Conference 2024


GROW YOUR BUSINESS / Join us! #SMBiT2024

Experience the Future of IT at the 9th Annual SMBiT Professionals' National Conference

Join us for the most anticipated event of the year – the 9th Annual SMBiT Professionals' National Conference, taking place in the vibrant city of Melbourne on 25th and 26th October 2024. This premier event is the ultimate destination for IT businesses and professionals dedicated to servicing SMBs across Australia. Our focus this year is on AI and Cybersecurity, and the huge opportunities that exist in the SMB space to for end users and our members businesses.  We will look not only at the upside of these topics, but how to mitigate risks associated with them. Sessions will focus on both business and technical aspects of this potential.

Why Attend?

Unparalleled Networking: Connect with like-minded professionals, industry leaders, and potential partners. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships that can transform your business.

Cutting-Edge Education: Dive into a wealth of knowledge with our comprehensive agenda. Explore business strategies, technical innovations, and wellbeing practices designed to propel your business into the future.

Elective Workshops: Expand your learning experience with elective workshops on Thursday 24th October. Delve deeper into specialised topics and gain hands-on skills that you can immediately apply to your business. (Note: Registration for workshops is separate from the conference.)

Evening Events: Unwind and continue networking at our Awards dinners on Friday night and exclusive sponsor dinners on Saturday night. Enjoy great food, lively conversations, and the chance to solidify new connections.

What's New This Year?

Our conference is growing! We're offering even more content and opportunities for engagement, including elective workshops that cater to specific interests and needs. Whether you're looking to enhance your technical skills, boost your business acumen, or focus on personal wellbeing, we've got you covered.

Be Part of the Future

Don't miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of the IT industry, surrounded by peers who are as passionate and driven as you are. Whether you're looking to learn, network, or simply be inspired, the SMBiT Professionals' National Conference is the place to be.

Secure your spot today and get ready to experience the future of IT!

We can't wait to welcome you to an event that promises to be both enlightening and exhilarating!


Pre-Conference Sessions - 24th October 2024

These exclusive Pre-Conference sessions are available only to conference attendees and will take place on 24th October. These sessions are fully catered for during the day and include a light dinner after the pre-conference session to round out the day.


Technical Pre-Day Session

Get ready for an immersive experience like no other at the Technical Pre-Day workshop, "Into the trenches in a real Cyberattack," led by Robert Crane from CIAOPS, a world-renowned expert on Microsoft 365. This is not just another workshop; it's a gamified adventure into the heart of cybersecurity incident response.

Picture this: you're part of a team, plunged into a high-stakes scenario where an intrusion has occurred. Your mission? To unravel the mystery of the attack, fend off the cunning assailant, and fortify your defenses. But that's not all – you'll also learn to detect threats before they escalate, ensuring your organisation's safety in the face of ever-evolving cyber dangers.

This hands-on experience is designed to test your skills and push your limits. You'll engage in real-time problem-solving, collaborate with your peers, and gain invaluable insights into the best tools and techniques for managing threats in a Microsoft 365 environment. It's not just about theory; it's about practical application that you can take back to your workplace and implement immediately.

By the end of the session, you'll walk away with a deeper understanding of incident response, a toolkit of strategies for enhancing your cybersecurity posture, and the confidence to tackle challenges head-on in a real-world setting. So gear up for a day of learning, competition, and growth. It's game time, and the stakes have never been higher. Are you ready to step into the trenches?


Business Pre-Day Session

Dive deep into the heart of your business and unleash its full potential at the Business Pre-Day workshop, "Blowing up the obstacles holding you back from real business growth." Led by the dynamic duo of James Davis from Pax8 and Ryan Spillane from 360 Consulting, this session is set to be an intense journey of discovery and transformation.

With a combined 60 years of experience, James and Ryan will guide you through a thorough examination of your business, identifying the hidden roadblocks that are stifling your growth. The morning session will be dedicated to a comprehensive maturity assessment, where you'll delve into the inner workings of your business and understand what drives its success. You'll explore established frameworks that have proven successful in pinpointing choke points and defining what growth truly means for you.

In the afternoon, the workshop takes a bold turn as selected businesses are put under the microscope. Together, as a collective, you'll dissect real-life scenarios, uncovering the barriers that hinder progress. James and Ryan will provide expert insights and tailored solutions to help you navigate these obstacles, ensuring you leave with actionable strategies to propel your business forward.

Key areas of focus will include:

  • Finance & Operations: Demystifying your numbers and ensuring they align with your goals.
  • Service & Project Delivery: Enhancing your ability to deliver exceptional services and projects.
  • Marketing & Messaging: Crafting compelling messages to attract more business.
  • Pricing & Packaging: Developing pricing strategies that drive profitability.
  • Exit Strategies: Planning for the future with effective exit strategies.

