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Past events

Connect Waikato

Beyond The Business Card - The Relationship Advantage

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Beyond The Business Card

The Relationship Advantage

5:30–7:30pm · Park Central, Waikato Innovation Park, Hamilton East

An evening bringing together business owners, innovators, educators and community voices to explore how personal brand, reputation, partnerships, influence, and meaningful connections can open doors and create opportunities that extend far beyond a business card.

What to expect

  • Inspiring speakers
  • Panel discussions
  • Networking
  • Community connection
  • Food & drink
  • Women in Business
Free event In-person Limited to 200 attendees

Event details

When
Tuesday 27 October 2026
5:30–7:30pm
Where
Park Central
Waikato Innovation Park
3 Melody Lane, Hamilton East
Ngā kaikōrero

Meet our speakers

Beyond The Business Card · 27 October 2026

Tammee Wilson
Tammee Wilson
Regional Engagement Manager · RMDH

Tammee Wilson is the Regional Engagement Manager for Ronald McDonald House in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, working alongside businesses, community groups, McDonald's franchisees and generous supporters to help keep families close to their children receiving medical treatment.

A genuine connector of people, Tammee believes the most valuable opportunities come from authentic relationships, not transactions. A proud Waikato local and self-confessed people person, she brings energy, humour and a practical view of how relationships open doors.

Angela March
Angela March
Founder & Director · Brainchild

Angela March is the founder and director of award-winning Hamilton PR agency Brainchild, helping brands across New Zealand become visible, trusted and talked about by both people and AI systems.

Angela works with organisations including realestate.co.nz, JB Hi-Fi New Zealand, Jim Beam Homegrown and Rabobank, bringing together creative thinking and strategic communications across everything from creator campaigns and activations to media relations, partnerships and AI visibility.

Jo Franzen
Jo Franzen
Founder & Director · Franzen Consulting

Jo Franzen is a multidisciplinary leader with one overarching focus: Unlocking people. Jo has built her career on one simple truth: deep relationships drive results. Now growing business owners, leaders, and professionals across New Zealand and Australia, she understands the power of trust, reputation, and strategic partnerships to open doors and create opportunity. Jo will explore how to create a genuine network that works for you and builds a strong foundation for your future success.

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Past events

A look back at Connect Waikato events.

Inaugural event

Human Connection in an AI World

5:30–7:30pm · Park Central, Waikato Innovation Park, Hamilton East

The evening brought together business owners, innovators, educators and community voices to explore practical AI adoption while keeping people at the centre.

The evening featured

  • Inspiring speakers
  • Practical AI stories
  • Panel discussions
  • Networking & spot prizes
  • Community connection
  • Complimentary food & drink
Free event In-person Limited to 200 attendees

Event details

When
Wednesday 8 July 2026
5:30–7:30pm
Where
Park Central
Waikato Innovation Park
3 Melody Lane, Hamilton East
Entry
Free · via Humanitix
Ngā kaikōrero

The speakers

Business owners, leaders, builders, educators, and thinkers exploring what it means to stay human as technology accelerates.

Trent Montgomery, TDM Transport
Trent Montgomery
Managing Director · TDM Transport

TDM Transport, a Hamilton based specialist in oversize loads, modular building moves, and Hiab lifting across NZ. Trent took an admin heavy office to AI-assisted software that dispatches trucks and manages jobs from inception through to Xero for invoicing.

Topic Less admin, more road
Adam Holt
Adam Holt
Co-Founder · TheColab.ai

Aotearoa's official Claude Ambassador and co-founder of TheColab.ai, helping New Zealand organisations move from AI curiosity to genuine capability. Adam works with teams to make AI practical and human, turning technology into real, everyday value for Kiwi businesses.

Topic AI Agents
Benny Pan
Benny Pan
Founder, InspiraEd · AI in Education

Educator and founder of InspiraEd, Benny holds a Master of Technological Futures and has trained 38 educators across 18 countries. He helps businesses and schools adopt AI without the hype. His focus is the next generation of talent: which jobs AI changes, what to automate, and what to protect.

Topic What does AI mean for the next generation of talent?
Nick Foley
Nick Foley
Co-Founder · Longcloud

Longcloud, a Hamilton-based AI studio building bespoke software. Having lived and worked in England and the US, Nick has a deep appreciation for NZ Inc. and what we can do to leverage our unique place in the world.

Topic Small country, big leverage
Ngā Kaitautoko

Thank you to our sponsors

Human Connection in an AI World was made possible by the organisations backing human-centred technology in our region.

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He Whakataukī

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

In an age of intelligent machines, this remains Connect Waikato's compass.