV news presenter for ABC Canberra and fulfilled this role for ten years before moving to Perth.
Once in Perth Verity joined ABC Radio and quickly became the host of her own daily afternoon program on ABC 720 which she presented for eight years. She also hosted numerous other TV and radio productions for the ABC.
Verity also has a strong interest in cooking and food preparation and spent three years as
restaurant reviewer for The West Australian, and was a contributor to Western Australia’s only specialist food publication - Spice Magazine. As part of her role as restaurant reviewer for The West Australian she travelled to numerous interstate food festivals and also reviewed restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne. She also ran her own fresh produce business specialising in W.A. products for five years. Verity has also hosted numerous celebrity chef evenings with leading chefs such as Gabriel Gate and Kylie Kwong.
Verity was also a panelist on ‘Can We Help’ a national ABC TV show which aired at 6.30pm on Friday evenings during 2007, and was also the inaugural Ambassador for Australian Red Cross and sits on the board of various Western Australian charities.
Verity is an extremely polished, articulate and professional master of ceremonies who has hosted numerous government and corporate events including Sir David Brand Tourism Awards, Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards (W.A.), Sheraton Hotel Wine Industry Awards, Property Council of Australia Awards, Visitor Servicing Association Conference (three consecutive years), Elder Abuse Conference and Breakfast Forum, Tourism Australia Regional Convention, WA Government Risk Management Conference, Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia Defence Conference (twice) and many others.
.png)
Chris Smoje is an expert educator and thought leader on customer service cultures. He is fascinated about what it means to be of service and has seen how this works directly on the frontline, in leadership roles, and in the classroom. Chris was formally trained by the Disney Institute which has given him exposure to one of the world’s leading service organisations and therefore knows how many global brands achieve world-class service excellence.
He has worked for large brands such as Qantas, and other smaller businesses where he has solid experience in the rollout of service transformation programs throughout the entire organisational culture. Chris is the author of ‘All-In Culture: Lead your people to be of service’, which became a number 1 international bestseller on Amazon in Australia and the UK. As a conference speaker and workshop facilitator, Chris enjoys helping leaders and organisations become renowned for their people and service.
His clients see direct uplifts in their service, and many have been honoured with industry awards in service and training excellence. It’s an exciting time as the world loves talking about customer service where Chris is often sought to comment on issues and trends in the media, currently appearing as a regular guest on Foxtel’s “The Couch”.
.png)
Ming Johanson is a renowned global professional, partnering with businesses across the world to provide specialized training in online marketing and masterful orchestration of digital and website strategies. Her primary goal is to deliver tangible and desirable financial results while reshaping leadership practices to thrive in our hyper-connected modern world, spanning management, sales, and marketing culture.
Fuelled by her passion, Ming finds joy in being a catalyst for change. Her insights and knowledge make her a frequent media contributor on subjects such as technology, business, and mental health. Notably, she serves as a dedicated mental health Ambassador for R U OK? Day, exemplifying her profound concern for well-being. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to the technology sector, she has been honoured with the Women In Technology Tech Awards. Moreover, she generously shares her expertise as a mentor at Startup Weekend Perth.
.png)
Dr Nicole Johnston is the Founder and Director of Strata Knowledge, an independent research and consulting firm specialising in strata and community title law and governance. As a socio-legal researcher, Nicole is focused on translating applied research into practice by collaborating with industry to ensure impactful and beneficial outcomes.
Nicole started her professional life as a commercial lawyer but for the past 15 years, she has worked as an academic at Australian Universities. Nicole has led a number of research projects on topics including, building defects, strata insurance, strata law reform, fire safety, conflicts of interest, and developer governance responsibilities. She is a regular presenter at industry conferences, consults with governments, and has chaired numerous international forums.
Nicole holds degrees in psychology, criminology, law and has a PhD in strata and community title law and governance.
.png)
Patric is a Director of the international architectural practice Plus Architecture and has over 25 years experience working across the US, Europe and Australia.
A methodical, strategic thinker and experienced architect, Patric has unrivalled experience delivering complex architectural projects across a range of sectors. With a keen eye for detail, Patric has a deep appreciation of the importance of creating a unique sense of place and design response for each project and client. He has been responsible for the design of several recent multi-residential projects in WA such as the Beachshack in Scarborough and Noma in Mosman Park.
.png)
Dave is a property developer and quantity surveyor with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He is a co-founder and director of Norup+Wilson, a development company that has successfully delivered several large-scale projects in Perth.
Dave's expertise lies in design efficiency, and he is passionate about creating high-quality developments that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. He is also a strong advocate for sustainability, and all of Norup+Wilson's projects are designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Some of Dave's most notable projects include The Beach Shack, The Crest, and The Precinct. These developments have been praised for their innovative design, high-quality finishes, and commitment to sustainability. His current project is The Grandton, which is an Australian first - senior living, age-in-place, adaptable, high-rise development.
Dave is also a member of the UDIA and is currently serving on the Built Form Chapter as well as being a strategic member of the Liveability Committee. He is a highly respected figure in the property development industry and is known for his commitment to excellence and his dedication to creating lasting legacies.