The International Edge :
Strategies for Global Business Success
Why attend
This conference is designed for companies at all stages, whether you’re just beginning to consider international expansion or you’re already selling in global markets.
Operating models that you can adapt for your business
Exclusive WorldFirst product launch
Access to support for global expansion
Strategies for global success – sourcing & selling
Insights-driven agenda and success-driven giveaways
Latest industry trends and insights
Complimentary expert consultations
Heidi Dugan
Chair of AustCham Shanghai, CEO of Arete Group, international speaker, entrepreneur and author of “Follow Me and Learn to Cook”, and Co-author of global bestseller “Peak Performance: Mindset Tools for SALES”. Heidi owns & operates three privately held companies and has over 11 years of Governance.
Heidi has received awards such as Best Foreign TV Host and Most Popular Foreign TV Host, International Leading Woman in Business of the Year, International Alumnus of the Year, and Australia China Alumni Award for the Arts and Creative Industries.
Tim Harcourt
Professor Tim Harcourt is the Industry Professor and Chief Economist at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Tim is also Chief Economist of the new Centre for Sport Business and Society (CSBS) at UTS Sydney.
Tim was previously the first Chief Economist of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Research Officer/Advocate with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), a role first held by Bob Hawke in the 1960s.
Tim has been an Adviser to two State Premiers and three Federal Cabinet Ministers and an Expert Panel Member to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) on Minimum Wages and Superannuation. He has also been an International Economist with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and has worked as an Economist in the private sector in USA, UK and Israel.
Gabby Leibovich
Gabby Leibovich is a pioneer of Aussie e-commerce. In 2006 launched catch of the day that became Australia’s no1 shopping site later rebranded to catch.com.au
Gabby also co-founded EatNow that merged with Menulog, and Scoopon that merged with luxury escapes.
In 2020, Gabby co-authored a best selling Australian business book “Catch of the decade”
Arnold Jorge
Arnold Jorge is CEO of the Export Council of Australia. He has more than 25 years of experience in global trade, including as an Australian diplomat, trade negotiator, and export consultant.
The Export Council of Australia is a not-for-profit ‘peak industry body’, representing businesses engaged in international trade. ECA members are mostly small businesses from different industries, doing business across global markets. They provide advice, training, ecosystem-building, and advocacy. They advance simplified and inclusive trade, utilisation of emerging technologies, traceability, first nations and women entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability.
Frank Li
Frank Li is a distinguished authority in China’s Food & Beverage sector, leveraging over two decades of expertise within the region. He is the founder of 31Jiu, a pioneering company that successfully imported a diverse portfolio of Australian beverage brands into China, notably including VB, Crown Lager, Coopers Beers, Remedy Kombucha, and Bundaberg’s acclaimed range of soft drinks. Under his strategic direction, 31Jiu achieved extraordinary milestones, such as establishing it as the first Australian soft drink to launch a Tmall Flagship store and generating 500 million RMB in retail sales for Bundaberg within a few short years, solidifying its market leadership.
Frank’s influence extends beyond entrepreneurial achievements. He has played a pivotal role in the Australian business community in Shanghai, serving nearly a decade on the F&BA Committee of the Australian Chamber of Commerce, including five years as Chairperson. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Frank was honoured with the Austcham Community Member of the Year Award in 2023.
Michael Fenech
Meet a dynamic serial entrepreneur who has achieved business success across multiple industries and is renowned for creating a highly profitable e-commerce brand on Amazon FBA. With a keen eye for innovation, this visionary founder identified a gap in the logistics side of e-commerce and founded SKUdrop, which is revolutionizing the entire supply chain industry.
Annette Kaitinis
Co-founder and CEO of Scoot Boots, one of Tasmania’s leading exporters supplying equine hoof boots to customers across 110 countries and the winner of 61st Australian Export awards in 2024.
Annette is a true Tasmanian and was born and bred on the island where she grew up with horses from a young age. Her passion for the wellbeing of horses was her motivation to launch Scoot Boot hoof boots which are a healthier alternative to iron shoes. Annette’s vision is to advance the barefoot movement globally as she continues to disrupt the 2000-year-old tradition of nail-on shoes.
Annette is an active member of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), Tasmania Information, Communication and Technology (TASICT), and the Australian Women’s Network.
