The inaugural CAUDIT Communities Conference, held from July 24-26, 2024, at La Trobe University in Melbourne, highlighted the immense power of sector-wide collaboration. Designed to address our community member’s desire for in-person engagement, this event offered a unique platform for sharing expertise and exploring best practice. The conference united a diverse group of over 150 practitioners, decision-makers, and technical experts from our 13 Communities of Practice.
A sector that is stronger together
The conference's theme was sector strong, and its success was rooted in its commitment to fostering a truly collaborative environment that united IT professionals from across the sector. Unlike traditional events, where speakers are often separate from the audience, this conference featured exclusively community-led presentations, ensuring relevance and engagement. As Cassandra Spencer, Director of Capability and Experience, CAUDIT, noted, “It was a common sight to see presenters passionately conversing with audience members post session. The conference was intimate, enabling attendees to find the people and the answers they were looking for”.
Ali Juma, Change Management Change and Engagement Lead at La Trobe University and Chair of the Change Management Community, praised the event for enriching knowledge and fostering meaningful connections. He remarked, “Hosting the conference at La Trobe University has been a remarkable milestone for CAUDIT. It brought together like-minded minds and business partners in a welcoming La Trobe University setting. Having our Vice Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell and our CIO Mr. Shainal Kavar attend and present underscored the importance of the work of all CAUDIT communities and highlighted the value of open dialogue and collaboration across all levels”.
Honest and practical sessions
Presentations offered candid insights into successes and challenges. Unlike many conferences that can veer into the esoteric, the Communities Conference emphasised actionable advice and real-world applications. From AI to project management and everything in between, presenters openly shared what worked and what didn’t, providing attendees with valuable lessons and insights.
Through thoughtful scheduling and diverse and broad-ranging topics, the conference promoted cross-pollination among various Communities of Practice. Networking activities, such as power hours and mentor lounges, facilitated broad sector-wide connections. This approach highlighted the shared experiences across different IT disciplines and the value of collaborative learning.
View the presentations at the conference here
View the speakers here
Celebrating the power of collaboration
During the conference dinner, we presented the inaugural CAUDIT Community Award, celebrating those whose contributions have profoundly impacted our sector and beyond. The inaugural Award was given to the Higher Education Reference Model (HERM) and the exceptional individuals who have championed its development. We specifically acknowledged Mac Lemon and Galen White from FromHereOn, jeff kennedy from The University of Auckland, and Nigel Foxwell from James Cook University. Their unwavering commitment has been instrumental in the HERM’s stewardship and evolution. Read more about the reference models here.
Enabling fruitful connections with Vendors
The conference challenged sponsors and attendees to connect in a meaningful and insightful way beyond the usual product conversations. Sponsors were effectively integrated into the program, actively involved as session Chairs and in some cases as co-presenters with community members focused on practical applications and real-world solutions. The sessions facilitated in-depth discussions where delegates could engage directly with vendors to provide feedback and seek tailored advice.
The CAUDIT Communities Conference demonstrated the immense value of sector-wide collaboration and open dialogue. With its emphasis on practical conversations and meaningful connections, the event set a high standard for future community gatherings.
As Shakeel Qureshi, Manager of IT PMO and Delivery Practice, noted, the conference was enlightening and inspiring, paving the way for continued collaboration and strengthened connections within the CAUDIT community.
The CAUDIT Communities of Practice remain central to our mission, and together, through collaboration and the development of best practices, we continue to exemplify Sector Strong.
CAUDIT thanks our platinum event sponsors Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, and TechnologyOne for their support, and our sponsors and exhibitors: AppsAnywhere, Saviynt, Waterstons Australia, Compnow, Crayon, Nitro, Inc., Insight, Oreta, Splashtop Inc., Technology Distribution Specialists (TDS) and Wasabi Technologies.
