Join us in Canberra in 2023!

28 - 30 August 2023

Latest event news

Special rate at the Ovolo Nishi Canberra for the NCEIF 2023!

Join NCEIF on Tuesday 7 March at 3:00pm (AEDT) to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 and hear from five inspiring women who did it their way!

NCEIF 2023 will be held at the brand-new venue Saint Malo in Canberra from 28 – 30 August 2023.

stay tuned, sponsorship opportunites for NCEIF 2023 ARE coming soon!
intro video

What is the Agenda

  • Panel discussions and key note presentations from senior politicians, government representatives and business leaders
  • Case studies on major national and international infrastructure projects
  • Engaging interactions with like minded professions
  • Discussions on risks, challenges, policy implications and emerging trends

Why should I attend?

Here are the top 5 reasons you should attend:

  • Network with community engagement leaders and infrastructure practitioners from around the country
  • Learn from successful case studies of best practice community consultation and engagement
  • Discover new industry trends and policies which may impact the community engagement framework and the development of infrastructure projects now and in the future
  • Share innovative ideas and advances in infrastructure planning, design and construction
  • Explore new tools and the latest research to support community and stakeholder engagement for infrastructure
featured workshops
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NCEIF 2023 Sponsors

Comacon
GOLD
Spatial
Spatial
Becscomm
Spatial
Spatial

Event Features

The conference is a not-for-profit event aimed at building capacity within our industry and helping Government and the private sector deliver infrastructure which achieves the best outcomes for all stakeholders.

Social Media Speakers

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Social Media Speakers

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Social Media Speakers

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Social Media Speakers

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Social Media Speakers

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Social Media Speakers

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The 2023 Program

Explore best practice solutions with fellow industry leaders, including community and stakeholder engagement professionals, communication consultants, policy makers, civil engineers, urban architects, technology experts and related professions.

10.30am - 12.30pm

NextGen Workshop (this workshop is being run twice to allow attendees to attend the alternate sessions)

ANU

The ANU Next Generation Engagement Research team is a little bit different - we work with industry every step of the way, from defining the research priorities to co-designing the evidence-based tools that support practitioners in their work. 

As we look beyond our current program of research to themes such as creating social value and the transition to net zero, we are inviting industry to join us in co-designing the next phase of the world’s most ambitious engagement research agenda. Be among the first of your peers to name the key trends, challenges and opportunities for the sector Beyond 2025 and together we will:

* Identify the most pressing issues for community engagement
* Support the value and relevance of the discipline into the future
* Support engagement practitioners to play a key role in sustainable infrastructure delivery.  

We hope you (and your critical curiosity) can join us!

10.30am - 12.30pm

Co-Design

Co-Design seems to the most requested engagement technique at the moment.

Join this session to learn how to facilitate a Co-Design engagement process. You will be assigned a character and will participate in a mock session with the aim of learning new engagement skills and techniques.

12.30pm - 1.00pm

Lunch

1.00pm - 3.00pm

Art Engagement

Join this session as an artistic participant (yes you will be creating artworks) and learn how art in engagement can produce exceptional outcomes.

Participants will collaboratively design and develop creative ideas for upgrading a playground through art-based participatory approaches. They will also engage in a reflection activity to evaluate and adapt their approach.

1.00pm - 3.00pm

NextGen Workshop

ANU

The ANU Next Generation Engagement Research team is a little bit different - we work with industry every step of the way, from defining the research priorities to co-designing the evidence-based tools that support practitioners in their work. 

As we look beyond our current program of research to themes such as creating social value and the transition to net zero, we are inviting industry to join us in co-designing the next phase of the world’s most ambitious engagement research agenda. Be among the first of your peers to name the key trends, challenges and opportunities for the sector Beyond 2025 and together we will:

* Identify the most pressing issues for community engagement
* Support the value and relevance of the discipline into the future
* Support engagement practitioners to play a key role in sustainable infrastructure delivery.  

We hope you (and your critical curiosity) can join us!

