Learn. Belong. Lead – Day 1 for immersive training opportunities in addition to the conference pass. Day 2 for joining your tribe, peers, cohorts, SIGs. Day 3 for insights, discussion and expertise. Content will be updated each week leading up to the event.
The Australian Business Events Association Conference 2026 brought together business events professionals to connect, exchange insights, and celebrate Impact and Excellence at the Australian Business Events Awards.
This annual gathering of the business events community focuses on industry-specific education sessions, the value of partnership, and smarter ways of working – from harnessing AI in everyday operations to navigating the opportunities and challenges of multi-generational workforces.
It is a space for collaboration, inspiration and shared purpose, a chance to strengthen connections and drive prosperity across the sector.
What's new for 2026
Sharing What Works isn’t just this year’s theme, it’s a change to the format itself, built on what delegates told us what works (and doesn’t).
No exhibition, sponsorship only
2026 moves away from the exhibition floor. Partner engagement now happens through sponsorship, built into sessions, tribe time and networking rather than a separate trade floor. Less standing behind a booth, more actually talking to the delegates you came to meet.
Monday, 30 November: Learn
We’ve moved training to sit alongside the conference as you told us of the value of face to face training. We also focus on capabilities you requested. These are streams at a small cost in addition to your conference pass.
Tuesday, 1 December: Belong
- masterclasses and cohort groups replace one-size-fits-all sessions, so you’re learning and sharing alongside people at your career stage, in your special interest group, and from your part of the nation
- tribe time, dedicated space to connect with your industry pillar and sub-groups rather than networking at random
- beyond the boundary, a hosted activity that gets you out of the convention centre and into Adelaide itself
- the day closes with a cocktail reception, a relaxing opportunity for everyone to come together, share some stories from the year and meet some new faces
Wednesday, 2 December: Lead
The final day is built around sharing new perspectives, not sitting through a broadcast. Expect delegate-led discussion in place of passive plenary. The evening is dedicated to celebration of excellence with the Australian Business Events awards to close out the conference in style.
Sponsor / Partner
Get involved to gain unparalleled exposure to the organisations, leaders and teams that form the Australian business events community. Become a sponsor at the ABEA 2026 National Conference and Awards.
About our theme:
Sharing What Works is more than this year’s conference theme, it’s a commitment to each other about how we can strengthen and grow our industry.
As the pace of change accelerates, and local and international challenges bite, no single organisation has all the answers. But together, we do.
By openly sharing what works, what we’ve learned and what hasn’t, we help each other adapt faster, solve challenges more effectively and build a stronger, more resilient business events industry. One we all benefit from.
This is a conference built on the belief that when knowledge is shared, capability grows. Every insight exchanged has the power to help someone else move further, faster. Together, we can strengthen our businesses, empower our people and better prepare our industry for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
We know from industry feedback, from our small business forum, to our sustainability council, and across our burgeoning emerging leaders community, that sharing our wins, challenges, and stories is what people value most and it truly helps them in their roles and organisations.
We look forward to hearing what you have to share in Adelaide.
Thanks to our Principal Sponsor
Thanks to our Partners & Sponsors
