Program
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.
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.
Schedule
Time | Subject | Room |
8:00 am | Registration Open | |
8:00 - 4:00pm | Leading Well® for Emerging Leaders (2 day program) (Additional charges apply) A two-day leadership development program for Emerging Leaders, delivered across two in-class sessions with a 60-minute individual coaching session in between. Led by Dan Londero, licensed Leading Well® Executive Coach with Turnkey Event Solutions, the program moves through mindset, wellbeing and systemic leadership to help participants build the next phase of their leadership skills, from safely navigating feedback conversations to prioritising the relationships that matter most. Built for Emerging Leaders (35 years of age or younger, or fewer than 10 years in the industry) already stepping into management and leadership roles. You'll leave with: * An understanding of the three universal pillars of effective leadership, and how to shift from a reactive to a creative mindset under stress and disruption. * A wellbeing framework for leading yourself and others through complex human issues. * Practical tools to build trust, prioritise your key relationships and safely navigate feedback conversations. * An individual coaching session and an action plan to put the learning into practice back at work. Facilitated by Dan Londero | |
12:00 - 4:00pm | Leadership Skills (Additional charges apply) Beyond Busy: Lead the work that actually matters A four0hour workshop for operations, sales and marketing professionals, building the strategic mindset and tools to lead through uncertainty, not just survive it. Facilitated by strategist Rosie Yeo, the session moves past reactive busyness into practical habits for focusing on what actually moves the needle, working smarter with others and staying ahead of what's coming next. Built for teams operating in a fast-moving business events environment. You'll leave with: * A clear read on why execution breaks down, even for smart teams with clear priorities, in a complex, changing environment. * An understanding of the busy trap: why effort gets pulled toward work that feels urgent but isn't strategic. * Three habits and three questions, simple, practical tools to think ahead, work better with others and focus on what matters most for clients and the business. * One specific commitment you can put into practice immediately. Facilitated by Rosie Yeo | |
12:00 - 4:00pm | Sales Fundamentals (Additional charges apply) Proactive Sales: Winning the Next Piece of Business A four-hour, practitioner-level session for sales leaders and managers looking to sharpen how their team wins the next piece of business. Facilitated by Sarah McPhail of SJA Consultants, with 20 years of conference, event and hospitality sales, the session moves past the basics into proactive prospecting, experienced-level objection handling, negotiation and a sales pipeline built for how today's buyers actually decide. Built for organisers, venues, bureaux, suppliers and corporate teams alike. You'll leave with: * A prioritised outbound prospecting plan aimed at targeted accounts in your market * A consistent framework for qualifying leads, so your team's effort goes where it counts. * Objection-handling, negotiating and closing techniques suited to an experienced sales conversation, not a script for beginners. * A sales call flow chart and qualifying framework you can hand straight to your team or use yourself. Facilitated by Sarah McPhail | |
12:00 - 4:00pm | Marketing and Communications Workshop (Additional charges apply) Play a Different Game: Challenger Thinking for Brands That Need to Punch Above Their Weight A four-hour, practical workshop for marketers and brand leads who need to compete without the biggest budget, team or profile. This isn't Marketing 101, it moves past the basics into challenger brand thinking, showing how sharper positioning, smarter ideas and more resourceful marketing can make an organisation easier to notice, remember and choose. Built for organisers, venues, bureaux, suppliers, destinations and corporate teams alike. You'll leave with: * A clear read on where you can genuinely compete, and where to stop fighting head-on against bigger players. * An industry convention worth challenging, and a sharper position to replace it. * A personal Challenger Playbook connecting the thinking to your own business, including a 30-day move you can act on straight away. * A set of low-cost attention tactics, including partnerships, specialist voices and content multiplication, to get noticed without a bigger budget. Facilitated by Dion Workman |
Join us for the Australian Business Events Awards, celebrating the exceptional work of the business events industry
Speakers
ABEA Conference 2026 is where sharing what works replaces sharing what sells, and where the business events industry comes together to learn, belong and lead, creating impact that lasts well beyond the conference floor.
The ABEA Conference 2026, themed Sharing What Works, brings together the business events industry to work through the most pressing issues facing our sector, together rather than alone. From artificial intelligence and accessibility to sustainability, collaboration and the future of work, delegates will hear what has actually worked from the people who tried it, not theory from the sidelines. Across three days built around Learn, Belong and Lead, every session is designed to leave you with something you can use, not just something you heard.
Attend the ABEA Conference to hear from globally recognised speakers
Education & Pillar Group Streams
Actionable takeaways for every role
With a lineup of Plenary Sessions and Special Interest Groups, covering the critical areas of sustainability, risk management, education and career pathways, each team member will walk away with specific, practical knowledge they can apply in their roles
Industry connections
The conference is designed to foster connections between industry professionals, innovators and thought leaders. The interactive ABEA Garden & Expo will offer a unique sensory experience of cutting-edge innovations in business events – an invaluable space for networking and collaborations.
Ensure industry leadership & growth
The ABEA Conference is not just about learning – it’s about setting the direction for the future of our industry. Attending as a team will position your organisation as a leader, empowering your people with the insights they need to thrive and shape the business events landscape.
Invest in your team’s professional growth to help your organisation stay competitive and ahead of industry trends.
What to expect
Plenary sessions
Immerse yourself in the industry with a focus on future thinking and how we can prepare for change.
Pillar meetings
Organiser, Supplier, Bureaux and Venue sector issues will be unpacked and discussed, and best practice and opportunities sought.
Special Focus Sessions
lots of concurrent education sessions and workshops with practical learnings or tools for your role, tribe or business. You choose what’s right for you.
Networking
Delegates at all levels and from all areas of the industry are invited to experience genuine connection amongst our community.
Activity & Reception
We had unanimous support for the reception in 2025, and an ask for more non-plenary time with others across the whole industry. Catch up for some fun with old and new industry colleagues at these two sessions.
Awards Gala
The opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional work of our members and to highlight those setting the standards of excellence in the industry.