The 2024

Conference Agenda - Morning Session

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2024 hunter defence conference agenda

The program for the 2024 Hunter Defence Conference is outlined below.  Speakers and topics are subject to change. 

wednesday 21 august

EXAMPLE DAY’S THEME: DEFENCE STRATEGIC REVIEW AND AUKUS - Strategy and Capabilities
EMCEE:
Speaker First Name and Last Name

Session

Morning
Lunch
Afternoon
Evening
Full Day
Day One

08:00

Registrations Open and Visit Exhibition

  • Networking Time
Day One

08:45

Conference Welcome and Emcee Introduction

  • Tim Owen
Chair ‑ Hunter Defence Task Force
Hunter Defence
Day One

08:50

Welcome to Country

  • Brad Twynham
Author, Speaker, Business Strategist
Day One

09:00

Emcee Overview of the Conference

  • Kate Banville
Emcee, Facilitator and Internationally Published Journalist
Day One

09:10

NSW Government Welcome

  • The Hon. Chris Minns, MP
The Hon. Yasmin Cately, MP
Day One

09:25

Newcastle Airport – Astra Aerolab: Defence, Aerospace and Innovation Precinct

  • Dr Peter Cock
Chief Executive Officer
Newcastle Airport and Astra Aerolab
Day One

09:40

AUKUS Update

  • A perspective from the USA
Interview between The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon (Former Minister for Defence) and H.E. The Hon. Kevin Rudd (Australia's Ambassador to the United States). Mr Rudd will be appearing virtually.
Day One

10:00

Budget Impacts on Acquisition – Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG)

  • AVM Graham Edwards
Head of Aerospace Systems
Defence Australia
Day One

10:25

External Perspective on Defence’s Proposed Way Forward and Alignment with NDS/Budget/IIP/DIPS

  • Michael Shoebridge
Defence Sector Expert
Strategic Analysis Australia
Day One

11:05

BREAK: Morning tea and exhibition

  • Networking Time
Sponsored by Kongsberg Australia

wednesday 22 august

EXAMPLE DAY’S THEME: DEFENCE STRATEGIC REVIEW AND AUKUS - Strategy and Capabilities
EMCEE:
Speaker First Name and Last Name

Session

Morning
Lunch
Afternoon
Evening
Full Day
Day Two

08:00

Registrations Open and Visit Exhibition

  • Networking Time
Day Two

09:00

Welcome and Day Two Overview

  • Kate Banville
Emcee, Facilitator and Internationally published journalist.
Day Two

09:50

Defence and Technology: Sub-Surface Capabilities

  • Moderated by Kate Banville
Andrew Glynn, Vice President - Programs, Anduril Australia & Asia Pacific and Jeremy Coghlan, Assistant Director General, Australian Submarine Agency (ASA)
Day Two

11:00

BREAK: Morning tea and exhibition

  • Networking Time
Sponsored by Kongsberg Australia
Day Two

11:30

Funding Options for Your Growing Defence Business – Panel Discussion

  • Moderated by Allan Aaron
Dan Bennett, Co Founder Salus Ventures; Daniel Gronowski, Adviser, Industry Growth Program; Paul Cragg, Executive Manager Hunter & Central Coast, Commonwealth Bank Australia
Day Two

12:20

Workforce Skills Future Survey Update

  • Tim Owen
Chair ‑ Hunter Defence Task Force
Hunter Defence

Secure your place

$1290

Non-Member

Button

$1190

Member

Button

Inclusions

  • Access to the complete conference event for the two days
  • Conference packages include morning tea, lunch, the Wednesday evening cocktail event and the Thursday evening Gala Dinner. All other catering is at the delegate’s own expense
  • Conference packages exclude accommodation
  • Conference packages exclude costs for the Golf Day
    Conference tickets are non-refundable but delegates are transferable
  • A ‘member’ is any organisation that is a Hunter Defence Key Stakeholder: RDA Hunter, HunterNet, Business Hunter, Australian Industry Group, Australian Industry Defence Network, Industry Capability Network NSW, Hunter Defence Support Network, University of Newcastle, TAFE NSW, Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, and the NSW Government

tickets on sale - monday may 24

sponsorship and 
exhibition opportunities

There are a range of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities available for the 2024 conference. Simply download the prospectus for full details or contact Merran Wiggins via

merranw@travelmanagers.com.au
or 0414 599 636 to discuss your requirements.

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thanks to Our hdc 2023 sponsors

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Built Australia all white logo with no background
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Latest News

The latest intelligence on events, announcements, trends and developments in the Hunter Region and in Australia’s defence industry.
March 31, 2025

Are Hunter SMEs Missing Defence Opportunities? How to Get Noticed and Win Work

The Albanese Government has ensured the future of the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft with a $569 million contract that also secures
March 19, 2025

Navigating Defence Opportunities: A Practical Guide for SMEs
March 10, 2025

$569 Million Contract Locks in Another Decade of Jobs in the Hunter

UPCOMING EVENTS

August
20

Hunter Defence Conference 2025

The Hunter Defence Conference is AUSTRALIA’S LEADING REGIONAL DEFENCE EVENT where you can meet the people who are meeting the challenges of a rapidly evolving defence landscape.

Funding Partners

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the hunter region.

defence ready!

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Hunter Defence acknowledges that it operates on the grounds of the traditional country of the Awabakal, Darkinyung, Geawegal, Wonnarua, and Worimi peoples.
We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing relationship with the land, and that they are the proud survivors of more than two hundred years of dispossession. 


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