Retreat Attendees Page

Here is where you’ll find all the key information for The Retreat including pre-Retreat tips, venue address, hotel access and parking information. Event start times & locations can be also found here, WIFI access as well as our Retreat program.


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Pre-Retreat & Dinner Details

Pre-Retreat Fun Anyone?

Join the pre-Retreat challenges and fun in the 2025 Retreat Facebook group. Come and join us here.

P.S. Packing tip – there will be dancing so pack your dancing shoes!! (If dancing is really not your thing, don’t stress, we are happy with foot tapping from the comfort of your chair!)

Welcome Drinks

When  Thursday 7 November @ 6pm 

Where  The Island Pool Deck 

This is a great opportunity to get to know other attendees, sponsors and speakers and kick off Retreat 2024 in style! 

Your first drink is thanks to our Welcome Drink sponsor, Smokeball.

 

Run Club & Ocean Swim

When  Friday 8 November @ 6.30am

Where  Find the tinsel pole at The Island Pool Deck

#Runclub is returning for The Retreat 2024! Meet Kara, the fastest member of the BFLC team for a pre-event run, walk, swim or whatever you fancy to get us ready for the day of presentations ahead.

Golden Girls Dinner

When  Friday 7 November @ 7pm – late

Where  The Oceanview Room, Penthouse Level, The Island.

Our 80’s Golden Girls dinner is proudly brought to you by Jenny Letts Valuations and Forensics and The Club. The #tinseldinner fashion show is returning, the DJ has been instructed to dig out the 80s tunes and rumour has it the paparazzi will be snapping our most #goldenguests – so grab your best 80’s get up and #strikeapose! 

If you would like to bring extra guests, we still have a few tickets available. Book dinner tickets here. Bookings close Friday 8 November at midday AEST.

Venue & Parking

The Island

Address

3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD      Apple Maps     Google Maps

Parking & Access Tips

If you are staying at The Island, there is limited parking available to pre-book with space for one car per room. To check availability and add a pre-booked carpark to your Island room booking, email the accommodation team via groups@theislandgoldcoast.com.au

The Island recommends The Bruce Bishop Carpark for day parking and overflow parking, this carpark is accessed from Beach Road. Further information is available here.

Click the map to view larger.

Wifi Info

Wifi Info: Happy Lawyer Happy Life

Password: TheIsland2024

The Retreat 2024 Program

Click to see the day's schedule or download the full program
AEST

Day 1— Thursday 7 November

Leadership Culture Workshop

This interactive workshop will cover three critical areas to enhance your leadership potential:

1. Lead yourself first
2. Master the leadership essentials
3. Sustain yourself for the long game of leadership

 

Join us on the Pool Deck for a 1980’s themed summer soiree.

Day 2— Friday 8 November

Find the #tinsel totem pole

Coffee & confetti on arrival

Leanne Hughes

Maximising your ROL (Return on Luck)

Sometimes good things happen unexpectedly, like getting a big client out of the blue. But it’s not just about being lucky; it’s about being ready to make the most of that luck. How can you get better at catching these lucky breaks and using them to grow your firm, or create more opportunities on tap?

Dominique Lamb

Empowering Small Businesses: The Role of the Small Business Commissioner

Learn about the pivotal role of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner and how we enhance the operating environment for small business in Queensland by reducing the time and costs associated with resolving disputes involving small business. Discover how our efforts empower small business to thrive in today’s economic landscape, alongside insights from the “Understanding the life cycle and mindset of Queensland small businesses” report.

Let’s connect over coffee & cake

Mel Matthews

The Power of conflict: Understand the power of change that can come with conflict.

Imagine the day that you have the confidence to skip into the office ready to have a difficult conversation knowing that you are all going to leave the conversation with a new energy and excitement as you have been able to map out a new pathway forward.

Dive into the world of conflict. Leave with a better understanding of conflict, the way it makes you feel and learn how to harness the energy to make sure you feel confident to lean into these conversations moving forward. No more avoiding conversations! I want everyone to leave with more confidence to tackle conflict when it next arises and make sure these precious opportunities for change are not missed (or avoided) but instead the opportunity for change is grasped with both hands.

Natasha Hawker

How to be a HR manager when you have no time, no money and no resources to hire one.

Your employees are often your biggest expense and, sometimes, also something that keeps you awake at night. So how do you become you company’s HR Manager when you have no time or money and, often, it’s your least favourite aspect of running your business.

