8.00am
Registrations and exhibition open
About Queensland Exporter Conference
If you’re a Queensland business with ambitions beyond our borders, this event will define your next move.
Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) proudly presents the inaugural Queensland Exporter Conference on Thursday 12 March 2026 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Queensland Exporter Conference is a high-impact, full-day event designed for exporters who want to move faster, make smarter market decisions and expand their global footprint with confidence.
You’ll hear directly from industry leaders, experienced exporters and trade experts who know what it takes to succeed internationally - what works, what doesn’t, and where the next opportunities are emerging.
This conference provides direct access to Queensland’s global Trade and Investment Commissioners - a unique opportunity to tap into market-specific insights, explore new destinations and test your export plans.
CONFERENCE NOW FULL
Whether you are:
- preparing to export for the first time
- looking to enter new overseas markets
- ready to scale and diversify your export operations
this conference is designed to propel your next phase of export growth.
Attendees can expect:
- practical, market-ready insights from leading speakers
- sector-focused sessions aligned to global demand
- latest market intelligence to inform your next move
- meaningful connections with other exporters and partners
- one-on-one conversations with Global Trade and Investment Commissioners and business advisors who can help unlock opportunities for your business.
The Queensland Exporter Conference will build capability, confidence and connections to help turn global ambition into commercial reality.
Program snapshot
| Time and Details | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.00am | Registrations and exhibition open | ||||||
| 9.00am |
Welcome Stephanie Brantz, Master of Ceremonies |
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| 9.10am |
Opening address The Honourable Ros Bates, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training |
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| 9.20am |
Queensland of Opportunity: Making it count Justin McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, Trade and Investment Queensland |
||||||
| 9.25am |
Around the world in 20 minutes: Global trade trends for Queensland and Australian exporters Professor Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, The Airport Economist |
||||||
| 9.50am |
The fourth industrial revolution: Building the infrastructure of the intelligence era Craig Scroggie, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, NEXTDC and Chair, Data Centres Australia |
||||||
| 10.15am |
Connecting Queensland to the world The Honourable Will Hodgman, Board Chair, Trade and Investment Queensland |
||||||
| 10.20am |
Panel discussions: In conversation with the Global Trade and Investment Commissioners Facilitated by Anna Fedeles, General Manager, International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland |
||||||
| 10.50am | Morning tea and networking | ||||||
| 11.30am |
International Education and TrainingFuture forces shaping international education Future forces shaping international education Emerging opportunities in student recruitment Alejandro Palma Rioseco, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Latin America Panel with Q&A: Live opportunities in our markets
Alejandro Palma Rioseco, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Latin America |
Food and Agriculture Global food trends shaping consumers choices across the globe and how Queensland exporters can capitalise on these emerging opportunities Gen alpha rising: The born digital, AI powered consumer of the future Global demand for sustainable seafood: Insights from Australia and 11 export markets Client perspective: How is QLD manufacturing adapting and scaling to compete globally; Bundaberg Brewed Drinks The future of food in Queensland’s most prospective markets
Andrew Higgs, Director, Directorate International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland Panel discussion: Global food trends session wrap up
Peggy Schrobback, CSIRO |
Defence and Security Introduction to the export environment for Defence A practical introduction to defence export fundamentals
Emily Brissenden, Department of Defence Strategic outlook on emerging risk environments
Presentation Panel
Camilla Cavanagh, KPMG |
Critical and Digital Technologies Megatrends shaping global tech opportunities Panel: Global trends shaping export and investment opportunities for Queensland Tech companies
Alex Afflick CTO, Audeara The US perspective: Welcome and session introduction The US perspective: Insights into the US Tech market. Navigating tech trends and opportunities in 2026 and beyond Panel with Q&A: Opportunities for Qld Tech companies in the USA.
Gabe Sulkes, A/Deputy Commissioner – North America |
Export Pathway Supporting new and small businesses by providing practical guidance, expert insights and tools to help them confidently enter and grow in global markets Welcome and session introduction Trade and Investment Queensland: Who we are and what we do — for you Export essentials for Queensland businesses: What businesses need to know Queensland Government support for exporters Case study: Solar Bollard Lighting |
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| 1.00pm | Lunch and networking | ||||||
| 2.00pm | International Education and Training Future forces shaping international education Transnational Education—transforming IET globally Transnational Education market insights and opportunities in our markets
Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia Growing sustainable short-term study programs Destination 2045 Update and alignment with international education and training Darcy Slattery, General Manager, Policy, Industry and Partnerships, Tourism, DETSI Innovative short term program design Facilitated by Ben Bawden, Study Queensland
Anna Bell, CEO, Langports TIQ support for growing the short-term study market Juna Ferrett, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – TaiwanMelissa Inooka, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Japan |
Food and Agriculture Global food trends shaping consumers choices across the globe and how Queensland exporters can capitalise on these emerging opportunities Welcome back Red Meat Market update and opportunities: What aren't we seeing in the data?
