Program Overview
2026 Investor Conference – Australian Shareholders’ Association
Date: Monday, 4 May 2026 & Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (AEST)
Location: Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Day 1 – Monday, 4 May 2026
8:30 am – Conference Welcome
Phil Muscatello, MC
8:35 am – The 2026 Outlook: What Matters Now for Investors
David Robertson, Chief Economist and Head of Economic and Markets Research, Bendigo Bank
Start the day with a clear view of the economic forces shaping 2026. David Robertson will unpack the key trends influencing markets, from interest rates and inflation to geopolitical uncertainty, volatility and shifting growth dynamics. A regular highlight for ASA members, this session will provide practical insights to help investors cut through the noise, focus on what matters most, and consider what it could mean for portfolio positioning in the year ahead.
9:15 am – ETFs and Portfolio Construction in Changing Markets
Andrew Wielandt, Director, DP Wealth Advisory
Michael McCarthy, CEO, Moomoo Australia
Hugh Lam, CFA, Investment Strategist, Betashares
Marc Jocum, Senior Product and Investment Strategist, Global X
ETFs have become a key portfolio tool for many investors. In this session, industry specialists will explore how ETFs can be used to build diversification, manage risk and access different sectors and asset classes. The panel will also discuss practical ways to use ETFs in changing market conditions and alongside individual shares and other investments.
10 am – Morning Tea
10:30 am – Navigating Retirement and SMSF Changes
Craig Stone, General Manager – Quality and Technical Services, SuperConcepts
From younger investors building their super to retirees managing income and wealth, this session will unpack the latest developments in superannuation, retirement planning and SMSFs, including regulatory updates and Division 296 reforms. It will cover practical considerations for investors with and without SMSFs, helping attendees understand the potential implications for tax, compliance and long-term decision-making.
11 am – Regulatory Priorities and Emerging Trends
Lucinda McCann, Chief Compliance Officer, ASX
Simone Constant, Commissioner, ASIC
Jeremy Hirscchorn, Second Commissioner, ATO
Hear directly from senior leaders at ASX, ASIC and the ATO on the regulatory issues shaping markets right now. This session will explore enforcement priorities, investor protection, compliance expectations and emerging risks, giving attendees a valuable insight into what regulators are watching and what may come next.
12 pm – Lunch
1 pm – ASX CEO Panel: Growth, Strategy, Risk
Leah Weckert, CEO and Managing Director, Coles Group
Dr Andreas Fouras, CEO and Managing Director, 4DMedical
An additional panellist to be announced soon
Step inside the CEO mindset as leading ASX executives share how they are navigating volatility, allocating capital, managing risk and driving growth. This session will also explore how CEOs are thinking about innovation, artificial intelligence and competitive advantage as they make decisions with long-term value in mind.
2 pm – Inside Listed Income Funds: Finding Opportunities Beyond Hybrids
Moderator: Ian Irvine, CEO, Listed Association
Will Seddon, Executive Director, Whitefield
Mark Power, Head of Income Credit, Qualitas
Geoff Driver, General Manager, Business Development and Investor Relations, Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC)
As many of the major bank hybrids approach maturity, investors are actively seeking new ways to generate steady portfolio income from Listed Investment Vehicles (LIVs). This expert panel brings together three seasoned voices from across the LIV sector to unpack what’s really driving returns in income-focused Listed Investment Companies and Trusts.
2:45 pm – How to Maximise Your Happiness From Investing
Emma Davidson, CEO & Director, Staude Capital, Global Value Fund
Miles Staude, Portfolio Manager (CIO) & Director, Staude Capital, Global Value Fund
Markets are unpredictable, but risk management is not. In this session, husband (CIO) and wife (CEO) duo Miles and Emma explore a Nobel Prize–winning framework for investing in a way that maximises happiness, not just returns.
3:15 pm – Afternoon Tea
Company Monitors and CMC Chairs Meet-Up
We invite all Company Monitors and CMC Chairs to join us for a casual catch-up. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and connect with peers, the ASA Board and the ASA team in a relaxed setting.
3:45 pm – Defence Innovation and Investment Opportunities
Alf Ianniello, Managing Director & CEO, Codan
Angus Bean, Chief Product Officer, DroneShield
Yoav Amitai, CEO, Elsight
In a more uncertain geopolitical environment, this panel will explore how defence priorities, sovereign capability and strategic investment are driving innovation across advanced technologies. The discussion will examine the sector’s growth outlook, the role of next-generation defence and dual-use technologies, and the key issues investors should consider when assessing opportunities in this evolving area.
