Unlock Your High-Performance Potential with Dr. Sean Richardson at PCOA Conference 2024 Accelerate

As we approach the PCOA Conference 2024 Accelerate, we’re thrilled to announce an incredible addition to our speaker lineup: Dr. Sean Richardson, a former elite athlete and current Head of Leadership, Culture & Psychology at St Kilda Football Club. While the football grand final may be the talk of the town right now, the principles of performance, leadership, and resilience extend far beyond the field—and Dr. Richardson is here to show how they apply directly to the corporate and events world.

The Psychology of Excellence: From the Field to the Boardroom

Dr. Richardson’s expertise in the Psychology of Excellence is rooted in his experience as both a professional athlete and a PhD in stress, burnout, and mental health. Over the years, he has worked with Olympic athletes, corporate leaders, and elite teams to help them achieve breakthrough results. His insights into mindset, communication, and high performance go beyond inspiration—Dr. Richardson equips teams and individuals with practical tools to overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve sustainable success.

At PCOA 2024 Accelerate, Dr. Richardson will draw parallels between getting “match fit” for a major sporting event and preparing for high-stakes business scenarios. Just as an athlete conditions their mind and body for peak performance, corporate event planners, PCOs, and association meeting managers must hone their own skills to deliver excellence—whether it’s a seamless conference, a high-profile client presentation, or a critical team project.

Conference Fit vs. Match Fit: The Similarities

In the world of events, we often spend 12 months planning a single conference, and when the event arrives, we go all out—working non-stop for four days straight, with long hours, late nights, and always keeping a smile for our clients. This is not dissimilar to an elite athlete or team, who train year-round to be truly match fit for the big game. There’s the build-up, the high-pressure performance, and of course, the recovery afterward. But how do we, as event professionals, avoid burnout? How can we truly become “match fit” or, in this case, “conference fit”?

Dr. Richardson will explore these questions, offering strategies on maintaining peak performance during the event, recovering afterward, and sustaining long-term resilience without compromising well-being.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss His Keynote

In today’s fast-paced and competitive landscape, success is more than just hitting goals—it’s about cultivating a mindset of resilience, fostering strong team dynamics, and sustaining high performance in even the most high-pressure situations. Dr. Richardson will share actionable strategies to help you and your team stay ahead of the game. He will cover key areas including:

• Building a high-performance culture that empowers your team to consistently deliver top-tier results.
• Understanding the science of resilience and how to bounce back from setbacks stronger than ever.
• Leveraging the psychology of excellence to achieve personal and professional goals, even under pressure.

Dr. Richardson is not only an experienced keynote speaker but also a published author. His book, "Overtraining Athletes - Personal Journeys in Sport", explores the delicate balance between performance and burnout, a concept directly applicable to the events industry. He has also spoken at major conferences around the globe, sharing his expertise with both corporate and sports leadership audiences, including CEOs, Olympic teams, and industry professionals.

Whether you’re a corporate event planner, a PCO, or an association in-house meeting manager, Dr. Richardson’s session is designed to help you unlock your full potential and achieve breakthrough results.

Join Us at PCOA 2024 Accelerate

Make sure you don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the top minds in leadership and performance psychology. Dr. Richardson will be speaking on opening night, and don’t forget to arrive early on Sunday for the additional session as part of our three-day program at PCOA 2024 Accelerate at The Star in Brisbane.

Have you applied for the BEDA Brisbane Familiarisation prior to the conference?

If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time! This is your chance to gain insights that will not only elevate your next event but also empower you to lead your team to new heights.

Stay tuned for more announcements, and if you’re attending, don’t forget to arrive early on Sunday for the bonus session—or apply for the Brisbane familiarisation!