James is the Founder and CEO of Activation Union

He began his career working in media planning and buying in the UK before starting an events and sponsorship business with clients such as Time Magazine. After returning to Australia to work on the Sydney 2000 Olympics, he was approached by Clemenger to set up and run the group’s sponsorship and event company, MM Communications Sydney office.

In 2001, he launched Australia’s first experiential based agency, Traffik, with founding client St George Bank, and a roster that grew to include Diageo, Holden, P&G, Nickelodeon, and Ikea to name a few, and built a national footprint with offices in five capital cities. He grew the 100 per cent Clemenger Group-owned business to become Australia’s most awarded activation agency, with accolades including two appearances in BRW Top 100 Companies to Work For.

As a member of the Clemenger Group board from 2014 to 2022, Neale helped deliver numerous projects including establishing the Diversity and Inclusion committee.

Paul was born and raised in Melbourne and is a proud father of 2, Max and Mila. Prior to becoming a father, he was fortunate enough to enjoy a career as a professional athlete dating back to the late 90’s, competing in the X-Games and other major events around the world.  

Since shifting from being an athlete to the professional world, Paul has over 20 years' experience and proven success in the areas of sports marketing, strategy, events, partnerships, communications and talent management with a variety of organisations across Australia and the USA. Paul spent 10 years living and working in the USA primarily for Red Bull until they eventually bought him home to take on the role of Head of Sports Marketing.

As an athlete and sports marketing professional, he developed a firsthand knowledge for how important the entire ecosystem of sport is, from athlete / participant, to fan, volunteer, sponsor, government, community and club - all play a key role in the success of the industry.

Paul is passionate about and has built a career on creating strategy and executing innovative ways for people, sports and brands to connect, be seen, heard and interacted with at global best practice level, with organisations he has worked for or with including Red Bull, CUB, NAB, AMPOL, Woolworths, Nissan, Chemist Warehouse, Sportsbet, WorkSafe Victoria, the Collingwood Football Club and many others.

Paul has been with TGI for 12 years and now serves as Executive General Manager of the TGI Sport Commercial and Client Strategy team, working with brands and rights holders to optimise the benefits of partnerships in all of Australia's major sporting codes.

Thomas is the CEO of SoldOut Events - an international award-winning agency, celebrating 30 years of success building value and impact for clients through the power of events, activations and experiences. Thomas works with dynamic leaders to create unique connections on a global stage, and he is also a Board Director of Meetings and Events Australia, and an Associate Member of the Association of Global Event Suppliers.  

Providing advisory, strategy, creative, management, operations and brand activation services to projects around Australia and across the world, SoldOut Events delivers over 300 experiences annually, including; corporate, brand, entertainment, sport, community engagement, arts & culture, marketing/PR and major international events. 

Thomas’ recent experience includes programs at events such as:

•      Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
•      Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
•      FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and FIFA World Cup 2022
•      Sydney WorldPride 2023
•      SXSW Sydney
•      Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games
•      Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games