Please note: Ticket sales are now closed. For those attending, the agenda and speaker line up below has been updated to include the latest speakers and topics HERE.

We are pleased to share the following agenda for the 2022 Hunter Defence Conference and, where confirmed, the leaders across Defence and Defence Industry who will be presenting at this year’s event.

The 2022 Hunter Defence conference has been extended from 2 to 3 days to increase the opportunities to hear from these leaders, as well as provide more chances to network and discuss specific projects and programs. We have also included an exhibition component which is proving popular. With limited spaces remaining for SMEs, we encourage you to download the prospectus and get in touch as soon as possible should you wish to exhibit.

CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY

Wed 31 August – Fri 2 September 2022

Emcee: Katherine Ziesing,
Strategic Communications Manager, Hanwha Defense Australia

 
DAY 1: WORKING WITH DEFENCE AND WORKFORCE SKILLING
  • NSW Defence Structure and Opportunities: 
  • Introduction to the Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS)
    • Working with Defence – Challenges, Pathways and Opportunities
    • An SME Showcase and Panel Discussion
  • Unpacking Defence Contracts + Essentials for your Defence Business
  • Examples of Collaboration in Defence
  • Finding Opportunities through Defence Estate and Infrastructure
  • Training Services NSW Hunter – Skilling for Recovery and Industry Workforce Partnerships Programs: Liana Nadalin, Training Services Manager at NSW Department of Education and Trevor John, CEO / Director of Regional Development, RDA Hunter
  • Tapping into a Greater Workforce Potential: Jane MacMaster, Chief Engineer at Engineers Australia; Effy Pantechis, Goal Group Senior Global Supply Chain Specialist.
 
DAY 2: FORCE STRUCTURE UPDATE AND INTEGRATED INVESTMENT PLAN OPPORTUNITIES

Force Structure Update and Australian Defence Industry: The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry

  • Defence NSW Advocacy + newly released NSW Defence Strategy: Mike Gallagher, Director Defence & Aerospace NSW, Investment NSW
  • Specific overview sessions for:
    • Nuclear Submarine: Vice Admiral Tim Barrett (Retd),
    • Space Command: AVM Cath Roberts;
    • Army Capability: BRIG Jeremy King;
    • Navy Capability: RADM Peter Quinn;
    • Air Force: AIRCDRE Peter Robinson;
    • Information Warfare: MAJGEN Susan Coyle
      – panel discussion to follow.
    • Defence and Aerospace Futures: Greg Ferguson, senior correspondent Australian Defence Magazine Australian Correspondent Defence News;
    • Astra Aerolab Precinct: Peter Cock, CEO Newcastle Airport; Williamtown Special Activation Precinct (SAP)
    • Hunter Defence Support Network: Adam Loong – Chair Hunter Defence Support Network.
  • Defence Innovation Update: “Concept to Capability” – DSTG Representative
 
DAY 3: FORCE STRUCTURE UPDATE AND INTEGRATED INVESTMENT PLAN OPPORTUNITIES
Regional Prime Defence Company Footprint and Opportunities
Presentations from:

 

  • Mr Warren McDonald, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia
    and New Zealand
  • Mr Scott Carpendale, VP/Managing Director at Boeing Defence Australia Ltd
  • Mr Andrew Chapman, Performance Management Specialist at BAE Systems
  • Mr Jeff Phillips, MD Varley Group
  • Mr Terry Van Haren, LeoLabs Australia
  • Mr Tim PickfordDirector Of Strategy and Business Development, Hanwha Defence Australia

Plus updates from the University of Newcastle/Hunter TAFE regarding the WLM Aerospace Academy Development.

 

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors who are supporting the conference in 2022:

There are a small number of sponsorships still available for any organisation wishing to join the above list and support the event.