SUPER EARLY BIRD | Book before 7 January
Frequently
Asked Questions
Here you'll find answers to some of the questions we hear from our delegates to help you plan your trip and get the most out of the Family Business Conference. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or need to speak with someone from our team, head to our Contact Us page and reach out anytime, we are happy to help.
Answering your questions about the Conference
General Conference Information
What are the dates for the 2026 Family Business Conference?
Activities will begin on Tuesday 19 May from 12:00pm with our Family Business Site Visits, and officially conclude on Friday 22 May at 7:00pm with Farewell Drinks.
There are also two optional tours on Saturday 23 May to Bruny Island and MONA, if you choose to add these to your conference program.
Key dates and activities are as follows:
Tuesday 19 May - Family Business Site Visits and Welcome Function
Wednesday 20 May - Masterclasses and Longest Lunch events
Thursday 21 May - Conference sessions and Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner
Friday 22 May - Conference sessions, Women Leading the Way Breakfast and Farewell Drinks
Saturday 23 May - Two optional tours: Bruny Island Cruise and MONA
To view the full program, click here.
Who attends the Family Business Conference?
The Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific is for the family business sector across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.
The Conference welcomes approximately 500 people from across the family business sector, including:
- Family business leaders and owners
- Next generation family business leaders
- Non-family staff and leaders who work in a family businesses
- Younger members of families in business
- Advisors who work with and support family business clients
- Academics specialising in family business
- Family and Small Business Ministers, and other key stakeholders
- Family Business Association and Conference Partners and Sponsors
- The Family Business Association team and Board
Where is the 2026 Family Business Conference being held?
In 2026, the Family Business Conference is coming to Hobart Tasmania. We will be based at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, 1 Davey St, Hobart TAS 7000.
Throughout the Conference, delegates will explore other locations across Hobart and Southern Tasmania, such as at our Family Business Site Visits and optional social events and tours.
What is the theme for the 2026 Family Business Conference?
The theme is, Next is Now.
The steps you take today are shaping the future of your family business.
The future isn't a distant concept, it's already taking shape in today's decisions. Next is Now highlights the opportunity to prepare for what’s ahead, while recognising that transition, innovation and generational shifts are already underway.
You are not waiting for your next chapter; you are writing it now with every decision, every conversation and every action. Your next is now.
At the 2026 Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific in Hobart, Tasmania where the air is clearer and you’re surrounded by history and legacy, you will explore what this means for your business; whether you are navigating succession, driving growth and expansion, setting up governance structures, or empowering your emerging leaders.
This year’s conference will motivate you to act with foresight, document your strategy and embrace change - not later, but now.
Because your next chapter is already being written.
I am not an FBA Member, can I still attend the Family Business Conference?
Yes absolutely, the Family Business Conference is open to anyone working with or in a family business, whether you’re an FBA member or not.
There is a different ticket price for non-members, but you’re welcome to join FBA before registering if you’d like to access the member rate. With memberships starting at $627 per year, many attendees find the savings and added value worthwhile.
If you would like to explore FBA membership, click here.
For full Conference pricing details, click here.
Am I able to bring along my partner or other guests?
Yes, partners, extended family and guests are welcome at many parts of the conference. Masterclasses, social events and the Saturday tours are all open to them.
They’ll just need to be registered for the activities they plan to join. Guest tickets can be added easily when you complete your registration.
For information about guest ticket pricing, click here.
Are my children able to attend the Family Business Conference?
As a family business conference, we welcome and support bringing your whole family along. You may choose for your children to join sessions and experience the conference fully, in which case a special youth ticket is available. Alternatively, they can attend selected social events or tours as a guest.
For information about Youth ticket and guest pricing, click here.
Registration and Ticketing
What is included in my delegate registration?
Your registration for the 2026 Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific includes a range of sessions and social events:
- All sessions on 21 - 22 May, including keynotes, plenary and your choice of parallel sessions and workshops.
- Family Business Site Visit on Tuesday 19 May, let us know your preferred Site Visit from the options available and we will make every effort to accommodate your preference - 1 ticket.
- Welcome function on Tuesday 19 May, including drinks and canapés - 1 ticket.
- Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner on Thursday 21 May, including three-course seated dinner - 1 ticket.
- Farewell Drinks on Friday 22 May, including drinks and nibbles - 1 ticket.
- Meals throughout the conference, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
- Transport to and from Family Business Site Visits.
There are also additional extras, such as Masterclasses, Social Events and Tours, and Day Delegate options available. For a full break down of inclusions and pricing, click here.
How do I register?
You can register online through the conference website by clicking the pink button in the top right-hand corner of the screen and completing the required fields.
During registration, you’ll be asked to indicate whether you are an FBA member, select your ticket type, and add any masterclasses, social events, or tours you’d like to attend. You can also register any guests, provide your personal details, and note any dietary requirements.
Once your registration is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email summarising your selections and details.
Can I modify my registration later?
If you need to adjust your registration or add optional activities, please email our conference team at conference@familybusiness.org.au and notify them of the changes required.
For cancellation or refund information however, click here.
Are there early bird rates available?
Yes, we offer super early bird pricing until 7 January 2026. After that, early bird pricing will be available until 27 March 2026. Be sure to register early to take advantage of these discounted rates.
For full Conference pricing details, click here.
What happens if I need to cancel my registration?
If you are no longer able to attend and need to cancel your registration or nominate a substitute delegate, please see our Refund Policy for full details.
Program and Sessions
Do I need to pre-select sessions?
Aside from our Plenary and Keynote Sessions, we also offer parallel sessions and workshops on the Thursday and Friday across five streams. You do not need to pre-register for these sessions, simply go to the session that interests you on the day. Please note that some workshops have limited capacity so it will be first come first serve.
Masterclasses are optional extras. To attend the Family Business, Emerging Generation, or Advisor Masterclasses on Wednesday 20 May, you will need to pre-select and purchase your tickets.
Family Business Site Visits are included in your registration but attendance is optional. You’ll need to indicate your preferred site visit from the eight options on Tuesday 19 May. We will do our best to accommodate your choice, but it cannot be guaranteed due to capacity limits.
For social events and tours, you can select which ones you’d like to attend. Some are included in your registration, while others are additional extras.
Are sessions recorded?
No conference sessions are recorded in full. To encourage open and candid discussion, the Family Business Conference operates under Chatham House Rules, allowing speakers and delegates to share their experiences and insights freely.
Photography and videography may take place for promotional purposes only and will not capture any personal information shared by speakers or participants.
What types of sessions can I expect?
The Family Business Conference program includes a mix of keynote presentations, plenary sessions, hands-on masterclasses, smaller workshops, panel discussions and case studies, and of course our social events too, enabling peer-to-peer learning and networking.
All content is designed specifically for the family business context. From governance and succession to strategy, innovation and the emerging generation, every session explores the unique challenges, opportunities and dynamics that family businesses face.
This year’s theme, Next is Now, reflects the idea that the next chapter is already being written in today's actions and plans. Sessions will provide practical insights, strategies and real-world examples to help you navigate sustained growth and harmony in your family business, not later but now.
To explore all the sessions, speakers and full conference program, click here.
Is there anything tailored for our emerging generation family members?
Yes, absolutely. We offer dedicated sessions for emerging generation family members, including the Emerging Generation Masterclass and the Emerging Generation Longest Lunch. These are optional activities that can be added to your conference registration.
Beyond these events, the conference program includes sessions, workshops and parallel streams on Thursday and Friday that explore emerging generation themes, challenges and opportunities within family businesses. These sessions are designed to provide practical insights, peer-to-peer learning and inspiration specifically for emerging leaders stepping into family business leadership roles.
To explore all the sessions, speakers and full conference program, click here.
Are there sessions and events specifically for the Advisor community?
Yes, of course. We offer a dedicated Advisor Masterclass on Wednesday 20 May, which is an optional session you can add to your conference registration.
Across the conference main stage and parallel sessions, there will also be topics and themes of interest for our Advisor community.
To explore all the sessions, speakers and full conference program, click here.
Social Events and Optional Activities
What additional activities are on offer?
We offer a range of social events, Family Business Site Visits, Masterclasses and tours to enhance your conference experience.
