We’ve been holding onto this announcement for a little while — Julius Solaris is coming to Brisbane to open ACE 2026 – AuSAE’s Conference & Exhibition.

If you work in events, marketing, associations, or member engagement, chances are you’ve come across his work already. Julius has been one of the most influential voices shaping the global events industry for years — recognised by BizBash as the most influential person in events over the past 25 years, and inducted into the Event Industry Council Hall of Leaders in 2024. He’s known for challenging assumptions, cutting through trends, and pushing the sector to think differently about what events are really for.

This will be his first appearance in Australia.

He’ll open ACE 2026 on Wednesday 26 August with a standalone keynote, before joining delegates at the ACE 2026 Welcome Reception that evening. It sets the tone for what ACE is really about — not just a program of sessions, but a shared starting point for the conversations, ideas, and collaborations that follow.

ACE 2026 is on 26–28 August at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, and this year's theme - Driving Impact - sits at the heart of why association professionals do what they do.

Every decision you make, every program you deliver, every member you support all contributes to something bigger. And this year, we're putting that front and centre: what it means to lead with purpose, focus on what matters, and create genuine, measurable impact for the industries and communities your association serves.

In a sector that rarely slows down, ACE is designed to create something different; space to step back, reflect, and reconnect with the bigger picture. Not just what’s happening now, but what needs to change next.

Registrations are now open.

You can register for the full ACE 2026 conference experience, or choose to attend the Special Event: Industry Conversation with Julius Solaris as a standalone session. Register and explore more here: ausae.org.au/ace

We hope to see you there.