Torrens’University’Australia’Master’of’Global’Project ... · Title: Microsoft Word -...
Transcript of Torrens’University’Australia’Master’of’Global’Project ... · Title: Microsoft Word -...
1 | P a g e
Torrens University Australia Master of Global Project Management (online) student, Kylie O’Leary’s experience as a Speaker’s Assistant to Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide of Saatchi &
Saatchi at the World Business Forum Sydney 2014
Monday 26th May Upon arriving in Sydney with my fellow Ambassadors from Torrens University Australia, it was a quick check-‐in at our hotel before being whisked away to The Star; the venue to host the 2014 World Business Forum (WBF). Met by World of Business Ideas (WOBI) organisers, and with the introductions out the way, each ambassador was requested to orally present their bio and discuss what representing Torrens University as an ambassador at the WBF meant to them.
This followed a private WOBI meeting to pair each ambassador to a corresponding keynote speaker. Announcements were made over lunch and I was delighted to be assigned to Kevin Roberts, Global CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi.
It was here when the real work began. Each ambassador was given their keynote speaker’s schedule, which included a minute-‐by-‐minute breakdown of events over the two-‐day Forum. This included visibility of arrival arrangements, media bookings, dinner events, book signing commitments and any other logistics that needed to be taken care of. This meant the afternoon was tied up with plotting out the coordinates that would see us all successfully fulfil our roles as speaker’s assistants.
By evening, a well-‐earned dinner was planned and the cohort hit the town in search for some good Sydney cuisine.
Tuesday 27th May Tuesday started where Monday finished; mapping out and finalising the minor details for the following day. I
2 | P a g e
had made contact at this point with Kevin Robert’s PR agent who had just arrived from Auckland with some minor tweaking of his schedule and media bookings required. It’s fair to say, Tuesday was labour intensive. Note to self, never wear new shoes to an event of this nature! Tuesday evening the ambassadors and the WOBI organisers worked until late putting together the marketing materials for each of the delegates. It was a late evening but the excitement was palpable with the first of the keynote speakers arriving in Sydney as early as 5.00 am the following morning. We were all keen for a solid night’s sleep.
Wednesday 28th May – WBF Day 1 Arriving around 8.00 am at The Star, the venue was already filling up – the C suite of executives in full force. Moving through the throng of CEO’s, CMO’s, CIO’s and CFO, I made my way to the Torrens University Australia Stand (home base) where seating was organised for the ambassadors with a window of opportunity to watch the first keynote speaker – Lyn Heward. With Kevin Roberts not speaking until day two of the Forum, I was fortunate enough to have time to watch Lyn Heward (Creativity) and Professor Porter (Strategy), both impressive speakers and masters of their domain.
The evening was booked carrying out the AV checks with the team and ensuring Kevin’s presentation ran smoothly, in sequence and without a hitch.
The cohort has well and truly dispersed at this point with each ambassador busy overseeing his or her speaker’s schedules.
Thursday 29th May – WBF Day 2
Two alarms set and an early morning wakeup call (just in case) and out the door at 6.30 am. A quick cab ride to the Langham Hotel to meet Kevin Roberts and of course, I am 45 mins early. In the words of William Shakespeare “Better three hours too soon, than one minute too late.”…..mmmm!?!
45 mins later, a calm, dressed all black, Kevin Roberts (a creative thing I assume), greets me with a relaxed and almost blasé grin. Kylie O’Leary, he chant’s – is that an Irish Australian name or what! Kevin and I travelled to The Star with his driver and the conversation was relaxed and fun. Not bad for a person about to deliver a keynote speech to more than 2,500 people.
Once we arrived at The Star, we took the back door through to the Green Room, a quick coffee, a few deep breathes (on my part) and off he went, calmly sauntered onto the stage like he was speaking to a few old friends. I was able to stand and watch on the side of the stage. Kevin’s audience were engaged and I am told that he delivered a terrific speech from some of the delegates.
Once Kevin had finished up it was off to the media room for interviews, lots of cameras and big pearly smiles. Then as quick as it all happened, he was whisked away by his driver and it was all over for the afternoon.
I was free to watch Randi Zuckerberg speak (fabulous!) then it was off again to the Langham Hotel, to escort Kevin to the major Sponsors dinner a couple of sneaky canapés later and I departed, leaving Kevin to speak to his sponsors.
Again, note to self, never wear new shoes to a forum like this.
Big sigh of relief, adrenaline easing, and time to catch up with the mostly relieved but very elated cohort!
I feel absolutely privileged to have been part of the WBF 2014!