Chris Thomas
CEO at Amasphere, an Amazon marketing agency. Chris has helped over 55 Brands launch and scale on Amazon’s various global marketplaces since 2018
Graeme Paddock
With a background in building real estate businesses for 15 years, Covid changed many things including my outlook on a service based business model. Moved to the online Ecomm business model in 2020. Using many of the lessons and skill sets I’d used in the real estate industry, over the last 4 years I’ve built and sold multiple online brands for 7 figures and have now started coaching others in the online space to help them on their entrepreneurial journey.
Rocky Yan
Rocky Yan, founder of Party Bestbuy and Best Product Sourcing, is a top-10 eBay seller in Australia and a loyal user of 1688 and WorldFirst.
Still Zhu
Founder of Wefulfil Dropshipping (Wefulfil Pty ltd).
Wefulfil is an Australian supply chain company that focuses on supply chain initiatives, helping businesses gain an Australian supply chain competitive advantage.
Session highlights
NextGen Commerce:
Economic Trends Shaping the Future
Gain valuable insights from industry leaders on the economic forces and trends shaping retail and e-commerce in Australia and worldwide.
Talks
- Australia & Global Economic Trends by Tim Harcourt, the first Chief Economist of the Austrade and Research Officer with the ACTU
- E-commerce Evolution: Reflections on the Sector by Gabby Leibovich, co-founder of Australia’s #1 e-commerce group, The Catch Group
Blueprint for Global Operating Models
to Achieve Scalable Growth
Master effective operating models for entering and thriving in global markets, shared by top e-commerce experts. It will cover strategic planning, organizational structures, governance, and the integration of technology to ensure efficient global operations.
Talks
- Perfecting Strategies for Global Business Excellence by Annette Kaitinis, Co-founder CEO of Scoot Boots, one of Tasmania’s leading exporters supplying equine hoof boots to customers across 90 countries and the winner of 61st Australian Export awards in 2024.
- Using Amazon as a stepping stone into the United States and Beyond by Chris Thomas, CEO at Amasphere, an Amazon marketing agency. Chris has helped over 55 Brands launch and scale on Amazon’s various global marketplaces since 2018.
Trends and Innovations in Global Sourcing
Expert Panel
- Graeme Paddock, a Real Estate tycoon turned successful Amazon Seller on why the success is in the buying, NOT the selling
- Rocky Yan, a 1688 buyer and Australia’s top-10 eBay seller.
- Still Zhu, founder at Wefulfil, a one-stop supply chain solution
The Role of Local Resources in Global Growth
Expert Panel
- Arnold Jorge, CEO at Export Council of Australia.
- Frank Li, who put Bundaberg on the map in China.
- Michael Fenech, an Australian entrepreneur, writer, start-up advisor, e-commerce expert, and a co-founder of SKUdrop.
Agenda
Registration and welcome lunch
14:00
Opening remarks
Welcome Speech
by Jim Vrondas, Country Manager - ANZ at WorldFirst
Australia & Global Economic Trends
by Tim Harcourt
E-commerce, Then and Now
Reflections by Gabby Leibovich
Expert Panel: The Role of Local Resources in Global Growth
Coffee break
Blueprint for Global Operating Models to Achieve Scalable Growth
Using Amazon as a stepping stone into the United States and Beyond
Expert Panel: Trends and Innovations in Global Sourcing
China Magic Fair trip lucky draw announcement
Closing remarks
Networking and drinks
Event Registration
Win a trip to the next Canton Fair with the #1 product sourcing mastermind, China magic!
If you’re a private label seller on Amazon, you could win a sponsored trip to this year’s Canton Fair, China’s largest trade fair*. The 12-day trip is valued at USD 5,000. Flights, travel visa and accommodation are NOT included, but discounted accommodation is available at USD 250/night twin share at Four Seasons.
What makes this tour different?
The tour can help you:
- Negotiate better terms and make huge reductions in your COGS
- Secure exclusivity agreements so you can launch great products before your competitors
- Build unbeatable direct supplier relationships from factory visits and tips to get to market faster
What is included?
- Pre-departure training
- Assistances with departure requirements
- Entry to Canton Fair
- Mastermind sessions
- Ongoing support
- Dinners
The Giveaway details
FAQs
You can reach us by emailing [email protected]