Many activities are included in your registration, such as the Welcome Function, Family Business Site Visits, Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner, and Farewell Drinks. You can elect to attend these events in your registration.
We also offer social events, masterclasses and tours as optional extras to your registration, including the Longest Lunch, Emerging Generation Longest Lunch, Women Leading the Way Breakfast, and Masterclasses. As an added bonus, there are also tours on offer on Saturday 23 May, one is a full-day Bruny Island Cruise and the other is a round trip to explore MONA.
You can tailor your conference experience to suit your interests and make the most of your time in Hobart.
What are Family Business Site Visits?
Family Business Site Visits offer you an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at some of Hobart’s most innovative family-owned businesses on Tuesday 19 May. You'll get a tour of the business and hear directly from the family members who run them.
As part of your registration, you are able to attend one of eight Site Visits on offer:
- Daly Farm and Hellfire Bluff Distillery
- Hansen Orchards
- INCAT
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
- Pooley Wines
- Red Decker
- Willie Smith’s and Grandvewe
- Wrest Point
When you register, you will need to let us know if you are planning on attending and provide your preference. We’ll do our best to accommodate you, but it can’t be guaranteed. You will be notified which site visit you have been allocated to closer to the Conference date.
If you are planning to attend Site Visits, you will need to be available from 12:00pm on Tuesday 19 May. All transport to and from each site visit is provided.
To view all Site Visits on offer, click here.
What is the dress code?
The Family Business Conference dress code is Smart Casual, however each social event has a different dress code, as follows:
Family Business Site Visits - Casual, many require closed toed shoes or have specific requirements, please check details for your allocated Site Visit location.
Welcome Function - Casual
Masterclasses - Smart Casual
Longest Lunch and Emerging Generation Longest Lunch - Smart Casual
Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner - Cocktail
Women Leading the Way Breakfast - Smart Casual
Farewell Drinks - Smart Casual
Bruny Island Cruise - Casual, comfortable, dress warmly
Visit MONA - Casual
Can I bring my partner, a guest or my children to social events?
Yes, partners, extended family and guests are welcome at many parts of the conference. Masterclasses, social events and the Saturday tours are all open to them.
They’ll just need to be registered for the activities they plan to join. Guest tickets can be added easily when you complete your registration.
For information about guest ticket pricing, click here.
Travel and Accommodation
When should I book flights and what dates should I plan for hotel accommodation?
Conference activities begin on Tuesday 19 May from 12:00 pm with Family Business Site Visits, and officially conclude on Friday 22 May at 7:00 pm with Farewell Drinks.
If you choose to join the optional tours on Saturday 23 May to Bruny Island or MONA, you may wish to extend your stay.
Here’s a quick overview:
Tuesday 19 May - Family Business Site Visits and Welcome Function
Wednesday 20 May - Masterclasses and Longest Lunch events
Thursday 21 May - Conference sessions and Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner
Friday 22 May - Conference sessions, Women Leading the Way Breakfast and Farewell Drinks
Saturday 23 May - Two optional tours: Bruny Island Cruise and Visit MONA
Check the full conference program to plan your flights and hotel bookings according to the activities you want to attend.
Where should I stay?
We’ve partnered with a range of nearby hotels to offer you special rates, and rooms are being held exclusively for Family Business Conference delegates.
All hotels are conveniently located near the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, our conference venue. To view the hotels available and to take advantage of special rates, please click here.
Are there discounted flights available?
Yes, we have partnered with Qantas as our Airline Sponsor to provide Family Business Conference delegates with flight discounts off the current live rate to and from Hobart.
For more information and to access these discounts please, click here.
Is transport provided to off-site events?
Yes, for Family Business Site Visits and other conference events that are outside of the Hotel Grand Chancellor, transport will be arranged to get you to and from the venue.
Do you have a question that isn't answered above?
Please reach out to our Conference team and we will be happy to help you.
Thank you to our Sponsors
A special thank you to our Family Business Conference Gold Sponsors. Their support, alongside all our Family Business Conference Sponsors and Partners, enhances the success of the event and contributes to the growth and strength of our family business community.
Family Business Conference Gold Sponsors
Family Business Conference Sponsors
