2025 LGP Annual Conference
21-22 October 2025
Future Focused: 2026 & Beyond
Join us this October in Sydney, for two days of forward-thinking discussions shaping the future of government procurement.
This year’s program explores the future of AI in government, the impact of geopolitical disruption on local government supply chains, and strategies to future-proof procurement practices.
Hear from industry leading experts, gain practical insights from council case studies, and connect with peers and suppliers to spark new ideas. Leave inspired, informed, and ready to drive better outcomes in your organisation.
When: 21st – 22nd October 2025
Where: Doltone House, Darling Island
Attendee Registration (Public Sector Only): Open Now
*Private sector attendance is limited and subject to approval. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Packages: Available Now
Platinum Sponsor
We’re proud to welcome Telstra back as our Platinum Sponsor for this year’s conference.
Media Partner
Proudly supported by Council Magazine, our official 2025 Conference Media Partner.
Speakers
Kirsty McGrath
Managing Director, OnPoint Solutions | 8x Microsoft MVP
Session: The Future of AI in Government
Kirsty is an 8x Microsoft MVP (dual awards in M365 & Copilot), Founder of the Microsoft 365 Adoption User Groups, and Author of the internationally shared Microsoft 365 Infographic. She’s a leading global voice on Microsoft 365 adoption, change management, training and AI in the workplace.
Kirsty brings a rare blend of technical expertise and people-focused insight to the evolving world of AI in government. She will guide councils on boosting productivity by streamlining reporting, presentations, and data analysis, mastering prompting to craft precise outputs with Microsoft 365 Copilot, exploring real-world demos from everyday tasks to tailored scenarios, and driving adoption to maximise ROI with proven strategies.
Dr. Shivendra Kumar
Managing Director and Principal Consultant, Shivendra & Co
Session: Geopolitical Disruption to Local Government Supply Chains
Dr. Kumar is a leading strategist with over 20 years’ experience helping governments and industries build resilient, competitive supply chains. In this keynote, he will explore how local governments can leverage their $40 billion annual spend to strengthen economic sovereignty, unlock SME potential, and turn geopolitical risk into opportunity. Drawing on real case studies and frontline consulting experience, Dr. Kumar will share practical frameworks for creating jobs, attracting investment, and proactively shaping Australia’s economic future.
Kate Russell
CEO, Supply Nation
Session: Impact of Economic Inclusion on First Nations Businesses
Kate Russell, a proud Awabakal woman, is the CEO of Supply Nation, Australia’s premier authority on Indigenous supplier diversity. Drawing on her background in government, economic development, and policy, Kate brings an intersectional, culturally informed leadership style to advancing economic inclusion for First Nations businesses.
In the landmark report The Sleeping Giant Rises, recently released by Supply Nation, the findings show that Indigenous businesses generate an estimated $42.6 billion in social value annually, delivering $3.66 in economic and social returns for every dollar of revenue.
Looking ahead, Kate will explore how local government can unlock future opportunities to advance Closing the Gap targets in wellbeing, culture, employment, and community resilience – shaping stronger outcomes for generations to come.
Gordon Donovan
Vice President of Research for Procurement and External Workforce, SAP
Session: Top 5 Issues for Procurement Leaders in 2026 and Beyond
Gordon Donovan, is a seasoned procurement leader with over 30 years’ experience driving transformation across sectors in the UK, Asia, and Australia. A Fellow of CIPS and recognised thought leader, Gordon now leads global research into emerging procurement trends. In this session, he will share insights from the latest SAP/Economist Impact Survey of 2,000+ global C-Suite executives, highlighting the top five priorities procurement leaders face in the age of polycrisis, with a spotlight on how ANZ compares with APAC and global public sector trends.
Bronwyn Challis
Head of Business Development, Local Government Procurement
Session: The Procurement Opportunity: Building Trust for Contracting Success
Bronwyn has extensive experience in public sector procurement across state government and metropolitan and regional councils. She has led transformation projects that saved millions of dollars and thousands of hours, and is passionate about helping councils reimagine procurement as a strategic function that delivers both savings and compliance.
In this session, Bronwyn will explore the critical role of trust in contracting success. Drawing on fresh research into relational contracting, she shares practical strategies to build stronger partnerships between principals and contractors, avoid common pitfalls, and set contracts up for success from the outset. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on how trust can become the most powerful tool in their procurement toolkit.
