Conference Speakers
Dee Powis
Halcyon HR Consultancy
Dee Powis, Founder of Halcyon HR Consulting, will deliver a practical session on the HR basics every business with staff needs to know. With more than 15 years’ experience helping businesses manage people and navigate complex workplace challenges, Dee is known for her straightforward, no-jargon approach to HR. In this session, she will share practical tips business owners can implement immediately, covering topics such as managing employee performance, understanding the reach of Fair Work regulations, and upcoming changes to employment legislation. Dee is a Member of the Australian HR Institute (MAHRI), a regular guest speaker across South East Queensland, and is passionate about helping businesses build strong, fair, and high-performing workplaces.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Overseas VA’s are not out of Fair Works’ reach
✔ Managing performance
✔ Upcoming changes to employment legislation.
Tiani Le Var
Tiani Le Var from OMGrazing brings the perspective of a small business owner who has actively embraced the business awards journey and seen the benefits firsthand. Since launching OMGrazing in 2022, Tiani has gone on to receive multiple nominations, finalist placements and award wins across local and industry award programs, including the Logan Business Distinction Awards, Logan City Local Business Awards and ALIBI Awards. Her experience offers valuable insight into how awards can help build credibility, raise business visibility and create momentum for a growing brand.
Helen Cowley
Helen Cowley from Small Business Improvement Services brings decades of experience in the business awards space, having been involved since the late 1990s as both a judge and contributor at local, state and national levels. She has judged a wide range of awards programs across Queensland, including the Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and Logan Business Distinction Awards, and has also been invited to speak on how to prepare strong award submissions. With experience reviewing written entries, conducting site visits, and providing feedback to applicants, Helen offers a well-rounded perspective on what judges are truly looking for. She has also experienced the process firsthand as a business award winner, giving her valuable insight from both sides of the judging table.
Shelley Murphy
Little Fat Birdie
Shelley Murphy is the Founder of Little Fat Birdie and Cultural Intent, where she supports small and medium businesses to build clearer, more sustainable digital and organisational systems. Drawing on her background in senior leadership roles within large, complex organisations, Shelley brings a practical, systems-first approach to business — focusing on structure before tactics. Today, she works with SMEs across South East Queensland and beyond to simplify digital setups, reduce unnecessary complexity, and create strong foundations for confident, purposeful growth.
Key Takeaways:
✔ A new way to think about your website
✔ Clarity on how trust is built online
✔ How a well-structured website reduces marketing overwhelm
✔ Ways to improve enquiry quality and referrals
✔ Practical next steps for strengthening your website
Sandy Lower
QState Properties
Sandy Lower is the founder of Q State Properties and brings over 20 years of experience in real estate. Her journey began in 2004 managing her own investment properties, giving her a practical, people-centred approach to property management. Since founding Q State Properties in 2014, Sandy has led with a strong focus on trust, care and community, helping grow a business built on respectful service and genuine relationships. Her philosophy, “Don’t go chasing butterflies; build a garden, and they will find you,” reflects her belief in creating strong foundations that naturally attract growth and opportunity.
What You’ll Learn:
- Ensuring the LinkedIn app is downloaded and ready to use
- Quick profile setup for those who are new to LinkedIn
- How to use LinkedIn’s “Nearby” and QR features to connect with people around you
- Tips for building meaningful connections throughout the conference
Tanya Euler
Artifex Marketing Studio
Tanya is the founder of Artifex Marketing Studio and has worked in digital marketing and website development since the 1990s. Over that time, she has helped hundreds of small and medium businesses establish a strong online presence through strategic websites, SEO foundations, and clear messaging.
Tanya will share practical insights into how artificial intelligence tools are shaping the way people find information and businesses today. This session is designed to be practical and accessible, helping business owners better understand the AI platforms they are already encountering and how to use them more effectively.
Please bring your phone with your preferred AI app installed (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or similar), as this session includes a short live exercise.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Insight into the strengths of major AI tools.
✔ The ability to choose the right platform for the task / problem
✔ A simple way to test if your business is being referenced by AI systems
Tickets
Register for the May 2026 Conference NOW!
This will be a great day of networking with other Logan and Scenic Rim business owners, being introduced to some of the amazing products being made right here in your neighbourhood and getting to meet your local tradies. And of course, an opportunity to learn about key topics affecting business today. But numbers are limited and tickets are selling fast. Get your tickets now.
