Todd Babiak is the co-founder of Story Engine, a consultancy based in Vancouver that uses narrative to solve business problems and build brands. In 2011, one of his clients, the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, changed his life because he fell in love with place-branding. Many clients later, his strategy work for Tasmania turned into a job, which led to another job, possibly the best job in the world: CEO of Brand Gold Coast.

Clare is the Founder and Director of City Nation Place, the global forum for the people and stories behind places.

City Nation Place creates connections and shares best practice between country brands, regional brands, and city brands around the world through articles, interviews, surveys, benchmarking reports, awards, the advisory group network, and conferences.

Clare’s interest in the complex area of place branding was sparked whilst working on a series of Nation Branding Masterclass events, led by Simon Anholt, one of the first thought-leaders to speak about and promote the concept of place branding. Having listened to Simon address audiences in Accra, Delhi, Dubai, London and Singapore on how policy, governance, and symbolic actions need to combine with branding and marketing to create a competitive identity and drive economic growth, she continued to follow the growth in this sector.

Clare launched the first City Nation Place Global conference in London in 2015. CityNationPlace.com has been steadily building followers and in 2017, the first City Nation Place Americas conference was launched and 2019 saw the first City Nation Place UK, specifically for towns, cities and regions across the UK. In 2025, the first Australasia conference was held in Sydney, and one-off events have been held in Singapore and Costa Rica.

Todd Babiak is the co-founder of Story Engine, a consultancy based in Vancouver that uses narrative to solve business problems and build brands. In 2011, one of his clients, the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, changed his life because he fell in love with place-branding. Many clients later, his strategy work for Tasmania turned into a job, which led to another job, possibly the best job in the world: CEO of Brand Gold Coast.

Kevin is passionate about supporting local businesses, attracting investment and growing local economies. Having led economic development, events, place management and marketing functions in several councils in Western Sydney, Kevin brings significant experience and capability in developing strategies and nurturing partnerships to build resilience in local economies. He is currently in a leadership role at Penrith City Council as the Head of Economy and Marketing, a portfolio that includes economic development, investment attraction, place activation, tourism, city marketing and international partnerships.

Jeremy Gill is Head of Policy at the Committee for Sydney, a not-for-profit urban policy think tank, where he also leads economic policy. Jeremy is a public policy expert, working across economic development, innovation and industry policy, strategic planning, housing, energy, culture and transport. Jeremy chairs the Sydney Innovation District Alliance - a coalition of innovation district stakeholders advocating for Sydney's innovation ecosystem.

Mayor Teresa Harding was officially sworn in as the 51st Mayor of Ipswich in April 2020 and is the first female Mayor in the city’s 166-year history.

She brings to Council more than 35 years of business, government and not for-profit leadership, and more than 25 years’ experience in leading large teams and managing complex projects within the public sector. Mayor Harding held senior roles in the private sector in the fields of information technology and sales.

She holds a Master in Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Post Graduate Certificate in Information Technology, Diploma in Small Business Enterprises, has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff course at the Australian War College.

Mayor Harding was named 2021 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year for her work in leading transformational transparency reforms to improve the accountability of officials elected to local government.

Mayor Teresa Harding was officially sworn in as the 51st Mayor of Ipswich in April 2020 and is the first female Mayor in the city’s 166-year history.

She brings to Council more than 35 years of business, government and not for-profit leadership, and more than 25 years’ experience in leading large teams and managing complex projects within the public sector. Mayor Harding held senior roles in the private sector in the fields of information technology and sales.

She holds a Master in Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Post Graduate Certificate in Information Technology, Diploma in Small Business Enterprises, has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff course at the Australian War College.

Mayor Harding was named 2021 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year for her work in leading transformational transparency reforms to improve the accountability of officials elected to local government.

Neil Frauenglass has over 25 years of marketing experience with McCann Worldgroup, Ann Taylor Stores and most currently, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. Over the course of his marketing career, he’s led integrated, multi-channel teams across agencies and countries to yield award winning campaigns for his clients. His experience spans a broad variety of categories, including travel, retail, consumer package goods and financial services. He is adept at building partnerships, understanding the demands of businesses that run at retail speed, and the power of branding to rise above deals and promotions. His clients over the years have included Qualcomm, OppenheimerFunds, HomeGoods, Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, Kohl’s, and MasterCard.

At VISIT PHILADELPHIA, Neil leads advertising, social, web and paid media, and is currently leading efforts to build programming and marketing for America’s semi-quincentennial in Philadelphia throughout 2026.  

Neil currently resides in Old City, Philadelphia on Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest continuously residential street. He oversees the preservation and programming for this National Historic Landmark as president emeritus of the Elfreth’s Alley Association.

