2026 LGP Annual Conference
20-21 October, Doltone House, Darling Island, Sydney
Get involved in 2026
Registrations Now Open
Our Annual Conference event brings together procurement professionals, council leaders, suppliers and industry experts to share ideas, explore emerging trends and connect on the issues shaping the future of local government procurement.
Topics on the program:
Artificial Intelligence
Supply Chain Costs & Outcomes
Modern Slavery
Supplier Relationship Management
Emerging Trends & Innovation
Council Case Studies
Governance in Procurement
Showcase your company
Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities
Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are available for businesses looking to connect with councils across NSW. Showcase your brand, build valuable relationships and place your business in front of key decision-makers in local government.
Spots are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis once registrations have opened. Explore our Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus which provides information on available opportunities, pricing and how to register.
What to expect
Key Speakers
This year’s program will feature practical insights, sector research and real-world examples from across the local government sector.
The Impact of AI on Community Outcomes
Maria Padisetti, Co-Founder and CEO, Digital Armour
Maria will deliver a keynote address on Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Community Outcomes, examining the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and its growing influence on service delivery, community engagement and the achievement of meaningful outcomes for communities. Drawing on her extensive experience, Maria will provide valuable insights into how organisations can harness emerging technologies to create lasting value for the communities they serve.
Copilot & AI: From Possibility to Productivity
Daniel Brown, 5x Microsoft MVP
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future technology - it is a practical tool that is already helping organisations save time, improve service delivery, and reduce administrative burden. Daniel's session explores real-world examples of Copilot and AI, demonstrates how tools such as Microsoft Copilot can be implemented safely and effectively, and provides attendees with practical steps to begin their own AI adoption journey.
Work is a Marathon Not a Sprint
Sally McGrath, Founder, Health that Heals, Author, Speaker, Health Coach; Burnout
Sally will deliver a practical, relatable keynote that helps council and community-facing teams understand burnout, recognising early warning signs, and exploring realistic strategies for sustainable performance, better decision-making, and stronger outcomes for the people and communities they serve. Because this work is about endurance, not short bursts, the session connects individual sustainability and resilience with the quality, consistency, and value of community service delivery.
Beyond Compliance: The Relationships That Shape Community Outcomes
Bronwyn Challis, Director of Customer Engagement, LGP
In this session, Bronwyn will present the findings from LGP's latest research with WorldCC which takes a deep dive into council-supplier relationships across the Australian local government sector. This valuable session will examine how councils can leverage these insights to unlock greater value from their contracts and strengthen supplier partnerships.
Panel Session - Taking Reasonable Steps: How Councils Are Addressing Modern Slavery in Procurement
Tania Lalor, Senior Consultant & Sustainable Procurement Specialist
Join us for Tania's panel session where council representatives will share how they are responding to the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner’s Guidance on Reasonable Steps, including how they are identifying and managing risks in their supply chains, updating procurement processes, and building internal capability.
2026 Council & Contractor Awards
Celebrate Outstanding Achievements Across NSW
Recognise those driving positive change, collaboration and best practice across the sector by nominating your colleague (or yourself) for one of our council and contractor awards.
Nominations close 5:00pm Friday, 18 September 2026 so make sure to get your submissions in soon!
20-21 October 2026
Conference Agenda
| Time | Session | Speaker/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 20 October | ||
| 8:15am - 8:55am | Registration Opens - Tea & Coffee Served | Exhibition Hall |
| 9:00am - 9:15am | Acknowledgment of Country | Kevin Heath, KH Connect |
| 9:15am - 9:25am | Official Conference Open | |
| 9:25am - 10:15am | The Impact of AI on Community Outcomes | Maria Padisetti, CEO, Digital Armour |
| 10:15am - 10:55am | Round Robin Exhibitor Networking | Exhibition Hall |
| 10:55am - 11:25am | Networking and Morning Tea | Exhibition Hall |
| 11:25am - 12:05pm | Council Case Study: Grafton Aquatic Centre | Rachelle Passmore, Clarence Valley Council |
| 12:05pm - 12:35pm | Council Case Study | TBC |
| 12:35pm - 12:45pm | Platinum Sponsor Keynote | Telstra |
| 12:45pm - 1:45pm | Networking & Lunch | Exhibition Hall |
| 1:45pm - 2:30pm | Beyond Compliance: The Relationships That Shape Community Outcomes | Bronwyn Challis, Director of Customer Engagement, LGP |
| 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Governance in Procurement | Mihaela Stancu, Consultant, Advisory & Capability, Sustainable Procurement, LGP |
| 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Networking and Afternoon Tea | Exhibition Hall |
| 3:30pm - 4:15pm | Modern Slavery & Human Rights | TBC |
| 4:15pm - 4:50pm | Panel Discussion: Responding to Modern Slavery Legislation | Moderator: Tania Lalor, Senior Consultant, Sustainable Procurement, LGP |
| 5:30pm - 6:15pm | Networking Drinks | Exhibition Hall |
| 6:15pm - 9:30pm | Conference Dinner & Procurement Awards | 1990's Themed |
| Wednesday 21 October | ||
| 8:30am - 9:00am | Tea & Coffee Served | Exhibition Hall |
| 9:00am - 9:45am | Work is a Marathon Not a Sprint | Sally McGrath, Founder, Health that Heals, Author, Speaker, Health Coach; Burnout |
| 9:45am - 10:20am | First Nations Procurement Scheme | Luke Kenny, CEO, LGP |
| 10:20am - 10:50am | Networking and Morning Tea | Exhibition Hall |
| 10:50am - 10:55am | Gold Sponsor Keynote | Blackwoods |
| 10:55am - 11:25am | Circular Economy | TBC |
| 11:25am - 11:55am | Council Case Study | TBC |
| 11:55am - 12:30pm | Round Robin Exhibitor Networking | Exhibition Hall |
| 12:30pm - 1:20pm | Networking and Lunch | Exhibition Hall |
| 1:20pm - 1:50pm | Measuring Social Impact in Infrastructure Projects Within Local Governments | Dr Nader Naderpajouh, Associate Professor, University of Sydney |
| 1:50pm - 2:35pm | Copilot & AI: From Possibility to Productivity | Daniel Brown, 5x Microsoft MVP |
| 2:35pm - 2:45pm | Conference Close | Luke Kenny, CEO, LGP |
