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AVC26 Conference Program Highlights
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The AVC26 Conference on the Gold Coast over 7-8 May 2026 brings together auctioneers, valuers, and industry partners at a time of significant change across the professional services landscape. Expectations around governance, client confidence, compliance, technology, and ethical practice are evolving rapidly, and our sector must be ready to respond with clarity, professionalism, and capability.

Across the program, the AVC26 Conference explores the dynamic environment in which auctioneers and valuers work today, where commercial pressures intersect with regulation, consumer behaviour, risk, and reputation. The sessions have been designed to strengthen practical decision-making, support sustainable businesses, and reinforce the professional standards that underpin trusted auction and valuation services.

AVC26 Conference
Business Leaders Sessions

Australia’s Auction & Valuation Sector
Tim Slattery CAAu — President, Auctioneers & Valuers Association of Australia
Be present for the launch of AVAA’s inaugural industry snapshot, presenting statistical insights from across the auctioneering and valuation sector. It highlights operating realities, workforce and digital capability trends, regulatory burdens, emerging risks, and future opportunities, providing an evidence-based foundation for business decision making and the sector’s policy advocacy.

Small Business In The Digital Age
Mick Keogh — Deputy Commissioner, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Hear directly from the ACCC on issues facing small businesses in the digital age, with practical insight into regulatory risks, consumer law duties, online trading obligations and data practices, helping business managers understand their obligations, avoid costly mistakes and remain compliant in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Australia’s Economic Outlook
Peter Muncton — Chief Economist, Bank of Queensland
This presentation examines Australia’s economic outlook, exploring key trends shaping growth, inflation, interest rates and consumer confidence. It considers what changing economic conditions mean for asset markets, business confidence and demand, helping professionals understand risks, opportunities and likely impacts across auction and valuation sectors.

An Advocacy Agenda That Supports Small Business
Skye Cappuccio — Chief Executive Officer, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia
Learn about the work of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) advocacy to support your organisation, focusing on reducing red tape, improving regulatory settings and strengthening digital capability. It highlights practical policy priorities that help small firms in the auction and valuation sector remain competitive, compliant and resilient while contributing to a stronger national economy.

Cyber Risk Leadership for Small Professional Practices
Ivano Bongiovanni — Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland School of Business
In an environment of increasing digital threats, auctioneers and valuers must treat cybersecurity as a core governance obligation. This session explains practical cyber-risk leadership for small professional firms, covering staff behaviours, basic controls, incident readiness, and client trust, helping businesses strengthen resilience without needing large budgets or specialist IT teams.

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AVC26 Conference
Auction & Valuation Focussed Sessions

Protecting Artists’ Rights And What It Means For Auctioneers & Valuers
Louise Buckingham — Chief Executive Officer, Arts Law Centre of Australia
This presentation examines artists’ rights and their growing impact on auctioneers and valuers. It explores copyright, resale royalty schemes, moral rights and disclosure obligations, highlighting how these affect valuation, sale processes, risk management and professional responsibilities across the art market.

Managing Risk & Compliance In Art Transactions
Alana Kushnir — Director, Guest Work Agency
This session focuses on managing legal risk and compliance across art and luxury assets. It examines title, authenticity, resale royalties, privacy, consumer law and documentation, offering practical guidance for auctioneers and valuers operating in complex, high-value and increasingly regulated markets.

AI As An Enabler In A Changing Market
Thamasha (Tam) Galahena — Founder, Enable AI
This session examines how AI is reshaping valuation and auction practices across Australia, showing how professionals can use these tools as practical assistants without compromising judgement or accountability. We’ll cover techniques to reduce hallucinations, verification habits, and governance frameworks for both everyday practice and high-stakes professional work. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for integrating AI while preserving professional standards

Different Asset Classes But Is There A Common Approach
Jonathan Marin CVAu — Director, TCG Valuations
Catherine Asquith CVAu — Director, Catherine Asquith Art Advisory
Nathan Gore-Brown — Director, ZEV Integrations
This panel explores the similarities and differences in valuing and auctioning collectables, artwork and electric vehicles. It examines market drivers, condition and authenticity, technology impacts, buyer behaviour and risk, highlighting how professionals adapt valuation methods and sale strategies across diverse asset classes.

Managing Expectations in Sight-Unseen Online Auctions
Meighan Heard – Chief Risk & Integrity Officer, Slattery Auctions
Geoff Alway — Managing Director, Always Collectables
This panel explores the similarities and differences in valuing and auctioning collectables, artwork and electric vehicles. It examines market drivers, condition and authenticity, technology impacts, buyer behaviour and risk, highlighting how professionals adapt valuation methods and sale strategies across diverse asset classes.

Perspectives On The Future Of The Auction & Valuation Sector
Stephen Lester — Managing Director, Cox Automotive Australia
Caroline Tickner — Caroline Tickner Jewellery Services
A facilitated, fast-paced forum capturing member views on the future of auctioneering and valuation. Using live polling from their mobile device, participants test priorities, risks, and advocacy needs in real time, with results displayed instantly to drive focused, purposeful discussion across the sector. It a session that will help drive AVAA’s strategy.

Auctioneers & Valuers Professional Pulse
Interactive Session For Delegates
A facilitated, fast-paced forum capturing member views on the future of auctioneering and valuation. Using live polling from their mobile device, participants test priorities, risks, and advocacy needs in real time, with results displayed instantly to drive focused, purposeful discussion across the sector. It a session that will help drive AVAA’s strategy.

We encourage you to make the most of the breadth of insights offered throughout the AVC26 Conference, whether you are looking to deepen your technical knowledge, better understand emerging risks, or gain a clearer view of where the sector is heading. Beyond the sessions themselves, the conference is also a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and build the relationships that strengthen our profession.

We look forward to seeing you at the AVC26 Conference. We hope the program supports you to return to your business with renewed confidence, practical tools, and a stronger understanding of the changing environment in which auctioneers and valuers operate—now and into the future.

The AVC26 Conference is organised by the Auctioneers & Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA), that since 1952 has been the peak body representing professional auctioneers and valuers.  If you have any questions, please contact the AVAA Events team via email at avc26.conference@avaa.com.au or by telephone on 1300 928 165.

AVAA Membership – It’s a great time to get involved.

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