Top business leaders in lineup for inaugural Northland Business Mix conference in Whangarei

New Zealand rower Rob Hamill.

Some of the country's top business leaders – from Olympians to leaders of NZ's corporate giants - are on the list of speakers for Northland's first Business Mix, the region's inaugural one-day business conference aiming to boost leadership skills in the region.

Organised by the Chamber of Commerce Northland and being held at Forum North in Whangarei on May 25, the event aims to help business leaders and owners, and business support teams, to exchange ideas, innovate, grow and be successful.

Chief executive of the Chamber, Tony Collins, said many Northland companies were unable to attend training conferences in other parts of the country, due to the travel costs and lack of time.

Premier Group International managing director Bernard Powell.

Sending staff was too time-consuming and expensive also. He said feedback from the wider Northland business community had pointed the Chamber in the direction of creating the event.

The event will feature a panel discussion featuring the speakers, as well as networking opportunities.

The speakers include the work culture-focused Bernard Powell of the Premier Group International, Olympian rower Rob Hamill and Vodafone chief executive Russell Stanners.

NZME's chief strategy officer Sarah Judkins will also be attending on the day, with Donovan Group director Tim Williams, who has extensive insight into opportunity for investment in Northland and how companies need to be ready for it.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett will MC the event.

Michael Barnett.

"We want Northlanders to have an affordable conference that will inspire and drive them. This is the first event of its kind here," Tony Collins said.

Whether technological changes or personal, businesses constantly face change, he said.

"We can't expect business to get by as it is, with things staying the same. We hope this helps businesses to embrace change in their business, to innovate and lead."

The conference costs are subsidised by Chamber partners who have jumped on board, meaning tickets are only $140 (plus GST), which includes lunch and refreshments.

Spaces are limited to 200 people and tickets are now on sale through the Northland Chamber of Commerce.