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.
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 |
||||||
| 9.10am |
Opening address The Honourable Ros Bates, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training |
||||||
| 9.20am |
CEO address 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 |
||||||
| 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 Global food trends shaping export opportunities for QLD exporters 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
Rhett Miller, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Greater China Panel discussion
Peggy Schrobback, CSIRO |
Defence and Security Introduction to the export environment for Defence A practical introduction to defence export fundamentals Strategic outlook on emerging risk environments |
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.
Queensland Trade and Investment 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 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
Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia Growing sustainable short-term study programs Destination 2045 Darcy Slattery, General Manager, Policy, Industry and Partnerships, Tourism, DETSI Innovative short term program design
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 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 the Middle East Queensland Department of Primary Industries Market update and opportunities
Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia EU/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 Why Partnering with Primes is a Strategic Entry Pathway for First‑Time Defence Exporters Opening Allied Markets: Strategic Pathways for Australian Defence Exporters Across Europe, the UK and the United States |
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 TIQ
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 Accessing funding to scale Case study Austrade: Who we are, what we do, how we work with TIQ E-Commerce – starting your export journey
Rhett Miller, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Greater China |
||
| 4.00pm – 6.00pm |
Conference close and networking Stephanie Brantz, Master of Ceremonies |
||||||
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
CEO address
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
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
Global food trends shaping export opportunities for QLD exporters
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 McClean, Chief Executive Officer, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
The future of food in Queensland’s most prospective markets
- Rhett Miller, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Greater China
- Shannon Leahy, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Southeast Asia
Panel discussion
Facilitated by Rachel Chambers, Queensland Food and Farm Commissioner
- Peggy Schrobback, CSIRO
- John McClean, Chief Executive Officer, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
- Rhett Miller, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Greater China
- 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
Strategic outlook on emerging risk environments
11.30am
Critical & Digital Technologies
Megatrends shaping global tech opportunities
Panel: Global trends shaping export and investment opportunities for Queensland Tech companies
Facilitated by TIQ
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
Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - North America
The US perspective: Insights into the US Tech market. Navigating tech trends and opportunities in 2026 and beyond
Steve Allan, QIC Ventures, Founding Partner, Blue Corridor Ventures
Panel with Q&A: Opportunities for Qld Tech companies in the USA.
Facilitated by TIQ
- Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - North America
- Steve Allan, QIC Venture, Founding Partner, Blue Corridor Ventures
- Thuy Lam, CEO Blackbook.ai
- Alison 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
Trade and Investment Queensland: Who we are and what we do—for you
Denise Kreymborg, General Manager, Queensland Operations
Melissa Inooka, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Japan
Export essentials for Queensland businesses: What businesses need to know
Shanne 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
Louise Kuzevich, Principal Program 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
Setting the scene
Zac Ashkanasy, Nous Group
Transnational Education market insights and opportunities
Facilitated by TIQ
- Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia
- Rhett Miller, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Greater China
- Shannon Leahy, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Southeast Asia
Growing sustainable short-term study programs
Destination 2045
Darcy Slattery, General Manager, Policy, Industry and Partnerships, Tourism, DETSI
Innovative short term program design
- Anna Bell, CEO, Langports
- Jane Roberts – RTO Director, Sarina Russo Institute
- Prof. Nick Cook - A/Director, UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute
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
Red Meat
Global market update
Josh Anderson, MLA
Market update and opportunities: What aren't we seeing in the data?
- Michael Kocken, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - Korea
- Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner - North America
- Melissa Inooka, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Japan
Case study: Paradigm Foods
Nick Thompson and Clare Ross, Paradigm Foods
Grains and Pulses in South Asia and the Middle East
Queensland Department of Primary Industries
Market update and opportunities
- Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - South Asia
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
Why Partnering with Primes is a Strategic Entry Pathway for First‑Time Defence Exporters
Opening Allied Markets: Strategic Pathways for Australian Defence Exporters Across Europe, the UK and the United States
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**"
**Report is produced by Cut Through Venture
Q&A with speakers
Facilitated by Gordon Hughes, TIQ
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 TIQ- 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
Accessing funding to scale
Case study
Austrade: Who we are, what we do, how we work with TIQ
Jason Verspuy, General Manager – Trade, Austrade
E-Commerce – starting your export journey
- Rhett Miller, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner - Greater China
- Michael Kocken, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Korea
4.00pm – 6.00pm
Conference close and networking
Stephanie Brantz, Master of Ceremonies