Hort Connections 2026 Exhibitor List

Giaan Rooney is a familiar face returning to Hort Connections 2026. Her memorable smile, natural beauty and ability to engage are almost trumped by her enormous energy for work. An adept speaker and presenter, Giaan is a person of enormous talent and professionalism. As a former darling of Australian Swimming, Giaan holds medals at every level of competition, including an Olympic Gold. In 2006, Giaan retired from swimming to forge a successful career as an Australian TV presenter. Giaan’s high profile broadcast involvement with Channel 7 has included the Brisbane News team, 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2016 Rio Olympics, Australian Open coverage, commentator for the Australian Swimming Championships, and presenter on the House of Wellness. Giaan has previously spent years with Channel Nine where she was involved across a range of shows including a co-anchor of Wide World of Sports, presenting stories on Getaway, Postcards, the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2012 London Olympics, Nine’s Spring Racing Coverage and the Today Show weather. Giaan is an Ambassador for CareSuper, Life Space Probiotics and Harris Scarfe. She is also an avid supporter of her chosen charities, the Nelune Foundation, Lort Smith Animal Hospital, Sony Foundation and Baby Give Back. Giaan is a sought-after MC having hosted some of Australia’s largest gala events and awards nights including the Coles Farmer of the Year Awards for the past 10 years, Women in Sport Awards, Honda National Conference and The Sapphire Project Gala Dinner, to name a few. In 2021, Giaan relocated from the Gold Coast to her macadamia property in Northern NSW with her husband Sam, and two children Zander & Alexa.