CQU centre stage as Australia’s social enterprises converge in Brisbane
CQUniversity is set to host big-impact entrepreneurs from around the country, as the social enterprise university partners with Social Traders Australia for its national conference.
Convene 2026 is on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October in Brisbane’s CBD, driving ideas, energy and action as Australia's social impact community gathers to discuss and design a better future.
Social Traders is Australia's industry body for social enterprise and social performance and has certified nearly 800 for-purpose businesses.
This includes CQUniversity, Australia’s only social enterprise university since 2022.
Sunshine State, social impact
With the theme Social Value Through Business, the two-day conference comes as Queensland’s social enterprise sector is set to boom.
Day one at the Pullman Brisbane King George Square, attendees will hear from Queensland Treasurer, the Honourable David Janetzki MP, to outline the state’s investment in social impact through the $80 million Social Entrepreneurs Fund and its Office of Social Impact.
Erin Hatton, Head of Impact for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will also outline initiatives to create inclusive, equitable and accessible jobs and business opportunities through the international event.
As Queensland’s only dual-sector university, and as a leader in physical activity education, research, and innovation, CQU is uniquely placed to support training, regional engagement, and community legacy for Brisbane 2032.
Other speakers include human rights activist and former Socceroo Craig Foster AM, ethicist and philosopher Professor Peter Singer, and leaders from big-impact businesses including Patagonia, Food Connect Foundation, OzHarvest, EY, and Westpac.
Partnering for purpose
On day two of the conference, CQUniversity Brisbane will host a series of eight Convene Masterclasses.
The sessions will help social enterprises sharpen their fundamentals, across pitching, advocacy, social value measurement, impactful partnerships and much more.
CQU Social Impact Lab Program Manager Steve Williams said
“Social enterprises are built through purpose, persistence and people, and especially through the support they find in community and connection,” he said.
“CQU is proud to be supporting Social Traders to make those connections happen at Convene 2026, and across all our community partnerships.”
For nearly a decade, CQUniversity has been driving innovative and inclusive social impact, with students, staff and communities.
With social innovation principles and practice embedded across education, training and research, the social enterprise university works with government, industry, business and the for-purpose sector to solve problems for people, planet and society.
Learn more at the CQUniversity Social Impact website.
