Iconic Australian businesman, adventurer and entreprenuer, Dick Smith speaks in Queenstown. Joining him will be Sam Johnson (Student Volunteer Army), hosting the event will be Rod Oram.

The founder of Dick Smith Electronics, Australian Geographic Magazine and Dick Smith Foods, Dick Smith is renowned as one of Australasia's most progressive thinkers. In Queenstown, he will be joined by Sam Johnson who coordinated the Student Volunteer Army following the Christchurch Earthquake and leading business and environmental commentator Rod Oram.

Smith is well known for his business acumen and views on 'extreme capitalism', limits to growth and foreign ownership of agricultural resources. He is a staunch advocate for supporting local businesses as opposed to selling ‘off the farm’ and importing cheap foreign goods that destroy local industry and economies.

As well as being a successful businessman and iconic character Dick Smith is an avid adventurer achieving many aviation firsts such as flying solo in a helicopter around the world as well as the first to successfully complete an east-west crossing of the Tasman Sea by balloon, from New Zealand to Australia against prevailing winds. Other notable awards include: Australian of the year, Adventurer of the year, he was awarded the Lindbergh Award for his lifetime achievement of a balance between technical advancement and environmental preservation.

Proceeds from the event will go towards a new Queenstown Lakes District community initiative The 'Shaping our Future'.