Manufacturing sovereignty and Australia’s defence capability will be the focus of the 2026 National Manufacturing Summit, with Weld Australia calling for sponsors and speakers to participate in the event to be held in Adelaide on 29 and 30 July 2026.
According to Weld Australia, the summit will bring together senior leaders from government, manufacturing industry and research to examine sovereign manufacturing capability, with the 2026 theme titled Manufacturing Sovereignty: Australia’s Defence Advantage.
In a news release, the organisation said the program is expected to explore manufacturing opportunities across defence-related sectors including shipbuilding, aerospace, critical minerals, advanced materials and secure energy systems, alongside discussion on partnerships needed to support Defence procurement and capability requirements.
“Australia’s Defence manufacturing capability is central to our national resilience,” said Weld Australia chief executive officer Geoff Crittenden.
“The National Manufacturing Summit is designed to move the conversation beyond rhetoric and into practical, collaborative action, bringing together the people and organisations that can genuinely shift the dial.”
Weld Australia said the summit typically attracts more than 200 senior delegates from across federal and state governments, defence primes, Tier One suppliers, manufacturing SMEs, unions, financial institutions, universities and industry bodies.
Previous events have featured speakers from across policy, economics and industry, reflecting a range of perspectives on manufacturing and industrial development.
The organisation is seeking keynote speakers, panellists and specialist presenters with experience in defence manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, technology adoption, policy and supply chain resilience.
“Speaking at the Summit offers the opportunity to influence national dialogue on sovereign manufacturing and Defence industry priorities,” Crittenden said, adding that Weld Australia is particularly interested in “real-world case studies, lessons learned and practical frameworks that other manufacturers can adopt”.
Weld Australia is also inviting sponsors to support the event, with Crittenden noting that sponsors are viewed as “strategic partners in building a more sovereign, resilient and competitive Australian manufacturing sector”.
Further details on sponsorship and speaking opportunities are available directly from Weld Australia.