Michael Kocken, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Korea Case study: Paradigm Foods Grains and Pulses in South Asia and Ag-tech in LaTam: Growing Queensland’s prosperity through broadacre research and ag-tech development Mark Hickman, Director Broadacre Cropping, DPIKym Coyne, Director AgTech, Innovation, Partnerships & Skills Market update and opportunities
Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia The Rising Demand for Ag-tech Automation in Latin America Alejandro Palma Rioseco, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Latin AmericaCase Study: Genics’ growth in LatAm led by game-changing technology Dirk Krueger, Chief Commercial Officer, GenicsEU/UK FTA and opportunities
Devinka Wanigesekera, Director, International Markets - International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland |
Defence and Security Global primes and navigating the Allied Defence Landscape Welcome back
Nicky Piljic, Trade and Investment Queensland Global primes and opportunities for defence export
Aidan White, Project Manager, Global Supply Chain Program, Boeing Opening Allied Markets: Pathways and Market Insights
Featured speakers: Panel
Warwick Penrose, Owner and CEO, EPE |
Critical and Digital Technologies Insights for Queensland Tech companies on pathways to capital and export and trade diversification opportunities in Southeast Asia Financing innovation to export: Practical pathways for digital tech companies Funding pathways for Queensland Tech companies A dive into the "State of Australian Startup Funding Report*" Q&A with speakers Unlocking Southeast Asia: Opportunities for Queensland Tech companies Why Southeast Asia, why now Panel with Q&A Facilitated by Gordon Hughes, Trade and Investment Queensland
Veronika Bilek, EFTlab |
Export Pathway Supporting new and small businesses by providing practical guidance, expert insights and tools to help them confidently enter and grow in global markets Case study: Auto Guru Austrade: Who we are, what we do, how we work with TIQ E-Commerce – starting your export journey
Raj de Souza, CEO, Export Accelerator E-Commerce – starting your export journey - a panel discussion
Facilitated by Raj de Souza, CEO, Export Accelerator Accessing funding to scale
Tony Bieber, Specialised Banking Manager, Business Development, Trade and Working Capital QLD, NAB Closing remarks The Hon Steven Minnikin, Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business |
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| 4.00pm – 6.00pm |
Conference close and networking Stephanie Brantz, Master of Ceremonies |
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Time and Details
9.00am
Welcome
Stephanie Brantz, Master of Ceremonies
9.10am
Opening address
The Honourable Ros Bates, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training
9.20am
Queensland of Opportunity: Making it count
Justin McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, Trade and Investment Queensland
9.25am
Around the world in 20 minutes: Global trade trends for Queensland and Australian exporters
Professor Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, The Airport Economist
9.50am
The fourth industrial revolution: Building the infrastructure of the intelligence era
Craig Scroggie, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, NEXTDC and Chair, Data Centres Australia
10.15am
Connecting Queensland to the world
The Honourable Will Hodgman, Board Chair, Trade and Investment Queensland
10.20am
Panel discussions: In conversation with the Global Trade and Investment Commissioners
Facilitated by Anna Fedeles, General Manager, International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland
10.50am
Morning tea and networking
11.30am
International Education and Training
Future forces shaping international education
Future forces shaping international education
Dirk Mulder, Founder and CEO, The Koala News
Emerging opportunities in student recruitment
- Alejandro Palma Rioseco, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Latin America
- Kassem Younes, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Middle East and Africa
- Leata Alaimoana, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Pacific
- Michael Kocken, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Korea
Panel with Q&A: Live opportunities in our markets
Facilitated by TIQ- Alejandro Palma Rioseco, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Latin America
- Kassem Younes, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Middle East and Africa
- Michael Kocken, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Korea
- Dirk Mulder, Founder and CEO, The Koala News
11.30am
Food and Agriculture
Global food trends shaping consumers choices across the globe and how Queensland exporters can capitalise on these emerging opportunities
Gen alpha rising: The born digital, AI powered consumer of the future
Tony Hunter, Food Futurist
Global demand for sustainable seafood: Insights from Australia and 11 export markets
Peggy Schrobback, CSIRO
Client perspective: How is QLD manufacturing adapting and scaling to compete globally; Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
