Australian Leadership Retreat 2024

The Australian Leadership Retreat (ALR) is our nation’s premier gathering for business, political, academic and community leaders, with a proud history of impacting business and government strategies. An invitation only event, now in its 29th year, the ALR, which is held under the Chatham House Rule, challenges the established agenda, through open, robust, and condential debate, with a deliberate focus on the long term.

This year, ADC Forum is delighted to hold the ALR in Adelaide at the invitation of our Host Partner, the South Australian Government. Under the theme of Building the Future the ALR will confront established paradigms and consider innovative solutions for Australia as part of the Asia-Pacic region.

Why attend?

Drawing on ADC Forum’s exceptional network of leaders, the ALR will offer participants the opportunity to gain deep insights into the issues affecting the future with a strong orientation towards outcomes which can be applied in public policy, businesses and organisations as well as in our own lives.

It is critical for Australia’s leaders from all sectors to strongly engage in discussions about the type of Australia we envisage and its role in and contribution to the world, with a particular focus on our regional neighbours. Therefore, the program is designed for active participation by all ALR attendees. The ALR will focus on how Australia needs to change by developing longer term aspirations for our future. What are
Australia’s obligations to the world and how should we contribute to and position ourselves within our region? What are the next reforms we need to consider, notwithstanding the challenges?

Participation is an opportunity to contribute to this process. It is also an opportunity for renewing friendships as well as building new ones, peer to peer networking and direct interaction with eminent speakers. ADC Forum welcomes the attendance of spouses and partners, who can participate in the program or enjoy the attractions of the host city.

The Program

Our program responds to the pressing imperative, in these turbulent times, to have the conversation about the future aspirations we want for Australia. We need fresh strategies, policies and reforms to adjust to the changing world. Leaders from the federal government and from the state level will participate to engage on the implications for public policy.

ADC Forum is drawing on its network of eminent thought leaders from Australia and around the globe to contribute to the program.

Topics to be to be covered include:

• Australia’s global positioning
• Transforming mindsets, strategic thinking and national
  capacity
• Australia’s economic destiny
• Education and skills development
• Markets, capital and investment
• Population, cities, regions and migration and national
  development
• Agriculture
• Mining and energy, including clean energy
• Confronting our environmental and climate challenges
• Innovation, advanced technology and manufacturing and digital development
• Defence, space and cybersecurity
• Creative industries and culture

Adelaide has been recognised as Australia’s coolest city by The Wall Street Journal for its culture, avours, events, entertainment and landscapes. Adelaide also provides ready access to three world-renowned wine regions as well as being a base for visits to some of Australia’s foremost attractions, including the Barossa Valley, the Fleurieu Peninsula which offers a Mediterranean ambiance and Kangaroo Island, with its stunning scenery, which is regarded as the best location to see Australian wildlife in the wild.

ADC Forum, in collaboration with the Host Partner is arranging optional tours for participants to enjoy these attractions before and after the ALR. Adelaide is also an important centre for world class innovative industries and plans are being made for ALR participants to have the opportunity for visits including innovation hubs, biotech institutions, space and technology industries and defence companies.