The 24th annual flagship event of the Hunter Innovation Festival, bringing together builders, founders, investors and decision-makers across energy, aerospace, health and advanced manufacturing.
The Hunter Innovation Festival returns to The NEX at 309 King Street, Newcastle West, on Thursday 24 November. Now in its 24th year, it's Hunter iF's flagship event and the region's hub where bold thinking gets a room. Last year it asked 'What If?' and drew 600 people; this year it shifts to 'Yes, And...', the language of people who take an idea and run with it, moving from possibility to action.
The day is framed as a festival to join rather than a conference to watch, bringing together the region's builders, founders, investors and decision-makers across energy, aerospace, health and advanced manufacturing. It's less about sitting and listening and more about being in the room with the people actually doing the work. The 2026 edition is backed by a City of Newcastle grant and a major NSW Government grant.
Beyond the main day, the festival runs a roadshow into regional heartlands, taking in Cessnock, Maitland and Muswellbrook to showcase local founders and technologies in Industrial-Tech, the Energy Transition, Health and the Circular Economy. It's a way of taking the conversation out of the city and into the towns where a lot of this work is actually happening.
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On the partners front, Greensteel Australia is the keynote partner, The Measured Marketer is the marketing partner and NTP Talent is the podcast partner. The main day runs from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and tickets range from A$49 to A$249.
Date
Tuesday, 24 November 2026
08:00
Price
Paid
Recommended Age
+18 years
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