*Please note that session details are subject to change and will be updated regularly.
Delegates will arrive at the hotel to register and check in ahead of the afternoon formalities.
* Hotel check in guarantee from 3pm.
Marketers and Networkers will make their way to the Ballroom to check-in and find their tables for Business Connect with first the meeting.
The dynamic Business Connect session is an experience in itself and unique to iMedia Summits. Attendees will delve into 10 x 10 minute efficient and purposeful meetings. In these quick yet impactful sessions marketers will get the chance to uncover synergies, tap into innovative solutions, and open the door for a prospective business partnership. This session is all about maximising a marketers networking and tech awareness, and driving strategic goals to gain that competitive edge. Delegates are required to request and confirm these meetings prior to the summit.
Delegates will be able to use this time to refresh, check-in with work and explore the surroundings.
The official Welcome Dinner & networking reception held on the first night is the perfect way to build relationships with key conference delegates, speakers, and sponsors in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Dinner Keynote - Leading across Generations in a Transformative Era
We are living through a defining decade – one marked by unprecedented technological advancement, sweeping social shifts, and one of the most significant generational transitions in history. As Baby Boomers retire, Generation X and Millennials rise into leadership, and Gen Z enters the workforce in full force, the way we live, lead, work, and connect is being reshaped. In this engaging keynote, Ashley Fell will unpack the generational and technological megatrends reshaping consumer expectations, marketing approaches, and workplace culture. She’ll explore the evolving values and motivations of each generation and will equip attendees with insights to foster engagement, build inclusive teams, and futureproof their organisations – ultimately enabling them not just to navigate change, but to shape it.
Delegates will be provided with an amazing breakfast buffet at the hotel and freshly brewed Barista coffee to fuel up for an action-packed day ahead.
As customer intent becomes more complex and fleeting, the traditional role of the CMO is under pressure. Consumers now move through decision journeys that are fast, unpredictable, and heavily influenced by context—making old-school marketing models feel increasingly out of step.
This session explores how marketing leadership needs to evolve to keep pace, focusing on the role of AI in decoding and responding to shifting customer expectations.
What’s covered:
AI is transforming SEO, but it's important to separate genuine opportunities from the hype! In this session, StudioHawk breaks it down, showing how AI can sharpen your SEO strategy without replacing expertise or real results. We’ll dive into practical ways to use AI while staying laser-focused on what drives rankings, traffic, and revenue.
Take a breather and enjoy a refreshing morning tea break. It's a great time to unwind, mingle with other attendees, and prepare for the next set of discussions.
Join us for a series of dynamic roundtable discussions where collaboration leads to innovation. In these 30-minute sessions, you’ll connect with industry peers to tackle common challenges, exchange success stories and explore cutting-edge strategies shaping the future of marketing. Forge meaningful connections, explore best practices, and become an integral part of the marketing community’s evolution.
Moderated By: Brendan Murphy, General Manager, AUS/NZ, Marigold
Moderated By: Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO, Contentstack
Is personalisation really revolutionising marketing, or is it just another buzzword? With concerns over data accuracy, the 'creepiness factor,' and algorithmic bias, brands are reevaluating how they approach meaningful and effective personalisation.
Join Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO of Contentstack, for an engaging roundtable discussion on the current landscape of personalisation in digital marketing. Together, we'll dive into:
This interactive session invites participants to share their own challenges, experiences, and insights. It's designed to foster collaboration and provide actionable insights that can drive new approaches.
Whether you're skeptical about personalisation or a staunch advocate, this roundtable promises to offer valuable insights on navigating this complex landscape with both strategy and a human touch.
Join us for a series of dynamic roundtable discussions where collaboration leads to innovation. In these 30-minute sessions, you'll connect with industry peers to tackle common challenges, exchange success stories and explore cutting-edge strategies shaping the future of marketing. Forge meaningful connections, explore best practices, and become an integral part of the marketing community's evolution.
Moderated By: Brendan Murphy, General Manager, AUS/NZ, Marigold
Moderated By: Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO, Contentstack
Is personalisation really revolutionising marketing, or is it just another buzzword? With concerns over data accuracy, the 'creepiness factor,' and algorithmic bias, brands are reevaluating how they approach meaningful and effective personalisation.
Join Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO of Contentstack, for an engaging roundtable discussion on the current landscape of personalisation in digital marketing. Together, we'll dive into:
This interactive session invites participants to share their own challenges, experiences, and insights. It's designed to foster collaboration and provide actionable insights that can drive new approaches.
Whether you're skeptical about personalisation or a staunch advocate, this roundtable promises to offer valuable insights on navigating this complex landscape with both strategy and a human touch.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, performance advertising can no longer rely solely on search and social. To drive sustainable growth, brands must embrace the open web and other emerging channels beyond the traditional platforms.
Join us for a series of dynamic roundtable discussions where collaboration leads to innovation. In these 30-minute sessions, you'll connect with industry peers to tackle common challenges, exchange success stories and explore cutting-edge strategies shaping the future of marketing. Forge meaningful connections, explore best practices, and become an integral part of the marketing community's evolution.
Moderated By: Brendan Murphy, General Manager, AUS/NZ, Marigold
Moderated By: Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO, Contentstack
Is personalisation really revolutionising marketing, or is it just another buzzword? With concerns over data accuracy, the 'creepiness factor,' and algorithmic bias, brands are reevaluating how they approach meaningful and effective personalisation.
