No sales pitch. No hidden agenda. Just real practical value shared by experts who get how regional business operate.
Join 200+ local small and medium business owners, managers, marketers, and decision-makers in the Mid North Coast for a day of panel discussions and breakout sessions on everything that matters: digital marketing and customer acquisition, business systems and processes, AI integration and automation, and cyber security and risk management.
You will leave with a clear understanding of how to grow your business online, streamline operations, and leverage digital tools and AI to future-proof your business.
Founder & Managing Director GAICD, Integer IT
Bringing over 35 years of global IT service management experience and now leads a Port Macquarie-based team focused on helping businesses align and secure their IT and cyber strategies.
Garry moved to Port Macquarie directly from London with his young family in 2013, it was intended to be for a year but ended up staying for good. He has 35 years of IT service management experience, including M&A, corporate infrastructure projects, global software procurement and SME security advice. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Integer IT is a managed service provider with its helpdesk based in Port Macquarie, it is focused on educating businesses in the Mid North Coast on how to mitigate their IT and cyber security risk. Integer’s aim is to align and secure their clients IT with their business strategies across multiple disciplines, technologies, and vendors.
Founder, Never Late Electrical
With over 35 years of experience in the electrical contracting industry, David Young is the owner and director of Never Late Electrical, a highly regarded trade business based in Port Macquarie. Throughout his career, David has combined practical industry knowledge with a passion for innovation, driving operational efficiency and service excellence.
Beyond his expertise on the tools, David has developed and implemented numerous business systems tailored to the unique needs of the contracting environment. He has played a hands-on role in designing custom software solutions resulting in significant gains in productivity and accountability across his team.
David is a strong advocate for integrating digital tools with traditional trade practices, without losing sight of customer service and craftsmanship. His approach blends real-world experience with a forward-thinking mindset.
Founder, Pickled Pair Media
Sis Higgins is a marketing and communications leader with 25+ years of experience helping brands grow through smart strategy, creative thinking, and a strong commercial lens. Her expertise spans demand generation, brand management, events, PR, and digital marketing, and importantly, always anchored in solid fundamentals and a clear focus on measurable results.
She’s worked with major organisations such as Woolworths Limited, Telstra, Australian Red Cross, McGraw Hill Education, and Wolters Kluwer, and across a wide range of industries including education, healthcare, finance, retail, and the not-for-profit sector.
As the founder of Pickled Pear Media, a full-service marketing and communications agency with clients across Australia and internationally, Sis helps businesses turn ideas into action, whether that means building a brand, generating leads, or improving the metrics that matter.
With a strong interest in what’s next, she’s also exploring how AI and automation can make marketing smarter, faster, and more human.
Founder, The Social Coach
Bron Watson is the founder of The Social Coach, a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping small business owners leverage social media for growth.
With over three decades of experience, Bron combines strategic marketing with human connection, using her unique Bron & Co Method 5.0 to empower clients to build their online presence and drive real results.
Bron’s approach is built on consistency, authenticity, and education. Through the ‘I Do, We Do, You Do’ model, she guides clients from managed social media to confident self-management, ensuring they understand every step along the way, saving her clients time and money, while keeping their brand’s human touch intact.
A trusted mentor and thought leader, Bron’s passion is helping small businesses build meaningful relationships with their audience and see a clear return on their social media efforts.
Over the past three decades, Bron has had a dual career as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator and marketing…strange right?!
Bron has been a business owner and entrepreneur for over 13 years, a mum to five boys and two fur babies, and married to Paul.
For the past 13 years, Bron has provided education, support and inspiration to thousands of entrepreneurs through personal mentoring, online programs as well as with the boutique marketing agency rebranded in 2022 to The Social Coach.
Bron has had not one but two serious cancer diagnoses, in fact her specialists say she is rare. Despite this, Bron has shown that keeping things simple and making things doable is the key to her success.
One thing you may not know is Bron has launched The Serenity Project, finding calm in the chaos of cancer in 2025: the podcast, the book in the making, speaking on stage and more...sharing a way to live a life of healing beyond cancer, no matter the diagnosis.
