The Digital Workplace Conference New Zealand (DWCNZ) 2025 in Auckland – 18-19 March – was a resounding success, bringing together professionals from various sectors to explore the latest in digital workplace technologies and strategies.
Many thanks from the DW Results Team to all who attended and made this 14th annual event the best yet.
Here are some key highlights from the event:
Keynote Speakers
We kicked off with a bang, featuring Keynote speakers Eric Riz (eMark Consulting) and Lauren Nobbs (Microsoft) and Brett Gilbertson (ASI Solutions). Here are some highlights from their talks.
Eric Riz – The Future Belongs to Organizations that Manage their Digital Footprint Intentionally.
Eric emphasized the importance of organizations taking a proactive approach to managing their digital footprint. He highlighted that intentional management of digital presence is crucial for future success, as it helps build trust, enhance brand reputation, and drive strategic growth.
Lauren Nobbs – The Evolution of Generative AI
Lauren discussed the rapid advancements in Generative AI and its transformative impact on the future of work. She introduced the concept of ‘Building an Agentic World,’ where every person will have a Copilot and every process will have an agent. Lauren also highlighted the significant role of Generative AI in leveling the playing field for neurodiverse individuals, noting that approximately 20% of the global population is neurodivergent. This technology can provide tailored support and improve accessibility in the workforce.
Bret Gilbertson –Bridging the Digital Skills Gap
Brett focused on the importance of adopting a growth mindset to bridge the digital skills gap. He stressed the need for continuous training and development within organizations to keep pace with technological advancements. By fostering a culture of learning and adaptability, organizations can empower their workforce to thrive in the digital age.
These insights collectively underscore the importance of intentional digital management, the transformative potential of Generative AI, and the necessity of continuous learning to navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Our Experts
The conference featured an impressive lineup of international experts, technical superstars, and thought leaders who shared their insights on a wide range of topics.
Topics of Interest
Innovative Technologies and AI
A significant focus was on the integration of AI and innovative technologies in the workplace. Attendees learned about the latest advancements in Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and other digital tools designed to enhance productivity and streamline business processes
Practical Case Studies
Real-world applications were showcased through practical case studies, highlighting lessons learned and innovative solutions implemented by various organizations. These sessions provided valuable insights into how different industries are leveraging digital tools to drive transformation
Networking and Collaboration
The event also offered ample opportunities for networking and collaboration. Participants had the chance to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and build valuable relationships that will continue to benefit their careers and organizations
Exhibitors
It is always great to explore what our exhibitors have on offer. New products to help enhance and innovation that helps make life simpler!
Key Takeaways
- Focus on People: Technology should serve the needs of people, not the other way around.
- Embrace AI: AI and automation are becoming integral to the digital workplace, offering new ways to enhance efficiency and productivity.
- Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the latest tools and trends is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the digital landscape.
Shannon Donovan
I learnt the word “agentic”, and I was really excited about the upcoming types of reasoning agents that will become available to create (we have Knowledge Agents, but soon we will be able to create agents that Take Actions, Planning agents, Orchestration and Reflection agents, and Multi-Agent Collaboration agents)
Some other nuggets for me were “Drive ‘ways of working’ rather than ‘implementing tools’ for better impact”, and that being ‘ruthless’ about who participates in a champions programme is important so you have the right people (especially where a licencing cost is involved like with Copilot)
Ben Bell
Implementation of any change in the workplace, whether it be at an app level – (i.e. new features) or at an environment/organisational level; successful adoption relies on culture and communication.
While technology is used as an impetus/tool to support change – the success of any implementation relies on culture and people.
