Go Back Up

May 2026 Townsville SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

Register your Interest

The full program brings together industry leaders, buyers, suppliers, and local experts for two days of ideas, insights, and opportunities. Express your interest in participating.

Expression of Interest

The Future Business Forum is a practical, outcomes-focused one of a kind event. Launching in Townsville for Small Business Month 2026 this inaugral event will be a catalyst for businesses to build capability, showcase their business, connect buyers with local experts and suppliers.    

Across one full program you can meet buyers, showcase expertise, level up capability, and form partnerships that lead to real work. The forum features a meet-the-buyers program, hands-on capability workshops, a business expo, and a showcase of local consultants and experts. It runs in Townsville in May 2026 for Small Business Month.

 

How can you get involved

Sponsor

Put your brand at the centre of regional business growth. Sponsorship options include naming rights for program elements, stage branding, hosted buyer lounges, and content features. You will receive promotional exposure before, during, and after the event, plus curated introductions to buyers and suppliers that match your interests.

Presenter

Share insight that helps businesses win work, improve delivery, or scale. We welcome short talks with clear takeaways. Ideal topics include procurement readiness, pricing and margins, HR, risk and compliance, digital capability, exporting, sustainability, cyber security, emerging trends and political landscape, motivation and leadership and growth funding. Slides optional. Real examples preferred.

Deliver a workshop

Run a practical, step-by-step session where participants leave with a tool, template, or plan. Sessions are 60 to 90 minutes with limited seats for quality engagement. We provide room setup, AV, and registrations. You provide the activity, materials, and clear outcomes.

Business Expo Booth

Show what you do best and meet decision-makers. Booths include trestle table, chairs, power, Wi-Fi, signage space, and listing in the expo guide. Options for demo zones and product trials are available. Perfect for suppliers, consultants, education providers, finance, technology, and services.

Procurement – Meet the Buyers

Buyers: take hosted meetings to brief local suppliers, discuss upcoming opportunities, and widen your panel. You will receive a curated schedule and supplier profiles.
Suppliers: book short, timed meetings with procurement teams and prime contractors. Bring capability statements, insurance details, and relevant certifications so you can progress to the next step quickly.

Next steps

  1. Express your interest with your preferred involvement type and a short outline of what you offer.

  2. We will confirm fit, share packages or session slots, and coordinate logistics.

  3. Finalise details, promote your participation, and get ready to connect.

Participate in a Panel

Panels will be strategically identified around Townsville’s key concerns and priorities. If you’d like to be considered, share a short bio and the specific insight you can bring. We’ll curate speakers to keep the conversation practical, local, and outcome-focused.

 

 

Round Tables

Host a practical small-group session where people leave with something useful. Tell us your topic, who it’s for, two short activities you’ll run, and the take-home outcome or tool. We provide the setup and a simple notes template so actions are captured.

Townsville’s strength is in its people. Across every discipline – from advanced manufacturing to creative industries – we have remarkable local talent driving real results. Sharing their stories reminds us that world-class capability doesn’t just come from the capital cities.

Dianne Newell

When you hear the stories behind the work being done right here in Townsville, you realise how much innovation, technical brilliance, and quiet determination lives in our own backyard. The Future Business Forum is about shining a light on that local talent and connecting it to opportunity.

Miranda Mears