NBN Company CEO Mike Quigley has already booked himself in to give five speeches to Australia’s business community this year, while his opposite at Telstra, David Thodey, appears so far to be abstaining from the conference circuit.

According to the groups’ respective web sites, Quigley (photo right) has already confirmed he will speak at events held by the Australian Telecommunications Users Group (March), Communications Day (April), the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (May), the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce (July) and the Trans-Tasman Business Circle (September).

Several of the speeches are expected to be given to packed conferences of several hundred people at least.

Events such as the Trans-Tasman Business Circle’s business lunch series have proven to be attractive to Australian technology executives, with top-profile leaders such as Optus chief Paul O’Sullivan and IBM’s Glen Boreham having given landmark speeches at such occasions in the past.

The pair have already booked in for some events this year; for example, O’Sullivan will in March speak at an event held by the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce.

Other top-profile telco executives have also already confirmed their attendance as speakers in Australia and New Zealand’s business circuit, especially Telecom New Zealand chair Wayne Boyd and chief executive Paul Reynolds.

VHA chief Nigel Dews will make an appearance in August at the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce, while Macquarie Telecom’s managing director of hosting, Aidan Tudehope, will front the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia in Melbourne in April.

However, one noticeable absence from the business speaking circuit in 2010 is Telstra CEO David Thodey, who so far does not appear to have confirmed his attendance at any major event.

Thodey’s predecessor Sol Trujillo had favoured American Chamber of Commerce events for major speeches, while his group managing director of public policy and communications, Phil Burgess, was a frequent speaker at many conferences.

So far Thodey is listed only as a “to be confirmed” speaker with the Trans-Tasman Business Circle — in Auckland.

Related posts:

1. Wireless clause? Not an issue, says Thodey
2. Will nice guy Thodey finish last?
3. Power plays: Vendors court Thodey
4. Fibre to the node: Turnbull to meet with Quigley
5. Telstra’s David Thodey is on top of the world

1. Dan Warne
   Posted 27/01/2010 at 11:33 pm | Permalink | Reply

   I have to say I much prefer Thodey just get on with the job of running the telco and managing the people and projects. Trujillo and Burgess were so nauseating with their constant self-promotion and career-building speeches, while at the same time attacking all and sundry like spoiled brats.

2. Renai LeMay
   Posted 27/01/2010 at 11:39 pm | Permalink | Reply

   I agree Dan, but I think Thodey should cheery-pick at least one or two major business lunches and get himself out there a bit. It's a great way to demonstrate leadership and vision to the rest of the industry and Telstra's customers and investors.