The Knowledge Forum brings together pioneers of supplier diversity with Australia’s leading Indigenous entrepreneurs and business voices – creating a space for important conversations relevant to the sector and the broader Australian landscape.

The Knowledge Forum ticket is available as a one-day pass (includes access to the Knowledge Forum and Networking Reception) or two-day pass (includes access to the Knowledge Forum, Networking Reception and Indigenous Business Tradeshow).

Event Details
  • Date

    Wednesday 20 August 2025
  • Time

    8:30am – 4:30pm
  • Location

    Pyrmont Theatre, Level 2, Convention Centre
    ICC Sydney
    14 Darling Drive NSW 2000

Purchase tickets

Exhibitor*
Attendee

*Exhibitors must be Supply Nation Registered or Certified Indigenous businesses

Agenda

7:30am – 8:15am
Breakfast workshop: Marketing and building your brand
Host: Commonwealth Bank
Meeting room C2.5
8:30am – 8:50am
Opening proceedings
Pyrmont Theatre
8:55am – 9:25am
Fireside Chat with Adam Goodes
Facilitator: Kate Russell (Supply Nation)
Speakers: Adam Goodes (iDiC)
Pyrmont Theatre
9:30am – 10:30am
Panel 1: Global DEI trends and government policy: what’s next for Indigenous procurement
Facilitator: Jason Timor (Stonecrab)
Speakers: Belinda Murdoch (Qantas), Mark Dokis (First Nations Procurement Authority), Shane Dexter (National Indigenous Australians Agency)
Pyrmont Theatre
10:30am – 11:25am
Morning tea
Pyrmont Theatre Foyer
11:30am – 12:20pm
Panel 2: Bridging Two Worlds: Blending traditional knowledge with emerging industries
Facilitator: Rae Johnston (Knowledge Forum host)
Speakers: Simon O’Toole (Alliance ICT), Tully Mahr (University of Melbourne)
Pyrmont Theatre
12:25pm – 1:15pm
Panel 3: Barriers to Breakthrough: Sustainable growth strategies for Indigenous business
Facilitator: Claire Beattie (National Australia Bank (NAB))
Speakers: Gavin Brown (Yamagigu Consulting), Sharna Collard (Kooya), Tomika Johnson (Waddi Group)
Pyrmont Theatre
1:35pm – 2:20pm
Lunchtime workshop: International Expansion Amid Disruption: First Nations Opportunities
Hosts: EY and Export Council of Australia
Meeting rooms C2.3
2:35pm – 3:30pm
Panel 4: Scaling Through Partnerships: How corporates and Indigenous businesses can grow together
Facilitator: Michelle Tierney (CareerTrackers)
Speakers: Gary Wilson (Tiicma Enterprises), Liam Harte (Tika EQ), Norman Laing (Ernst and Young (EY))
Pyrmont Theatre
3:35pm – 4:30pm
Panel 5: Beyond Spend: Measuring Social Value in Indigenous procurement
Facilitator: Glenn Johnston
Speakers: Cherie Thompson (Native Secrets Australia), Jessica Simpson (BHP), Associate Professor Rick Macourt (First Nations Economics)
Pyrmont Theatre
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Networking Reception
Pyrmont Theatre Foyer