This workshop is designed for business owners and their executive teams who are ready to face the truth about their business and are committed to making real, impactful changes. Note that an NDA will be required for participation, ensuring a safe and confidential environment for open and honest discussions.

Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and equipped with the knowledge and tools to take your business to new heights. Are you ready to blow up the obstacles and unlock your true potential?


GET INVOLVED

We're keen for you to be involved in our conference in 2024.

Become a conference sponsor

Elevate your brand and connect with the heart of Australia's SMB IT community by becoming a sponsor at the 9th Annual SMBiT Professionals' National Conference, which will be held on 25th and 26th October 2024 in Melbourne. 

This year, we're focusing on themes of AI and Cybersecurity, offering our attendees a wealth of knowledge and opportunities to grow their businesses and develop skills to protect their customers.

Why Sponsor?

  • Targeted Exposure: Position your company before a dedicated audience of IT business owners, professionals, and decision-makers servicing small and medium-sized businesses.
  • Meaningful Connections: Engage with attendees through interactive exhibits, networking events, and speaking opportunities. Build relationships that go beyond the conference.
  • Brand Visibility: Increase your brand's visibility and recognition within the industry. Showcase your products, services, and solutions to a highly relevant audience.
  • Thought Leadership: Demonstrate your expertise and position your company as a leader in the SMB IT space by sharing insights and innovations.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

We offer a variety of sponsorship packages to suit your goals and budget. From exhibiting at our vendor expo to presenting educational sessions, numerous ways exist to get involved and make an impact.

Join us as a sponsor and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of IT for small and medium-sized businesses. This is your chance to make a lasting impression and drive your business forward.

Conference Sponsorship is only available to existing SMBiT Professionals Term Sponsors.  Sponsorship options will be available from 22nd April 2024.

Become a conference speaker

Are you passionate about AI and Cybersecurity and have valuable insights to share? We're seeking dynamic speakers to present at the 9th Annual SMBiT Professionals' National Conference, taking place on 25th and 26th October 2024 in Melbourne. This is your opportunity to engage with a dedicated audience of SMB IT professionals and MSP business owners who are eager to learn and grow.  This year's conference theme will focus on Cybersecurity and AI, and we are looking for real-world answers to enable our members to understand these technologies better, protect their customers and grow their business.  Preference will be given to SMBiT Professionals members that have real world experience in these specific areas.

Why Speak at Our Conference?

  • Showcase Your Expertise: Position yourself as a thought leader in the IT industry by sharing your knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas.
  • Connect with Peers: Network with other professionals, exchange ideas, and build relationships that can lead to new opportunities.
  • Make an Impact: Help shape the future of IT for small and medium-sized businesses by providing valuable insights and practical solutions.
  • Gain Visibility: Benefit from exposure to a targeted audience both at the conference and through our promotional materials.

Topics of Interest

We're looking for presentations that cover a range of topics relevant to the SMB IT space, including but not limited to:

  • AI and the potential for good and bad in the SMB space
  • Business growth strategies
  • Cybersecurity and data protection
  • Cloud computing and digital transformation
  • Technical innovations and trends
  • Wellbeing and work-life balance in the IT industry
  • Case studies and success stories

Submission Guidelines

To submit your proposal, please provide the following information:

  • Title and brief description of your presentation
  • Key takeaways for attendees
  • Your bio and professional background
  • Any previous speaking experience

Deadline for Submissions

Please submit your proposal by Friday May 31st.   Selected speakers will be notified by Friday June 28th.  Submissions are accepted only via the speaker submission form below.

Join us as a speaker and participate in an event dedicated to empowering the SMB IT Professionals community. Share your knowledge, inspire others, and make a lasting impact.

We look forward to hearing from you and potentially welcoming you as a speaker at our conference!

Conference Session List

We'll have a draft agenda available shortly so that you can get an idea of how much we are packing into these two days.

Event Location

PULLMAN MELBOURNE ON THE PARK

192 WELLINGTON PARADE

EAST MELBOURNE  VIC  3002 

CONFERENCE TICKET PRICES / #SMBiT2024

MEMBER EARLY BIRD PRICING

$549

Valid for members only.  

Available until 30 April 2024.

MEMBER PROMO OFFER

$695

Valid for members only.

From 1 May until 30 June 2024

MEMBER SPECIAL PRICING

$795

Valid for members only.

From 1 July until

30 August 2024

FULL MEMBER PRICING

$895

Valid for members only.

From 1 September until

18 October 2024

NEW MEMBERSHIP + CONFERENCE

$995

Only valid for new members (and past members who

have not held a membership 

since 1 July 2022). 

Check if you are eligible to become a member at https://www.smbitpro.org/join/

Closing 18 October 2024

COMPANY DISCOUNT

$495

Only valid for members from the same company.

Register 3 or more from your business to receive the discounted price.

Contact [email protected] to organise.

Closing 30 June 2024