Weld Australia has issued a call for sponsors and speakers to take part in the 2026 National Manufacturing Summit, to be held in Adelaide on 29 and 30 July, with a strong focus on strengthening Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.
The two-day event will centre on the theme Manufacturing Sovereignty: Australia’s Defence Advantage, placing the nation’s Defence manufacturing ecosystem at the forefront of discussions around national security, economic resilience and long-term industrial capability.
The Summit will bring together more than 200 senior leaders from across government, industry, Defence, research and finance. Attendees are expected to include representatives from Federal and State Government, Defence primes, Tier One suppliers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, unions, universities and industry bodies.
According to Weld Australia, the 2026 program will explore opportunities across shipbuilding, aerospace, critical minerals, advanced materials and secure energy systems, while examining the partnerships required to meet Defence’s procurement and capability targets.
“Australia’s Defence manufacturing capability is central to our national resilience,” said Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia. “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 is seeking keynote presenters, panellists and specialist session speakers with expertise in Defence, advanced manufacturing, sovereign capability, 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, showcase leadership, innovation and technical excellence, and engage directly with decision-makers from government, academia and industry,” Crittenden said.
“We are particularly interested in speakers who can share real-world case studies, lessons learned and practical frameworks that other manufacturers can adopt. The Summit is about outcomes as much as ideas.”
In parallel, expressions of interest are open for sponsors looking to align with one of Australia’s established advanced manufacturing events. Sponsorship packages are designed to provide tailored opportunities for brand visibility, engagement and strategic collaboration.
“Our sponsors are not just logo supporters. They are strategic partners in building a more sovereign, resilient and competitive Australian manufacturing sector,” Crittenden said. “The Summit is where serious conversations about manufacturing capability turn into practical collaborations and investment.”
Weld Australia said the Summit is designed to deliver tangible outcomes, including stronger collaboration across the Defence supply chain, improved access to Defence markets for Australian manufacturers, increased investment in skills and technology, and greater national awareness of the challenges shaping Australia’s industrial future.
