It’s hard to find anyone who disagrees with the need for sustainable solutions. Knowing where to start, what to change, how to measure progress and what you should report, can be a challenge. Day 2 of Connect Conference 2026 focused on practical strategies for business, alongside inspiration from the spheres of sport and automotive excellence.

The day kicked off with a fascinating Fireside Chat on Sustainability as a Tool for Value Creation. Brett Spicer, Senior Sustainability Professional from Bird & Bower Advisory, talked to Mel Ireland, Manufacturing Hub Manager with the Queensland Government, about how he helps organisations turn sustainability into practical business outcomes.

Reflecting on an increasingly educated and demanding population, Brett urged delegates to view the sustainability journey as a commercial opportunity, rather than an obligation, saying success comes from the intersection of social, environmental and economic drivers. The opportunity to map the value chain, identify opportunities, and embed sustainability across your business processes can lead to better decision making and greater profitability, he said.

This was followed by one of the Conference’s most hotly-anticipated sessions, featuring Gillon McLachlan, CEO of Tabcorp and former CEO of the AFL, in a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation with Matt Aitkin, Managing Director of IVE Group.

Gillon reflected on his career journey and the unique challenges and opportunities both during his years in leadership in the AFL and now in a public company. The principles which are so important in sport, he contended, are equally valuable in life and leadership; among them, courage, teamwork, taking time to plan your approach, the ability to reflect honestly on your failures and to celebrate your successes.

Just prior to Morning Tea, Gayle Sloan from the Waste Management & Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) shared some insights into the very complex and challenging world of resource recovery, recycling and the path to a circular economy. 

The secret to achieving these goals, Gayle said, was to look for any and all ways to use less and retain the value in products, materials and systems for longer, pointing out that the best circular outcomes are achieved by creating products that never become waste

Over the day, key messages were reinforced in different sessions. After the morning tea break, the practical focus continued with Barbara Albert, CEO of 100% Renewables who acknowledged the challenge for industry businesses who were being ‘squeezed from both sides’ between rising costs and increasing client demands.

Urging attendees to ‘not let perfect become the enemy of good’, she suggested assessing sustainability measures and selecting those which reduce costs, protect or grow revenue, materially reduce impacts and which can be practically implemented in your business.

A real highlight of the morning was a keynote from Supercars legend, Jamie Whincup, who is now MD and owner of the successful Triple Eight Race Engineering and Team Principal with the Red Bull Ampol Racing Team.

Jamie’s presentation ranged from the challenges of competition – and the secrets of success – to the balance between sponsor entitlements and performance criteria, the importance of commitment, and what it takes to realise potential, in the personal, team or corporate arena.

In the day’s final session. Scott Maynard, Head of Market for electric performance car brand Polestar Australia, provided a fascinating insight into how a high-performance electric vehicle brand has embedded sustainability and corporate responsibility across its entire value chain and business operations, and the passion which is driving its continuing quest towards ‘Project Zero’.

The final day of Connect Conference 2026 will run tomorrow, Friday 4 September, from 8:30AM – 1:30PM in Conference Hall 2A at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. Tickets start at just $249 (GST included) - click here to register for Connect Conference 2026 or find out more at visualimpact.org.au