Hannah Belsito built the destination management function at Destination Cleveland beginning in 2011. Today, destination management includes destination engagement, experience, development, and impact. With a background in urban planning and civic engagement, Hannah’s team focuses on strengthening Cleveland as a destination product by activating and engaging local networks, place-building, and scaling collaborations to broaden economic impact of visitation. This work allows her to live her passion for connecting people to place. Hannah’s work has contributed to major events including the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, 2021 NFL Draft, 2022 NBA All-Star Game, 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four & Total Solar Eclipse. She’s most proud of the now-renowned Cleveland script signs and the impact they’ve made on local pride. Hannah holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from John Carroll University and a master’s degree in urban planning, design & development with a specialization in historic preservation from Cleveland State University. Hannah and her family frequently take advantage of the city’s outdoor experiences, including Edgewater Beach and biking through the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail.

Marie Scalia has been part of the marketing team for Destination Cleveland since 2012. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the organization’s integrated marketing efforts, including development and management of the Cleveland brand, digital marketing, web development, and major event campaigns. Marie holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications with a minor in marketing from Kent State University and an MBA from Cleveland State University. Shortly after joining the organization, she was part of the work to define and introduce the Cleveland visitor brand, resulting, most notably, in the creation of the now-viral hashtag #ThisIsCLE and Cleveland script signs. She was a key part of the work to bring ABC’s “The Bachelor” to Cleveland for an episode in 2019 and instrumental in the local marketing efforts for the 2021 NFL Draft and 2022 NBA All-Star Game. In 2021, Marie was named a Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award recipient by SME Cleveland. Her list of Cleveland favorites includes strolling the stalls at West Side Market, chowing down in Little Italy, experiencing the city’s culture at the Cleveland Museum of Art and connecting with nature along the lakefront.

Yoge Biju is an accomplished leader in placemaking and urban revitalisation with more than 20 years of experience in strategic development, and community-focused city shaping across several local government areas in Melbourne. As the Head of Placemaking and Revitalisation at the City of Greater Dandenong, Yoge has led major urban renewal, economic development, and cultural activation initiatives that have transformed some of Melbourne’s most diverse and dynamic neighbourhoods.

Her leadership of the flagship Dandenong Market Precinct Plan is a 20‑year vision for one of Victoria’s most iconic markets which demonstrates her commitment to innovative precinct planning, investment attraction, and sustainable urban growth. Yoge has also driven transformative projects including the Springvale Revitalisation Action Plan, Revitalise Central Dandenong, Little India Precinct and Afghan Bazaar Revival, and the Living Neighbourhoods Place Activation Program, each celebrating cultural diversity, strengthening local economies, and enhancing community cohesion.

Passionate about community wellbeing and economic resilience, Yoge brings political acumen, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to placemaking excellence to every project she leads.

David is a former Victoria Police Detective and former member of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission with over 15 years of experience in law enforcement.

Throughout his career, David witnessed first hand the challenges faced by police investigating crimes - particularly the hundreds of thousands of hours spent collecting CCTV footage manually from businesses and homes.

With his unique background in both law enforcement and technology (30 years of software development), David founded Safer Places Network to bridge the gap between community safety and efficient policing - while maintaining the highest standards of privacy protection.

As Cúpla's lead strategist, Lyndal is a champion of the audience perspective - challenging traditional demographics to focus on the behaviours, wants, needs and motivations of the people a brand serves. She believe this is essential in building a strong place brand, starting with the communities that call the place home. In her 22 years of experience, she has developed an approach to brand strategy that is simple, highly effective and anchored in audience insights, which has been honed through place branding projects throughout Victoria and NSW, as well as broader sectors in Australia, Singapore, Europe and the US. She is particularly experienced in regional and rural place branding, and how to activate local communities to own, advocate and promote on behalf of their shared place brand.

Tēnā koutou. Amanda Wellgreen is a seasoned place leader and strategic communications specialist with over 20 years of experience navigating the complex intersection of business, governance, and community. As the Director of Impact(ful) Management, she is dedicated to moving local economic development beyond "survival mode" into a state of sustainable growth.

Amanda’s career is defined by her ability to professionalise organisations and lead through friction. From managing internal communications at IBM New Zealand to spearheading major community engagement for national infrastructure projects, she has a proven track record of building trust in high-stakes environments. Most recently, as a prominent Town Manager within the Auckland BID network, she led significant strategic transformations, including achieving a 75% increase in member engagement through innovative digital storytelling and podcasts.

