Torrens University Australia Master of Business Administration (hybrid) student, Michael Jeanes’s experience as a Speaker’s Assistant to the Hon. John Howard, former Australian Prime Minister at the World Business Forum Sydney 2014 th
Monday 26 May 2014. Arrived in Melbourne at 9:25 and met with Torrens University Australia representatives and fellow Ambassadors. Proceeded to the Novotel Piermont in Audi Q7. At 11am I met with World Business Forum representatives who spoke about the event and the keynote speakers. All Ambassadors then took turns introducing themselves to the WBF staff. This was followed by a quick lunch, and then the Ambassadors were advised who they would be assisting during the event. I was selected to work with former Prime Minister the Hon John Howard! Ambassadors then individually met with WBF representatives who outlined the timetables, as they were known and any special requirements. Many of Mr Howard’s requirements were still in development. Tours were also taken showing Ambassadors the facilities and layout of the event centre. Later that evening the Ambassadors took the opportunity to explore Sydney. The Vivid festival was being held and we decided it would be a great chance to explore Circular Quay and see the sights. The highlight of the night was taking a water taxi from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour, going under the Harbour Bridge! 1 | P a g e th
Tuesday 27 May 2014. All Ambassadors met back at the Star mid-­‐morning to receive further briefings on their Speakers commitments. Some Ambassadors would be meeting their speakers this day, however my official duties did th
not start until Wednesday 28 . This day consisted of more familiarisation with the venue and requirements. th
Wednesday 28 May 2014. D-­‐day. Today is my day to meet Mr John Howard and assist him with his duties. As he was due to arrive at 12:00pm, I watched the first speaker, Lyn Heward. Ms Heward’s presentation was outstanding and I took great note of how she conducted her presentation and how her Ambassador assisted her during the event. At 12:00, Mr Howard arrived by personal chauffeur and I introduced myself as a Torrens Ambassador and that I would be assisting him for the day. We then proceeded to Black by ezard restaurant for a private lunch with Mr Howard as the guest of honour for Torrens University and around 35 guests. Following lunch I escorted Mr Howard to the “Green Room” for a series of media interviews. Between 2pm and 3pm Mr Howard conducted interviews with The Daily Telegraph, Finance News Network, SBS News and The Australian. My duties included coordinating where each of the media outlets would be able to set up their equipment, introducing Mr Howard to the various media outlets and generally ensuring the smooth operation of the interviews. Following the media commitments, Mr Howard was due on stage to conduct his 1.5 hour presentation and Q&A. Mr Howard asked me to look after his phone and glasses during this time, which I was more than happy to do… until 30 seconds after he went on stage I learned of another Ambassador accidentally dropping their speaker’s phone. I was fortunate enough to be able to stand backstage during Mr Howards presentation and observed the behind the scenes workings that supported the event. As I learned later, Mr Howard doesn’t like making long speeches, so when 30 minutes into his allotted time he started to wrap up I contacted the key World Business Forum contacts to determine back up plans if he left stage early. When Mr Howard said “in conclusion” at about 40 minutes in, I realised in a quick panic he was wrapping up. At the conclusion of the Q&A I escorted Mr Howard to a 25-­‐minute book signing. I was fortunate enough to also pick up a personally signed book. I then escorted Mr Howard back to his car and he departed The Star, bound for Sydney airport. That night I attended the Torrens University postgraduate information session at the Hilton in George St where I met with several prospective students and talked to them about Torrens. Afterwards the Torrens staff and I grabbed a late dinner. th
Thursday 29 May As all my Assistant duties were completed on Wednesday, Thursday entailed watching some other speakers present and media commitments promoting Torrens University. At the conclusion of the event the Ambassadors were invited by World Business Forum staff to celebrate the conclusion of an outstanding event. I’m glad I was part of this great event! 2 | P a g e