David Griffiths
Chief Information Security Officer, Northern Beaches Council
Session: Cyber Protection in Practice
David, CISO at Northern Beaches Council and former manager of Cyber Security NSW’s intelligence and incident response team, brings first-hand experience of the cyber challenges facing councils across NSW. In this practical and eye-opening session, he takes you behind the scenes of real council incidents to reveal the realities of local government cybersecurity. David will share simple, actionable strategies that councils of all sizes can implement to strengthen protection, while highlighting why honest conversations and a mindset shift are key to resilience. Far from fear-driven, this session empowers attendees with the understanding and confidence to build safer, more resilient organisations.
Daniel Murray
CEO, Empathic Consulting
Session: Embedding Empathy into Culture to Drive Performance
Daniel is a leading expert on Strategic Empathy, helping leaders turn empathy into a measurable business advantage. Drawing on his experience advising Australia’s largest financial services companies and speaking across the APAC region, Daniel shows how organisations can combine human understanding with AI and data-driven decision-making to drive collaboration, strengthen trust, and unlock performance. In this engaging, thought-provoking session, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to embed empathy into culture, make better decisions, and lead more effectively in a rapidly evolving world.
Carly Cembala
Coordinator Procurement, Singleton Council
Session: Modern Slavery Journey Case Study
Carly has spent over a decade in local government, specialising in procurement, contract management, and building strong, transparent processes. In this session, she shares Singleton Council’s real-world journey tackling modern slavery and meeting the Guidance on Reasonable Steps (GRS). Carly will walk through the challenges faced and the practical steps taken, including improving risk assessments, ethical sourcing, and governance, offering lessons and insights councils can apply today and into the future.
Tania Lalor
Senior Consultant, Sustainable Procurement
Session: Leveraging Social Value in Procurement to Tackle Climate Change
Tania is a sustainability consultant specialising in sustainable procurement. She leads Sustainable Choice, LGP’s dedicated service supporting councils in integrating economic, social, and environmental considerations into procurement. With experience contributing to ISO 20400, the world’s first international standard on sustainable procurement, and recognised for her work addressing modern slavery risks, Tania brings deep expertise to this session. She will explore how local sourcing, supplier diversity, Indigenous engagement, and ethical supply chains can reduce emissions, support climate goals, and build stronger, low-carbon communities through every purchasing decision.
Why Attend or Exhibit?
- Stay Ahead: Explore AI, cyber security, resilient supply chains, and economic inclusion
- Practical Insights: Hear real case studies from councils tackling today’s challenges
- Networking Power: Connect with peers, suppliers, and industry leaders
- Take Home Value: Access strategies, tools, and inspiration to drive better outcomes in your council
Round Robin Networking
One of the most requested parts of our conference is back by popular demand! Our Round Robin Networking sessions are a structured way to make sure every exhibitor gets heard, and every delegate gets value.
Here’s how it works:
- Delegates are grouped into small teams of 3 or 4
- A staff member guides each group around the exhibitor booths
- Exhibitors give a short 3-minute pitch to each group
- Everyone gets the same chance to connect – no awkward standing around, no missed opportunities
For sponsors and exhibitors, it’s a guaranteed way to speak directly with all attendees.
For delegates, it’s an efficient and relaxed way to meet suppliers and discover what’s out there.
LGP Annual Conference Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Dinner Sponsor
WiFi Sponsor
Drinks Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
Name Badge Sponsor
Lanyard Sponsor
Sponsor & Exhibition Opportunities
Put your brand in front of a highly engaged audience and highlight your products and services to key local government staff.
You’ll find all the details including pricing, benefits, and how to apply, in the attached 2025 Sponsorship & Exhibition Prospectus.
Please note: to apply as a sponsor or exhibitor, you must complete the registration form linked on the last page of the prospectus.
Applications sent via email will not be accepted.
Attend the 2025 LGP Conference
Join procurement professionals and local government peers from across NSW for two days of insight, connection, and practical learning.
The full conference program and speaker lineup will be announced soon, with a strong mix of strategic sessions, sector updates, and real-world case studies already taking shape.
Secure your spot today to take advantage of our limited-time discounted rate.