Currently serving as the Town Manager for the Panmure Business Association, Amanda is focused on transitioning the district from a "scattergun" community model to a mature, data-driven business improvement district. A staunch advocate for the power of the "archipelago," she believes that the resilience of our main streets depends on the strength of the connections between the practitioners who lead them. Amanda holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Communication, accreditation in public relations from Public Relations Institute of NZ, and has served in several key governance roles, including Presiding Member at Onehunga Primary School.

University of Southern Maine; 30 years of experience
Matthew Kruchko is the Head of Global Operations for Gravity Global. Over a 30-year career, Matthew has progressed from owning and leading brand marketing agencies for 20 years to serving as a CEO and EVP of Global Strategy and Marketing for a publicly traded company. His expertise, honed in Silicon Valley's challenging environment, combines strategic growth initiatives with a disciplined, collaborative approach to sales, marketing, brand, and operations. He has partnered with clients such as Qualcomm, Warner Bros., Lexus, Smithsonian Institute, Sony PlayStation, the Toledo Region, the City of Detroit, the City of Calgary, UPS, Amway, Detroit Auto Show, and RSA.

Amanda is the Managing Director of AT+ M Marketing, part of a national business services group. An active member of the committee of management for Mainstreet Australia, she developed a passion for place activation, place branding and community collaboration during her 7 years serving as EO of Launceston Central, a successful and innovative traders association in Tasmania. Her expertise spans destination marketing, B2B sales, small business growth and leadership across Australia and the UK. She has worked in and with sectors across commerce and government including professional services, industrial, retail and events , and has an active interest in the not-for-profit sector.

Based in Launceston, with clients across Australia, Amanda leads her team of 13 staff with a focus on client relationships and delivering results. Passionate about community and place, she serves two not for profit boards and has a secret passion for governance.

Jess Radford is the Acting CEO of Brand Tasmania, leading the organisation’s mission to define, amplify, and leverage Tasmania’s unique identity as a driver of social, economic, and cultural growth.

Brand Tasmania works closely with the community, using research-driven insights and engagement to develop projects that bring the brand to life across government, business, and society while addressing policy challenges and harnessing Tasmania’s distinct competitive advantages.

With a passion for Tasmanian-ness, Jess specialises in uniting diverse stakeholders, co-designing strategies, and shaping narratives that foster sustainable, thriving communities across the state. Her work ensures that Tasmania’s brand is a tool for meaningful action.

Jess Radford is the Acting CEO of Brand Tasmania, leading the organisation’s mission to define, amplify, and leverage Tasmania’s unique identity as a driver of social, economic, and cultural growth.

Brand Tasmania works closely with the community, using research-driven insights and engagement to develop projects that bring the brand to life across government, business, and society while addressing policy challenges and harnessing Tasmania’s distinct competitive advantages.

With a passion for Tasmanian-ness, Jess specialises in uniting diverse stakeholders, co-designing strategies, and shaping narratives that foster sustainable, thriving communities across the state. Her work ensures that Tasmania’s brand is a tool for meaningful action.

As the Sydney Road Brunswick Association Manager, Troy leads a highly dedicated and refined delivery for over 575 businesses within Sydney Road Brunswick precinct – located in Melbourne’s bustling inner north.

Immersed into the industry of main street management in 2021, Troy’s experience and approach comes from over 15 years of working across branding, marketing, and communications; consumer and corporate events; award programmes and competitions; tender writing, and strategic planning.

Troy’s had the fortunate opportunity to work for various industry leading companies and organisations – all leaning into their key points of difference and never being afraid of standing out, or standing up to a challenge.

Today, Troy applies his vast experience and knowledge to the beloved bohemian that is the Sydney Road Brunswick precinct – a premier commercial corridor stretching 2.5km and part of the longest shopping strip in the southern hemisphere.

Delivering across business development and empowerment; events and activations; advocacy, tourism and visitation; and importantly, promotion and destination marketing – Troy’s multi-disciplinary background and exposure has come into its own within the industry of main street management.

Talia Melic is a Policy Analyst in the OECD’s Local Employment and Economic Development (LEED) Programme. In this role, she leads research and facilitates global dialogues on innovative approaches to strengthening local economies and communities, working with governments at the national and subnational level. As part of the OECD’s Transforming Places project, she leads a workstream on place identity, local pride and branding. She has also developed a new OECD programme on neighbourhoods. This programme focuses on area-based initiatives that combine regeneration of the physical environment and high streets with economic, social and community capacity measures.

Prior to joining the OECD, Talia gained almost a decade of experience in international policy with the Australian Government. She holds a PhD in Human Geography jointly awarded by the University of Melbourne and University Paris-Est, a Master in Community and Regional Development, and a Bachelor of Arts.

Talia teaches at the Paris School of Urban Planning, and is engaged in local community initiatives in her neighbourhood in the Paris suburbs.