Community Engagement Summit 2026

Master Class Date: Wednesday 1`9 February 2026

Location: Captivate Training Space, Manly 2095

Summit Date: Thursday 20 February 2026

Location: Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, Manly 2095

📅 Thursday 19 February 2026 |

📍 Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, Manly Beach

The Community Engagement Summit is back for 2026 — bringing together the brightest minds and boldest ideas in engagement for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration.

This year’s program explores the power of deliberative engagement, strategies for disaster readiness, AI and emerging technology, creative marketing techniques to capture community attention, and community-led recruitment.

Hear from an exciting line-up of speakers including:

• Keynote: Nina Macken – Colliers
• Cinnamon Dunsford – Locale Consulting
• Joel Fredericks – University of Sydney
• Rachel Pagitz & Ruth Hart – NSW Reconstruction Authority
• Charles Connell – EngageLINK & CE Canvas
• Oliver Young – Scopomap

Why attend?
✅ Learn from industry leaders and real-world case studies
✅ Discover tools and techniques to improve your engagement practice
✅ Build your professional network in a friendly, collaborative atmosphere
✅ Enjoy a stunning beachside venue and relaxed post-event drinks

📅 Wednesday 18 February 2026 |

📍 Captivate Training Space, Manly

Master Class

Prior to the Summit, we will be delivering a 1-day Masterclass with engagement expert Dr. Joel Fredericks from the University of Sydney.

Resilience Planning & Interactive Pop-up Engagement
This immersive workshop blends crisis resilience planning with hands-on pop-up engagement design, equipping participants with both the strategic thinking and practical tools needed to create meaningful connections with communities, in both everyday and crisis contexts.

Explore Resilience Through Technology and Connection

Explore how immersive technologies and AI-supported tools can enhance resilience-focused engagement, and discover creative, interactive approaches to engage people where they are. This masterclass combines forward-thinking digital methods with face-to-face techniques that inspire trust, participation, and action.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Resilience Planning Foundations : Understanding engagement in the context of crisis and change
2. Immersive Technologies & AI Tools: Using tech to enhance participation and decision-making
3. Designing Interactive Pop-Ups: Co-creating activities with communities for genuine connection
4. Balancing Digital and Analogue: Knowing when to go high-tech and when to go hands-on
5. Prototyping & Testing: Refining ideas before taking them into the community
6. Practical Resources & Case Studies: Examples, checklists, and templates to take away
   Master Class Schedule:
   The Master Class Schedule will be released closer to the event date.

Note: The Master Class venue is 1/12-16 Sydney Road, Manly - a short walk from Manly Wharf.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, N Steyne & Collingwood St, Manly, Australia