keynote speakers

We were delighted to welcome the following keynote speakers to the 2021 Mainstreet SA Conference in Clare on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th June 2021

Paul Lonsdale

Manager, Central City Business Association, Christchurch NZ

Paul has been in retail industry for 37 years in a variety of roles including manager / marketing manager of Merivale Mall and manager of the Palms shopping centre. 

Paul helped establish the Central City Business Association in 2007 and was the central city manager for the business association for seven years.

Post the February 2011 earthquake Paul was one of the key leaders in the Re:Start Container Mall initiative. He initiating the first steps to bring life back into the city sooner than would have otherwise been possible and then stayed on to manage Re:Start to its success.

Paul ran for the Christchurch mayoralty in the 2013 elections but was elected as Councillor for the Hagley Ferrymead Ward where he served for a three-year term. Paul was involved in all aspects of the council and its subsidiaries sitting on six council-controlled company boards and 15 committees and working groups.

Paul worked with the New Brighton business community as manager of the New Brighton Business and Land Owners Association for two years assisting in getting key projects over the line and has now taken back the role as Central City Business Association manager.

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jane laverty

Regional Manager, Northern Rivers, NSW

Jane Laverty is a self-confessed regionalist with a personal mission and passion for sustainable economic development and meaningful business and community engagement.  Based in the Northern Rivers of NSW, Jane is currently the Regional Manager for the NSW Business Chamber after 3 ½ years with Byron Shire Council as the coordinator for Economic Development and Tourism which included project management of the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan and initiating placemaking strategies, creation of Enterprising Byron 2025 (economic development strategy) and the establishment of the Byron Business Events Bureau.

As an economic development professional for over 20 years, Jane has been a long time believer in the importance of vibrant main streets and town centres to economic development, community capacity building outcomes and investment attraction. 

Jane advocates on behalf of regional communities, business and industry for improved business conditions and works closely with local business leaders and all levels of government to create jobs and attract regional investment.

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dean cracknell

Co-founder and Leader, Town Team Movement

Dean Cracknell is a co-founder and leader of Town Team Movement - a social enterprise dedicated to championing the Town Team approach to rejuvenating town centres.

Town Teams are positive and proactive organisations that are open to businesses, landowners and residents working collaboratively with their local government to improve a place or area, often a town centre or main street.

Dean worked in local government for 12 years, volunteered with the first town team - the Beaufort Street Network - and has helped many communities to create their own path to community-led placemaking. He is one of the 100 global PlacemakingX People - https://www.placemakingx.org/people

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