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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.

Thursday, 7 May 2026
AVC26 Conference – Plenary Sessions

Small Business In The Digital Age
Mick Keogh — Deputy Commissioner, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Hear directly from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (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 world.  [PDF Program Download]

Australia’s Economic Outlook
Peter Muncton — Chief Economist, Bank of Queensland
This presentation examines Australia’s outlook, exploring trends shaping growth, inflation, interest rates, and consumer confidence. It considers how changing conditions affect asset markets, helping auctioneers and valuers understand risks, opportunities, and impacts on professional decision-making, helping them consider their business’ future strategy.  [PDF Program Download]

An Advocacy Agenda That Supports Small Business
Skye Cappuccio — Chief Executive Officer, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia
Learn about the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) advocacy supporting your organisation by reducing red tape, improving regulatory settings, and strengthening digital capability. It highlights policy priorities that help valuation firms remain competitive, compliant, and resilient while contributing to a stronger economy.  [PDF Program Download]

Cyber Risk Leadership for Small Professional Practices
Ivano Bongiovanni — Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland School of Business
In an environment of digital threats, auctioneers and valuers must treat cybersecurity as a core governance obligation. This session looks at the threats and offers practical cyber-risk leadership approaches for professional firms, covering staff behaviours, controls, incident readiness, and client trust, helping businesses strengthen resilience without budgets or IT teams.  [PDF Program Download]

AI As An Enabler In A Changing Market
Thamasha (Tam) Galahena — Founder, Enable AI
This session examines the practical utility of AI as a tool for auctioneers and valuers, improving efficiency without replacing professional judgement.  It covers hallucination controls, verification practices, and governance frameworks, providing strategies for integrating AI into practice while maintaining accountability, consistency, and professional standards.  [PDF Program Download]

If Artificial Intelligence Can Value Assets, Do We We Need Valuers
Tim Slattery — Slattery Auctions
Geoff Eaton — Gordon Brothers
Leticia Hoffman – Vice President Australia, The Fine Art Group
This panel examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping valuation practice, from data aggregation to report preparation, and what this means for professional roles. It explores concerns about displacement, emerging opportunities, ethical boundaries, and how valuers adapt their skills, judgement, and accountability in an AI-augmented future.  [PDF Program Download]

Australia’s Auction & Valuation Sector
Troy Williams — Chief Executive, Auctioneers & Valuers Association of Australia
Be present for the launch of AVAA’s inaugural industry snapshot, presenting statistical insights across the auctioneering and valuation sector. It highlights operating realities, workforce and digital capability trends, regulatory burdens, emerging risks, and future opportunities, providing evidence-based foundation for business decisions and policy advocacy.  [PDF Program Download]

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The second day of the AVC26 Conference is structured around two concurrent sessions that conclude before lunch.  The first examines current and emerging issues in auction and valuation practice, while the second focuses on the commercial and business challenges facing executives across the sector.

Thursday, 7 May 2026 (Breakout Sessions – 1)
Auction & Valuation Professional Practice 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.  [PDF Program Download]

Managing Risk & Compliance In Art Transactions
Alana Kushnir — Director, Aurelian Lawyers & Advisors
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.  [PDF Program Download]

Galleries’ Engagement With Valuers & Auctioneers
David Don — General Manager, HOTA Gallery
Galleries, valuers and auctioneers operate within an interconnected art market where expertise, independence and commercial interests intersect. Understanding how galleries engage with valuation advice and auction processes highlights both collaborative opportunities and potential tensions, shaping transparency, market confidence and the integrity of art transactions.  [PDF Program Download]

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.  [PDF Program Download]

Thursday, 7 May 2026 (Breakout Sessions – 2)
Auction & Valuation Executive Leaders’ Focussed Sessions

So You’re Thinking Of Selling Your Business
Ian Jones, Director — BusinessSales.com.au
This presentation explores the market for buying and selling businesses, examining what drives purchaser demand, valuation expectations and transaction activity. It considers profitability, growth potential, industry trends, and risk, helping owners understand how buyers assess opportunities and what influences timing, pricing and successful business sales.  [PDF Program Download]

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.  [PDF Program Download]

Managing Business Risk 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.  [PDF Program Download]

Workplace Compliance Risks And Your Business
Caroline Beasley — Senior Associate, Cowell Clark Lawyers
This session assesses current workplace compliance risks facing small auction and valuation businesses, including employment classification, pay and entitlements, contractor arrangements, record-keeping, and workplace policies. It highlights common pitfalls, regulatory expectations, and practical steps to manage risk while maintaining compliant, sustainable, and productive professional workplaces.  [PDF Program Download]

Auctioneers & Valuers Business Issues 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.  [PDF Program Download]
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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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