Inspire. Grow. Lead.

Join us for a full day of insight, inspiration, and impact at Manawatū’s most energising leadership event. Drive Conference 2025 brings together eight powerhouse speakers from our region—each delivering one bold idea to challenge your thinking and sharpen your focus.

Drive Conference is a dynamic and interactive conference experience like no other

What to Expect:

  • Actionable ideas from regional leaders

  • Real-time table conversations to explore next steps

  • A collaborative, energising atmosphere

  • Workbooks, lunch, and refreshments provided

Leadership

Growth

Innovation

18 September 2025

But it doesn't stop there. After each speaker, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions at your conference table, exchange ideas, and collectively decide on your personal action points. This unique format ensures that you not only gain valuable insights but also leave with a clear plan for applying them to make a real impact.

Get prepared to listen, discuss, decide, and be inspired about your Big Ideas at the Drive Conference 2025.

2025 Speakers

  • Your MC for this event is Mike Clark

    Passionate and vibrant, Mike is a keynote speaker, business trainer and professional facilitator. His decades of experience training businesses shape his dynamic and engaging delivery. By adding value and empowering action, Mike’s driving goal is to maximise your potential.

  • Aaran loves people and business, bringing optimism and curiosity to build and grow both. Great culture is paramount to any successful organisation. Aaran develops leaders to grow and foster workplace culture that people want to be a part of.

Man in blazer and t-shirt speaking on stage with blue curtain backdrop

The Speakers.

Our eight regional speakers bring practical life-experience focused on our core areas of leadership, growth and innovation. The brief they have is to bring ONE BIG IDEA in their chosen area that will impact you to take action.

A group of people seated around tables at a conference or seminar. They are engaged in conversation, and the atmosphere appears to be professional and interactive. Some individuals are wearing name badges.

The Event.

Our unique format ensures that participants have time to discuss and review each speaker, take action points, network with their tables and leave empowered to take action back in their place of work.

Awapuni Function Centre

The Venue.

The Silks Lounge, Awapuni Function Centre is known as one of Palmerston North’s great venues. With exquisite food and plenty of parking, you’ll join 250 engaged and enthused business people for this exciting event.

Tickets

— Multi-ticket discount

Purchase 2 or more tickets to receive a 10% discount.

Use the code MULTI at checkout.

Tickets coming soon

  • Jeanine

    Objective: motivation to move forward with business plans

    Key Takeaway: Be clear about vision and purpose

  • Hamish

    Objective: Networking, information, collaboration

    Key Takeaway: Success is the pursuit of a worthwhile goal

  • Cedric

    Objective: Accountability

    Key Takeaway: Changing org chart by Ben Allomes (2019 Speaker)

  • Kate

    Objective: How to be a inspiring leader/motivator

    Key Takeaway: Importance of culture

  • Eloise

    Objective: Marketing

    Key Takeaway: Connection with other businesses/networking

A big thank you to our sponsors & supporters

Manawatū Chamber Logo
CEDA Logo
Papaioea Palmerston North City Logo