Joanna Preston
Specialist Tutor, Ringmistress, Editor
Joanna Preston is an award-winning Tasmanaut poet, editor and creative writing tutor. Steadfastly avoiding having a Real Job, she spends her days reading, writing, editing, thinking about writing, teaching writing to other people, procrastinating about writing, converting people back to the Joy of Poetry, attempting to satisfy the demands of her flock of Quite Indulged Chooks, and being grateful for her Very Understanding Husband. And writing.
"Ink IS Innovation"
Ekant Veer
Professor of Marketing for Te Kura Umanga | Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha - UC Business School | University of Canterbury
Ekant Veer is a Professor of Marketing at the UC Business School. He's a multi-award winning teacher and researcher; bad singer, middling astrophotographer and semi-professional shit-stirrer. He was named one of the Top 40 under 40 Business School Professors worldwide in 2017; an Ako Aotearoa Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award winner; UC’s Teaching Medal awardee, and six times winner of a UCSA lecturer/staff of the year award. His work looks at the role that marketing can play in both driving social change and community wellbeing as well as what impact digital technology plays in consumer interactions and their sense of identity.
"Gen AI is drowning out truly creative voices"
Nic Low
Writer, editor and arts organiser
Nic Low is a Ngāi Tahu writer, editor, and arts organiser, based between Castlemaine and Christchurch, NZ. He is a contributing editor at New Zealand Geographic, former Programme Director of the WORD Christchurch Festival, and the author of three acclaimed books. Nic has received numerous awards, including the 2023 Ursula Bethell Fellowship and holds a Masters in creative writing from the University of Melbourne.
"AI is the best thing that’s ever happened to writers"
Hannah Davison
Co-host & co-producer for Untidy podcast / Co-founder & author for My Big Moments children's books
Hannah Davison is the co-host and co-producer of the chart-topping, award-winning podcast, Untidy — a show that honours the person within the parent. She is the co-founder and author of the award-winning children’s book initiative, My Big Moments. A research-based range of personalised kids’ books to meet the real-life challenges of starting school, building resilience, getting a new sibling, grief and loss, and, going to hospital. Her background is in journalism and short fiction writing. Hannah draws on her sense of humour, personal experiences, and down-to-earth attitude to bring a little bit of humanity to everything she does.
"Technology gives words weight"
Kia
Founder and Director of Cantabrian Magazine
Kia has been an international photojournalist for over two decades and founded Cantabrian Magazine nearly 2 years ago. She has travelled the world as a diplomat, worked on assignments for several magazines and as a Vogue Affiliate, was one of the first people to try Instagram. Having purchased her first camera at 9, Kia hasn't put one down since. She founded IBK Photography 15 years ago and as Creative Director she collaborates with some of New Zealand's biggest brands.
"The creative future is looking bleak and beige"
Lizzie Davidson
Writer & content marketer for consultants & solopreneurs
Lizzie is a sweary Scottish content expert obsessed with giving consultants, coaches, and solopreneurs the skills and courage to become more visible experts and convert that attention into sales.
"Using AI to create marketing content is about as useful as serving soup in a sock, but a hell of a lot less tasty"