The Summit 2026

The NSW Premier Event for Indigenous Business

The Summit

2 and 3 November 2026

Rydges Resort, Hunter Valley | Wonnarua Country

NSW's Premier Indigenous Business Event

 Two powerful days of connection, collaboration and opportunity will bring Indigenous businesses, government, industry, procurement leaders and decision-makers together for The Summit 2026.
 
Hosted by the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC), The Summit is our flagship annual event and one of the most significant gatherings of the Indigenous business sector in New South Wales.
Across two days, more than 1,000 delegates will come together for a major Indigenous Business Tradeshow, Masterclass, Knowledge Forum, networking events and the NSWICC Awards & Gala Dinner.
 
The Summit creates a unique environment for Indigenous businesses to showcase their capability, build commercial relationships and engage directly with the government and industry organisations seeking to increase Indigenous participation in their supply chains.
 
Media are invited to attend and cover The Summit 2026, with opportunities available for event coverage, interviews and pre-event stories.

Media Opportunities

The Summit brings together Indigenous business leaders and entrepreneurs alongside government decision-makers, procurement professionals, major industry representatives and thought leaders from across NSW.

For media, it provides access to the people and conversations shaping Indigenous business, procurement and economic participation.

Media opportunities include:

Attendance and coverage across The Summit 2026;
Interviews with Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs from across NSW;
Interviews with NSWICC leadership, government representatives, industry leaders, speakers and other key stakeholders;
Coverage of the Indigenous Business Tradeshow, featuring more than 100 trade booths;
Interviews and stories exploring Indigenous procurement, entrepreneurship and economic participation;
Coverage of keynote addresses, expert panels and Indigenous Business Showcases;
Photography and filming opportunities throughout the event; and
Coverage of the NSWICC Awards & Gala Dinner, recognising excellence and achievement across the Indigenous business sector.

Pre-event interviews and feature opportunities can also be coordinated in the lead-up to November.

 
Register interest in attending and covering The Summit 2026 or request an interview 
 

 

Story Angles

The Summit provides a unique opportunity to explore the Indigenous business sector through the experiences of businesses themselves, alongside the government and industry organisations seeking to engage Indigenous suppliers and build stronger Indigenous participation. 

Potential story angles include:
The State of Indigenous Business in NSW
Indigenous businesses are operating across an increasingly diverse range of industries and supply chains. What opportunities are emerging, where are the barriers, and what will drive the next stage of Indigenous business growth?
 
Indigenous Procurement: Closing the Gap between Policy and Practice
Governments and corporations have increasingly established Indigenous procurement targets, policies and commitments – but genuine participation requires more than targets.
 
The Summit brings Indigenous suppliers and buyers together to explore what effective procurement looks like in practice, including supplier engagement, capability, accountability and creating sustainable commercial opportunities. 
 
More than Construction: The Diversity of Indigenous Business
With more than 100 tradeshow booths, The Summit provides a highly visible demonstration of the scale, diversity and capability of the Indigenous business sector.
 
 Businesses represented span industries including construction, renewables, professional services, technology and digital services, tourism, education and many more. 
 
Tackling Black Cladding and Protecting Genuine Indigenous Participation
As Indigenous procurement continues to grow, so too does the importance of ensuring opportunities reach genuinely Indigenous-owned and controlled businesses.
 
 The Summit creates an opportunity to explore black cladding, business verification, ethical procurement and the role buyers can play in protecting the integrity of Indigenous procurement. 
 
Major Projects and the Opportunities Ahead
 Infrastructure, renewable energy, regional development and other major investments are creating significant opportunities across NSW.
 
What will it take to ensure Indigenous businesses are positioned to participate meaningfully in these projects and the economic opportunities they create?
 
From Indigenous Business to Indigenous Economic Growth
 Successful Indigenous businesses generate impacts well beyond individual contracts – creating employment, building wealth, supporting communities and contributing to stronger regional economies.
 

The Summit provides an opportunity to explore the broader economic impact of a strong and sustainable Indigenous business sector.

 

 

Two days of Impact

Day One | Monday, 2 November

Indigenous Business Tradeshow

More than 100 tradeshow booths will showcase the diversity, capability and innovation of Indigenous businesses from across NSW.