John McLean, Chief Executive Officer, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
The future of food in Queensland’s most prospective markets
- Andrew Higgs, Director, Directorate International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland
- Shannon Leahy, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Southeast Asia
Panel discussion: Global food trends session wrap up
Facilitated by Rachel Chambers, Queensland Food and Farm Commissioner
- Peggy Schrobback, CSIRO
- John McLean, Chief Executive Officer, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
- Shannon Leahy, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Southeast Asia
- Leata Alaimoana, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner – Pacific
11.30am
Defence & Security
Introduction to the export environment for Defence
A practical introduction to defence export fundamentals
A practical introduction to defence export fundamentals
Emily Brissenden, Department of Defence
Michael Lazarus, Department of Defence
Strategic outlook on emerging risk environments
Presentation
Camilla Cavanagh, KPMG
Jacqueline Johnson, KPMG
Panel
Camilla Cavanagh, KPMG
Jacqueline Johnson, KPMG
Frank Harrington, Head of Business Development, Intellidesign
11.30am
Critical & Digital Technologies
Megatrends shaping global tech opportunities
Panel: Global trends shaping export and investment opportunities for Queensland Tech companies
Facilitated by Stephanie Brantz
Hear insights from successful Queensland companies who have expanded into multiple markets
- Alex Afflick CTO, Audeara
- Paul Trappett, CEO, EventsAir
- Cori Stewart, ARMHUB
- Ross Buchanan, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - UK and Europe
- Juna Ferrett, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Taiwan
The US perspective: Welcome and session introduction
Gabe Sulkes, A/Deputy Commissioner – North America
The US perspective: Insights into the US Tech market. Navigating tech trends and opportunities in 2026 and beyond
Steve Allan, Founding Partner, Blue Corridor Ventures and Third Horizon Ventures, Investment Committee member, QIC Private Equity
Panel with Q&A: Opportunities for Qld Tech companies in the USA.
Facilitated by TIQ
- Gabe Sulkes, A/Deputy Commissioner – North America
- Steve Allan, Founding Partner, Blue Corridor Ventures and Third Horizon Ventures, Investment Committee member, QIC Private Equity
- Thuy Lam, CEO Blackbook.ai
- Allison Bambrick, Executive Manager ARMHUB
11.30am
Export Pathway
Supporting new and small businesses by providing practical guidance, expert insights and tools to help them confidently enter and grow in global markets
Welcome and session introduction
Denise Kreymborg, General Manager, Queensland Operations, Trade and Investent Queensland
Nicolle Kelly, Queensland Small Business Commissioner
Trade and Investment Queensland: Who we are and what we do—for you
Denise Kreymborg, General Manager, Queensland Operations, Trade and Investent Queensland
Melissa Inooka, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Japan
Export essentials for Queensland businesses: What businesses need to know
Shane Styles, Managing Director, Palaudin Consulting
Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner – South Asia
Queensland Government support for exporters
Glenn Ayrton, Small Business Assist Officer
Case study: Solar Bollard Lighting
Mike Arieni, Managing Director, Solar Bollard Lighting
1.00pm
Lunch and networking
2.00pm
International Education and Training
Future forces shaping international education
Transnational Education—transforming IET globally
Trends in Australian TNE, local and global success stories and opportunities for Queensland
Zac Ashkanasy, Principal, Nous Group
Transnational Education market insights and opportunities in our markets
- Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia
- Scott Ashton, Director, International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland
- Shannon Leahy, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Southeast Asia
- Zac Ashkanasy, Principal, Nous Group
Growing sustainable short-term study programs
Destination 2045 Update and alignment with international education and training
Darcy Slattery, General Manager, Policy, Industry and Partnerships, Tourism, DETSI
Innovative short term program design - case studies for Queensland
Facilitated by Ben Bawden, Study Queensland
- Anna Bell, CEO, Langports
- Jane Roberts – RTO Director, Sarina Russo Institute
- Dr. Ali Akber, UQ School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability
- Simone Fuller, Executive Director, Department of Education International
TIQ support for growing the short-term study market
- Juna Ferrett, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Taiwan
- Melissa Inooka, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Japan
2.00pm
Food and Agriculture
Global food trends shaping consumers choices across the globe and how Queensland exporters can capitalise on these emerging opportunities
Welcome back
Elton Miller, Executive Director, Agribusiness and Policy, Department of Primary Industries
Red Meat
Global market update
Sabina Kindler, MLA
Market update and opportunities: What aren't we seeing in the data?