3.00pm - 3.30pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm - 5.00pm

Canberra Site Walking tour

Key sites include raising London Circuit construction site, land release sites, possible convention centre/concert venue site, Canberra Civic and Culture District / Canberra Theatre redevelopment site, City Walk public realm upgrade (completed), Garema Place public realm upgrade (planned), Sydney and Melbourne Buildings heritage revitalisation site (parts complete). Hosted by Doug Millen, Director Communications and Engagement, City Renewal Authority, ACT Government.

5.00pm

Welcome Drinks - Bentspoke Brewery

The walking tour will end at Bentspoke Brewery. This evening is an informal opportunity to relax, reconnect and make new friends before the forum official program kicks off on Tuesday 29 August. If you are not attending the walking tour - feel free to make your own way and join us for the first social event of the Forum.

8.30am

Welcome to Country

with Serena Williams.  Serena is a proud Ngunnawal - Wiradjuri women, a Traditional Custodian. She has lived in Canberra all her life and is heavily involved in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and organisations in the ACT and surrounding regions such as the Ngambri Aboriginal Land Council, ACSRA Aboriginal Communities Sporting and Recreational Activities, Munjuwa Aboriginal Cooperation for Housing and Health and Burringiri Aboriginal Corporation for Cultural and Arts.

8.40am

Opening address

Jessica Hall, First Assistant Secretary Commonwealth Infrastructure Projects Division in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts, leads the oversight and governance of some of Australia’s largest key infrastructure initiatives. Jessica will talk about the department’s diverse portfolio of transport infrastructure projects and regulatory initiatives which touch on the lives of all Australians and will discuss the importance of community engagement in shaping this work.

9.00am

Keynote Presentation

Georgia Murch , Culture Creator and Author

We know the tough conversations matter. We don't avoid these. We have them. In the past few years, the volume of them is growing. What becomes challenging is managing these behaviours, and the emotional reactions, that occur as a result. Georgia will help us to navigate some of these trickier conversations. And build techniques to restore the conversation back to a useful space for our stakeholders and for ourselves. 

9.50am

Keynote Presentation - The world is changing: how do I channel my inner leader?

Anne Pattillo (Pattillo)

You know the list of the societal and environmental challenges effecting us all.  So what does that means for us as engages, and infrastructure engagement?  How can we be influential and relevant in our projects, companies, communities and practice.  How do I lead engagement practice to make a difference?

10.40am

Morning Tea

11.00am

Global insights of community engagement

Clare Murrell (Capire) with Tony Clark, Anne Pattillo and Marion Short

How are we going in our engagement practice? What are the challenges and opportunities ahead of us to undertake effective and inclusive engagement? Who even cares? Join Clare Murrell from Capire Consulting Group as she shares insights from the first Engagement Compass Survey, and invites a panel discussion to reflect on global trends in community engagement.

11.40am

Move over Engineers and Economists - the wellbeing era for Australian infrastructure is here

Rebecca Roebuck (Social Impax)

The context and power dynamics in the infrastructure sector is changing rapidly. Community engagement professionals are likely to be at the forefront of heralding in a new era of wellbeing and social value focus. Just launched in July 2023, the Australia's Government's national wellbeing framework - Measuring What Matters - could provide the opportunity community engagement professionals have been waiting for.

12.20pm

Equitable engagement - some insights from Social Impact Assessment

Richard Parsons (SMEC) and Angela Peace (AAP Consulting)

Community engagement for Social Impact Assessment (SIA) has a distinct purpose as research – it is a key mechanism used to collect relevant social data to ensure a targeted and rigorous assessment. At the same time, a core principle in SIA is distributive equity, but what does this mean in practice?  In this session, Angela and Richard will explore equitable processes in community engagement and the principles and practices that ensure fairness, justice, and inclusivity in involving community members in decision-making and problem-solving.

We will share some case studies of successful (and not so successful) community engagement initiatives that have focused on creating opportunities for all individuals, especially those who have been historically marginalised or disadvantaged – and show how these have helped inform SIA processes and create equitable outcomes.

