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.
I am a Sydney-based keynote speaker, and this is the city where I do most of my work: ICC Sydney, Sydney Town Hall, the Swissotel, Ilumina and the Sheraton. Conference organisers book me for entrepreneurship, leadership, customer obsession and AI. What they tell me afterwards is that the room itself changed. I arrive early, meet people before I speak, listen to the questions they bring rather than the ones I expected, and leave a sense of community behind that outlasts the session.
Sydney Stages
A dozen recent examples, most recent first.
2026Zoholics SydneyICC Sydney · Opening keynote
June 2026Growth Summit SydneySwissotel Sydney · Opening keynote
May 2026Tungsten Automation SummitIlumina, Martin Place, Sydney · Keynote
2025Braze City x City SydneyIlumina, Sydney · Closing keynote
October 2024SekurokonSydney · Closing keynote on intentional leadership
29 February 2024ADCO Constructions — International Women's DayTerrace on the Domain, Sydney
19 October 2023Proptech ForumNSW Teachers Federation, Sydney · Business growth
8 June 2023Digital Transformation LiveICC Sydney · The Future of Work is Now
2022Entrepreneurs' Marketing & Sales SummitSydney Town Hall · The Entourage
2018Engineers AustraliaICC Sydney · Read the article
2014Connect;In Sydney, with Jeff WeinerSheraton Sydney · Read the write-up
2010TEDxDarlingHarbourDarling Harbour, Sydney · Watch the talk
From Sydney Rooms
Being trusted to close out a day for a Sydney audience is a privilege I do not take lightly. Here is what the team at Braze said after City x City Sydney 2025:
Having Naomi close out Braze City x City Sydney 2025 was the perfect finale to an incredible day. Her energy, honesty and perspective left the audience inspired and ready to take bold action. A true highlight of the event.Jaye Vernon, Area Vice President of Sales, ANZ — Braze, August 2025
And from Sekuro, after I closed their annual conference in Sydney:
Naomi's closing keynote was a standout success, with 94% of attendees rating it 'Very Valuable'. Her impact resonated far and wide — our CEO even thanked her personally. We are grateful to have had Naomi with us at Sekuro this year; her presentation truly elevated our event.Sekuro, Sekurokon
What the Audience Said
The organiser's view matters. So does the view from the twelfth row.
Down to earth, relatable, funny and very relevant. I have not heard Naomi before and I honestly found her much more personable and relatable than I ever imagined.
JanineVery grounding and insightful as to the challenges and possibilities to my business future.
RodInteresting, great story telling, relevant information and friendly — like it was one on one.
NicoleNaomi is willing to share her experience and business story. Great insights to inspire everyone how to lead with purpose. Very thought provoking. Thank you.
AttendeeLoved it. Her book was the first business book I read and it impacted me greatly.
BecTotally engaging keynote speech — made me reflect on my journey in my business.
AttendeeCustomer feedback gathered at the event via QR code.
You can read more feedback from event organisers on my keynote speaker page.
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. I have written about why business conferences matter in 2026 and where I think business events are heading.
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 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 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. There is more on what I cover as an entrepreneur keynote speaker in Australia.
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. Big Red Group is a technology business powering the largest experience network in Australia and New Zealand, and the parent company to RedBalloon, Adrenaline and Experience Oz. 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
| Topic | Sydney Audience Angle |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation | Building and scaling in a competitive, high-cost market — what works in Sydney specifically |
| Leadership in Uncertain Times | Leading corporate and high-growth teams through disruption, restructures, and rapid change |
| Customer Obsession | Why Sydney's best businesses win on experience, not price — and how to build that culture |
| AI and the Future of Work | Practical AI adoption for Sydney corporates — and why human connection matters more, not less |
| Resilience and Reinvention | What it takes to rebuild, pivot, or simply keep going when the pressure is relentless |
| Women in Business | Honest reflections on leadership, ambition, and building a career on your own terms |
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.
What Does a Keynote Speaker in Sydney Cost?
Organisers ask me this early, and it is a fair question. Fees in the Australian market vary widely depending on a speaker's profile, the format, and how much of the day they are involved in. These are indicative market ranges rather than my own fee:
| Speaker level | Typical fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Emerging or niche expert | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Established professional speaker | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Premium business leader or recognised author | $15,000 – $30,000+ |
| High-profile headline speaker | $30,000 – $50,000+ |
| Celebrity or global name | $50,000 – $100,000+ |
Because I am Sydney-based, local events generally do not carry travel or accommodation costs. I discuss investment openly in our first conversation and tailor the proposal to your event's scope, so you know where you stand before anything is committed.
How I Work With Sydney Event Organisers
Because I am based in Sydney, working together is especially straightforward:
- Initial conversation — Reach out with your event details. I respond personally to every enquiry
- Briefing session — We meet (often in person for Sydney events) to discuss your audience, objectives, and what success looks like
- Tailored proposal — I send you a proposal covering topic, format, duration, and investment
- Preparation — In the weeks before, I refine the keynote based on your brief and any updated audience insights
- 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
- Dinner speaking — Shorter, warmer sessions for awards nights, client dinners and end-of-year events
These can be combined with a keynote or booked independently. Visit my keynote speaker page for more details, or get in touch to discuss what your event needs.
Recent Press Coverage
Where my work and my thinking have shown up lately.
Keynote speaker in Sydney — FAQs
How much does a keynote speaker in Sydney cost?
Fees in the Australian market range from roughly $3,000 to $7,000 for an emerging or niche expert, $8,000 to $15,000 for an established professional speaker, $15,000 to $30,000 or more for a premium business leader or recognised author, and $30,000 to $100,000 or more for high-profile headline and celebrity speakers. The final figure depends on format, duration, audience size and whether workshops or panel participation are included. Because I am based in Sydney, local events generally do not require travel surcharges.
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, awards dinners, charity galas, and university programmes. If your event is in Sydney and your audience wants substance over spectacle, we are likely a good fit.
Which Sydney venues have you spoken at?
Sydney rooms I have worked in include ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour, Sydney Town Hall, Swissotel Sydney, Ilumina at Martin Place, the Sheraton Sydney, Terrace on the Domain, the NSW Teachers Federation, Crowne Plaza Coogee and Oatlands House Estate. Recent Sydney engagements include Zoholics Sydney at ICC, Growth Summit Sydney, the Tungsten Automation Summit, Braze City x City Sydney, Sekurokon, the Proptech Forum, Digital Transformation Live, ADCO Constructions, Winc Australia and the Navarra Group.
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.
Have Naomi speak at your Sydney event.
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