Day 1 - Thursday 14th August 2025
8.15am - 9am Registrations Open
Come grab a coffee, connect with others, and join the flipchart conversation around the walls.
9.00am - 10.30am Plenary Session
Conference Welcome and Scene Setting
Nothing about this festival is ordinary, so make sure you’re settled on time so we can set the scene, create intentions and share how our time together will work.
Better Connected, By Design – Dr. Peter Mandeno
Strong human connections are both a prerequisite for, and a measure of, effective facilitation. When you can move beyond just bringing people together, to also support them in truly connecting, magic happens. This opening plenary combines interactive activities with the latest behavioural design science to demystify human connections and empower us all to intentionally design for meaningful connections in the experiences we create.
10.30am - 11.00am Morning Tea
11.00am – 12.30pm Breakout Sessions
Become a Client Magnet - Sarah Davies
Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced facilitator with gaps in your calendar, this workshop will show you how to attract a consistent flow of clients. this hands-on session, you’ll discover how to be noticed for your expertise – even in a crowded market; create workshops and trainings your future clients are excited to invest in; and build a rinse-and-repeat marketing plan so you can attract leads, clients and revenue.
Designing for Inclusion – Hajira Shaheen
As facilitators we want to make sure the spaces we create are inclusive and welcoming for all. However, that sometimes feels either too hard or that there are conflicting needs within the group. In her workshop, Shaheen will explore how inclusive design practices can help us create spaces and environments that ensure all of our diverse participants feel included.
Te Tiriti Truths: Mythbusting and Allyship for a Stronger Aotearoa – Donna Barlow-Rolleston
Explore the real story behind Te Tiriti, bust some myths, and share practical ways to be a genuine ally, giving you the confidence to discuss these important issues. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of our shared history, actionable strategies for supporting Māori self-determination, and insights for creating more inclusive spaces.
12.30pm - 1.15pm Lunch
1.15pm - 2.40pm Plenary Session
Open Space Discussions
An Open Space session is a chance for you to set the agenda and have discussions about topics that are important to you. If you have a specific facilitation challenge or an area of facilitation you would like to explore some more, this is your chance to bring it to the table and hash it out with your peers.
2.40pm -3.00pm Afternoon Tea
3.00pm - 4.00pm Breakout Sessions
Exploring the Emotional Culture Deck – Lotty Roberts
The Emotional Culture Deck (ECD) created by Riders & Elephants, is a simple tool that helps people put language to and explore their emotions, and has endless applications in a workshop setting. In this session, Lotty will introduce you to the deck and together you will explore several ways to use the tool.
Navigating Your Own Triggers – Laura McAlpine and Kirsten Rose
As facilitators, we are not immune to the comments and behaviours that show up in the room. Depending on our own values and beliefs, some of those comments we might handle with ease—and others might send us into an emotional spiral. That’s not helpful for us—or our participants! In this workshop, Laura and Kirsten will show you how to recognise your own triggers and you’ll gather some tools and strategies for turning ‘fight or flight’ into ‘calm and present’.
Making Video for Social Media – Leeann Bassett
If you are an independent facilitator, video is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and is a simple way for potential clients to get to know, like and trust you. In Leeann’s workshop you will gather simple tips and tricks for not only making video, but being confident actually posting it to Social Media. Plus, you’ll make a video to post before you leave the workshop!
4.00pm - 5.00pm Plenary Session
Facilitation's Image Problem (and how we can fix it) - Paul McGregor
Do you want your facilitation skills to be seen as essential rather than optional? Tired of decision-makers viewing your work as a 'nice to have' that gets cut when budgets are tight? Drawing from his journey writing Leading Questions. Paul will help us explore why facilitation gets sidelined and what you can do to elevate its profile (and your own). This isn't just talk - it's about positioning your facilitation skills in a way that decision-makers and budget-holders can't ignore, whether you're seeking more clients or more influence in your organisation.
4.50pm - 5pm Final Reflections and Day 1 Wrap-Up
5.15pm - 7.00pm Networking and Nibbles Event
(Held Onsite. Ticketed Separately)
This is a chance to continue conversations and have a bit of fun with your new found friends. There'll be a few structured networking activities to help you connect a little deeper.
Day 2 - Friday 15th August 2025
8.30am - 9am Informal Networking - Tea and Coffee Available
9.00am – 10.20am Plenary Session
The Power of Being Present - Kerri Price
Great facilitators have the ability to be fully present and listening to what is happening in the room. The problem is, when you're in facilitation mode you also need to be watching the time, managing resources and thinking ahead. So, where does 'being present' fall in our list of priorities? In this session you will experience the power of being present, and learn some simple activities that will help demonstrate this power to your workshop participants too.
