In this episode of Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Stephanie Doyle, Founder of The Conference Planners (theconferenceplanners.com.au/), to explore how thoughtfully designed conferences can become powerful drivers of professional learning, leadership, and collaboration across Australian education.

Drawing on her experience working with education networks, government systems, peak bodies, and school leaders, Stephanie shares why successful conferences begin with strategy rather than logistics. Instead of focusing solely on speakers and schedules, she explains how understanding delegate needs, defining clear objectives, and designing purposeful experiences lead to meaningful learning that continues long after the event concludes.

Throughout the conversation, Stephanie explains why face-to-face professional learning remains invaluable despite the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and unlimited online information. While technology can provide quick answers, she believes genuine conversations, shared experiences, and collaborative problem-solving create insights that simply cannot be replicated online. As a result, conferences provide school leaders with dedicated time to reflect, connect with peers, and develop practical solutions for their own school communities.

The discussion also explores the evolving role of educational leadership. Stephanie highlights how increasing compliance, wellbeing responsibilities, staffing challenges, and operational complexity have transformed the work of school leaders. Consequently, she explains why modern conferences must provide opportunities to build leadership capacity, encourage peer learning, and create environments where authentic conversations can flourish.

In addition, Steve and Stephanie examine how conferences can better support both experienced and emerging leaders. They discuss the importance of intentional networking, structured collaboration, and creating welcoming experiences that help new leaders build meaningful professional relationships. Furthermore, Stephanie shares how exhibitors and education partners can achieve greater success by focusing on genuine engagement instead of transactional interactions.

The episode also considers the importance of purposeful conference design, meaningful reflection, and measuring success beyond attendee satisfaction surveys. Stephanie explains why the most effective events are built around clear outcomes, trusted relationships, and practical implementation that benefits schools long after delegates return to their classrooms and leadership teams.

Whether you are a classroom teacher, school leader, system leader, or education partner, this conversation offers valuable insights into designing conferences that inspire collaboration, strengthen leadership, and create lasting impact across Australian education.

Powered by: xuno.com.au

In this episode of Around the School Table (<a href="xuno.com.au/podcasts">xuno.com.au/podcasts</a>), host Steve Davis is joined by Stephanie Doyle, Founder of The Conference Planners (<a href="https://theconferenceplanners.com.au/">theconferenceplanners.com.au/</a>), to explore how thoughtfully designed conferences can become powerful drivers of professional learning, leadership, and collaboration across Australian education.
Drawing on her experience working with education networks, government systems, peak bodies, and school leaders, Stephanie shares why successful conferences begin with strategy rather than logistics. Instead of focusing solely on speakers and schedules, she explains how understanding delegate needs, defining clear objectives, and designing purposeful experiences lead to meaningful learning that continues long after the event concludes.
Throughout the conversation, Stephanie explains why face-to-face professional learning remains invaluable despite the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and unlimited online information. While technology can provide quick answers, she believes genuine conversations, shared experiences, and collaborative problem-solving create insights that simply cannot be replicated online. As a result, conferences provide school leaders with dedicated time to reflect, connect with peers, and develop practical solutions for their own school communities.
The discussion also explores the evolving role of educational leadership. Stephanie highlights how increasing compliance, wellbeing responsibilities, staffing challenges, and operational complexity have transformed the work of school leaders. Consequently, she explains why modern conferences must provide opportunities to build leadership capacity, encourage peer learning, and create environments where authentic conversations can flourish.
In addition, Steve and Stephanie examine how conferences can better support both experienced and emerging leaders. They discuss the importance of intentional networking, structured collaboration, and creating welcoming experiences that help new leaders build meaningful professional relationships. Furthermore, Stephanie shares how exhibitors and education partners can achieve greater success by focusing on genuine engagement instead of transactional interactions.
The episode also considers the importance of purposeful conference design, meaningful reflection, and measuring success beyond attendee satisfaction surveys. Stephanie explains why the most effective events are built around clear outcomes, trusted relationships, and practical implementation that benefits schools long after delegates return to their classrooms and leadership teams.
Whether you are a classroom teacher, school leader, system leader, or education partner, this conversation offers valuable insights into designing conferences that inspire collaboration, strengthen leadership, and create lasting impact across Australian education.
Powered by: xuno.com.au

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected. 

About Xuno 

Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K–12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide. 

Website: https://xuno.com.au/ 

Email: info@xuno.com.au 

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected.&nbsp;
About Xuno&nbsp;
Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K&ndash;12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide.&nbsp;
Website: <a href="https://xuno.com.au/">https://xuno.com.au/</a>&nbsp;
Email: <a href="mailto:info@xuno.com.au">info@xuno.com.au</a>&nbsp;

Around the School Table 

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected. 

 

About Xuno 

Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K–12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide. 

Website: https://xuno.com.au/ 

Email: info@xuno.com.au 

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
About Xuno&nbsp;
Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K&ndash;12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide.&nbsp;
Website: <a href="https://xuno.com.au/">https://xuno.com.au/</a>&nbsp;
Email: <a href="mailto:info@xuno.com.au">info@xuno.com.au</a>&nbsp;

Around The School Table

Episode 39: Stephanie Doyle, Founder of The Conference Planners - Designing Conferences That Create Lasting Impact - Around the School Table by Xuno Suite