This workshop provides a practical understanding of how lead generation works in 2026 and what actions will have the biggest impact on your business. Rather than covering digital marketing in a broad or overly technical way, the session breaks down the modern customer journey into a simple, easy-to-follow framework that helps business owners and marketing managers understand where prospects are finding them, what makes people trust and enquire, and how to prioritise marketing activity without trying to do everything at once.

Using real examples and current lead generation scenarios, attendees will learn how to identify their strongest lead entry points, improve visibility across key touchpoints, and strengthen the trust signals that influence conversion. The workshop also explores how emerging AI-driven discovery tools fit into the broader customer journey, helping businesses make smarter marketing decisions, reduce wasted spend, and leave with actionable next steps they can implement immediately.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Learn how to identify the main channels and touchpoints influencing leads in 2026
• Understand how to prioritise marketing activity based on what will drive the best short-term and long-term results
• Gain practical ways to improve conversion through stronger trust signals, clearer messaging and better follow-up
• Walk away with a simple action plan to apply immediately in your own business

Target Audience: This session is ideal for small to medium business owners, operators, founders and marketing managers who are responsible for generating leads and growing revenue, but may not have the time, budget or in-house expertise to navigate an increasingly complex digital marketing landscape. It is particularly valuable for businesses that rely on enquiries, bookings or consultations, such as professional services, healthcare, trades, education, home services and other service-based industries.

It is also well suited to businesses already doing some digital marketing but unsure where to focus next, as well as those wanting a clearer understanding of how search, social media, reviews, referrals and emerging AI-driven visibility work together in the modern buyer journey. The session is designed to be accessible for non-marketers while still offering practical insights for more experienced marketing managers.

Catherine Briggs - General Manager - Springboard Digital

Catherine Briggs is a digital marketing leader specialising in agency growth, client retention, and long-term growth strategy. As General Manager at Springboard Digital, she helps businesses build stronger client relationships, improve retention, and align the right people, services, and strategies to drive sustainable growth. She has knowledge around SMB digital strategy, allowing her to understand what will best suit a business and help set it up for long-term success. She holds degrees in Journalism and Law (Honours) from QUT, bringing a strong mix of communication, critical thinking, compliance awareness, and content quality control that benefits both clients and the agency, particularly as AI increases the importance of strong writing, sound judgement, and strategic oversight.

Emmanuel Suhardiman - Senior Client Success Manager - Springboard Digital

Emmanuel Suhardiman is a digital marketing strategist specialising in audits, lead generation, and commercial growth. As Senior Client Success Manager at Springboard Digital, he works across digital strategy, business development, and client growth, helping businesses uncover what is limiting performance and where the biggest growth opportunities sit. Having performed audits across thousands of websites and ad platforms, he brings a practical, data-led approach to improving visibility, lead quality, and marketing efficiency. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from The University of Queensland, combining analytical thinking with a strong commercial lens shaped by his background in sales, marketing, and growing up in a small business household.