• ADM Congress

    This major Defence/Industry Conference has evolved into a pivotal event in the Defence calendar, attracting over 500 delegates each year.

    19 February 2025
    Hyatt Hotel, Canberra

    BOOK NOW INTERESTED IN ATTENDING

Co-located with ADM AUKUS Pillar II Conference & ADM Space Summit 2025. One registration gives access to all three conferences.

Overview

The ADM Congress returns to Canberra for the 22nd year on 19 February 2025 at the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra.

This annual industry gathering regularly attracts over 500 senior-level attendees and includes addresses from Government, Defence leadership, prime contractors, and SMEs. The Congress is the pivotal event in the Australian defence calendar focussing on future capability requirements, major acquisition projects, sustainment, regional geopolitics, and national security issues.

Don’t miss out on policy dialogue and high-level debate at the 22nd ADM Congress 2025.

New for 2025! An Unprecedented Opportunity – All in One Place!

The Australian Defence Magazine Congress will be co-located with the Australian Defence Magazine AUKUS Pillar II and the 6th ADM Space Summit. This unique convergence of events gives you exclusive access to three powerhouse industry gatherings with just one registration. It’s the ultimate opportunity to engage with key decision-makers, industry experts, and thought leaders across defence, space, and international collaboration.

And that’s not all – we’ve got special rates for SMEs and academia, ensuring everyone can join in on the action. Department of Defence/ADF attend for free – see details below.

Get in early! The first 300 delegates to register will receive a complimentary seat at the ADM Congress Dinner, valued at $350 + GST. Don’t miss out on this exclusive chance to network, dine, and discuss the future of defence and space.

What past attendees have said:

The ADM congress provides valuable insights into the direction Defence is steering. It also brings together industry partners in a forum to hear what is working well and what can be incorporated into our current roles to better serve Defence.

The line up of speakers was second to none! The professional learning, particularly post DSR, was invaluable.

Sponsors

Gold & Coffee Cart Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

Exhibitors

Speakers


The Hon Andrew Hastie MP
Shadow Minister for Defence


Amy List
Managing Director,
Boeing Defence Australia


Marc Ablong PSM
Senior Fellow, ASPI


Jeremy Rockcliff
Premier of Tasmania

ADM Congress Charity Dinner

19th February 2025 | Grand Hyatt, Canberra

Wrap up the day’s exciting discussions in style at the ADM Congress Charity Dinner. This evening offers the perfect opportunity to continue networking with fellow Congress attendees while supporting a great cause. Join key industry leaders, defence experts, and policymakers for an unforgettable night of conversation and charity.

Special guest speaker: Major General (Retired) Andrew Bottrell, AO, CSC and Bar, DSM

Special offer – the first 300 conference delegates get a FREE seat at the dinner.

ADM Congress Welcome Reception

18th February 2025 | Grand Hyatt, Canberra

Your event experience begins with the ADM Congress Welcome Reception. Network, connect, and engage while enjoying refreshments, as you hear from a distinguished guest speaker (stay tuned for the announcement!)

This exclusive event is included in your conference ticket.

Location: Hyatt Hotel, Canberra
19 February 2025 | 6:30pm

Experience an unforgettable evening at the ADM Congress Charity Dinner, at the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra. This event offers more than just a night of networking; it provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause.

2024 AGENDA

WELCOME RECEPTION | Tuesday 20th February 2024

The Australian Defence Magazine will be hosting welcome drinks for all delegates attending ADM Congress 2024.

18:00 – 19:30

Lavender Courtyard, Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Wednesday 21st February 2024

8:50

 Welcome to Country

8:55

Welcome from ADM

Ewen Levick, Publisher, ADM

9:00

Introduction from the chair

Air Vice Marshal (Ret’d) Steven “Zed” Roberton, DSC, AM, ECEC Senior Advisor, Canberra, McKinsey & Co

9:05

MINISTERIAL VIDEO WELCOME ADDRESS |

The Hon Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry

9:10

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS | Australia’s Strategic Defence Imperatives

The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Defence

9:30

KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Innovations in Australian Defence: Next generation weapons & guided ordnance

  • Guided weapons and precision targeting
  • Identifying challenges and opportunities
  • Collaboration between industry, academia and defence

AIRMSHL Leon Phillips OAM, Chief Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, Department of Defence

10:00

INDUSTRY KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Enhancing Australia’s national security: Defence industry’s role, collaboration and future innovation

  • The current state of the Australian defence industry and it’s role bolstering national security
  • Exploring how Australia’s defence industry collaborates across sectors and with international partners
  • Risks and opportunities arising from growth and development
  • Embracing emerging technologies and manufacturing techniques

Air Marshal (Ret’d) Warren McDonald AO, CSC, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia

10:30

Defence readiness and leadership empowerment in today’s Defence force

Laurence McHauser, Partner – London, McKinsey & Co

10:55

Welcome to Morning Tea

Geoff Camp, Executive Director – Defence, JLL Australia

11:00

Networking & Refreshments Break

11:30

PANEL | Military Innovation and Research: Shaping the Future of Defence with Advanced Technologies

  • Exploring the Impact of AI, autonomous systems and space capabilities on modern Defence strategies
  • Assessing the investment and collaboration between Defence, academia and industry
  • How innovation in military technology can improve resource utilisation and readiness
  • Global partnerships in research and innovation

Muhammad Usman, Team Leader – Quantum Systems, CSIRO’s Data61
Mel McDowall, Director, Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Network (DAIRNet)
William Infante, Innovation Lead – Digital Technologies, Navantia Australia
Moderator: Jake Kearsley, Managing Director, Para Bellum Solutions

12:05

Australia’s Defence Budget Dilemma

  • Implications of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR)
  • How are Defence budget constraints hindering strategic preparedness?
  • Challenges of overprogramming in the acquisition budget
  • Should there be an increase in the 2% of GDP allocation to Defence?

