The National Festival of Design 2026 will bring together Australia’s design, construction and building industries in Canberra from 22 to 25 October for three days of inspiration, education, networking and celebration. Featuring the National Trade Show, two-day National Conference, CPD workshop sessions, networking events, live entertainment and the National Design Awards Gala Dinner and Red Carpet Cocktail Party, the festival provides a unique opportunity for building designers, architects, industry leaders, students and suppliers to connect, discover new products and innovations, gain valuable industry insights and celebrate excellence in Australian design.

For more information and to register, click here

Join us for the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council’s Annual General Meeting and Council meeting on 29 October 2026 at the Private Dining Rooms at Australian Parliament House from 9:30AM to 4:30PM

The day will be packed with pollies, panels and plenty of opportunities to catch up with colleagues from across the built environment.

We hope to see you there!

To find out more and to register, click here

Along the sidelines of ASBEC’s Council meeting and on the eve of World Cities Day (31 October 2026), eight national peak organisations* are coming together in Canberra to spark a conversation with federal government decision makers about the future of Australia’s urban and regional cities.

As the National Urban Policy approaches its second anniversary, there’s plenty to discuss about how we plan for growth, deliver housing and infrastructure, and create great places for people. Urban Week presents an important opportunity for ASBEC and members to advance our ambition for a more integrated approach to shaping Australia’s cities and towns.

The Urban Week events program presents a range of opportunities to advance the policy priorities identified in Building Australia’s Next Urban Chapter.

Held from 26-30 October, Urban Week 2026 will explore how Australia can build more resilient, prosperous and liveable communities for future generations.  

Designing Better Growth: Canberra’s Urban Renewal in Action

Monday 26 October | Urban Week Launch | 1:30pm to 3pm

Explore Canberra’s urban renewal on a guided study tour, followed by the official launch of Urban Week.

Register here: Designing Better Growth: Canberra’s Urban Renewal in Action

Resilience by Design: A Vision for Urban Australia

Thursday 29 October | World Cities Day Public Lecture | 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Join Honorary Professor Barbara Norman at ANU for the World Cities Day Public Lecture, followed by a panel discussion.

Register here: World Cities Day address: Resilience by design – A Vision for Urban Australia

Both events are free, but registrations are essential.

*Urban Week is a shared initiative of the Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), Committee for Capital Cities, Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, National Shelter, Planning Institute of Australia and Property Council of Australia.

The inaugural PTAANZ Global Transport Leaders Summit will bring the world’s most influential transport leaders, policymakers, city shapers and innovators to Sydney for three days of high-impact dialogue, collaboration and action.

Held just days ahead of the COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Turkiye, the Summit will play a critical role in shaping the international transport agenda, particularly the role of public transport, active travel and mode shift in achieving climate targets.

To find out more and register, click here

Two incredible days of Proptech! This year’s theme, From Adoption to Advantage, reflects exactly where our sector is right now — AI adoption is old news, and turning it into real, lasting advantage without losing client trust is what matters next.

The future of infrastructure is being shaped today, and the conversations happening now will define the projects, partnerships and policies of tomorrow. Join Infrastructure Sustainability Council at the Sustainability Summit to hear from industry leaders, explore emerging challenges and opportunities, and connect with the people driving sustainable infrastructure across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Whether you’re looking to build capability, gain fresh insights or expand your professional network, the Sustainability Summit offers practical ideas, meaningful conversations and valuable connections that you can take back to your organisation. Be part of the discussion and help shape what’s next for our industry.

PORTS OF PURPOSE

Perth

18-19 November 2026

Exploring how major port investment can drive decarbonisation, resilient infrastructure, sustainable supply chains, economic prosperity, and positive community outcomes across Western Australia.

To find out more, click here

DBI2026 is the second international conference delivered under the Decarbonising the Building Industry (DBI) initiative. The conference will be held on 19–20 November 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The conference brings together researchers, industry leaders, practitioners, and policy makers to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the built environment: how to significantly reduce carbon emissions across the full building lifecycle.

In 2026, DBI will be co-hosted with the 12th International Conference on Innovative Production and Construction (IPC2026), creating a co-branded international event that strengthens links between decarbonisation, innovation, and construction delivery.

To find out more, click here

The future of infrastructure is being shaped today, and the conversations happening now will define the projects, partnerships and policies of tomorrow. Join Infrastructure Sustainability Council at the Sustainability Summit to hear from industry leaders, explore emerging challenges and opportunities, and connect with the people driving sustainable infrastructure across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Whether you’re looking to build capability, gain fresh insights or expand your professional network, the Sustainability Summit offers practical ideas, meaningful conversations and valuable connections that you can take back to your organisation. Be part of the discussion and help shape what’s next for our industry.

POWERING TOMORROW

Building the Productive City

SYDNEY

The future of infrastructure is being shaped today, and the conversations happening now will define the projects, partnerships and policies of tomorrow. Join Infrastructure Sustainability Council at the Sustainability Summit to hear from industry leaders, explore emerging challenges and opportunities, and connect with the people driving sustainable infrastructure across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

BUILDING VICTORIA’S RESILIENT FUTURE

MELBOURNE

10-11 February 2027

As climate adaptation moves centre stage, this summit explores how Victoria can build resilient infrastructure, secure water resources, accelerate electrification and support sustainable economic growth.

To find out more, click here

The future of infrastructure is being shaped today, and the conversations happening now will define the projects, partnerships and policies of tomorrow. Join Infrastructure Sustainability Council at the Sustainability Summit to hear from industry leaders, explore emerging challenges and opportunities, and connect with the people driving sustainable infrastructure across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

RESOURCES RECOVERY

GOLD COAST

24-25 February 2027

Accelerating decarbonisation through resource recovery, resource innovation and sustainable infrastructure.

To find out more, click here

The future of infrastructure is being shaped today, and the conversations happening now will define the projects, partnerships and policies of tomorrow. Join Infrastructure Sustainability Council at the Sustainability Summit to hear from industry leaders, explore emerging challenges and opportunities, and connect with the people driving sustainable infrastructure across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

MOVE ZERO

Auckland

17-18 March 2027

Exploring bold approaches to transport electrification, emissions reduction and sustainable mobility for future generations.

To find out more, click here

Concrete 2027 will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the wonderful Brisbane River in Southbank from 5–8 September 2027.

Associate Professor Vinh Dao from the University of Queensland is the Concrete 2027 Chair. Vinh has a wealth of experience in academia and research, as well as being a CIA National Councillor and State Committee member for over 20 years. His local and international network will be invaluable in this role, as will his experience in technical and scientific conferences around the world.

Vinh will be supported by Dr Greg van Rooyen who will be part of the Technical Committee and Organising Committee. Greg is the Materials Lead in Queensland for BG&E and is also the National Vice President of the CIA. His commercial experience and connections with the CIA Queensland committee and members will be invaluable.

Early Bird Registrations Open 1 October 2026

Call for Abstracts Now Open

Concrete 2027 invites you to help shape the future of the concrete industry. Share your work, connect with leaders across research and practice, and contribute to a program exploring digitisation, durability and decarbonisation, and the evolving role of concrete in the built environment.

Submit your abstract here