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THE FULL PICTURE
Program, venues & what's included
Every session, hotel and inclusion, day by day.
View event details
Places are capped
Secure your spot
RSVP today
Buy tickets
THE FULL PICTURE
Every session, hotel and inclusion, day by day.
View event details
Places are capped
Secure your spot
RSVP today
The Event
AFG Next delivers three days of learning, connection and inspiration. Get direct access to lender and industry partners, hear from a world-class speaker lineup, and build peer connections with brokers from across Australia - all backed by AFG updates and evening celebrations that set the standard.
MELBOURNE
SPEAKERS
Breakouts
Exhibitors
Delegates
Program overview
We open with the welcome function on Monday, 9 November and go out on a high with Wednesday's gala dinner on 11 November. Thursday, 12 November is departure day.
9 NOV
Arrival day – with room check-in and conference registration from 3pm. Come evening we'll kick the conference off in style at the welcome function.
Hotel check-in from 3pm
Conference registration
Evening welcome function
10 NOV
A full day of conferencing. Explore the exhibition, join the opening plenary, dive into the breakout sessions that matter most to you. Then make the most of an evening at leisure to connect with each other on your terms.
Conference day with exhibition
Breakout sessions
Evening at leisure
11 NOV
Another packed day of conferencing, with the exhibition continuing and more amazing speakers to soak up. We'll close the conference the way it deserves, with a gala dinner that celebrates a year worth its weight in gold.
Conference day with exhibition
Gala dinner at Centrepiece
12 NOV
That's a wrap. Time to head home with plenty to think about and, hopefully, a few new connections in your corner.
Departure day — checkout 11am
The lineup
This year's keynote lineup is stacked - Olympic gold, entrepreneurial grit, and hard-won wisdom, back-to-back.
Hosted by beloved Australian actor and program MC Shane Jacobson.
The lineup, by stream
Olympic swimming champion
BIO
Finance Editor, Nine News
BIO
Mental Health Expert
BIO
Innovation speaker
BIO
Brand Coach
BIO
Master of Ceremonies
CDO
Co-founder, Four Pillars Gin
BIO
Fraud survivor and financial resilience advocate
BIO
Founders, Good Citizens Eyewear
BIO
Senior Economist, ANZ
BIO
AI business advisor
BIO
CEO
CDMO
Tuesday afternoon
A range of breakout topics to choose from, select your breakout schedule once registered.
BREAKOUT
The World Economic Forum ranks leadership and social influence among the most critical skills in the age of AI. Carlii Lyon shows leaders how to step into their courage zone - becoming more visible, building influence, and earning trust, even amid self-doubt - turning individual courage into braver teams and stronger culture.
BRAND
All delegates
BREAKOUT
Adam Franklin, one of Australia's leading AI business speakers, cuts through the noise with jargon-free, practical strategies to help you add 10 hours back to your week with AI. You'll leave this session with real tools - not just theory.
AI
All delegates
BREAKOUT
An open-floor demo where BrokerEngine experts take the stage - and your questions. Mic runners will work the room while presenters respond live with demos tailored to what you want to see. No script, no filler - just straight answers to your BrokerEngine questions.
Live demo
All delegates
BREAKOUT
Structured, fast-paced networking built for brokers going it alone.
Trade tips, tools and hard-won lessons with fellow solo operators who know the hustle - no pitches, no fluff, just real conversations with people who get it.
Networking
Solo operators
BREAKOUT
Structured, fast-paced networking built for brokers running teams and scaling operations.
Swap war stories, steal smart systems, and connect with peers tackling the same growth challenges - no pitches, no fluff, just real conversations with people who get it.
NETWORKING
mid-large sized operators
BREAKOUT
What's your exit plan? Vik Sukumaran unpacks how the program is helping brokers turn their business into a real, transferable asset - offering growth capital, strategic support and a genuine succession pathway, while owners stay firmly in control. Real deals, real numbers, real answers for anyone thinking about what comes next.
STRATEGY
All delegates
A DEDICATED STREAM
A dedicated commercial stream tailored for brokers operating primarily in the commercial and asset finance space.
