HUNTER INNOVATION FESTIVAL RETURNS · 24 NOVEMBER 2026 · NEX NEWCASTLE

24 YEARS.

ON THE 24TH.

24 YEARS IDEAS.
24 YEARS OF CONNECTION.
24 YEARS OF COMMUNITY GIVING SOMETHING BACK.

600+

innovators

47%

decision-makers

43%

from outside Newcastle

95%

intend to return

From possibility to action.

For 24 years, the Hunter Innovation Festival has been where this region's boldest thinking gets a room. In 2025 we asked "What If?" and 600 people answered. In 2026 we stop asking and start building. "Yes, And..." is the language of people who take an idea and run with it. It's a commitment: to say yes to what the Hunter can become, and to add the work that gets us there. One day in Newcastle, on 13 October, where the region's builders, founders, investors and decision-makers move from possibility to action. This is not a conference you watch. It's a festival you join.

RoadshowS

Innovation isn't just happening in the city—it’s thriving in our regions.

Following our highly successful "Igniting the Spark" launch event, Hunter iF is taking the festival on the road. We are thrilled to invite you to the Cessnock, Maitland, and Muswellbrook Roadshows, a dedicated showcase of the groundbreaking technologies and visionary founders driving economic evolution right here in the heart of the Hunter. Save the dates below and register for free now!

Events

Sept 22

22 September 2026

Cessnock Roadshow

22 September 2026

Innovation is thriving in the heart of the Hunter!

Join us for the Cessnock Roadshow on 22 September, where we’ll celebrate the visionary founders and groundbreaking technologies shaping our region’s future in Health and the Circular Economy.

Connect with local leaders and innovators for an afternoon of networking and exclusive insights.

Space is limited—secure your spot today!

22 September 2026

Sept 30

30 September 2026

Maitland Roadshow

30 September 2026

Innovation is thriving in the heart of the Hunter!

Join us for the Maitland Roadshow on 30 September, where we’ll celebrate the visionary founders and groundbreaking technologies shaping our region’s future in Industrial-Tech and the Energy Transition.

Connect with local leaders and innovators over lunch for an afternoon of networking and exclusive insights.

Space is limited—secure your spot today!

30 September 2026

Oct 7

7 October 2026

Muswellbrook Roadshow

7 October 2026

Innovation is thriving in the heart of the Hunter!

Join us for the Muswellbrook Roadshow on 7 October, where we’ll celebrate the visionary founders and groundbreaking technologies shaping our region’s future in Industrial-Tech and the Energy Transition.

Connect with local leaders and innovators over lunch for an afternoon of networking and exclusive insights.

Space is limited—secure your spot today!

7 October 2026

"The Festival is a great opportunity to bring together all different parts of an innovation ecosystem from all over the country into a great place like the Hunter region."

Vu Tran | Founder of BlackSky Industries, OneMRI and Co-Founder Go1
"I'm the founder of By Storm and we are making beauty and makeup accessible for the 700 million women who have been completely locked out of the beauty world."

— Storm Menzies | Founder of By Storm
"The Festival is important just to bring people together from the from manufacturing in the region."

— Oliver Kleyn | Founder Grolia
"This festival is really important as it brings everyone together across the Hunter and actually even broader than that. So it's really important that we're connecting, sharing and learning from each other."

— Caroline Booth | Economic Development @ Cessnock City Council
"I feel that this festival is really important because it brings together like-minded people and we can share ideas and and think towards the future of what we can change."

Jess Hodge | Founder of Resourceful Living