Principal, Drawn To Art
Jane Whitfield is the owner, Artist/ Art teacher of local art school Drawn to Art, which celebrates its 20th year in business in Port Macquarie.
Jane completed a bachelor of fine arts degree with distinction at UWS, Penrith back in 2004. She has a wealth of knowledge & experience in the arts, exhibiting and selling art all across the mid north coast. Jane loves teaching art as it enables self expression, imagination & creativity.
The Drawn to Art studio has been an important place to develop self confidence and artistic development for all students. She teaches adults, kids term & Saturday art classes, school holiday workshops, all ability classes, art parties, work art events & specialised 1:1 classes by appointment only.
To keep up with the growing demands of her studio, Jane has implemented streamlined systems and processes that make managing the business more efficient. From automating bookings and email communications to managing class schedules and inquiries, she no longer has to manually handle these tasks. These improvements have not only saved time but also enhanced the overall experience for her students and their families, allowing Jane to focus more on what she loves most: teaching art and inspiring creativity in others.
Founder and Fun Director of DVINE Experiences
With over 25 years of experience building brands, businesses, and big ideas, Katie Turner’s mission is to create impact through connection — economically, socially, and experientially. Armed with a Bachelor of Economics, a background in media, and a deep understanding of AI-powered marketing, Katie has doubled the growth of her tourism brand, DVINE Experiences, in just 2 years.
From launching and scaling service-based businesses to developing digital strategies for SMEs and hosting podcasts that bring stories to life, Katie’s path has taken her from Potts Point to Port Macquarie — always led by purpose, people, and possibility.
As the Founder and Fun Director of DVINE Experiences, she curates luxury, all-inclusive regional experiences that celebrate the senses while driving business to local operators and supporting sustainable tourism. Whether it’s crafting strategic partnerships with airlines, leading Destination NSW presentations, or leveraging AI and media to accelerate growth, Katie champions ethical, community-first entrepreneurship as a powerful force for change.
Managing Partner – Ripple Ag
Farm Business Coach | Agribusiness Consultant | Speaker
Stuart Goodfellow is the Managing Partner of Ripple Ag, a leading farm business coaching practice based in Port Macquarie, NSW. With over 40 years of experience in business leadership, Stuart specialises in helping Australian farmers build profitable, scalable, and resilient businesses.
Before launching his practice in 2009, Stuart spent 16 years in national and international sales, marketing, and executive roles in the manufacturing industry. He has since worked with farmers across a diverse spectrum— from cattle to cropping, oysters to orchards, and flowers to feedlots—bringing a unique combination of systems thinking, strategic insight, and practical experience.
Stuart holds qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed advanced training in Holistic Farm Management, Regenerative Agriculture, and Biodynamics. He also runs cattle on his property near Wauchope, ensuring he remains grounded in the realities of farming life.
Through Ripple Ag, Stuart delivers a practical, no-nonsense approach to farm business. The signature 5Ps framework—Purpose, Process, Profit, People, and Portfolio—has helped hundreds of farmers move from reactive to proactive, and from plateaued to high-performing.
Ripple Ag thrives by providing farmers with the confidence, tools, and mindset to keep within the top 20% of producers in Australia.
Partner at Oxley Insurance Brokers
Jamie is a Partner at Oxley Insurance Brokers and a Broker with over 20 years of industry experience. With expertise in commercial insurance, claims management, and risk management, he is passionate about helping businesses protect their assets while providing exceptional client service.
As a specialist in commercial insurance broking, he puts client needs first, striving for the best outcomes through integrity, transparency, and authentic communication. At Digital Deep Dive 2025, he will join the Cyber Security Panel to share insights on managing risk, safeguarding businesses, and the critical role insurance plays in protecting against today’s evolving digital threats.
Partner, Lewis Denley
Dr Allison Stanfield is a highly experienced commercial lawyer, specialising in cyber security compliance, privacy and high value contracts.
With deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and emerging technologies, Allison advises clients on data protection compliance, risk management, and digital governance. Allison regularly works with businesses to draft and negotiate technology agreements, manage cyber security incidents, and implement practical strategies to safeguard data in an evolving digital landscape.
