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
The ADM Congress returns to Canberra 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. ADM Congress, now in its 22nd year, 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.
The conference program is currently in development. To keep updated with the latest event news, please register your interest here.
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.
2024 Speakers
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP
Assistant Minister for Defence
Air Marshal Leon Phillips OAM
Chief Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, Department of Defence
MAJGEN Wade Stothart
Head Military Personnel – Defence People Group, Department of Defence
Prof Emily Hilder
Head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), Department of Defence
Air Marshal (Ret’d) Warren McDonald AO, CSC
Chief Executive,
Lockheed Martin Australia
David Nockels
FAS – Industry Policy Division,
Department of Defence
Anthony Weymouth
Head of Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, AUSTRADE
Stephen Moore
FAS AUKUS Advanced Capabilities, Department of Defence
Laurence McHauser
Partner – London, McKinsey & Co
Dr Gareth Parker
Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
Mel McDowall
Director, Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Network (DAIRNet)
Andrew Dudgeon
Partner, McKinsey & Co
Muhammad Usman
Team Leader – Quantum Systems, CSIRO’s Data61
Geoff Camp
Executive Director – Defence, JLL Australia
Bec Shrimpton
Director Defence, Strategy & National Security, ASPI
Jennifer Parker
Expert associate National Security College ANU and adjunct fellow at UNSW
William Infante
Innovation Lead – Digital Technologies, Navantia Australia
Jeremy Satchell
Head of Industry Capability,
BAE Systems Australia
Air Vice Marshal (Ret’d) Steven “Zed” Roberton
DSC, AM, ECEC Senior Advisor, Canberra, McKinsey & Co
Dr Malcolm Davis
Senior Analyst, ASPI
AVM (Ret’d) John Blackburn AO
Chair, Institute for Integrated Economic Research – Australia
Kate Louis
Executive Director,
AI Group
Stuart Althaus
CEO,
Infogate Advisory
Jake Kearsley
Managing Director,
Para Bellum Solutions
Charity Dinner
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.
Special guest speaker:
MAJGEN (ret’d) Andrew Bottrell, AO, CSC & Bar, DSM
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
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