Join Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO of Contentstack, for an engaging roundtable discussion on the current landscape of personalisation in digital marketing. Together, we'll dive into:
This interactive session invites participants to share their own challenges, experiences, and insights. It's designed to foster collaboration and provide actionable insights that can drive new approaches.
Whether you're skeptical about personalisation or a staunch advocate, this roundtable promises to offer valuable insights on navigating this complex landscape with both strategy and a human touch.
Step aboard your very own private catamaran and get ready for an afternoon of sailing through the stunning Gold Coast Broadwater—your new personal playground. Surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters and breathtaking views, you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped into a postcard.
Sail the Gold Coast's magnificent waterways from Southport to Sovereign Islands, cruise past sensational superyachts, visit isolated islands and pristine beaches, experience the thrill of sailing in complete comfort, and if the wind strikes, we will 'raft up' for a party on the water.
It’s the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and laughs, all set against the best backdrop imaginable. So, hop aboard for an unforgettable day on the water!
Dress code alert: Swimmers and towel (if you plan to swim), jacket (for cooler days), sunglasses and sunscreen, and shoes that you can easily slip off.
Ready to unleash your inner Picasso? Join us for a 3-hour paint and sip session at the Sheraton Grand Mirage, where you'll get to sip wine, snack on nibbles, and (attempt to) create a masterpiece. Our team of expert artists will walk you through everything from beginner brushstrokes to advanced techniques, but don’t worry—we’ll leave plenty of room for you to go rogue.
By the end of the day, even if your “abstract” art looks like a toddler’s masterpiece, you’ll still leave with something you can proudly hang on your fridge.
Get ready to swing into action at the stunning RACV Royal Pines Resort for a nine-hole competition that promises laughs, some very serious friendly rivalry, and maybe a few golf swings that leave us all wondering what just happened.
You’ll be teamed up in squads of four, where golf lovers (and those just here for the fun) can unite for the most social game around—Ambrose! After your team's valiant efforts to conquer the course (or, you know, just pretending to know what you’re doing), join us for well-deserved drinks and the all-important awards ceremony. Who’s taking home the trophies for First Place, Longest Drive, and Nearest to the Drive? Spoiler alert: It’s anyone’s game!
Brace yourself to swing, sip, and socialise like a golfing pro... or at least look the part while you’re at it!
Dress Code Alert: Collared shirts only, no singlets or t-shirts, and please, no thongs (we’re not on a beach). Closed shoes only—leave your metal spikes at home, it’s a soft spike course.
Day 3 begins with breakfast and barista coffee!
In a world where everything is starting to look and sound the same, how do we break free from the pull of mediocrity? From coffee shops to logos, apartments to ads, we’re seeing a global drift toward visual and creative sameness. And as generative AI tools like ChatGPT go mainstream, that same homogenisation is beginning to shape how we think, decide, create and communicate.
In this provocative and practical talk, Headspring founder Mark Byrne explores the cultural forces behind this convergence, the hidden risks of AI-driven thinking, and what it really takes to build distinctive, high-performing teams in the era of automation. Drawing on work with more than 1,700 professionals across marketing and leadership teams, he shows why the opportunity isn’t just to go faster - it’s to produce work that’s sharper, braver and more valuable. This is a talk for anyone who doesn’t want to be average - and for any organisation ready to move beyond tools and prompts toward the deeper transformation AI makes possible.
In a world increasingly defined by automation and efficiency, one question remains: how do we keep our customer interactions human?
Voice is often overlooked in the race toward digital transformation—but it’s still one of the most powerful ways to build trust, resolve complexity, and create a sense of presence. In this session from Twilio, we’ll explore how programmable voice, powered by real-time data and APIs, can help brands not just respond faster—but connect more meaningfully.
This isn’t about replacing people with machines. It’s about using technology to make conversations smarter, more personal, and more impactful—at scale. We’ll share stories of how companies are using voice to transform support, strengthen relationships, and stay present in the moments that matter most. Because at the end of the day, customers don’t just want speed—they want to feel heard.
Need a break from absorbing all this incredible content? Recharge and refuel with some morning tea. It's the perfect opportunity to relax, network, and prepare for the next wave of insightful sessions.
In a world where AI can write scripts, edit footage, and generate content in seconds, where does that leave real storytelling?
In this fast-paced 10-minute session, Josh Hamilton—filmmaker, photographer, and founder of The Edit Suite—dives into the creative crossroads between AI and emotion. Drawing from years of emotionally resonant content, he examines how AI can support the creative process—and where human intuition remains irreplaceable.
You'll leave with a new perspective on content creation, an understanding of how to harness AI without losing the human, and a reminder that the best stories aren’t generated—they’re felt.
Don’t mix business and politics? Those days are long gone! Today’s brand leaders must navigate geopolitics, big personalities and the economic impact of disruption at scale. You know this story: Tariffs, interest rates, regulatory threats, psychosocial hazards, and trying to read the room on DEI – what’s right for customers and the business? This unmissable, high-energy closing session brings to the stage two of Australia’s experts in the intersection of politics, marketing and brand strategy to tackle the ultimate riddle: How can marketers survive and thrive in the age of uncertainty?”
Josh Faulks, CEO at AANA and former dep. chief of staff for the Attorney-General, along and Emma Webster, Director at Hawker Britton and former advisor to Prime Minister Julia Gillard join facilitator and iMedia Advisory Board Chair Mark Jones on stage for a fearless conversation about life for CMOs and marketers in 2026.
Recording live for The CMO Show podcast, this session will feature interactive audience polls as the panel dissects everything from US politics and its local influence, as well as lessons in personal branding and effective messaging for professional legacy.