Here, you’ll receive a specialised agenda with industry specific speakers. The commercial and asset finance delegates will take part in Tuesday morning’s main opening plenary, before breaking off to their own stream in the afternoon. They will then rejoin the main plenary session on Wednesday.
REGISTRATION
Broker registration is subsidised and includes three nights' accommodation (with breakfasts), the welcome function, conference sessions with lunches, and the closing gala dinner with transfers.
STANDARD
Full residential package.
RSVP today
3 nights' accommodation + breakfasts
Welcome function
Sessions + lunches
Gala + transfers
EARLY BIRD
Available 2 weeks from registration opening.
Get in early
3 nights' accommodation + breakfasts
Welcome function
Sessions + lunches
Gala + transfers
NO accommodation
Melbourne-based, so don’t need accommodation. Also applies to a second broker twin-sharing room with a primary delegate colleague.
Book now
Welcome function
Sessions + lunches
Gala + transfers
Life partner packages and hotel pre-selection across the three Crown properties are all available.
See all options
and pricing
THE GALA
We want to see it in your attire: whether head-to-toe glam or a touch of gold sparkle, dress to dazzle and turn the room into a sea of gold.
Get those dancing shoes on the floor as we welcome the sensational Furnace and the Fundamentals to close out the night. Brace for a full-blown dancefloor takeover, with driving horns, a rhythm section that won't let up, and a setlist that guarantees standing still won’t be an option.
Thank you to our golden gala hosts, co-major sponsors ANZ, Bankwest, Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie Bank and NAB
Questions
Welcome function
Melbourne Town Hall, corner Swanston and Collins Streets
Monday 9 November, 7.30pm
Conference
Palladium at Crown, Level 1, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November
Gala dinner
Centrepiece Melbourne, Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne Park
Wednesday 11 November, 6.30pm
View detailed Program overview
Allocated across Crown Promenade, Crown Metropol and Crown Towers, each a short walk from Palladium where the conference is held. Your hotel is advised once registration closes; if you would like to select your hotel, this is available for a supplement. Want to extend outside of the conference dates? This can be arranged via TRIBE Events once you've registered.
Three nights' accommodation with breakfasts, the welcome function, two days of conferencing including lunches, and the closing gala dinner with transfers.
Delegates will take care of their own flight and airport transfer arrangements.
Conference sessions
Business smart casual
Welcome function
Smart casual
Gala dinner
Gold — and we mean it. Your moment to make an entrance, turn heads, and own the room. There's no such thing as too much gold tonight.
Name lanyards provided at registration must be worn at all sessions and evening events.
For attendance at the full conference, 18 CPD points have been allocated. Post-conference, AFG will allocate CPD to broker’s Suite 360 Learn profile.
Open to all AFG brokers (principal/business owner or loan writer) and AFG sponsors of the 2026 Broker Excellence Program. Registrations are capped due to venue capacity. A second phase opens to broker support/admin staff if capacity remains after early bird.
Card surcharge fees apply to credit and debit card payments, as follows: VISA, Mastercard 2.15% and AMEX: 3.00% including GST.
We understand that circumstances can change, and that you may need to cancel your registration. Here is the cancellation policy:
Before 1 October: full refund, less a $100 administration fee, to your original card.
After 1 October: 100% non-refundable - this timeframe is based on when our final numbers are due to venues and suppliers.
For broker delegates, individual components aren't sold separately — the ticket covers all elements whether or not you attend each. If you’re local and don’t need accommodation, there is a ticket that doesn’t include accommodation.
Of course. When you register, you can request additional nights (at your cost). You’ll receive an extension request email, and TRIBE Events will quote for the extra dates (subject to availability).
Contact
Check the Event Info section above, otherwise leave us a question and we'll get back to you soon.
Ask the events team
In good company
Supporting AFG Next across our residential and commercial partners.
Registrations are capped by venue capacity — secure your place early.
