The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has opened registrations for its 2026 convention on the Gold Coast, confirming a “Future Ready” theme that will focus on how brokers and other intermediaries are responding to changing risk, technology, and client expectations. The event will be held from Oct. 18 to 20, 2026, at RACV Royal Pines Resort. NIBA expects brokers, underwriting agencies, insurers, regulators, and other industry stakeholders from across Australia to attend.
2026 NIBA Convention Committee chair Lynette Walsh said the convention builds on NIBA’s national events program. “The NIBA Convention continues to be an unmissable opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. In 2026, we are building on that strong foundation with an experience designed to help delegates look ahead with confidence, embrace new ideas, and prepare for the future of our profession,” Walsh said. NIBA president Nick Cook said the theme reflects the environment in which brokers are operating. “Brokers are operating on the frontline of a rapidly shifting landscape, shaped by emerging risks, technological disruption, and changing client needs. Being future ready is no longer optional; it is essential,” Cook said.
Across three days, the convention program is expected to consider how brokers are responding to drivers such as climate and catastrophe risk, cyber exposures, economic conditions, capacity constraints, regulatory developments, and shifts in distribution. Plenaries, concurrent sessions, and panel discussions are slated to cover topics including use of data and analytics in broking businesses, client advisory capability, process and systems efficiency, and workforce and leadership development. NIBA says the program is intended to be relevant to principals, senior account managers, young professionals, and specialist intermediaries.
NIBA CEO Richard Klipin said the organisation intends to reflect the “Future Ready” theme in the structure and delivery of the event as well as in session content. “This year, ‘future ready’ will come to life not only through the content and conversations on stage, but through every part of the delegate experience. We are excited to welcome the profession to the Gold Coast for what promises to be a standout convention,” Klipin said.
NIBA plans to rework its Fringe Stage format for 2026. The space will be redesigned to support shorter presentations and facilitated conversations, with an emphasis on interaction and practical discussion of emerging issues for brokers. A Young Professionals Night, scheduled for the Monday evening of the convention, will serve as a dedicated networking event for brokers under 35 and other early-career delegates.
NIBA says the function is intended to give younger practitioners opportunities to build connections with peers and senior market participants as part of broader succession and capability initiatives. The convention will conclude on the Tuesday night with the NIBA Awards Night and Gala Dinner. The event will recognise award winners from within the broking community and the wider general insurance sector, including national and state-based recipients.
The 2026 convention returns to RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, a venue that has hosted previous NIBA conventions. All plenary sessions, breakouts, exhibition stands, and social functions will be held on-site. The program includes social and networking activities from Sunday, ahead of the formal opening. Super early bird registrations are open until May 31, 2026. For NIBA members, full convention registration is priced at $1,200 during the super early bird period and $1,400 on early bird. For non-members, the full convention rate is $1,500 on super early bird and $1,650 on early bird.
Discounted rates apply for group registrations. For organisations registering five to nine delegates, and for groups of 10 or more, NIBA has set separate group prices for members and non-members. A young professional (under 35) full convention registration is set at $1,100, with the same fee applying across super early bird and early bird periods. Accompanying partner registration is $600. NIBA has also opened sponsorship and partnership opportunities linked to the convention program, exhibition marketplace, and social events.
The NIBA Convention sits alongside a range of other industry events run by associations that work with NIBA. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is scheduled to hold its Annual Dinner on July 22, 2026, at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, followed by its Annual Conference on Nov. 5 to 6 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. ANZIIF has outlined a 2026 calendar that includes the 22nd Australian Insurance Industry Awards on Aug. 13, the AICLA/ANZIIF Claims Convention on Sept. 9, the New Zealand Liability Conference on June 24, and the AU Liability Conference on Nov. 17, as well as the New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards on Nov. 10. A new Industry Connect series will run across several Australian states in October and November, replacing the previous Member Connect format.
The Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) will again run its Market Exchange series in 2026, with events scheduled in the Gold Coast, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Geelong, and Perth between March and November, giving brokers further opportunities to engage with agencies and niche markets. Alongside these national events, NIBA will continue its own state-based activities during 2026, including the ACT Workers Compensation Summit, technical workshops, mentoring programs, and Gala Lunches in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, where state broker award winners are announced.
