Overview

The Townsville Defence Forum will be a localised policy-driven forum. The event will focus on fostering relationships between government, PRIMEs & SMEs to deliver Australia’s sovereign capability and act as a driver for the region’s economy. It will assess how best SMEs can enter supply chains, look at current and emerging opportunities for contracting with Defence, and analyse the skilling requirements that will enable the region to thrive as a future Defence Industry hub.

2025 Forum Topics:

  • Townsville’s role as Australia’s Army capital
  • North Queensland sustainment operations
  • Workforce and population dynamics
  • Supply chain access for small and medium businesses
  • Technology and innovation integration
  • Regional economic impact of increased Defence investment

Sponsors

Lunch Sponsor

Morning Tea Sponsor

Coffee Cart Sponsor

Charity Partner

Exhibitors

Speakers


Senator the Hon Nita Green
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia


Erin Kiernan
Manager – Defence Industry Hub – North Queensland, Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Government


Stuart Blackwell
Director,
QDSA


Professor Mick Reilly OAM
Research Division,
James Cook University


Ross Thompson
Managing Director,
PeopleIN


Buzz Sarlin
President,
AIDN Queensland


Drew Penny
General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Port of Townsville


Dean Deighton
Group Head – Northern Australia,
AI Group


Rhys Hannon
Group Defence Manager,
Symal Group

AGENDA

Wednesday 20th August

09:10

Welcome from the ADM

Kylie Leonard, Associate Publisher, Australian Defence Magazine

09:20

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

09:30

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ADDRESS | A vision for North and Far North Queensland

  • What are the strategic and economic aims for the North of Queensland?
  • How can Defence contribute to these?
  • Pacific island and wider regional engagement

Senator the Hon Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia

09:55

KEYNOTE | Army’s operational readiness and regional capability in Townsville

  • Enhancing joint and allied interoperability
  • Developing littoral capability
  • Expanding sustainment operations

10:20

Welcome to Morning Tea

Stuart Blackwell, Director, QDSA

10:25

Morning Tea & Networking Break

11:00

KEYNOTE | Sustaining Force Projection: Joint Logistic Unit NQ’s Role in North Queensland’s Defence Posture     

  • Logistics support in North Queensland environmental and geographic conditions
  • Enhancing logistics capability through modernised distribution, warehouses and sustainment
  • Opportunities for local industry to become part of Defence’s supply chain
  • Future infrastructure and capability upgrades for JLU NQ

11:25

Supporting Defence Operations Through Logistics and Health Innovation

  • Supply chain resilience and strengthening logistics systems to enhance ADF operational effectiveness
  • Integrating digital health technologies and initiatives addressing regional health challenges
  • DSTG programs supporting regional defence capability and SME engagement

11:50

PANEL | North Queensland innovation: Maximising local contributions to Defence

  • Building a connected innovation ecosystem
  • Strengthening ties between local SMEs, academic institutions and defence
  • Challenges operating in regional Queensland

Professor Mick Reilly, Research Division, James Cook University
Moderator: Stuart Blackwell, Director, QDSA

12:30

Welcome to Lunch

Rhys Hannan – Group Defence Manager, Symal Group

12:35

Lunch

13:30

PANEL | Addressing workforce challenges for North Queensland Defence ecosystem

  • Attraction and retention in North Queensland
  • Initiatives to grow local talent pipelines
  • Workforce support and regional liveability

Senior Representative, TAFE Queensland North Region
Buzz Sarlin, President, AIDN Queensland 
Ross Thomspon, Managing Director, PeopleIN
Moderator: TBC

14:10

Expanding regional maintenance and sustainment capability

  • Establishing maintenance support centres throughout regional northern and western Australia
  • Geographic, logistical and workforce obstacles
  • How does the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence support sustainment operations?

Senior Representative, Rheinmetall Defence Australia

14:35

PANEL | Advanced Manufacturing in North Queensland

  • Assessing existing advanced manufacturing capabilities in the region
  • Gaps, opportunities and pathways for growth and expansion
  • Defence industry requirements
  • Training and education initiatives

Dean Deighton, Group Head – Northern Australia, AI Group
Moderator: TBC

15:15

Afternoon Tea & Networking Break

15:45

Helicopter Operations and Sustainment

  • Maximising the performance of the current Chinook and Apache fleet
  • AI and predictive maintenance
  • Opportunities for local to businesses to access supply chains
  • Preparing for the delivery of AH-64E Apache helicopters

Senior Representative, Boeing Defence Australia

16:10

PANEL | Using increased Defence expenditure as a catalyst for enhanced economic growth

  • How is defence driving economic activity and infrastructure growth?
  • What are the benefits for local communities?
  • How is local business adapting to increased defence opportunities?

Drew Penny, General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Port of Townsville
Claudia Brumme-Smith, CEO, Townsville Enterprise (TBC)
Or
Chris McDougall, Director – Regional Development and Investment, Townsville Enterprise (TBC)
Moderator: TBC

16:50

Closing Remarks from the Chair

17:00

End of Conference & Networking Drinks

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.

Pricing

Department of Defence/ADF attend for free. Please register for ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing [email protected].

The SME rate applies to companies with fewer than 200 employees and are not part of a larger group/ parent company

Local SME rate applies to Queensland registered organisations employing fewer than 50 people who aren’t part of a larger group/ parent company

Packages Standard 
Standard Industry Rate $1,595 + GST
SME/ Academia/ Govt $1,195 + GST
Local SME $795 + GST

Meet with North Queensland’s major contractors to promote your capability and learn about opportunities in their supply chains.

This event will be delivered in a ‘speed dating’ format to meet with up to three major contractors of your choice for one-on-one, 10-minute appointments. Use your appointment to:

  • promote your existing and growing capability
  • clarify procurement processes
  • discuss upcoming work opportunities
  • provide a copy of your capability statement/quad chart

Defence buyers include: Boeing, Rheinmetall, CPB, Icon, Duratec, Shamrock Civil, and more.

Date: Tuesday 19 August 2025
From: 7am
Location: The Ville Resort and Casino, Townsville

Registration link: Meet the Buyer – North Queensland Supply Chain Tickets, Tue 19/08/2025 at 7:30 am | Eventbrit

Venue

The Ville Resort-Casino
Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville QLD 4810
(07) 4722 2333
www.the-ville.com.au


SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION RATE

The Ville Resort – Casino is pleased to offer a special event rate* for conference attendees for the nights of the 19-21 August 2025 inclusive.

To secure this rate;

  1. Enter the special booking link, click here
  2. Add Code and select Rate Access/Corporate Code
  3. Enter ADMTDS
  4. Update Guest & Rooms to search for availability

Ardo Hotel is pleased to offer a special event 20% discount rate* for conference attendees for the nights of the 19-21 August 2025 inclusive.

To secure this rate;

  1. Enter the special booking link, click here
  2. This will display the rate and event dates
  3. Select your required stay dates and click on Apply

* Room availability and rates are subject to availability. Book early to avoid disappointment.

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.