Visual Connections has announced the first speakers for the inaugural Connect Conference 2026, with some big names and leading experts already confirmed for the three-day event. The conference is just one element of what is set to be the industry’s most important week this year.

Connect 2026 will run from 9:00AM – 1:30PM on Wednesday 2, Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September in Hall 2A at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. This room is directly adjacent to the Showground’s iconic Dome, which will be home to the Visual Impact Expo across those three days. 

Day 1 is themed around Better Business, with a program commencing with international industry insights, with Visual Connections CEO, Karren Challoner-Miles leading a panel of leaders from industry associations in the UK and US. 

Delegates will then hear from technology leader and author, Steve Vamos. One of the world’s most trusted voices on leadership and the human side of building high-performing organisations he is sure to deliver deep insights into leadership, innovation and alignment.

After Morning Tea, a panel session led by Visual Connections Editor, Rob Griffith, will explore the opportunities in education, training, and careers, informed by experts including Megan Lilly, Deputy Commissioner, Jobs & Skills Australia, and Paul Richards, TAFE NSW. 

The day will also give delegates the chance to reflect on corporate responsibility and how values drive business success, in a keynote from well-known industry identity, Dr David Cooke, Executive Director of ESG Advisory and author of Kind Business – How Values Create Value.

Day 2 will focus on Navigating Sustainability and will feature a Sustainability fireside chat led by industry stalwart and government manufacturing expert, Mel Ireland, and a special presentation on energy transition, associated government regulation, and business imperatives around carbon neutrality and accreditation.

Thursday will also feature one of Connect 2026’s undisputed highlights, Gillon McLachlan, CEO of Tabcorp and well-known former CEO of the Australian Football League (AFL), in conversation with Matt Aitkin, Managing Director of IVE Group around his experience of leadership, how and where Tabcorp is transitioning from print to digital, and the challenges and opportunities that creates.

On Day 3, the theme is Future Ready. The day will commence with a Fireside Chat exploring the role of both digital and print in the OOH market, both locally and globally, with industry experts including JC Decaux and Signarama, followed by a keynote from Richard Williams from Precision Solutions Group, who will address the important topic of cyber awareness and adaptability in business, providing practical guidance and insights in this fast-moving area.

After Morning Tea, ASGA President Mick Harrold will lead a discussion on the Future of Signage with industry experts Steve Lambourne from SS Signs, Steen Zimmerman from Zimmerman Industries, and Callan Laughton from Insigns. The panel will be followed by a keynote from economist and former politician Dr Craig Emerson providing important information and insights into the current economy and the various factors which will create challenges and opportunity for business.

The day will close with a couple of fascinating case studies, including one with CSIRO’s Dr Xun Li, exploring how AI can support greater automation and efficiency, reduce labour-intensive work, improve decision-making, and create business value, while highlighting the importance of responsible adoption. 

As well as the conference, more than 50 of the industry’s leading suppliers will showcase their latest innovations at Visual Impact 2026, the 2026 Easy Signs National Sign & Graphics Awards will be presented at a gala dinner – also at the Showground precinct – on Thursday 3 September; and a series of Make it Happen Signage Bootcamps will also run at the Sydney Showground during the week. 

Connect Conference 2026 is proudly supported by the Australian Sign & Graphics Association and Spicers Australia. Registrations are now open, with Early Bird pricing available until 31 July. Daily tickets start from $199 for Visual Connections Members, with three-day passes starting at $525. To register, click here or go to www.visualimpact.org.au.