1.00pm

Lunch - Sponsored by Social Pinpoint and Consultation Manager

1.40pm

Is a focus on team and community wellbeing the optimal way to deliver Infrastructure and Natural Resource projects post COVID?

Donna Groves and Shantelle O'Riordan (Comacon)

The research is clear – focusing on the holistic wellbeing of employees increases productivity, employee retention and general employee satisfaction. Truly valuing team members, treating people with respect and kindness, communicating transparently, and including the whole team in decision making processes and planning, creates better performing (and happier) teams.

When these same values are instilled into our community engagement approach on infrastructure and natural resources projects – and the wellbeing of communities as well as teams is our focus – the results are extraordinary.

Hear from Team Comacon on the interim results from their first Community Wellbeing programs and how they’ve incorporated community and employee wellbeing and training into their service offering.

Led by Comacon’s Managing Director Donna Groves, whose book Shine – a personal wellbeing journey, will soon be released – the session will include practical examples of wellbeing planning in community engagement and discuss the legislative directions that were the impetus for Comacon creating a Wellbeing division.

2.20pm

Infrastructure Beyond 2025 - The unique challenges and opportunities for savvy engagement professionals.

Prof Sara Bice and Kirsty O'Connell (ANU/Institute for Infrastructure in Society)

In 2017 the ANU Next Generation Engagement Research Team had a bold ambition - to establish the world’s first research institute focussed on understanding the impact of engagement, social risk management and social license in the infrastructure sector. Six years on ’NextGen’ has morphed into the Institute for Infrastructure in Society - a dedicated research institute in its own right with a string of world firsts to its credit. Join co-founders, Professor Sara Bice and Kirsty O’Connell as they look at the trends, challenges and opportunities facing the infrastructure sector and provide their own research-informed view as to what this will mean for engagement practitioners looking to support sustainable infrastructure delivery beyond 2025.

3.10pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm

Empowering communities to be part of Australia's energy transition

Helen Leayr (Communication Link) and Bronwen Butterfield (Evoenergy)

Australia is moving at an increasing pace towards net zero emissions. Significant transition of our energy infrastructure is underway as we move to an all-electric future. How do we remember there are real customers at the end of the powerline? What role should they play in ensuring a smooth and just transition?

4.10pm

Have we simply not been listening?

In Australia, the energy transition is upon us, impacted by the same global forces as the rest of the world: geo-political tensions, societal pressures, and the push for a net-zero economy. But everything is not equal until we make it so.

GHD’s Technical Director, Sharon Sebastian, Victorian Engagement, Communication and Community Lead, Jennie Suann, and Leon Filewood, proud Ugar Um Le and Kuku Yalanji Bamaman and Senior Indigenous Community Engagement Consultant, share their learnings of the transition from a global, regional and community perspective. From within this framework, social licence is clear. We are pleased to also be joined by Julie Spencer, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Communication for Queensland Hydro.

This presentation and mini-workshop will seek to provide conference participants with a view of what is upon us, what it looks like when looking back at the city, how we bring First Nations people to the table, and what social licence comprises: strong relationships, shared value creation and impact mitigation.

From there we will explore the experience, knowledge and gaps in the room, before walking out with a better view of what we need to bring to the table. Join us if you’re ready to hear.

5.10pm

Guided walk to cocktail party

5.30pm

Cocktail Party

Ovolo Nishi

9.00am

Provocations for the future: SDGs and community power - Kerry Graham and Susan McHattie

How do we give voice to future generations in decisions made today? How do we align infrastructure investment to the SDGs and community vision? How can infrastructure support the emergence of resilient and sustainable communities? 

9.50am

Putting customers at the centre of decision making in a fast changing, complex and highly regulated environment.

How on-going, dynamic customer engagement helped build social licence and inform decision making for Essential Energy’s recent Regulatory Proposal.

Justine Langdon (Essential Energy), Liz Sparham (Woolcott Research and Engagement) and Gavin Dufty (St Vincent de Paul Society)

10.40am

Morning Tea

11.00am

Where does community engagement fit in Australia’s “triple-policy agenda” of measuring what matters, data-driven insights and creating social value?