10.20am - 10.50am Morning Tea
10.50am - 12.20pm Breakout Sessions
Tapping into the Invisible and Unspoken Forces of Facilitation – Karyn Davis-Engebretsen
Facilitation is more than techniques and activities—it’s about the energy, presence, and awareness that shape the experience in the room. In this interactive session, Karyn will help you uncover your unique facilitation superpower and learn how to harness it with intention. Through guided exercises, self-reflection, and group discovery, you’ll explore the unseen and unspoken elements that influence engagement, trust, and transformation.
Introduction to Liberating Structures - Sagun Khurana
Liberating Structures are a menu of 33 micro-structures you can use in your meetings or workshops to lead meaningful discussions. In this session, Sagun will give you a quick overview of the thinking behind Liberating Structures, and give you a chance to explore a few of her favourite structures in real time.
Additional Breakout Session to be confirmed
12.20pm - 1.00pm Lunch
1.00pm - 2.00pm Plenary Session
What Does Great Facilitation Look Like? - Kerri Price
There is no one way to facilitate well, but there are plenty of things that are common across all great sessions. Which of these things come naturally to you? What are the areas where you have room for growth, and what are some simple strategies you can use to develop where you need to? In this session you will have a chance to play with a new card deck that is designed to support facilitators to reflect, learn, and grow their practice.
2.00pm - 3.00pm Breakout Sessions
The Magic of AI in Facilitation – Hannah Hardy-Jones
AI is here to stay and while it’s unlikely to replace the role of a facilitator any time soon, it can definitely add value to meetings, workshops and community conversations. In this session, Hannah will give an overview of what AI actually is, what you need to consider when using AI, and how you might use it in your facilitation practice. She will also introduce you to Contended AI, a New Zealand born platform that transcribes conversations to create meaningful insights.
Avoiding Burnout – Kirsten Rose and Laura McAlpine
Facilitators often work in contentious and complex situations, and as a result can sometimes carry a heavy emotional load. Add to that the pressures of running your own business or leading a team, throw in a dose of unexpected health or family issues, add self-imposed expectations or external demands, and burnout can be just around the corner. Kirsten and Laura will be exploring what you need to look out for and sharing simple tools and strategies for staying well and avoiding burnout.
Additional Breakout Session to be confirmed.
3.00pm - 3.20pm Afternoon Tea
3.20pm – 4.20pm Plenary Session
Become Unstoppable! – Nat Tolhopf
Natalie’s keynote will take you from knowing stuff–to doing stuff. Because let’s face it, it’s the doing that counts. If you’re tired of the comparison game and ready to truly own your expertise, Nat’s session will help you ditch those pesky doubts, silence your inner critic, and finally embrace your enoughness. Through real-life examples and a sprinkle of tough love, you’ll walk away with practical tools and a renewed sense of self-belief. It’s time to step up, claim your space, and become unstoppable!
4.20pm - 4.30pm Festival Wrap-Up and Close
Ready to Register?
Head back to the main festival page here.
WHAT OTHERS SAY:
Nicoletta Mancuso
“It’s like Disneyland for facilitators. Happiest place in the world, full of surprises, hugs and rollercoaster level excitement and learning.”
Dr. Yumiko Olliver
“An incredibly valuable, varied and fun 2 days. Thank you for creating such a valuable space for people that often work in isolation. It can be exhausting yet incredibly valuable work. Thank you for bringing together this tribe.”
Jennifer Young
“Thank you so much Kerri. It was an awesome experience learning from you and everyone else. Can’t wait to try these metaphors / models / games with the team.”
Sabrina McQueen
“This bootcamp has been a game-changer for me. So grateful for your amazing guidance, training, mentoring, encouragement and creating our network!”
Carolyn Smith
“If you’re looking for a supportive and positive group to help you build your facilitation business – join up. Kerri is one of the most experienced, effective and talented facilitators I’ve met in my 20+ years of facilitating. To have her as your mentor over these 6 weeks is GOLD.”
Vanessa Davey
“Wonderfully run workshop. Fun and personal, which means I have remembered ALOT! Lots of tools for setting the context, understanding the why and setting up facilitation better.”
Jamie Boyle
“It was really personal and genuine. Facilitator was great at keeping me engaged and explaining content. Clear, structured workshop with good learnings.”
Eva Upfold
“Just go. It was bold, loud, thought provoking and full of so many inspiring people.”
Miria Goodwin
“Such an important opportunity to be affirmed, learn, connect, grow and have so much fun. So masterfully developed, curated and executed. Designed to lift everyone up so powerfully and authentically.”
Carla Moore
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