Convene 2026 agenda
Explore the full program for Convene 2026, with keynotes, panels, case studies and masterclasses across two days of ideas, energy and action.
Networking
8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
Foyer
Arrival / Registration / Networking
Start your Convene experience by connecting with fellow attendees over coffee, conversation, and purpose before the conference begins. Thanks to ACCIONA, enjoy barista-made coffee from certified social enterprises Mylestones Solutions, in collaboration with Humble Brag, where every cup helps create meaningful employment opportunities and supports Indigenous young people, and international aid programs.
While you're there treat yourself to a Worthy Cause cookie, with every purchase funding employment pathways and community initiatives. It's networking with impact, proving that even your morning caffeine fix can help create positive change.
Networking
8:50 AM – 9:00 AM
Plenary
Immerse yourself
General
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Plenary
Welcome to Convene 2026: What's on
Event MCs
Join us as we officially open Convene, hear what you can expect from the sessions, to speakers, and experiences - We will share everything you need to know to make the most of your day.
General
9:10 AM – 9:20 AM
Plenary
Welcome to Country
Shannon Ruska
Aboriginal Cultural Specialist, Tribal Experiences
A bloodline descendant of Yuggera, Turrbal/Toorabul, Nunukul, Gorenpul/Cooparoo and Kombumerri peoples, Shannon carries deep knowledge of local language, stories and culture, performing to more than 35 million people worldwide, captivating from his first word, bringing energy, humour and connection, to this Welcome To Country, and will have you on your feet. A master of the stage, he’s remembered for iconic moments, including the chant that united voices at the Gabba: “Aussie Aussie Aussie.”
Keynote
9:20 AM – 9:35 AM
Plenary
The Heart of Social: Lived Experience
Melanie Greblo
Founder & CEO, Humans of Purpose
Angela Motherwell
Social Media and Marketing Creator, Better Merch
Keynote
9:40 AM – 9:55 AM
Plenary
The Business Case for Social Performance
Tara Anderson
CEO, Social Traders
Keynote
9:55 AM – 10:10 AM
Plenary
Delivering a Social Impact Economy
The Honourable David Janetzki MP
Treasurer of Queensland, Minister for Energy, and Minister for Home Ownership
Keynote
10:15AM – 10:30AM
Plenary
Profit Paying for Purpose
Andrew Melloddy
CEO & Co-Founder, Humble Brag
Shannen Cooper
National Sales Manager, TradeMutt
Some products have become commodities, competing on price in crowded markets. Yet Humble Brag and TradeMutt show that purpose can be a genuine competitive advantage. In this session, Andrew Mellody and Shannan Cooper share what it takes to build purpose‑driven brands in industries dominated by low‑cost alternatives and established players. They explore how to shift buyer behaviour, win commercial partners, scale impact and stay authentic through growth. Attendees will gain practical insights into convincing customers to choose purpose, competing in saturated markets, expanding partnerships and proving that profit and impact can grow together.
Keynote
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Plenary
Shaping the Future of Social Value in Business
Naima Wilson
Marketing and Impact Director, Patagonia Australia & Aotearoa
Networking
10:55 AM – 11:25 AM
Foyer
Morning Tea & Connection Time
Keynote
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
Plenary
Human Rights is Social Value
Lorraine Finlay
Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Tara Anderson
CEO, Social Traders
Keynote
11:50 AM – 12:15 PM
Plenary
Everyone's Economy: Why Social Performance Requires All of Us
Coming soon
Keynote
12:15 PM – 12:30 PM
Plenary
Coming soon
General
12:30 PM – 12:40 PM
Plenary
National Game Changer Awards 2026
Social Impact Partnership of the Year
Networking
12:40 PM – 1:40 PM
Foyer
Lunch & Connection Time
Breakout session
1:40 PM – 2:20 PM
Plenary
Coming soon
King George
Social Value Driving Behaviour Change
Anna McChesney-Gordon
Chief Strategy Officer, Social Value Portal
Aaron Reid
GM Social Value, Ventia
Kat Dekker
Founder & Director, Give Industries
Michael Stuart
Head of Impact, Data & Digital, Social Traders
Olivers
Coming soon
Breakout session
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Plenary
Coming soon
King George
Coming soon
Olivers
Coming soon
Breakout session
3:10 PM – 3:40 PM
Plenary
Live Q&A on the Main Stage
You asked, and we're gonna answer
Live Q&A with business leaders and Social Traders from your questions asked before and during the day – This is your opportunity to be heard, and focuses on the how, how do we actually get there, and what can we do to help?
Come prepared to ask and be answered!
King George
Coming soon
Olivers
Community Wealth Building
Matt Pfahlert
Co-Founder and CEO, ACRE
Networking
3:40 PM – 4:00 PM
Foyer
Afternoon Tea & Connection Time
General
4:05 PM – 4:20 PM
Plenary
National Game Changer Awards 2026
Social Enterprise Pioneer & Business Excellence
Keynote
4:25 PM – 4:40 PM
Plenary
Good Work is Hard Work
Craig Foster AM
General
4:40 PM – 4:50 PM
Plenary
Imagine if...Looking to the future
Coming soon
General
4:50 PM – 4:55 PM
Plenary
Closing remarks
Coming soon
General
4:55 PM – 5:00 PM
Plenary
Final reflections
Tara Anderson
CEO, Social Traders
Networking
5:15 PM – 8:00 PM
Rooftop
Time for food, drink and connecting
When the formal program winds down, we take things skyward. The Convene afterparty will be held at Sixteen Antlers Rooftop Bar. Expect city skyline views, elevated conversations, and a vibrant atmosphere as the sector comes together to celebrate, connect and continue the momentum into the evening. Enjoy wines from Goodwill Wines, where every bottle purchased generates profit for charitable purposes, and community initiatives. So let's cheers to that!
Secure your place at Convene 2026
Convene is where leaders come to move beyond intention and into action. As expectations shift from profit alone to social value creation, you'll be alongside executives, policymakers, the do-ers, industry bodies and pioneers, shaping what best-practice social value looks like and how it delivers real competitive advantage.
