Conference Agenda

Conference Schedule

Monday 27 October

2:00pm – 6:00pm
Pre-Conference Workshops & Site Tours
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Welcome Reception

Tuesday 28 October

9:00am – 9:30am
Welcome Sessions
9:30am – 10:30am
Opening Keynote - Bernard Salt
11:00am – 3:00pm
Breakout Sessions
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Core Values Awards Finalists
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Breakout Sessions
6:30pm – 11:30pm
Core Values Awards Gala Dinner

Wednesday 29 October

9:00am – 10:00am
Keynote - Becky Hirst
10:00am – 3:30pm
Breakout Sessions
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Closing Keynote – Isabella GiaVulva

 Breakout sessions include:

Rethinking Engagement During a Crisis: How Do We Stay Relevant When Many Want Us to Stay Out of the Way?

As pressure mounts to deliver housing, energy and climate solutions fast, questions are growing about the role of engagement. Is it helping or holding things back? In this timely and provocative debate, two sides will go head-to-head: one defending engagement’s value in times of crisis, the other arguing traditional models are slowing us down. With clear lessons for housing, infrastructure, and energy sectors, this session will unpack how engagement needs to evolve when timelines are tight, stakes are high, and trust is on the line.

The What, How’s, and Musts of Appropriately Acknowledging First Nations Cultural Advice in Engagement

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are often asked to share cultural knowledge and lived experience during engagement processes. Yet many face significant barriers -including financial stress -that can limit meaningful participation. This session explores the ethics and practicalities of reciprocity in engagement. How should First Nations cultural advice be valued and compensated? Who decides what counts as cultural advice, and whose voices need to be included, especially when economic marginalisation is a factor? Join this reflective discussion to explore respectful, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to recognising and compensating First Nations contributions within engagement practice.

Community Benefits in Renewable Energy: Maximising Impact Where It Matters

What’s in it for the community? As renewable energy projects expand, that question is being asked more loudly - especially in rural, regional, and Aboriginal communities. This panel will explore how benefit-sharing can be more than financial sweeteners. From listening early to tailoring support, we’ll unpack case studies where value was co-created, not imposed. Expect an open conversation on government responses, community-led models, and how to shift from cookie-cutter offers to genuine, locally defined impact.

More Than Skate Parks, Pools & Trinkets: Delivering Genuine Social Value

What does social value really mean - and how do we make it matter? Too often, it’s reduced to token gestures or last-minute giveaways. This session explores how engagement professionals are shifting the conversation, embedding social outcomes from the very beginning and delivering benefits that genuinely improve lives. 

You’ll hear from a panel of practitioners and project leads sharing real-world examples across different sectors. They’ll unpack how social value was defined, delivered and measured - and reflect on the challenges and opportunities along the way. Together, we’ll explore how to identify community priorities, set meaningful objectives, and create accountability for social outcomes across the life of a project. Expect practical insights, lessons learned, and ideas you can apply to your own work - no trinkets required.

AI, data, and emerging technologies
Infrastructure and cumulative impact
Youth engagement and future-focused practice
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural intelligence
Local government leadership
Trust, transparency and changing how we connect


This year’s conference dives into the biggest conversations in community engagement. Across panels, workshops, presentations and site tours, you’ll hear from the people shaping what good engagement looks like today.

Join engagement professionals from across Australasia to connect, share ideas, and tackle complex challenges together.

Stay tuned for the upcoming programme and speaker updates. With over 20 sessions to choose from, this is one event you won’t want to miss!


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Disclaimer: The programme for the Annual Conference is published in good faith and correct at the time of publication. Please be advised that in response to a range of circumstances, changes to the programme may be required without notice.