Keynote Speaker in Sydney

Sydney is where Naomi Simson lives, works and thinks about business every day. If you are organising a corporate event, conference or leadership summit in Sydney, book a keynote speaker who knows this city and its business community from the inside.

Book Naomi Simson

Sydney Is Where My Story Happens Every Day

Sydney is my home. It is where I built my career, where Big Red Group is headquartered, and where I have spent the better part of the last three decades learning what it takes to build, lead, and grow businesses in Australia. I moved to Sydney when I joined Apple as a marketing manager and I have lived, laughed and loved in Sydney ever since. When I step on a stage in Sydney, I am a local, understanding the rhythm of this very special city. I am speaking from the city where I live, work, and think about business every single day.

That matters for event organisers. It means I understand the Sydney business landscape — the pressures facing corporates in the CBD, the energy of the startup community in Surry Hills and Pyrmont, the ambitions of scale-ups pushing into Asia-Pacific markets, and the challenges of leading diverse teams in one of the world's most competitive cities.

If you are planning a corporate event, conference, or leadership summit in Sydney and you want a keynote speaker who knows this city and its business community from the inside, I would love to hear what you are working on.

What Sydney Event Organisers Ask Me For

For many years speaking at events in Sydney, three themes come up again and again. These are the conversations that matter most to the audiences I meet here.

Leadership That Feels Real

Sydney audiences are sophisticated. They have heard every leadership framework and every four-quadrant model. What they respond to is honesty — real stories from someone who has led teams through growth and through crisis, who has made decisions that kept her up at night, and who is willing to share what she learned when things did not go to plan.

My leadership keynotes draw from my experience as CEO, as an independent director on multiple boards, and as an investor on Shark Tank Australia. I talk about what intentional leadership actually looks like in practice — not in a textbook.

Entrepreneurship Without the Fairy Tales

Sydney is full of ambitious people building businesses. What they do not need is another "follow your passion and the money will come" story. What they need is someone who has built businesses, invested in dozens more, and can speak honestly about what the journey actually requires — the persistence, the failures, the boring operational discipline that nobody talks about at launch parties.

I share what I have learned about growing companies, building teams, managing cash flow, and staying sane while doing all of it. No fairy tales. Just the truth.

How to Build a Business That Outlasts You

Many of the corporate and franchise audiences I speak to in Sydney are thinking about legacy — how to build something that does not depend entirely on one person. With Big Red Group now operating as the largest experience marketplace in ANZ, I have lived through the process of evolving a founder-led business into something bigger. That journey — from operator to strategist to board member — is a story many Sydney audiences connect with deeply.

Speaking Topics for Sydney Events

I tailor every keynote to your specific audience, industry, and event objectives. The topics above are starting points — the real value comes from the conversation we have about what your room needs to hear.

Sydney Venues Where I Have Spoken

I have delivered keynotes at many of Sydney's leading event venues and conference centres, including:

• International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), Darling Harbour
• Hilton Sydney and Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
• The Star Event Centre
• Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf
• Carriageworks, Eveleigh
• Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
• Luna Park and Sydney Olympic Park venues

Whether your event is a two-hundred-person leadership summit in a boutique CBD venue or a two-thousand-seat industry conference at ICC Sydney, I bring the same level of preparation, energy, and substance to every stage.

How I Work With Sydney Event Organisers

Because I am based in Sydney, working together is especially straightforward:

1. Initial conversation — Reach out with your event details. I respond personally to every enquiry
2. Briefing session — We meet (often in person for Sydney events) to discuss your audience, objectives, and what success looks like
3. Tailored proposal — I send you a proposal covering topic, format, duration, and investment
4. Preparation — In the weeks before, I refine the keynote based on your brief and any updated audience insights
5. Delivery — I arrive early, meet your team, and deliver a keynote designed to move the room

For Sydney events, I am also available for half-day and full-day engagements that combine a keynote with interactive workshops, panel participation, or MC duties.

Beyond the Stage — Workshops, Panels, and MC

A keynote is often the centrepiece, but many Sydney event organisers ask me to do more. I offer:

• Interactive workshops — Smaller group sessions where your team works through real business challenges using frameworks from my experience
• Panel facilitation — I moderate and energise panel discussions, drawing out genuine insight instead of rehearsed talking points
• MC and hosting — For full-day conferences, I can host the programme, linking sessions together and keeping energy high from start to finish
• Fireside chats — Informal, conversational sessions that feel more intimate and allow audience questions throughout

These can be combined with a keynote or booked independently. Visit my speaking page for more details, or get in touch to discuss what your event needs.

Keynote Speaker in Sydney FAQs

How much does a keynote speaker in Sydney cost?

Speaking fees depend on the event format, duration, audience size, and whether additional services like workshops or panel participation are included. Because I am based in Sydney, local events generally do not require travel surcharges. I discuss investment openly during our first conversation and tailor proposals to your event's scope.

What types of Sydney events do you speak at?

I speak at corporate conferences, annual general meetings, industry summits, franchise conferences, leadership offsites, women in business events, charity galas, and university programmes. If your event is in Sydney and your audience wants substance over spectacle, we are likely a good fit.

Can you speak at short-notice Sydney events?

When my calendar allows, yes. Because I am Sydney-based, I can sometimes accommodate last-minute bookings that interstate or international speakers cannot. Get in touch with your date and I will let you know immediately.

Do you stay for networking after your keynote?

Yes, always. I believe some of the most valuable conversations happen after the formal session ends. I make time to meet attendees, answer questions, and engage with your audience beyond the stage. Many event organisers tell me this is one of the things their delegates value most.

How do I book Naomi Simson as a keynote speaker in Sydney?

The best first step is to contact me directly with your event date, audience, and objectives. I respond to every enquiry personally. We will have a conversation to make sure the engagement is right for both of us, and I will send you a tailored proposal. You can also find more about my keynote speaking across Australia.