Decide. Act. Adjust.
Leading at pace in a changing world.
Thursday 17th September
5.00 - 7.30pm | Basestation
148 Durham Street | Tauranga
Join Nicola O’Rourke at MoPed's next event.
Nicola was named in Cuisine's New Zealand Top 50 Women in Food & Beverage for 2025 — recognition built on a career spanning Operations, Digital, and Marketing Management through to General Manager and Board Director roles.
She's held leadership positions at some of New Zealand's most recognisable brands, including Lewis Road Creamery, Pics Peanut Butter, WOOP and Pals — driving results across each by staying adaptable, making fast decisions, and executing them at pace.
Nicola draws on that experience to share real insights and practical tips on acting with agility in a constantly changing world. She'll walk through what worked, what didn't, and the biggest wins from her career, along with honest reflections on lessons and pitfalls.
Gain tips on:
Managing or changing your mindset to act fast
Using support tools that could be helpful
Influencing and leading others when things are happening at pace
$40 + Ticketing Fee
Brand Summit
2026
Thursday 15 October | 9.00am - 5.00pm
Grand Millennium Hotel
71 Mayoral Drive & Cnr Vincent Street Auckland
Big ideas. Real brands. Honest conversations.
Brand Summit is where local and global brands take the stage to share what’s really working — and what’s not — in brand building right now.
You’ll get behind-the-scenes stories from some of the world’s most exciting campaigns, explore the trends shaking up brand marketing, and leave with fresh ideas you can actually use.
What’s in store:
Inspiring speakers from top international and Kiwi brands
Real-world case studies and unfiltered insights
Conversations on creativity, trust, purpose, and the future of branding
Plenty of time to connect with other brands and marketing pros
If you’re serious about building stronger brands, this is where you need to be.
For $150 discount, apply the code TRAVEL150 at checkout. Accommodation discounts available too!
IMAGE: Kickstarter Magazine
Heilala Vanilla
Thursday 13 August | 5.00 - 7.30pm
BNZ Partners Centre
639 Cameron Road, Tauranga
Join Ruby Grant, Head of Brand and Jennifer Boggis, CEO and Co-founder, on the story of how Heilala Vanilla used story, flavour and partnerships to challenge category leaders.
Heilala Vanilla began with a trip to Tonga following a devastating cyclone and the idea of creating sustainable employment through vanilla farming.
What started as a purpose-led business built around one of the world's most-loved ingredients has grown into an international brand loved by chefs, bakers and food brands around the world.
Competing in a category dominated by legacy brands meant Heilala couldn't outspend the competition, so it had to out-story, out-partner and out-create them instead. Through collaborations with chefs and food personalities, earned media, retail partnerships and a relentless focus on flavour, Heilala has built a brand that punches well above its weight.
The journey hasn't been linear; from challenges in the Pacific and competitors with deep pockets, to changing the conversation around imitation vanilla.
Key takeaways:
What challenger brands can do when they can't outspend the competition
How collaborations, earned media, and partnerships can create an outsized impact
Lessons from building a premium brand in a category driven by habit and price
Building a brand takes resilience, persistence and no shortage of creativity.
$40 + Ticketing Fee