More than 300 attended the McLardy McShane 2022 conference on the Gold Coast after a two-year COVID hiatus.
Don McLardy, CEO of the fast-growing brokerage and authorised representative (AR) network, said it was “really important” to bring back the conference, which last took place in Queenstown in 2019.
“We build our business on personal relationships and seeing people regularly and we believe heavily in the face-to-face environment, so not having everyone together for three years was pretty tough for us.
“While we’ve been ok, it’s not the same as getting everyone together and sending a common message. It was really exciting to have our whole group there.”
Thank you to our Gold Sponsors
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our major insurer sponsors – a big thank you to Allianz, Chubb, Dual, Elantis Premium Funding and Hollard, as well as many other sponsors!
“One Helluva Ride”
Themed “One Helluva Ride”, Wednesday night’s welcome event took place at Movie World and attendees had the chance to climb aboard some of the park’s famous rollercoasters.
The following day speakers at the The Star Events Centre included Richard Harris, who played a key role in rescuing 12 trapped young soccer players and their coach from a Thai cave system in 2019, tsunami survivor and Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires, and four-time Olympian Steven Bradbury.
Our McMarketplace offered attendees access to 47 exhibitors/sponsors with interactive stands and many, many prizes.
That night a 1970s-themed gala dinner was held and awards were announced, with McLardy McShane Swan Hill named branch of the year and Linx Insurance AR of the year.
More than $150,000 was raised for charity at the event, with funds supporting The Reach Foundation, epidermolysis bullosa sufferers, and the GoFundMe page of Megan Affinita, an Elantis Premium Funding employee battling stage 4 cancer.
2022 Conference Award Winners
- MCLARDY MCSHANE COMMUNITY AWARD: MATTHEW KOHLER, PEAK CONSULTING
- MCLARDY MCSHANE AR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: DI BARRY, LINX INSURANCE
- MCLARDY MCSHANE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: TANIA UVAROVA, MCLARDY MCSHANE PARTNERS, AND MARIE VRANJES, MCLARDY MCSHANE WA
- MCLARDY MCSHANE RISING STAR – BRANCH: MCLARDY MCSHANE SOUTH EAST
- MCLARDY MCSHANE RISING STAR – AR: PEAK CONSULTING, MATTHEW KOHLER
- MCLARDY MCSHANE RISING STAR – INDIVIDUAL: TAHLIA COATES, MCLARDY MCSHANE WARRNAMBOOL/HORSHAM
- MCLARDY MCSHANE CULTURE AWARD: DANIELLE SCHWANDT, MCLARDY MCSHANE PARTNERS
- MCLARDY MCSHANE AR OF THE YEAR: LINX INSURANCE
- MCLARDY MCSHANE BRANCH OF THE YEAR: MCLARDY MCSHANE SWAN HILL
Attendee feedback
The McLardy McShane team was overwhelmed by the positive feedback following the event, and one of our favourites was from our AR of the Year, Linx Insurance:
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you for last week. Both Terry and I absolutely enjoyed every second of the whole conference and it was an absolute pleasure to be part of it. Over many years of working, in various roles, and having attended lots of different workplace conferences, the McLardy McShane conference last week was just so far ahead of anything we have ever attended. The culture that you have created is absolutely infectious and this was so evident at the conference. I cannot congratulate you all highly enough for creating this amongst your team and business. There are so many businesses that could learn so much from you all on how to create this workplace culture as it is rare to see what you have.
You created a wonderful atmosphere and encouraged the great response and result on the night, and without the amazing generosity that started with your own contributions, this never would have happened. Thanks again to you all. Keep up the great work and I again congratulate you on the success of your business."
"Congratulations to the McLardy McShane team for hosting such a fantastic event; thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end and am sincerely grateful for the invitation to be part of a team that embodies a culture of warmth, inclusion and appreciation. "
"On behalf of Daniel, James and myself, we would like to thank you both, Rachel and the team for organising such an amazing conference. We enjoyed ourselves the entire time! The work that went into this conference blew us away, particularly with the outcome of the fundraisers. We’re looking forward to another amazing conference next year."
Photo galleries
Here are a few photos from across the 2022 conference! Click below to jump to your gallery of choice:
