Get ready for the
2026 APL National
Manufacturers Conference
Brisbane, Australia
Wednesday 23rd September - Saturday 26th September
We’re excited for you to join us at this year’s event!
APL National Manufacturers Conference Brisbane 2026
AGENDA
DAY 1
Wednesday 23rd September
Group Flights depart New Zealand
New Zealand flights will be departing from: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Group Flights arrive in Brisbane Australia
-
Transport for those on Group flights will be provided by coach from the Airport to The Star Grand Hotel
-
Registration and bag drop available on arrival
-
Guests to enjoy free time exploring Brisbane
-
Check in from 4.00 pm.
Welcome drinks – Cicada Blu
Cicada Blu is located on Sky Deck, Level 23.
5.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Dress code - smart casual.
Dinner by own arrangement.
DAY 2
Thursday 24th September
8.00 am - 9.00 am
APL Working Breakfast and Registration
Foyer Event Centre South, The Star Event Centre
* Partners can enjoy a à la carte breakfast each morning at their leisure.
Available from 7:00 am to 10:30 am (last orders at 10:00 am) located at Level 2, The Star Grand.
9.00 am – 11.00 am
Conference Plenary
Paddington Room, The Star Event Centre
Morning conference presentations.
11.00 am – 11.30 am
Morning Tea Break
Foyer Event Centre South, The Star Event Centre
11.30 am – 1.00 pm
Conference Plenary
Paddington Room, The Star Event Centre
Continue with morning conference presentations.
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm
Lunch Break and Expo
Foyer Event Centre South, The Star Event Centre
Take the opportunity to enjoy lunch while catching up on important updates from PGL business units. Representatives from the following departments will be on hand to share the latest in market insights and product developments through demonstrations and discussion.
-
Market Development
-
Volume Builders
-
Operations
-
Fabricator Support
-
Technical Services
-
Marketing
-
Design and Innovation
-
Business Support
-
APL Manufacturing
-
AGP
-
Sustainability.
2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
Workshop 1
Delegates will be split into groups to attend 4 interactive and informative workshops.
3.15 pm – 4.15 pm
Workshop 2
4.15 pm - 5.00 pm
Networking Drinks
Foyer Event Centre South, The Star Event Centre
5.45 pm - 6.30 pm
Meet at Hotel Foyer for Dinner Transport, Ferry to Howard Smith Wharves at 6.00pm and 6.20pm
From 6.30 pm
Dinner
Mr Percivals Howard Smith Wharves
5 Boundary St, Brisbane Queensland 4000
6.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Dress code - smart casual.
Sponsored by Dulux Powdercoating and Assa Abloy
We warmly invite all our delegates and partners to join us for an evening of connection and celebration at Mr Percivals. Enjoy crafted cocktails and a relaxed dining experience, set against the Howard Smith Wharves on the Brisbane Riverside.
Return Transport: Ferries will depart at 9.15pm, 9.45pm ,10.15pm with the final ferry departing at 10.45pm from the Howard Smith Wharves.
DAY 3
Friday 25th September
8.00 am - 9.00 am
APL Working Breakfast
Foyer Event Centre South, The Star Event Centre
* Partners can enjoy a à la carte breakfast each morning at their leisure.
Available from 7:00 am to 10:30am (last orders at 10:00 am)
located at Level 2, The Star Grand.
9.00 am – 10.00 am
Workshop 3
Delegates will be split into groups to attend 4 interactive and informative workshops.
10.15 am – 11.15 am
Workshop 4
11.15 am – 12.00 pm
Morning Tea Break and Expo
Foyer Event Centre South, The Star Event Centre
12.00 pm – 1.00 pm
Conference Wrap up with Panel Q+A
Paddington Room, The Star Event Centre
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm
Lunch and Conclusion of Conference
Foyer Event Centre South, The Star Event Centre
4.30 pm – 6.00 pm
Farewell Drinks and Nibbles
Leisure Deck, Level 7, The Star Grand
*optional for manufacturers, partners and their families to attend.
Dress code: Smart Casual
Dinner by own arrangement
DAY 4
Saturday 26th September
Breakfast
All guests are welcome to enjoy an à la carte breakfast, available from 7:00 am to 10:30 am (last orders at 10:00 am) located at Level 2, The Star Grand.
Group coaches for airport departures:
*Group coach times are subject to change. Please meet at the at The Star Grand Hotel Foyer.
6.00 am
Airport Departure for Qantas QF133 Christchurch
(Flight departing 9.00am)
Air New Zealand NZ272 to Wellington
(Flight departing 9.15am)
9.20 am
Airport Departure for Auckland NZ146 Air New Zealand
(Flight departing 12.20 pm)
10.45 am
Airport Departure for Auckland NZ150 Air New Zealand
(Flight departing 2.45 pm)
Hotel Check Out: 11.00am
Workshop Facilitators
Curated to provide practical insights and tools you can apply directly to your business operations. Delegates will be divided into groups to attend four interactive and informative workshops.
Your conference lanyard received at registration will detail which group you are in.
Details of each workshop and its corresponding speaker are outlined below.
AI in practice
By Kayur Patel (PwC)
A hands-on, practical session designed to demystify AI and show how it can be used simply and effectively in day-to-day work, focusing on getting the most out of tools such as GPT and Claude.
Attendees will work through real-world examples and apply these tools in-session (laptops or iPads required), exploring simple, practical use cases that can save time, improve efficiency, and support better decision-making without needing technical expertise.
The session will also include a brief overview of what APL has achieved through the programme, helping to bring the outcomes to life and make them relevant for the wider group. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of where AI can add value, along with practical ideas they can implement straight away.
About Kayur Patel:
Kayur Patel is a Director in PwC New Zealand’s Emerging Technology team and specialises in helping organisations understand, adopt and implement Generative AI solutions. Over the last two years, he has worked with more than 200 organisations to help them get the most out of Gen AI in practical, safe and commercially valuable ways. Kayur works with Boards, executives and teams to develop AI strategies, improve AI literacy, establish responsible AI guardrails, and identify high-value use cases. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Lawyer.
Thank you to our 2026 Event Sponsors for their continued support.
Accommodation & Conference Venue
The Star Grand hotel is located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. This luxurious 5-star accommodation haven offers breathtaking views, beautifully appointed rooms and a stunning Leisure Deck that features swimming pools with exceptional views of the Brisbane River and South Bank.
Accommodation at The Star Grand Hotel is a mix of River or City View King and/or Twin rooms.
Room upgrades are available on request and subject to availability.
Manufacturers will be invoiced for any additional upgrade costs.
For any upgrade or additional requests email Jaimee McIntosh if you would like to discuss these options.
Travel Arrangements
All flights, accommodation, and transfers will be booked by APL Window Solutions for attendees. Extended stays, alternative flight options, and additional guest flights / rooms can be arranged with our booking agent and will incur additional costs. All booking requests are subject to availability and details will be confirmed by the booking agent.
If alternative travel arrangements are required outside of the listed Conference Package options, the full package fee will still apply.
Fortis Travel After Hours Services:
If your query is urgent and outside of our normal office hours (9am to 5.00pm Monday – Friday) or during public holidays, please call the office on 09 551 8468 and press 2 to go through to our emergency after hours service.
Please note this is a chargeable service and fees of approximately $60.00 will be charged for any calls to the afterhours service.
Cancellations
-
Cancellations received on or before 10 July 2026 will be eligible for a refund (cancellation fees apply)
-
Any cancellations made after 10 July 2026 will be charged the full value of flights and accommodation.
View T&Cs
If you have any queries regarding the conference, please email jaimee.mcintosh@aplnz.co.nz
