Last Minute ‘special ticket offers’ for Connect Conference 2026

Visual Connections, organisers of the upcoming Visual Impact (2-4 September, Sydney Showgrounds) and the aligned Connect Conference 2026, have announced a special ticket offer for the conference, designed to make it easier for small businesses to bring along team members.

Karren Challoner-Miles, CEO of Visual Connections, says: “There’s a buzz around the industry about the conference line-up, which includes some really exciting speakers, experts on a wide range of topics, and some great sessions on the future of our industry – and how businesses can meet the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities ahead. So to help SMEs bring their customers or staff along to the event, we’ve designed a 4-for-3 and 8-for-6 ticket offer.”

Businesses can now register three people, for either day tickets, or 3-day passes – and get a fourth ticket for free. Those looking at bringing a larger group can register eight people – a whole table at the Conference – for the price of six.

Challoner-Miles adds: “This is a great way to encourage emerging leaders in your business, by giving them the chance to learn, be challenged, and gain some real insights and inspiration for their careers, and to bring back to the business.”

Day One of the conference presents as a Masterclass in Building Better Business. To set the scene, some International Industry Insights from a panel comprising Linda Edwards, Managing Director of the British Sign & Graphics Association; Ford Bowers, CEO of the US-based PRINTING United Alliance; Lori Anderson, President & CEO of the International Sign Association (ISA); and Nigel Davies, President of FESPA Australia; hosted by Visual Connections Australia CEO, Karren Challoner-Miles.

This will be followed by a Keynote address from Steve Vamos, one of Australia’s most respected business leaders and leadership speakers, entitled Leading through the shifts and shocks, where Steve will draw on more than four decades of executive experience, including as CEO of Xero and NineMSN, and in senior leadership roles with Apple, Microsoft and IBM, with insights on how to lead through change, build high-performing teams and turn disruption into opportunity.

The focus for the second session of the morning will shift to discussion about the challenge and opportunity that the need to recruit new talent and provide adequate training represents. A panel on Talent Acquisition, Skills, Training and Careers will include government perspective from Megan Lilly, Acting Commissioner for Jobs & Skills Australia, with Paul Richards, Head Teacher, Sign & Graphics from Sydney TAFE, and John Watters, Executive Officer of careers experts AusSIP. Delegates will also hear valuable input from Charbella Ayoub, an apprentice Signwriter at Cunneen Signs.

The final session of the day will see Dr David Cooke, ESG leader and author of Kind Business – How Values Create Value taking to the stage to reflect on The Future of Business: Redefining Success. David is a recognised authority on sustainable business and values-led leadership, and will draw on his experience in executive leadership roles with Konica Minolta, Canon and Xerox to demonstrate to delegates how businesses can build commercial success through purpose, sustainability and social impact.

David’s session helps to set the scene too for Day Two of the conference where the focus is on Sustainability, Transformation & Success. Starting with a fireside chat on Sustainability as a Tool for Value Creation, Brett Spicer, Senior Sustainability Professional from Bird & Bower Advisory, brings over 20 years of experience in helping organisations turn sustainability into practical business outcomes. Brett will be chatting with Mel Ireland, Manufacturing Hub Manager for the Queensland Government, who herself has extensive manufacturing and print experience to share.

Next up, one of Australia’s most recognised CEOs, Gillon McLachlan (who spent a decade as CEO of the AFL before becoming Managing Director and CEO of Tabcorp) will be on stage in conversation with one of our industry’s most recognised names, in Matt Aitkin, Managing Director of IVE Group.

Gillon has led some of the country’s largest organisations, including a decade as CEO of the AFL before becoming Managing Director and CEO of Tabcorp, earning a reputation for leading complex organisations through periods of significant change and growth. Focussing on leadership, change management and how to build sustainability into a business model, delegates will latterly be invited to ponder the question of How Do We Use Less for Longer in 2026 with Gayle Sloan from the Waste Management & Resource Recovery Association of Australia.

Next up, Barbara Albert, CEO of 100% Renewables looks at how sustainability is moving down the supply chain, and what that means for your business. An advocate for sustainable business transformation, Barbara will discuss how to turn ambitious climate goals into practical action and develop profitable, net-zero strategies.

Following Barbara, one of Australian motorsports’ greatest drivers, Jamie Whincup, who is now Managing Director and owner of the successful Triple Eight Race Engineering and Team Principal with the Red Bull Ampol Racing Team, will provide fascinating insights on the fine balance between sponsor entitlements, media visibility and aerodynamic performance criteria which defines successful vehicle livery.

In the day’s final session. Scott Maynard, Head of Market for electric performance car brand Polestar Australia, will highlight the criticality of transparency in sustainability partnerships, from the perspective of a leading luxury vehicle brand that has a strong focus on progressive design and sustainability.

In short, two mornings packed with interest, entertainment and insights, so with day tickets starting at just $249 (GST included), or three-day passes starting at $656 (GST included) and this newly released 4-for-3 and 8-for-6 special ticket offer, Connect Conference 2026 is shaping up to be the must-see event of the year and this latest push on tickets is likely to see some people miss out unless you act today and grab your tickets here .

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