Four-time Olympic swimming champion and world record holder
Ariarne Titmus OAM is a four-time Olympic gold medallist and one of the greatest middle-distance swimmers in history. Best known for dethroning American legend Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle — first at the 2019 World Championships, then again at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics — Titmus went on to defend her Olympic 400m freestyle title in Paris 2024 and has held world records in both the 200m and 400m freestyle. Since retiring from elite competition in 2025, the Tasmanian-born champion now shares the mindset, resilience and relentless work ethic that took her to the top of world sport.
Co-founder of Four Pillars Gin and serial entrepreneur
Stuart Gregor co-founded Four Pillars Gin, growing it into Australia's most awarded craft distillery before selling to LION in 2023. A Hall of Fame inductee, entrepreneur and natural storyteller, Stuart speaks on entrepreneurship, brand building and leadership - drawing on real-world lessons from building, scaling and exiting a global business.
Journalist and finance editor, Nine News
Chris Kohler is one of Australia's most trusted voices in business and economic reporting. As Finance Editor at Nine News, he brings a decade of journalism experience - from The Australian to Sky News to Domain - to break down the finance stories that matter, with clarity, authority and a talent for making markets make sense.
Fraud survivor and financial resilience advocate
Tracy Hall is a senior marketing executive turned financial wellness advocate, perhaps best known as the final victim of notorious conman Hamish McLaren. With 25+ years' experience across brands like eBay and Afterpay, Tracy now speaks on financial scams, trust and resilience - turning her own story into a wake-up call for individuals and organisations alike. With intimate fraud and financial abuse now recognised as critical issues across the finance industry, Tracy's session is essential listening for brokers - equipping them to spot the warning signs, support vulnerable clients, and understand the human side of financial scams and cyber fraud.
Founder of Heart On My Sleeve and mental health expert
Mitch Wallis is a clinical psychologist, founder of Heart On My Sleeve, and one of the world's leading voices on emotional wellbeing. After walking away from a successful corporate career at Microsoft, Mitch speaks on emotional wellbeing, resilience and human connection - on a mission to change the way the world feels.
Father and son co-founders of Good Citizens Eyewear, two-time TEDx speakers
Two-time TEDx speakers and Australia's most unlikely business partners - a father and his now 14-year-old son. Nik and Harry co-founded Good Citizens Eyewear after 752 days and 2,503 failed attempts, building Australia's most awarded eyewear brand and an unconventional model of leadership along the way. Expect humour, heart, and a masterclass in not giving up.
Media personality and innovation speaker
James O'Loghlin is one of Australia's most respected media personalities. Best known for hosting over 300 episodes of ABC-TV's The New Inventors and 15 years on ABC Local Radio, James has spent the past decade working with corporate Australia on the topics that matter to business leaders - innovation, persuasion and influence, and building teams that adapt under pressure. James brings practical, evidence-based strategies for spotting opportunity, driving change and getting ideas over the line.
Senior Economist, ANZ
Jasmine Zheng is part of ANZ’s Economics and Markets Research team. She contributes to ANZ's analysis and forecasting of economic trends across Australia and New Zealand, helping translate macroeconomic data into insights that support ANZ's institutional and corporate clients. Jasmine will deliver an economic update tailored to the commercial and asset finance market, unpacking the key economic trends, interest rate outlook, and business conditions likely to influence lending, investment, and asset finance activity in the year ahead.
Brand coach and Forbes contributor
Carlii Lyon is a personal branding coach, author, speaker and Forbes Australia contributor who helps executives and entrepreneurs build visibility, reputation and influence. A former international publicist, Carlii has worked with global brands including Spotify, L'Oréal and the Financial Times, and now teaches everyday professionals how to put themselves out there with authenticity and confidence.
AI business speaker and advisor
Adam Franklin is one of Australia's leading AI business speakers, helping professional services firms cut through the noise and put AI to work. Founder of Bluewire Media, Adam draws on nearly two decades of experience to share practical, jargon-free strategies that leave audiences with real tools, not just theory - his work has featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur and The Australian.
Sponsor
MFAA or FBAA partner
AFG Staff
Includes fintelligence