Key Takeaways:

  • How often do I build Employee Assets? – Using our Employee Asset Model
  • How do I hire and retain the best employees?
  • How do I protect my business against legislation risk?
  • How do I improve my Employee ROI?

 Ben Deverson

What makes the highest performing small law firms tick? The key characteristics of the highest performing small law firms in Australia.

Having consulted to and advised over 200 SME law firms in five years Ben Deverson and the team at Lawganised have essentially ‘seen it all’ when it comes to the business of law and what makes some of the best law firm ‘tick’. From seeing the very poor performing firms to some of the absolute highest performing firms, the team at Lawganised has developed an understanding of several consistent key characteristics that makes a small law firm great, and Ben’s presentation will demonstrate what those characteristics are. And it may not be quite what you expect; it’s not just about measurable numbers or financials, as often some of the best firms perform the way they do for a unique reason.

Let’s go and enjoy lunch in the sunshine!

Leanne Hughes

The Workshop Blueprint

Leanne Hughes is on a mission to stamp out boring workshops around the world, forever. Create your three-part framework and scope out a workshop you could deliver (how quickly turn your expertise into a non-boring workshop experience).

It’s time of an afternoon tea pick-me-up!

with Ben Deverson, Natasha Hawker, Leanne Hughes & Mel Matthews

Emily Griffiths

The Art of Instant Impact

Em’s dedication to innovation and creativity combined with her natural affinity for strategic marketing have made her a driving force in the industry. Em prides herself on always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the social sphere and with her infectious energy and innovative mindset, she’s here to share her secrets and inspire you to take your digital game to the next level.

Clarissa Rayward

Friday Night Dinner Party

Join us in the Oceanview Room for an 1980’s revival.

Your registration includes one adult dinner ticket.
If you are brave and wish to bring the family you can purchase extra dinner tickets here.

Day 3— Saturday 9 November

Harmony Aldridge

You can’t spell Better without “Be”: Have enough and Do what you want by Being first

Are you so busy DOING all of the things that you’ve forgotten to stop and ask who you are BEING? Come on a journey with recovering lawyer Harmony Aldridge to help you choose a life where you can be who you want to be, do what you want to do (YEAH!), and have everything you desire. When you commit to the approach Harmony shares, you will create commercial, cultural, and personal outcomes – even within the realities of practicing law.

Jools Purchase

Why in business you just say yes and figure it out later!

And other such tales from a solopreneur who has never really fit the ‘usual’ mold. Hairdresser, Bronco’s Mascot, International Speaker…. the adventures of saying yes!

Let’s connect over coffee & cake

Michelle Boyle

Unlocking Potential: Harnessing Neurodiversity to Transform Your Workplace

Danny King

Paying Different- The 3 hour Billable Day

Reflections on the highs and lows a few years on (yes, the dollars work, the hardest part is the people and their expectations and motivations).

Fiona McLay

Harnessing AI: How to get the right amount of automated assistance in a human-centred legal practice.

Dive into the world of generative AI – where are the tools up to now. Discover how it can help streamline your practice while keeping personal connections at the heart of what you do. This session unpacks the essentials of Generative AI in law land, highlighting use cases that can enhance client interactions and increase operational efficiency. Learn how to integrate technology seamlessly with a human touch, making legal work more enjoyable and effective. The session is practical and designed for the curious about AI benefits without needing deep tech expertise. It will help you to work out how to achieve your perfect blend of tech and touch!

Let’s go and enjoy lunch in the sunshine!

Suzanne Hoyne

Inspiration and Resilience: How I built a $30M business and reinvented myself across three careers

Harmony Aldridge, Danny King & Suzanne Hoyne

It’s time of an afternoon tea pick-me-up!

Jacob Aldridge

Generosity, Magnificence, Pace

There is always enough time to live your special life with abundance. Our love story with Jacob Aldridge continues as he helps us all just say yes to whatever “better” means to you. As always Jacob brings deep contextual insight, three above-average jokes, and some specific practical actions that you can take and implement to be better as a business owner, as a lawyer, and as a beautiful, unique individual.

Clarissa Rayward to formally close the event.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors

Our aim is to partner with businesses who are interested in learning, connection and sharing strategies for ‘Doing Legal Business, Better!

Our valued partners are instrumental in enabling us to bring you all things “Retreat”! They are handpicked and briefed by us, and they are looking forward to meeting you and learning more about your businesses. Any opportunity you have to stop them and say ‘hello’ would be awesome sauce! Each one of our partners have great products, services and have helped us to deliver an amazing event for you!