AuSAE’s Conference & Exhibition returns to ICC Sydney, 29 September to 1 October 2027

Australia and New Zealand’s association and not-for-profit sector will come together in Sydney from 29 September to 1 October 2027 for three days of learning, connection and collaboration.

AuSAE’s Conference & Exhibition (ACE) will return in 2027, with the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney set to welcome association leaders, executives, professionals and industry partners from across Australia and New Zealand.

Taking place from Wednesday 29 September to Friday 1 October 2027, ACE 2027 will bring the sector together to share ideas, explore emerging challenges and consider how associations can continue to deliver meaningful impact for their members, industries and communities.

Leading with purpose, measuring what matters

Associations play an important role in shaping industries, supporting communities and bringing people together around shared goals. As expectations continue to evolve, association professionals are navigating questions about member value, organisational sustainability, leadership, technology and the future of their professions.

ACE 2027 will provide an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day demands of running an association, learn from peers and explore new approaches to the challenges facing the sector.

ACE is where the sector comes together, by members for members, to connect purpose to action, and action to impact.

Three days to learn, connect and collaborate

ACE has become an important opportunity for association professionals to learn from one another, benchmark their experiences and build relationships with people who understand the unique challenges of the sector.

For delegates, that means gaining fresh perspectives, hearing how other organisations are approaching familiar challenges and returning to work with practical ideas to explore with their teams.

For leadership teams, attending together can help build a shared understanding of organisational priorities, support professional development and create space for conversations about the future.

The ACE exhibition will also connect delegates with suppliers and service providers who work with associations, providing opportunities to explore solutions, ask questions and build relationships that extend beyond the conference.

Just as importantly, ACE creates space for the conversations that happen between sessions. Connecting with peers who understand the realities of association leadership can offer new perspectives, reassurance and the opportunity to learn from experiences that are rarely captured in a presentation.

A sector that learns from one another

AuSAE CEO Toni Brearley, CAE, said bringing the association community together remains central to the conference.

“Associations are at their strongest when they learn from one another. ACE 2027 is about connecting purpose to action and action to impact, and we’re delighted to bring our sector together in Sydney to make that happen.”

As Australia and New Zealand’s association and not-for-profit sector continues to evolve, opportunities to share knowledge, challenge thinking and strengthen professional connections remain an important part of building capability across the sector.

ACE provides a space for those conversations, bringing together people who are working towards a common goal: helping their organisations deliver greater value and make a meaningful difference.

ACE 2027 at a glance

When: Wednesday 29 September to Friday 1 October 2027
Where: ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour
Who: Association CEOs, executives, senior managers, professionals, suppliers and industry partners

Start planning for Sydney

Although the conference is still awhile away, now is a good time for association professionals to add the dates to their calendars and begin considering how ACE could fit into their 2027 professional development plans.

Discussing attendance with your board or leadership team early can help with budgeting and make it easier to bring colleagues along. Attending with others from your organisation can also help you cover more sessions and bring a broader range of ideas back to your team.

Program, speaker, sponsorship, exhibition and registration details will be announced closer to the event.

Save the dates: 29 September to 1 October 2027.

AuSAE looks forward to welcoming Australia and New Zealand’s association and not-for-profit community to ICC Sydney for ACE 2027.

For updates, visit the AuSAE website and follow AuSAE on social media.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Sydney in 2027.