- Michael Kocken, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Korea
- Melissa Inooka, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Japan
Case study: Paradigm Foods
Nick Thompson, Paradigm Foods
Grains and Pulses in South Asia and Ag-tech in LaTam:
Growing Queensland’s prosperity through broadacre research and ag-tech development
- Mark Hickman, Director Broadacre Cropping, DPI
- Kym Coyne, Director AgTech, Innovation, Partnerships & Skills
Market update and opportunities
- Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia
The Rising Demand for Ag-tech Automation in Latin America
Alejandro Palma Rioseco, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Latin AmericaCase Study: Genics’ growth in LatAm led by game-changing technology
- Dirk Krueger, Chief Commercial Officer, Genics
EU/UK FTA and opportunities
- Devinka Wanigesekera, Director, International Markets - International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland
- David Ridden, Grandad Jacks
2.00pm
Defence and Security
Global primes and navigating the Allied Defence Landscape
Welcome back
- Nicky Piljic, Trade and Investment Queensland
- David Kay, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development
Global primes and opportunities for defence export
- Aidan White, Project Manager, Global Supply Chain Program, Boeing
- John Steed, Manager Global Supply Chain Program and Industry Engagement, Rheinmetall
- Amanda MacKinnell, Head of Industry Capabilities & Strategy Development, L3Harris Technologies
Opening Allied Markets: Pathways and Market Insights
Featured speakers:
- Sabine Kazaka, Head of the Representative Office, Latvia Investment and Development Agency
- Rafal Jarosz, Trade and Investment Commissioner – Poland, Trade Commissioner of Poland to Australia and New Zealand, Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH)
Panel
- Warwick Penrose, Owner and CEO, EPE
- Sabine Kazaka, Head of the Representative Office, Latvia Investment and Development Agency
- Rafal Jarosz, Trade and Investment Commissioner – Poland, Trade Commissioner of Poland to Australia and New Zealand, Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH)
- Kenny Yuen, Vice President Missions, Australia & New Zealand, ICEYE (Finland)
2.00pm
Critical and Digital Technologies
Insights for Queensland Tech companies on pathways to capital and export and trade diversification opportunities in Southeast Asia
Financing innovation to export: Practical pathways for digital tech companies
Funding pathways for Queensland Tech companies
Adam Pearce, Export Finance Australia
A dive into the "State of Australian Startup Funding Report*"
Nicola Wightman, Venture Relations Manager, QIC Private Equity, QIC Ventures
*Report is produced by Cut Through Venture
Q&A with speakers
Facilitated by Gordon Hughes, Trade and Investment Queensland
Unlocking Southeast Asia: Opportunities for Queensland Tech companies
Why Southeast Asia, why now
Shannon Leahy, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Southeast Asia
Panel with Q&A
Facilitated by Gordon Hughes, Trade and Investment Queensland- Veronika Bilek, EFTlab
- Scott Samson, Landing Pads Director, Austrade
- Shannon Leahy, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Southeast Asia
- Chris Sharp, SVP BD, Pax8
2.00pm
Export Pathway
Supporting new and small businesses by providing practical guidance, expert insights and tools to help them confidently enter and grow in global markets
Case study: Auto Guru
Eden Shirley, Chief Executive Officer, Auto Guru
Austrade: Who we are, what we do, how we work with TIQ
Jason Verspuy, General Manager – Trade, Austrade
E-Commerce – starting your export journey
- Raj de Souza, CEO, Export Accelerator
E-Commerce – starting your export journey - a panel discussion
- Facilitated by Raj de Souza, CEO, Export Accelerator
- Anna Fedeles, General Manager, International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland
- Michael Kocken, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Korea
Accessing funding to scale
- Tony Bieber, Specialised Banking Manager, Business Development, Trade and Working Capital QLD, NAB
- Adam Pearce, Export Finance
Closing remarks
The Hon Steven Minnikin, Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business
4.00pm – 6.00pm
Conference close and networking
Stephanie Brantz, Master of Ceremonies