4:30 pm – Money, Markets, and Mindset: Insights from Evan Lucas
Evan Lucas, Economic Futurist, Keynote Speaker, Best-selling author of “Mind Over Money”
5pm – ASA Awards 2026
Celebrate the achievements of our company monitors, local meeting convenors, and lifetime award recipients, alongside ASX-listed companies recognised for excellence in corporate governance.
Starts at 5:30pm
Exclusive Delegate Drinks & Canapés
Join us for drinks and canapés on the rooftop, where you can take in sweeping city views while connecting with fellow delegates. It is a great opportunity to unwind after the day’s sessions and continue the conversation in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Day 2 – Tuesday, 5 May 2026
8:30 am – Powering the Intelligence Age: What Australian Business and Investors Need to Know
Craig Scroggie, CEO & Managing Director, NEXTDC
Craig Scroggie explores how the technology stack has shifted from cloud to AI, why data centres have become critical national infrastructure, and what the energy and investment requirements of this next wave mean for Australian companies, competitiveness and long-term returns.
9 am – High Conviction Ideas
Howard Coleman, Founding Director, Teaminvest
Jordan Eliseo, General Manager, ABC Bullion
Nick Healy, WAM Global Portfolio Manager, Wilson Asset Management
Hear from experienced investors as they share where they currently see the strongest opportunities across different asset classes and investment styles. From equities to precious metals, this session will explore the thinking behind their conviction, the role each idea can play in a portfolio, and the themes shaping their outlook.
9:45 am – Morning Tea
10:15 am – Small Cap CEOs: Growth Opportunities and Early-Stage Risk
Brett Morgan, Managing Director, MyState Limited
Con Scrinis, CEO & Managing Director, FOS Capital
An additional panellist to be announced soon
Hear directly from small-cap leaders on the opportunities and risks that come with earlier-stage investing. This session will explore what drives growth, how quality businesses can be identified earlier in their journey, and the key signals investors should watch as companies scale.
11 am – Inside the Boardroom: Insights from ASX Chairs
David Clarke, Chair, ASX
Helen Kurincic, Chair, McMillan Shakespeare; and Non-Executive Director, Ramsay Healthcare
An additional panellist to be announced soon
Step inside the boardroom and hear directly from leading ASX chairs on governance, strategy, capital allocation and the decisions that shape long-term value. From managing disruption to overseeing risk and growth, this session offers a rare insight into how boards think when the stakes are high.
12 pm – Lunch
1 pm – Property and REITs: Income, Trends and Opportunities
Nicole Kidd, CEO & CIO, Corval Avenue
James Powell, General Manager – Investor Relations, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Rural Funds
Andrew Parsons, CIO, Resolution Capital
Explore the outlook for listed property and commercial real estate in a changing economic environment. This session will cover key market trends, income opportunities, and the role REITs play a role in portfolio construction, with insights on navigating interest rates, valuations, and sector performance.
1:35 pm – Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Impacts for Investors
Robert Miller, Portfolio Manager, NAOS Asset Management
James Rodda, Portfolio Manager, Antipodes
Additional panellists to be announced soon
This session explores how AI is transforming companies, markets, and investment strategies. Discover how investors can navigate the opportunities and challenges AI presents, and what it means for building portfolios in the years ahead.
2:10 pm – Public vs Private Markets: Where to Invest for Growth
Helen Mason, Fund Manager, Schroders Australia
Daniel Pennell, CFA, Portfolio Manager, Plato Global Income
Additional panellists to be announced soon
Explore the key differences between public and private markets and how each can fit within an investment strategy. This session will examine the opportunities, risks, liquidity considerations, and return potential of both, helping investors assess how they may wish to balance exposure across their portfolios.
2:50 pm – Afternoon Tea
Convenors & State Committees
We invite all Convenors and State Committee members to join us for a casual catch-up. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and connect with peers, the ASA Board and the ASA team in a relaxed setting.
3:20 pm – Closing Keynote Session: To Be Confirmed Soon
Stay tuned as we reveal our closing keynote speaker for the 2026 Investor Conference – the perfect way to close two days, leaving you informed, inspired, and ready to act.
4 pm – ASA AGM