The Tradeshow provides an opportunity for government, industry and procurement professionals to meet Indigenous suppliers directly, discover new capabilities and build commercial relationships.

A dedicated Government & Industry Procurement Zone will further strengthen connections between Indigenous businesses and organisations seeking capable Indigenous suppliers.

For media, the Tradeshow provides a unique opportunity to meet and hear directly from Indigenous business owners working across a diverse range of industries and regions.

Masterclass

The 2026 Masterclass, Pitch Perfect – Shaping Your Brand for Success, will bring Indigenous businesses, government, private sector and not-for-profit participants together for an interactive session focused on organisational branding and communicating a compelling value proposition.

Networking Dinner

Day One concludes with an evening of networking, relationship building and entertainment, providing an informal environment for delegates to continue the conversations and connections established throughout the day.

See The Summit Program

 
 
 

Day Two | Tuesday, 3 November

Knowledge Forum

The Knowledge Forum brings together leading voices from Indigenous business, government and industry for a full day of keynote addresses, panel discussions, thought leadership and Indigenous Business Showcases.

Discussions will explore some of the most pressing issues and opportunities facing Indigenous businesses and buyers – from major project pipelines and renewable energy to workforce development and ethical procurement.

The program will also include a Ministerial Address from the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, providing insight into government priorities and policy direction influencing Indigenous economic participation in NSW.

Indigenous Business Showcases

Some of NSWICC's leading Indigenous enterprises will take to the stage to share their businesses, experiences, growth and ambitions.

These sessions put Indigenous businesses themselves at the centre of the conversation and provide an opportunity to hear directly from the people building and growing Indigenous enterprises across NSW.

NSWICC Awards & Gala Dinner

The Summit concludes with the NSWICC Awards & Gala Dinner, a black-tie celebration recognising excellence, achievement and leadership across the Indigenous business sector.

Across 12 award categories, the evening celebrates Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations contributing to the growth and success of the sector. 

See The Summit Awards

 
 

Event Details

The Summit 2026
Dates: Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 November 2026
Venue: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
Location: Wonnarua Country

The Summit 2026 features:

100+ Indigenous Business Tradeshow booths
30+ expert speakers
1,000+ delegates
12 NSWICC Award categories
Government & Industry Procurement Zone
Masterclass
Knowledge Forum
Indigenous Business Showcases
Networking Dinner
NSWICC Awards & Gala Dinner

 
 

Media Attendance & Interview Requests

Media representatives are invited to register their interest in:
 Attending The Summit 2026
Covering the Indigenous Business Tradeshow
Attending the Knowledge Forum
Covering the NSWICC Awards & Gala Dinner
Interviewing Indigenous business owners, speakers or NSWICC representatives
Arranging a pre-event interview or feature
Requesting images, background information or other media material 
 
Media Contact
Events NSWICC
NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce
events@nswicc.com.au
Media enquiries and interview requests ahead of the anniversary are welcome.
 

 

About The Summit

The Summit is the premier annual event of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce.

Hosted on Wonnarua Country in the Hunter Valley, it brings together Indigenous businesses, government, industry and procurement decision-makers to create connections that extend well beyond the two-day event.

At its heart, The Summit is about creating the conditions for greater Indigenous economic participation.

Despite a strong and growing pipeline of Indigenous businesses capable of delivering across government and industry supply chains, procurement spend remains below its potential.

The Summit brings both sides of the supply chain together – creating opportunities to build relationships, improve understanding, showcase Indigenous business capability and turn procurement commitments into meaningful commercial outcomes.

Learn more about The Summit

 

 

About NSWICC

The NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC) is the peak body for Indigenous business in New South Wales.
 
Since 2006, NSWICC has worked to strengthen the Indigenous business sector by supporting business growth and capability, connecting Indigenous suppliers with procurement opportunities, working with government and industry to improve Indigenous participation, and advocating for policies and practices that create genuine economic opportunity.
 
NSWICC's work extends across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW and includes business support and capability development, procurement services, training, advocacy, certification, partnerships and initiatives designed to strengthen the Indigenous business ecosystem.
 
At the centre of this work is a simple principle: strong Indigenous businesses create stronger communities, employment, economic independence and opportunities for future generations.
 
First for Indigenous Business since 2006.