Dr Rae Dufty-Jones and Shane Wong (RPS)

In its first budget in late-2022, the Albanese Government argued for the need to include a “broader range of social and environmental factors” when developing and delivering policies aimed at improving quality of life of Australians. Missing from this discussion is the role of community engagement. Our session will explore the challenges and opportunities for community engagement practitioners in what we call the “triple-policy agenda”in Australia.

11.40am

A chat with Max and Donna

Interview with Max Hardy (Max Hardy Consulting) by Donna Groves.

Our day two Legend of Engagement is Max Hardy. Together, Max and Donna will talk about the growth of the industry over the past decade, share their insights on the engagement methods - pro's and con's - we use today, and the future challenges that we need to prepare for.

Learn all about Max’s journey throughout many years of engagement. He will be interviewed onstage by Donna Groves and has promised to spill all the beans on his amazing career.

12.20pm

AI in Engagement

Kate Kernaghan (Factotum)

We all love shiny new toys, but our responsibilities to our projects and stakeholders are serious business! This session leans into current interest in generative AI and unpacks some of the applications and implications of generative AI for engagement practitioners.

1.00pm

Lunch - Sponsored by Spatial Media

1.40pm

Young and Emerging Professionals Panel

Hosted by Marion Short (IAP2), Joshua Nagle (Becscomm), Jackie Beanland (Communication Link), Shoshanna Berry-Porter (Articulous), Rosa Aksharanugraha (Comacon), Jake Hoppe (Arch Services)

2.30pm

Co-Design Engagement to bring Suburban Development to life

Nic Plunkett-Cole, Natalie Bishop and Mayumi Piper (ACT Suburban Land Agency)

Suburban Land Agency is a commercial arm of ACT Government in the business of land sales and land development. However, in recent years they’ve evolved their delivery approach to apply placemaking early, embedding this in their engagement ahead of selling land. This weaves in community and stakeholder aspirations. They use co-design to help identify the unique characteristics of places as part of the land development, design and subsequently the sales package. This means that they think about people and the human-scale early and the future of the site is bought with a better understanding of their community’s vision. They create great places where communities thrive. This means they think about how places feel welcome to everyone and support people to connect with each other as well as with place. Engaging early has a new meaning in the land development space in Canberra.

3.10pm

Afternoon tea

3.30pm

Harnessing the power of vulnerability and connection in managing diversity of infrastructure delivery.

Vanessa Williams (Independent Consultant - Community Engagement)

4.10pm

Innovation Panel - What’s is innovative community engagement?

Is it just about using the latest tools or do we need to rethink the entire approach?

Hosted by Rebecca Taia Raap (RfR Consulting) and joined by panellists including Rebecca Spencer (Bescomm), Romina Cavallo (GHD) and Zanthea Chulio (Site Podium), Ziggy Narayan (Spatial Media)

Is it just about using the latest tools or do we need to rethink the entire approach?

4.50pm

Wrap Up

Donna Groves

5:00pm

Close

2023 Sponsorship

Why Sponsor?

Download 2023 Prospectus
$20k
platinum
SOLD OUT
Inclusions
$15k
GOLD
Inclusions
$7.5k
SILVER
SOLD OUT
Inclusions
$6k
BRONZE
SOLD OUT
Inclusions

The 2023 Venue - Saint Malo

This is Saint Malo, where the drama, spectacle and celebration of classic Spanish dishes show how simple, great food can be. A new experience in the heart of Canberra's city that will ignite all the senses and transport you to warmer days.

Easy to get to

Saint Marlo is located in the heart of the Canberra's city near the corner of University Avenue, opposite the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Location

23 London Circuit,
Canberra ACT 2601

Apply to become a Speaker

Thank you for your interest in presenting at the fourth National Community Engagement for Infrastructure Forum (NCEIF).
2023 speaker applications now open. Closing date 12 May 2023.

Regards,

Melanie and Donna

Apply to Present
NCEIF 2023 - APPLICATION TO PRESENT
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