If you’ve been waiting for a sign … this is it. ATEM2026 is THE tertiary education event of the year.
Three (and a bit) big days of ideas, practical sessions and the kind of conversations that keep rolling long after the lanyards come off. Bring your curiosity, your “we should totally try that” energy, and a notebook (digital or otherwise). And yes, you will absolutely get FOMO from hearing from those who attended and realised you missed something amazing. You’ll hear things like:
- “I’ve already got three great ideas to take back to my team and set in motion.”
- “I have found my north star, it’s reminded me why I love working in this sector”
- “I found my tribe – so many interesting connections.”
Who should attend?
Anyone with a passion for the tertiary sector. We are a unique gathering bring together people from across the sector – agnostic to discipline, role and seniority. You might be:
- A senior leader shaping strategy and culture
- An academic or teacher stepping into management and leadership roles
- An emerging leader stepping up and building confidence
- A specialist driving professional practice in your area
- A manager navigating complexity with your team
- A policy, operations or service expert making the system work
- Or someone who simply cares deeply about the future of higher and vocational education
The common thread is curiosity, commitment and a desire to keep learning and innovating. You’ll find your people here.
Conference registration
(Closes 13 September)
Member
Enjoy our best (VIP) rates as a valued member of ATEM
Affiliate*
Work for an ATEM Corporate member? This special rate is for you.
Public*
Not linked to ATEM membership but keen to be part of conference
Your registration gives you:
- Access to all keynote, plenary and concurrent sessions
- Morning tea, networking lunch and afternoon tea to keep you fuelled (and connecting)
- Entry to the Welcome event on Sunday afternoon
- A chance to go exploring with a range of campus tours
Optional add-ons
A couple of popular extras are ticketed separately:
- Conference dinner tickets are now available to purchase.
- Studio workshops open for registration with the release of the full program
* Not sure about your ATEM status? Check out our explainer to work out whether to register as a member, affiliate or public.
Our tried and tested pitch to the boss
We know that in the tertiary education landscape it often seems that financial resources are limited, already allocated or better spent elsewhere. But what we also know is that ‘elsewhere’ certainly can and should encompass your professional development.
If you’ve been staring longingly at our conference emails or scrolling this website, thinking if only I could be there, if only there was a way – we’re telling you there is.
Today is the day to put those worries aside and pitch your place at ATEM2026 | IGNITE to your boss. Copy and paste our pitch as is or tweak the words to suit your tone of voice.
[INSERT GREETING AND NAME],
I’m writing to seek your support for my attendance at the ATEM2026 | IGNITE conference. It’s taking place next month (27-30 September) at The University of Sydney and the conference program is brimming with insights and best practice solutions to challenges our sector is facing.
Attending the conference will provide me with a fantastic professional development opportunity that aligns with my annual performance plan and our team’s strategic goals.
ATEM (Association for Tertiary Education Management) is the leading professional association for the tertiary education workforce. They connect colleagues from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond to each other and the wider sector. They are laser focused on advancing excellence in our sector and uplifting the professional development of individuals who work within it.
ATEM2026 | IGNITE will bring together academics, educators, leaders, professionals and specialists for three standout days of learning, challenge and fresh thinking. Attendees will share ideas, develop skills and build professional networks.
Why I should attend ATEM2026 | IGNITE
The conference offers a rich program designed to expand knowledge and strengthen professional capabilities, including:
- Inspiring keynote presentations and senior leadership panels on key issues shaping the future of tertiary education.
- 60+ Practitioner-led sessions sharing case studies, innovative practices, and lessons learned.
- Interactive workshops focusing on specific skills, techniques, and emerging trends.
- Networking opportunities with colleagues from across the spectrum of higher and vocational education.
- Special interest group meetings tailored to a breadth of specialisations including: Faculty Professional Leadership, Reviews, Mentoring and Risk Excellence.
Outside of the main program I plan to:
- Volunteer at the conference to assist with activities such as hosting/chairing sessions or supporting the event operations.
- Engage in mentoring or peer-learning opportunities to strengthen my leadership skills.
Adding value to our team
Attending ATEM2026 | IGNITE will provide me with:
- An enhanced professional toolkit: Building my leadership, management, and technical capabilities through exposure to best practices and innovative approaches.
- Practical takeaways: Gaining actionable insights and strategies to apply directly to ongoing projects such as [INSERT CURRENT PROJECT OR INITIATIVE].
- Sector connections: Expanding our team’s professional network to foster partnerships and collaboration.
The knowledge and skills I gain will not only contribute to my development but also benefit our team and institution. I plan to share these learnings by:
- Organising a lunch-and-learn session to discuss key takeaways and their application.
- Delivering a team presentation summarising actionable insights and recommendations.
- Preparing a brief report or resources package for internal distribution.
- Developing an action plan with practical steps to implement conference learnings into our current practices.
- Contributing to a blog or internal newsletter to share broader reflections with colleagues.
Estimated costs
The ATEM2026 | IGNITE conference offers excellent value for its comprehensive program. Below is an estimate of the associated costs:
- Registration fee: [INSERT AMOUNT] (includes conference dinner and site visits).
- Travel: [INSERT AMOUNT].
- Accommodation: [INSERT AMOUNT] (includes breakfast).
- Other expenses: [INSERT AMOUNT/S].
- Total estimated cost: [INSERT AMOUNT].
A strategic investment
This opportunity aligns with our organisational goals by providing me with the tools, knowledge and connections to address pressing challenges and drive improvements. By embedding the learnings into my role and sharing them with our team, the investment in my attendance will have a lasting impact on our work.
Thank you for considering this request. I’m happy to provide further details or explore this opportunity further with you.
[INSERT YOUR SIGN OFF AND NAME]
P.S. I wouldn’t be surprised if after viewing the conference website you also want to attend (we know this one’s cheeky – feel free to delete it)