HUNTER INNOVATION FESTIVAL · 24 NOVEMBER 2026 · NEX NEWCASTLE
HIF26 Partnerships
24 YEARS
24 November
Partner with the Hunter Innovation Festival to meet the people building the Hunter’s future economy and remain visible in the ecosystem before, during and after the Festival.
24Y
years of Festival history
600+
attendees in 2025
60+
speakers
30+
exhibitors
95%
intend to return
A DIFFERENT KIND OF FESTIVAL
CONNECTION FIRST. CONTRIBUTION ALWAYS.
Kara Sullivan
Head Honcho, Guts Creative
On 24 November 2026 at NEX Newcastle, 600+ founders, industry pioneers, researchers, and decision-makers gather for the Hunter’s flagship showcase of innovation and new-energy enterprise.
For 24 years, we've created a genuine, neutral ground where ideas move forward. As a Partner, you don’t just place a logo. You step into the room, showcase your work, and spark year-round collaborations.
Three PrincipleS
-
Put your people in the room and make it easier for the right attendees to find them.
-
Stand beside useful ideas, practical conversations and the people doing the work.
-
Show what you are building and contribute something valuable to the wider ecosystem.
Choose HOW YOU WANT TO SHOW UP
TWO WAYS TO PARTNER.
Innovation Partner
$3,000
Best for Emerging Innovators, Scale-ups & Tech Pioneers
Dedicated exhibition/showcase space at NEX Newcastle
Discoverable Entegy digital profile with direct lead capture
Website logo and partner listing
Use Entegy’s scheduling tool to host 1-on-1 sessions where attendees book time to solve technical challenges and collaborate.
Shared social media feature and e-news announcement
2 Festival Passes + 2 Exhibitor Passes
High-res event photography and engagement summary
Festival Partner
$10,000
Best for High-Impact Regional Leadership & Brand Reach
Everything in Innovation Partner, plus:
Association with a major program moment or session theme
Prominent brand recognition across web, venue & Entegy
1 dedicated editorial partner story & dedicated e-news feature
6 Festival Passes + complete post-event delivery report
FOR A LARGER ROLE
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FROM $20,000.
Want to drive systemic regional impact, co-host major program conversations, or anchor our Regional Roadshows throughout the year?
We design a limited number of deeply integrated strategic partnerships built around your specific objectives.
Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge, City of Newcastle
CONtinuous value
HOW THE ENTEGY PLATFORM WORKS FOR YOU
The Festival’s digital platform helps attendees discover your organisation, find your people and continue the right conversations.
-
Build your dedicated company showcase profile, feature your key team members, and share useful resources. Allow attendees to discover what you are building and schedule 1-on-1 meetings or office hours before the doors open.
-
Support meetings, office hours and in-person connection throughout the day. Drive foot traffic to your NEX booth with interactive directory listings and floor plan routing. Capture opt-in leads using fast, consent-based lead-capture tools.
-
Stay in touch with warm, consented contacts and receive an engagement summary that shows what your partnership delivered.
credibility you can step into.
225K
digital impressions in 2025
4K+
newsletter subscribers
47%
director or c-suite
45%
average e-news open rate
86 🚀
NPS Rating
Useful things to know.
-
Not automatically. Program positions are selected for audience value and editorial fit. Where a partner has the right expertise or story, we will work together to identify the most useful format.
-
No. This is a no-hard-sell environment built around useful ideas, generosity and meaningful connection. Partner showcases should invite participation, demonstrate something real or help attendees learn.
-
The $10,000 and $3,000 options have defined core inclusions so delivery stays clear. Larger or more complex involvement can be developed as a strategic partnership from $20,000.
-
No. Entegy supports consent-based connections and lead capture. Partners receive their own consented connection data and relevant aggregate engagement reporting, not an unrestricted attendee database.
-
The earlier you confirm, the more pre-Festival visibility and connection time we can deliver. Partnership opportunities and suitable showcase positions are limited.
CLAIM YOUR SPOT IN THE HUNTER’S FUTURE
LET’S BUILD THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIP
Tell us what you want your organisation to contribute, and who you need to meet. We’ll come back to you with the clearest pathway.
Zara Crichton
CEO & Festival Director
zara@hunterif.com.au