Other Comments from Conference Attendees
Some Very Enthusiastic LinkedIn Testimonials
| Name | Link to Message | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Antipas | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | DWCNZ conference last week saw many people blown away by some of the things they learned and connections they made. Mathew Gilbertsons session reminded us how even the high flyers need to master the basics to get the impossible done. |
| Emily O’Brien | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | Allison Kennedy has delivered a Power BI masterclass at hashtag#DWCNZ referring to the different types of data analytics. Allison broke this down into layers for us to clearly see the impact of moving more towards prescriptive analytics and then automating these processes. A challenge that resonated with the audience was the ongoing reliance on a ‘gut feeling’. And gut feeling is something we shouldn’t be basing organisational decisions on. Let me share the way Allison broke it down: 📈 Descriptive analytics – “what has already happened?” (this is the limit for many organisations) 📈 Diagnostic analytics – digging more into the ‘why’ and understanding why we’re succeeding 📈 Predictive analytics – “are we likely to meet our targets?” How do we forecast? 📈 Prescriptive analytics – “How many additional resources do I need to meet my targets?” |
| Cameron Dwyer | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | I was thrilled to be part of the Digital Workplace Conference in New Zealand as a speaker and as a sponsor with Ideagen earlier this week! 🌟 hashtag#DWCNZ My talk focused on unlocking the potential of AI to include line of business systems and external data in your Microsoft Copilot experience. It’s an exciting frontier—integrating data that exists outside of Microsoft 365 into intelligent workflows can truly transform how organizations approach automation, collaboration, and decision-making. I delved into how this approach empowers businesses to bridge gaps between systems, streamline operations, and create seamless user experiences. It was great to speak with so many new people & existing customers on the Ideagen OnePlace Solutions booth to hear the current challenges and top of mind opportunities being faced. Thanks for all the awesome conversations. |
| Max McNamara | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | 🎥 Digital Workplace Conference in NZ done for 2025 with Laurie and Georgia. My favourite NZ event of the year, and this year I had the pleasure of presenting to a room packed to the rafters about ‘using analytics to make data-driven decisions to optimise M365 & prove Copilot ROI’. What were my 3 key takeaways for the audience? ✅ Microsoft’s native Viva Insights is actually really good & Copilot Dashboard is now free! ✅ BUT, Microsoft control what you see with analytics that aren’t as granular as you’d like ✅ Your executives are demanding more than employee experience & user analytics; they now want Insights that drive AI (Copilot) deployments in 2025 Thanks to Debbie and the team at Digital Workplace Results (DWR) for having me present again, and allowing AvePoint to sponsor the event. Thanks also to Kirsty for your expert photography. If you’d like my presentation deck, or have any questions, please do reach out directly! |
| Meg Smtih | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | One of my favourite things about the Digital Workplace Conference was how openly the speakers shared their real-world experiences about tech and AI adoption. It was a privilege to share the stage and meet so many people committed to scaling the benefits of tech in their organisations. Huge mihi to the Digital Workplace Results (DWR) team for putting on such an impactful event. In my session there was one idea that had people whipping out their phones 🤳 Try adding this sentence to your AI prompts “Before you answer, ask me questions one at a time until you are confident you have all the context you need to provide an accurate and useful output.” |
| Houston Technology Group | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | 🌟 What an epic couple of days at the Digital Workplace Conference in Auckland! We dived deep into all things Microsoft 365, Copilot, and Power Platform—gaining some seriously game-changing insights to help businesses revolutionise their workplaces and thrive in the digital age. 💪 From exploring the 2025 IT Industry Outlook to tackling cybersecurity challenges, there was something for everyone—MSPs, Vendors, Consultants, you name it! So many awesome conversations, connections, and takeaways! 🚀🔥 |
| Karlene van Zyl | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | It was an incredible two days at the New Zealand Digital Workplace Conference! A great opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn more about the latest trends and digital tools in the workplace. I went to the conference with an open mind and left with valuable takeaways on how to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and leverage AI. Excited to integrate these insights into my marketing strategies. Thank you Custom365 for the opportunity! |
| Sutter Schumacher | Post | Feed | LinkedIn | Still riding high from the 14th annual New Zealand Digital Workplace Conference earlier this week. Digital is great for flexibility, but hashtag#InPerson interactions feed my soul! So seeing many people I don’t connect with often enough, along with the good fortune to meet heaps of new people who have similar interests, all in one place at hashtag#DWCNZ … well let’s just say my cup runneth over. Lots of requests for a recording of my talk about hashtag#AI hashtag#Adoption with hashtag#Purpose. Sadly it wasn’t recorded, however I’ll share a few highlights here in coming weeks. Meanwhile, big thanks to the Digital Workplace Results (DWR) team — Debbie Ireland, Shannon Donovan, Danielle and Ben (as well as Beverley behind the scenes!). And to my Brighter Days (NZ) colleagues: Ashlee Agutters, Caroline Scott and Meredith Maney — all fantastic travelling and conference partners — and the rest of our team who kept the wheels turning back at the office for our clients ahead of some big milestones this past week. Can’t forget my fellow speakers who shared their knowledge, and our fellow sponsors who made the event possible with their support. And the many, many people who gave 2 days of their valuable time to hashtag#ShowUp. Already looking forward to seeing you all next year! |
