The Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc. is excited to announce its Program Advisory Committee for this year’s PCOA25 conference at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand in December. Cornerstone Events' Karen Sainsbury is heading up the PCOA 2025 Program Advisory Committee, supported by some of the very best. This diverse team has the experience to collaborate and craft an engaging array of thought-provoking and interactive sessions aimed at enhancing the skillsets of the business events community. This marks the third consecutive year of the PCOA implementing a Program Advisory Committee.
Karen Sainsbury
Managing Director, Cornerstone Events
Karen is the heart and soul of Cornerstone Events. Her journey into hospitality quickly became a calling, culminating in the co-founding of Cornerstone Events in 2010. Driven by a vision to create meaningful, memorable experiences, Karen’s commitment to excellence shines through in her meticulous attention to detail and her unwavering dedication to delivering on every promise.
A true industry stalwart, Karen brings decades of experience, boundless passion, and a deeply personal touch to everything she does. Her ability to understand clients and craft experiences that exceed expectations has become a hallmark of the business.
As a Certified Meeting Professional and NSW Councillor on the PCOA Board, Karen is not only a leader within Cornerstone Events but also a respected voice across the conference and events industry. Her influence continues to shape standards and inspire peers nationwide.
Beyond work, Karen’s love for travel and wine-tasting adventures with her partner Kevin reflect her zest for life and curiosity about the world. Today, she remains at the helm of Cornerstone Events as Managing Director, guiding the team with wisdom, warmth, and an unshakeable belief in the power of connection.
Amy Abel
Head of Events, Conferences & Events Ltd
Amy has worked as Professional Conference Organiser since 2005 having spent her career organising national and international conferences in the UK and Europe, and since 2011 in New Zealand. Amy has experience organising conferences and trade exhibitions for clients in a wide range of sectors including medical, educational, engineering and scientific at venues all over the country.
Amy is passionate about the events industry in New Zealand and loves the collaborative nature of how people work here. Amy is looking forward to being part of the PCOA25 committee to help develop a programme inspires our sector and challenges us to do things differently.
Holly Barnett
Project Manager, Touchpoint Meeting Services
Holly started her events career straight out of high school, running events and campaigns across the sporting and hospitality industries whilst also completing her bachelor’s degree in business at UTS. She has now been in the industry for 9 years.
Currently working at Touchpoint Meeting Services as a Project Manager, her day to day now consists of managing clients across Australia to ensure the seamless delivery of their in-person, hybrid and virtual events.
Holly was honoured to have won the PCOA Tim Birley Rising Star Award in 2024 and looks forward to continuing support the next generations of event industry professionals climbing the ranks.
Simone Bouton
Conference Manager, Think Business Events
Simone Bouton is a dynamic and results-driven Conference Manager with over a decade of experience in the events industry, including seven years at Think Business Events. She has a knack for client collaboration, getting the job done and problem-solving. Simone is most fulfilled when she is working on a diverse range of conferences while collaborating with various clients in the events industry.
She delights in the diversity of events and the creative opportunities they present, viewing each conference as a chance to make a positive impact and create memorable experiences. Describing herself as ambitious, resilient, and open-minded, Simone brings a proactive approach to her work, ensuring each event is executed with precision and passion.
Emily Churchley
Event Coordinator, Answers For Associations
Emily's journey into the events industry began in high school, sparking a five-year educational adventure culminating in a bachelor’s degree in Event and Tourism Management - including an unforgettable semester in Orlando, experiencing the magic of Disney firsthand. She brings over a decade of experience in operations, administration, and customer service, with a strong foundation in project management, marketing and communications.
As a young professional, Emily is passionate about connecting people and amplifying voices with fresh ideas and innovative thinking. She is a strong advocate for mental wellbeing, accessibility, neurodivergence inclusion, and sustainability as pillars of impactful events.
Kate Davies
Events Manager, ANZ NZ
With nearly 20 years of experience in events, communications, change management, and operations, I thrive on leading the entire event lifecycle. From concept development and project management to content creation and running marathons at ‘go live’, I’m passionate about crafting meaningful events with an incredible team (it takes an army!).
Kate's expertise spans virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, including large-scale conferences and bespoke experiences. Recently, I've embraced incorporating Māori tikanga into my events, guided by wonderful mentors. At home, I juggle life with a busy husband, two spirited teenagers, and lively boxer dog on our semi-rural property in Tauranga, NZ.
Hayley Kimber
Assistant Director – Event Management, Comcare
Hayley Kimber has been working in the events industry in Canberra for over 15 years with experience in both not-for-profit associations and government departments. As Events Manager at Comcare, she leads a small team in the planning and delivery of the biennial Comcare National Conference and the Comcare National Work Health and Safety Awards.
Hayley has a keen interest in stakeholder engagement and creating memorable and valuable experiences for event attendees. Hayley is looking forward to helping shape the PCOA program to provide event professionals the opportunity to network, learn, and advance within our evolving and dynamic industry.
Tracey Thomas
Director, Conference Innovators
Tracey is passionate about the events industry, contributing to it and the tourism industry for over 30 years. With extensive hospitality and hotel development experience, Tracey is currently the Managing Director of Conference Innovators Ltd.
Tracey has been heavily involved in CI’s events, drawing on his expertise and extensive project management experience. He has served on the CINZ / BEIA boards and is a fountain of wisdom when it comes to curating engaging, high-quality content and impactful events.
With a passion for authenticity, Tracey will draw on his extensive networks, contributing expertise and strategic oversight to the Conference programme committee.
Contact Us
Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc. IA 35380 | ARBN 136 627 088 | ABN: 3069 0730722
Phone
Maxine Tod: +61 435 103 912
Cindy Axisa: +61 435 374 476
Socials
Karakia
A karakia is a short Māori prayer or blessing used to open or close an event, helping to set the tone and bring people together. It acknowledges the space, the people, and the purpose of the gathering. This karakia has been selected by Liz Kereru (Ngāi Tūāhuriri) to align to the 2025 PCOA conference theme of connection and community.
Tuia ki runga, Tuia ki raro, Tuia ki waho, Tuia ki roto,
Tuia ki te here tangata,
Ka rongo te po, Ka rongo te ao, Haumi….e, Hui…e - Taiki….e
Unite from above, Unite from below, Unite from without, Unite from within,
Unite to connect people,
The night hears, The day hears, Join all, bind all, together as one
Meet the Artist
Wongi Wilson is a street artist with a reputation for high-quality, large-scale works in prominent positions around Christchurch.
Find out more about Wongi Wilson
Acknowledgement of Country
The PCO Association acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, the Cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.