Bringing TEDx to burleigh heads in 2024
I was invited to join the organising committee and take on the role of Event Producer for the inaugural TEDx Burleigh Heads, a sold out event that attracted over 150+ attendees from around the Gold Coast and Australia.
My responsibilities spanned the full event lifecycle, from strategy and creative direction through to venue management, team leadership, production and live delivery:
Event Strategy & Production:
Led event strategy, production planning and end-to-end delivery across the 12-month project, while contributing to the organising committee in an advisory capacity.
Led event strategy, production planning and end-to-end delivery across the 12-month project, while contributing to the organising committee in an advisory capacity.
Creative, Stage & Event Design:
Shaped the physical and audience experience through stage design, visual presentation, interactive spaces and networking formats, balancing creative ambition with TEDx guidelines, venue constraints, health and safety, logistics and audience needs.
Shaped the physical and audience experience through stage design, visual presentation, interactive spaces and networking formats, balancing creative ambition with TEDx guidelines, venue constraints, health and safety, logistics and audience needs.
Team & Program Leadership:
Established team structures, roles and workflows across 50+ volunteers, suppliers, sponsors and speakers.
Established team structures, roles and workflows across 50+ volunteers, suppliers, sponsors and speakers.
Venue & Logistics:
Sourced and secured the venue and worked directly with Marymount College across facilities, access, scheduling, catering, health and safety, operational requirements and event-day logistics.
Sourced and secured the venue and worked directly with Marymount College across facilities, access, scheduling, catering, health and safety, operational requirements and event-day logistics.
Brand, Communications & Marketing:
Contributed to the organising committee’s development of the event brand, communications and marketing strategy, providing creative and strategic direction across audience, speaker, partner and promotional communications.
Contributed to the organising committee’s development of the event brand, communications and marketing strategy, providing creative and strategic direction across audience, speaker, partner and promotional communications.
Partners & Suppliers:
Managed relationships with contractors, suppliers, sponsors and specialist production providers, from sourcing and briefing through to event delivery.
Managed relationships with contractors, suppliers, sponsors and specialist production providers, from sourcing and briefing through to event delivery.
Technical Production:
Designed the technical requirements across AV, lighting, sound and filming; sourced, briefed and directed specialist providers, including a six-person video crew; managed live show delivery; and led post-production, editing and final submission of event footage to TEDx for review and approval.
Designed the technical requirements across AV, lighting, sound and filming; sourced, briefed and directed specialist providers, including a six-person video crew; managed live show delivery; and led post-production, editing and final submission of event footage to TEDx for review and approval.
Licensing & Governance:
Supported the event host through the inaugural TEDx Burleigh Heads licence application with TED in the USA, then worked within TEDx governance, licensing and production requirements throughout delivery, ensuring branding, communications, speaker programming and production complied with TEDx guidelines.
Supported the event host through the inaugural TEDx Burleigh Heads licence application with TED in the USA, then worked within TEDx governance, licensing and production requirements throughout delivery, ensuring branding, communications, speaker programming and production complied with TEDx guidelines.
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On the day, I led live production and coordinated teams across the venue while also delivering my own TEDx talk after being invited to join the speaker program. The inaugural TEDx Burleigh Heads sold out, bringing together more than 150 attendees and
TEDx Burleigh Heads was an independently organised, volunteer-led event created to bring TEDx to the local Gold Coast community. Through our theme, Humans for Humans, we wanted to create a space for connection, conversation and new ideas, giving both leading Australian and local speakers a platform to share their thinking with the community. The event was made possible entirely by volunteers, with everyone contributing their time and expertise to bring the first TEDx Burleigh Heads to life.
Recommendation
I had the privilege of working alongside Relmi Damiano during TEDx 2024 where she took on the dual role of Event Producer and TEDx speaker. Seeing her behind the scenes gave me an even greater appreciation for the depth of her leadership, strategic thinking and creative direction.
Over many months Relmi helped shape the vision for the event and translated that vision into an experience that felt seamless for speakers, volunteers, partners and attendees. She had an incredible ability to move between the big picture and the smallest details, always keeping the audience experience at the centre of every decision. From production planning and team coordination to speaker support, live event operations and solving challenges in real time, she brought a calm, thoughtful and highly organised approach that inspired confidence in everyone around her.
What impressed me most was her ability to lead with both creativity and clarity. She builds structure without losing imagination and creates an environment where people feel supported, valued and motivated to do their best work. Even while carrying the responsibility of producing the entire event, she also delivered her own TEDx talk with authenticity, confidence and genuine impact.
Relmi is one of those rare people who combines strategic thinking, exceptional creative leadership and meticulous attention to detail with warmth, humility and generosity. She is a high achiever who is always looking for ways to improve both the work itself and the experience of everyone involved. Any organisation would be fortunate to have someone with her ability to lead complex projects, bring people together and deliver work of an exceptionally high standard.
Over many months Relmi helped shape the vision for the event and translated that vision into an experience that felt seamless for speakers, volunteers, partners and attendees. She had an incredible ability to move between the big picture and the smallest details, always keeping the audience experience at the centre of every decision. From production planning and team coordination to speaker support, live event operations and solving challenges in real time, she brought a calm, thoughtful and highly organised approach that inspired confidence in everyone around her.
What impressed me most was her ability to lead with both creativity and clarity. She builds structure without losing imagination and creates an environment where people feel supported, valued and motivated to do their best work. Even while carrying the responsibility of producing the entire event, she also delivered her own TEDx talk with authenticity, confidence and genuine impact.
Relmi is one of those rare people who combines strategic thinking, exceptional creative leadership and meticulous attention to detail with warmth, humility and generosity. She is a high achiever who is always looking for ways to improve both the work itself and the experience of everyone involved. Any organisation would be fortunate to have someone with her ability to lead complex projects, bring people together and deliver work of an exceptionally high standard.
Irena Jusofovic
Hospitality & Tourism Consultant | Guest Experience & Operations