Digital Deep Dive is bringing together regional business leaders, digital experts, and forward-thinking brands to explore what’s next in digital innovation. We partner with sponsors who believe in empowering regional businesses through knowledge, tools, and transformation.
Presenting Partner.
Strategic alignment with the region's 10- year Economic Development Strategy.
Our Local Government Area covers 34 communities spread across the coast and hinterland, in urban, suburban and rural environments. With pristine coastal and hinterland environments, world class restaurants and a vibrant community, the Port Macquarie-Hastings region is incredibly diverse, with huge opportunities for growth and development.
Presenting Partner.
Financial partner across marketing, on-the-day presence and program content.
Regional Australia Bank is a customer-owned bank that has been helping regional Australians achieve their lifestyle goals for more than 55 years.
With a longstanding history of supporting regional Australian businesses and a commitment to community initiatives, their support marks a major step for what this event represents.
Event Organiser.
As one of the region's leading digital services providers, Cloud Concepts Web Development are putting this event together to try to add value and clarity around what is possible within the digital space in 2026 and beyond.
Our belief is that improving the uptake and utilisation of digital technology is a key component in the economic development and scope of regional business.
Founder, Ask JasonKnight
Brand Strategist. Growth Creator. No-BS Communicator.
Differentiation is your competitive advantage. You don’t need another funnel or a prettier logo, you need clarity that cuts through. That’s where Jason Knight comes in.
Jason Knight is local to Port Macquarie but operates globally. He has worked with Nestlé, Ingham's, Essential Energy, Birdon and is the branding weapon behind some of Australia’s most in-demand keynote speakers, including Maz Farrelly, Julie Masters, Paul Taylor and Dr Kristy Goodwin.
Through his consultancy, AskJasonKnight, he helps high-performing individuals + corporates simplify and amplify their visuals, verbals, and vibe to elevate their Impact, Influence, and Income all within a month!
Senior Product Manager & AI, Atlassian
Bringing the power of AI and product innovation to global terms.
With over 23 years of industry experience, OwenWallis is a seasoned digital leader passionate about helping people solve complex problems. Currently at Atlassian, Owen brings 13 years of product management expertise gained across fast-paced startups and global tech environments.
Prior to entering product, Owen spent a decade in project management, leading three digital production studios and delivering multilingual advertising campaigns, immersive games, and large-scale experiential events. This unique blend of creative, technical, and strategic experience allows Owen to bridge cross-functional teams and drive outcomes that are both user-focused and commercially impactful.
Founder, The Strategy Studio
A former journalist turned brand strategist who helps purpose-driven businesses craft clear, impactful messaging and AI systems to grow with confidence.
Tahnée Sanders is a messaging strategist, copywriter, and ChatGPT trainer who helps experienced business owners communicate the true value of their work with clarity and confidence.
Through her consultancy, The Strategy Studio, she partners with service-based SMEs to refine their brand message, write high-converting website and brand copy, and attract clients who genuinely appreciate their expertise.
With a background in journalism, content strategy, and creative direction, Tahnée brings both sharp thinking and a grounded, practical approach to every project. She’s helped hundreds of business owners stand out in their industry, combining timeless storytelling principles with cutting-edge AI tools like ChatGPT to simplify content creation without losing authenticity.
Whether it’s sharpening your message or using AI more effectively, Tahnée helps businesses market more strategically, connect with the right clients, and build sustainable, profitable growth.
Founder, Cloud Concepts
With over a decade of experience in digital development and strategic problem-solving, Ollie Brooke is the founder and director of Cloud Concepts, a web development agency that delivers high-impact digital solutions to regional businesses across Australia and beyond.
Since 2012, Ollie has led hundreds of web and systems projects spanning e-commerce, automation, and custom integrations. His work blends deep technical expertise, including full-stack development, QR systems, and API-driven platforms, with a human-first approach to user experience and client relationships.
As a long-time advocate for digital innovation, Ollie brings a pragmatic vision of transformation as a means to simplify, scale, and empower, not complicate. Through initiatives like the Digital Deep Dive, he's working to demystify digital technology for regional businesses while showcasing the innovation talent that exists on the Mid North Coast, prioritising demonstrated relevance to this regional market.
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