A unique conference to be held in Hobart in February opens with a cocktail-making session that demonstrates all of life's complexity - shaken, stirred and on the rocks.

But this conference is not about bar skills, it's about a unique professional development retreat that will help delegates start the New Year with a fresh outlook.

"The cocktails session, by Jason Jelicich of Barmetrix, provides insight with the purpose of setting up for three days of intensive professional and personal development," says conference organiser Sharon Hudson, of Talent Tools Australia.

"We chose Tasmania as the location for the inaugural PD Retreat because its natural beauty and tranquility resonates with the intent of the event."

The program has a diverse range of Australian and international presenters and trainers, including life and business coaches, university professors, health professionals and renowned speakers. There are several registration options available, including one or two day registration or for the full three-day conference, which runs from Thursday to Saturday.

Says Ms Hudson: "Conferences and conventions don't usually extend into the weekend, but this event caters for everyone from small business and those with responsibility for the development of organisational employees to people who have never attended a conference or convention before, and may not be funded to attend by an employer. There are sessions specifically designed for people who not in the workforce.”

Dr Samantha Hardy, Director of Conflict Resolution and Practice, Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Queensland, will facilitate two open- to-the-public workshops in Hobart on 26 and 27 February.

Participants will be introduced to a range of conflict management tools for use in the workplace, including principled negotiation, mediation and conflict coaching.

Ms Hudson says: "Sam is one of Australia's leading experts on managing conflict, especially in the workplace. Tasmanian businesses or organisations have a rare opportunity to benefit from Sam's extensive practical approach to workplace conflict management during the PD Retreat. Day registrations are available for those who are time-poor and just want to catch Sam while she is in Tasmania."

Coaches, managers and anyone who wants to incorporate personal assessments and profiling in their workplace or practice can now become accredited in Extended DISC ® while taking part in the firstExtended DISC Accreditation training to been offered in Tasmania.

"People need events like the PD Retreat to alleviate the 'isolation factor' generated by hours interacting with a computer screen, telecommuting, the continuous business involved in running a business or corporate roles today," Ms Hudson says.

The retreat will offer opportunities to network, build relationships, brainstorm and generally "sharpen the saw", as Stephen Covey puts it in The 7 Habits of Effective People.

The diverse mix of presenters includes chiropractor and researcher Sara Brown; Michael Licenblat, Resilience Expert with Bounce Back Fast; Samantha Aldridge and Shane Klintworth of Relationships Australia; Michelle Bihary, psychotherapist and consultant in mental health, of The Delta Centre; Di Nailon from Queensland University of Technology; Christine Anderson of Activ8 Excellence, and Dr Marilyn Powell of EQ at Work Australasia, among many others.

Host Venue is the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart. Dates: Feb 28-29

Talent Tools provides Talent Enhancement Products, Accreditation and Professional Development Workshops to the training and development and Human Resource industries.

Products include:

Extended DISC Profiling System
Conflict Dynamics Profile
StrengthsFinder

Talent Tools is the major sponsor of the 2009 PD Retreat.