Presented by Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) in partnership with the Queensland Manufacturing Hubs Program, the event will bring businesses, industry leaders and stakeholders together to explore how businesses can respond to industry change, identify new markets and position themselves for future growth.
GW3 Decarbonisation Lead Georgia Lavers said this year’s event had a strong focus on practical examples and giving businesses greater confidence to explore new opportunities.
“Decarbonisation can sometimes feel like a big concept, but ultimately it is about understanding the increasing demand for more sustainable operations and realising the value it has on your bottom line.” Ms Lavers said.
“Continuing the Conversation is about making those opportunities tangible. We want businesses to hear from people who have navigated change, understand what future customers and major projects are looking for, and see firsthand what decarbonisation, and diversification into new industries can look like here in our own region.”
A key addition to the 2026 program is a series of exclusive industry tours to two Paget businesses, FMS Group and CSE Linked.
The behind-the-scenes visits will showcase how local businesses are adapting to changing markets, investing in new technologies and applying their existing industrial and manufacturing expertise to emerging opportunities.
CSE Linked, which operates from an off-grid commercial and manufacturing facility in Mackay, designs and manufactures commercial solar, battery storage and hybrid power systems for regional, remote and heavy industrial operations.
Ms Lavers said the tours responded directly to feedback following GW3’s inaugural Continuing the Conversation event in 2025 and the Diversification Forum held earlier this year.
“One of the strongest messages we heard last year was that businesses wanted to see more real-world examples,” she said.
“There is enormous value in walking through another business, seeing what they are doing differently and having those conversations about why they made certain decisions, what they have learnt and where they see the next opportunity.
“For our region, diversification isn’t about moving away from the industries that have made us strong. It is about building on those capabilities and finding additional markets, customers and applications for the expertise that already exists here.” – Georgia Lavers
The program will also feature keynote presentations from sustainability and business leader Arron Wood AM and major projects, local content and supply chain specialist Deb Archbold.
Mr Wood, CEO of Yurringa Energy and a former Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, will explore how sustainability, decarbonisation and innovation are reshaping the competitive environment for businesses and regions.
Ms Archbold will provide practical insights into how regional suppliers can better position themselves for major project and supply chain opportunities, including understanding procurement expectations, strengthening supplier capability and identifying emerging markets.
Ms Lavers said the combination of industry expertise and local examples was designed to help businesses leave the event with ideas they could apply to their own operations.
“We want people to walk away asking: what could this mean for my business, what capability do we already have, and where could we take it next?” she said.
“The changing economic landscape will bring challenges, but it will also bring significant opportunities for regional businesses that are prepared to innovate, collaborate and adapt.”
Decarbonisation Accelerated: Continuing the Conversation 2026 will be held at the Resources Centre of Excellence, Paget, on Thursday, 17 September from 8am to 1pm, with registration and networking from 7.30am. Places are limited, particularly for the industry tours.
Event details
What: Decarbonisation Accelerated: Continuing the Conversation 2026
When: Thursday, 17 September 2026, 8am–1pm
Registration: From 7.30am
Where: Resources Centre of Excellence, 65 Crichtons Road, Paget
Presented by: Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) in partnership with the Queensland Manufacturing Hubs Program
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/ctc2026
