Four fantastic authors, plenty of laughs and a room full of curious communicators. Our Annual Book Fair delivered big ideas, valuable insights and more than a few additions to our ever-growing reading lists.
We wrapped up another big year with the IABC Queensland Annual Book Fair at Queensland Parliament House, bringing together four inspiring authors and a room full of curious communicators ready to share ideas and learn from each other.
This year, we heard from Leanne Hughes, Ally Nitschke, Sally Prosser and Cherry Ward in an engaging panel discussion that explored everything from workplace influence and leadership to finding your voice, setting boundaries and making space for what really matters.
As if great books, brilliant ideas and good company weren't enough, we also got to do some good! Thanks to our generous IABC Queensland community, we raised $694 for Dangerous Females through ticket sales, T-shirt sales and donations. A little extra feel-good factor to top off a fantastic evening!
There were plenty of lightbulb moments, knowing nods and memorable takeaways that got us thinking, including:
Leanne Hughes: "When you have a great work life, you have a great life." A reminder of how much our work influences our lives beyond the office. And as Leanne pointed out, "You can't see the label when you're inside the jar." Sometimes it takes a fresh perspective to see things differently, which is exactly why connecting with other communicators is so valuable!
Ally Nitschke: "I stopped people pleasing when people stopped pleasing me." A refreshingly candid take on setting boundaries and knowing your worth. Saying yes can open exciting doors, but every yes comes at a cost. Sometimes we need to clear our plates to make room for what really matters.
Sally Prosser: "Date it, don't hate it." A fun reminder to stop being so critical of our voices and start embracing what makes each of us sound uniquely ourselves.
Cherry Ward: The Japanese concept of Ma, which celebrates the importance of space, pauses and moments of stillness. A beautiful reminder that sometimes the most valuable thing we can do in our busy lives is make room for a little nothing.
Good books, great conversations and a great cause. That's our kind of event!
And what better way to celebrate another year of learning and connection with the IABC Queensland community than bringing everyone together for our End-of-Year Book Fair!
Panellists
Leanne Hughes
Leanne Hughes makes people famous at work.
As a keynote speaker, advisor and author, she helps leaders and teams become more visible, influential and effective in the way they communicate and lead. Her career has taken her from regional Australia to stages in New York, Mumbai and Mongolia.
She is the host of two podcasts, First Time Facilitator and Leanne on Demand, reaching listeners in more than 80 countries, and the author of the bestselling The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Work Fame is her second book.
Based in Brisbane, Australia, Leanne is known for blending warmth, humour and bold ideas that challenge people to think bigger and act sooner.
Ally Nitschke
Ally Nitschke is a Certified Speaking Professional, bestselling author and award winning speaker whose work sits at the intersection of leadership, communication and human potential.
Known for her refreshingly candid, practical and thought-provoking approach, Ally challenges conventional thinking about how we lead, communicate and show up in the world.
As the author of six bestselling books, Ally brings a unique perspective to the conversations that shape our workplaces and lives. Her latest book, Humble, Calm and Unapologetic, explores the courage to own your voice, embrace your worth and lead with quiet confidence, without shrinking yourself to make others comfortable.
Through her speaking, writing and coaching, Ally is on a mission to break down barriers so people can step into their full potential.
Sally Prosser
Sally Prosser is a voice and public speaking coach, TEDx speaker, author of Voiceprint, and host of That Voice Podcast.
In her spare time, Sally loves mentoring high school students and the next wave of broadcast journalists. Her happy place is airline lounges, and she’s always planning her next adventure (ringing in her 40th in an ice hotel, and recently returned from the Camino de Santiago).
When she’s home, Sally enjoys yoga, jigsaw puzzles and nurturing her love-hate relationship with home renovations.
Cherry Ward
Cherry Ward is a certified executive coach, writer, speaker, and facilitator with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and organisations navigate change across the globe.
As co-founder of a tech start-up, she combines proven leadership methodologies with innovative AI technology to create adaptive learning solutions.
She facilitates leadership programs, delivers keynotes, and coaches executives globally.
Lead with Kokoro is her debut book.
Cherry's discovery of Japanese philosophy came through running women's ski retreats in the Japanese Alps, where she found that ancient wisdom offered a complete navigation system for modern leadership challenges.
A lifelong learner and avid skier, she lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her family.
Her passion is helping every person experience at least one great leader in their career.
Supporting a cause that matters
We were proud to have partnered with Dangerous Females for this year's event.
Founded to help combat violence against women and gender-diverse people, Dangerous Females raises awareness and funds for organisations providing vital support, education and advocacy.
Our IABC Queensland Board showed their support by proudly wearing Dangerous Females T-shirts on the night, helping shine a light on the cause and encourage others to get involved.
We encourage everyone to visit the Dangerous Females website to learn more about their work and, if you're in a position to do so, consider making a donation to support their important work.