Bec Shrimpton, Director Defence Strategy and National Security, ASPI

12:30

PANEL | AUKUS Pillar 2: Jointly Developing Advanced Capabilities

  • Developing next generation weapons technology
  • Integrating AI into space capability
  • Collaboration between the three AUKUS partners

Steve Moore, FAS AUKUS Advanced Capabilities, Department of Defence
Prof Emily Hilder, Head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), Department of Defence
David Nockels, FAS – Industry Policy Division, Department of Defence

Moderator: Kate Louis, Executive Director, AI Group

13:05

Networking & Lunch Break

14:00

PANEL | Global Security Challenges and Australia’s Position in the World

  • Indo-Pacific dynamic, geopolitical tensions and alliances
  • Emerging threats, instability, and environmental security
  • Strategic interests, soft power, and diplomacy

Jennifer Parker, Expert associate National Security College ANU and adjunct fellow at UNSW
Dr Malcolm Davis, Senior Analyst, ASPI
AVM (Ret’d) John Blackburn AO, Chair, Institute for Integrated Economic Research – Australia

Moderator: Justin Burke, Senior Policy Advisor – National Security College, ANU

14:35

Leveraging Science for Defence Advancement

  • CSIRO’s research focus areas and their relevance to Defence
  • Successful collaboration and projects within the Defence sector
  • Emerging technologies and trends

Dr Gareth Parker, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO

15:00

PANEL | Expanding Australia’s Defence Export and Investment Landscape

  • Highlighting the key role Defence exports and investment play in the Australia’s economy and national security
  • Government and industry driven initiatives
  • Key markets and partnerships
  • Regulatory challenges

Anthony Weymouth, Head of Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, AUSTRADE
Andrew Dudgeon, Partner, McKinsey & Co

Kendell Kuczma, Director Business Development, Lockheed Martin, Rotary and Mission Systems Australia & New Zealand
Moderator: Kate Louis, Executive Director, AI Group

15:35

Networking & Refreshments Break

16:00

KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Achieving a more integrated ADF
  • Improving efficiency and cohesiveness
  • Focussing on the wellbeing of Defence personnel
  • Ensuring the best talent is retained

MAJGEN Wade Stothart, Head Military Personnel – Defence People Group, Department of Defence

16:25

PANEL | Empowering Growth: Strategies for Effective SME Engagement in Defence Industry

  • How can SMEs contribute to technological innovation and adaptation
  • How is current policy and initiatives supporting SMEs
  • Ensuring accessibility for SMEs

Jeremy Satchell, Head of Industry Capability, BAE Systems Australia
Brent Clark, Chief Executive Officer, AIDN
Greg Barsby, CEO, Penten
Moderator: Stuart Althaus, CEO, Infogate Advisory

17:00

Closing Remark from the Chair

17:10

End of Conference

18:15

Buses depart the Hyatt for Charity Dinner

Pricing

* Conference pass includes access to ADM Congress, ADM Space Summit and ADM Pillar II Conference
* Conference pass includes access to the Welcome Reception, Post Conference Networking Drinks and the Charity Dinner
First 300 delegates get a FREE seat at the ADM Congress Dinner with MAJGEN (Ret’d) Andrew Bottrell AO, CSC & Bar, DSM

SME is defined as fewer than 200 global employees
Micro SME is defined as fewer than 50 global employees

Standard rate ends 31 January 2025

Department of Defence/ADF attend for free. Please register for the ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing info@informa.com.au and ensure you use your business email address.
* This does not include the Charity Dinner

Packages Standard Rate Full Rate
Conference pass – Standard Industry Rate $2,695 + GST $2,895 + GST
Conference pass – SME, Government and Academia Rate $1,695 + GST $1,895 + GST
Conference pass – Micro SME Rate $1,395 + GST $1,595 + GST
Additional Charity Dinner $350 + GST $350 + GST
Charity Dinner – Table of 10 $3,300 + GST $3,300 + GST
Charity Dinner – Department of Defence, ADF and Speakers $250 + GST $250 + GST

Sponsorship & exhibition opportunities

The 22nd Annual ADM Congress, exhibition, and networking functions offer unparalleled opportunities to reach key industry stakeholders, senior decision-makers, and customers within the defence sector.

Don’t miss the opportunity to share your expertise and showcase your products, services, and solutions at this established industry gathering. Forge new business relationships, share your experiences and position yourself as a leader in the field.

Contact Andrew Sinkovich for a copy of the sponsorship & exhibition prospectus today!
Andrew Sinkovich
+61 2 9080 4308
Andrew.Sinkovich@informa.com.au

ConnectMe

ConnectMe • Networking enhanced

All of our events utilise a bespoke dynamic smartphone app, ConnectMe – which guarantees attendees a premium event experience. Logins are sent prior to the conference commencement allowing you to check who’s attending, schedule in meetings and catch ups, participate in live Q+A and interactive polls, and much more. ConnectMe ensures you never miss a beat prior, during and post event.

Venue

Hyatt Hotel, Canberra
120 Commonwealth Ave
Canberra ACT 2600
(02) 6270 1234


Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainability

In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa Connect we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.

We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.

To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.