Early bird tickets are now on sale for the Northern Territory Government’s 2026 October Business Month program of events.
This year’s keynote program will feature four flagship events across Alice Springs, Darwin and Katherine:
- Friday 2 October – Alice Springs: Founder and CEO of New Era Energy, Renee Wootton Tomlin (pictured);
- Friday 9 October – Darwin Women in Business Lunch: Founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity, Rochelle Courtenay;
- Friday 16 October – Katherine: Stand-up comedian, Brett Blake;
- Friday 30 October – Darwin: Co-Founder of THE ICONIC and Hatch, Adam Jacobs.
Each keynote event will include a panel discussion with local Territory Success Stories, showcasing the achievements of businesses across the Territory. The Katherine event will celebrate the resilience of Big Rivers businesses through one of the most challenging disaster seasons in recent years.
Now in its 32nd year, October Business Month remains the Territory’s premier business development program, connecting thousands of business owners, industry leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs through a month of learning, networking, and inspiration.
This year’s format responds to the current needs of business. The arrival of AI, changing consumer behaviour and workforce transformation have created both opportunities and challenges to navigate. Under the theme ‘Embracing Change’, the OBM 2026 program will explore how local businesses can adapt to rapidly changing technologies, shifting market demands and evolving workplace dynamics.
OBM partner events will again feature on the calendar, alongside a new Business Support Series focused on the needs of business communities across the regions.
Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations, Robyn Cahill said the Territory was open for business, and October Business Month was a chance to back the local operators who take a risk and help drive our economy forward.
“This year we’ve expanded the keynote program to four events across Alice Springs, Darwin and Katherine, bringing some of Australia’s most accomplished entrepreneurs to the Territory. Their fresh insights and hard-won experience will help our businesses embrace change and turn it into opportunity,” Minister Cahill said.
“When we invest in the skills, networks, and confidence of Territory businesses, we build a stronger economy for everyone. That’s what October Business Month delivers, and it’s part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s plan for a year of growth, certainty, and security,” she said.
New Era Energy Founder and CEO, Renee Wootton Tomlin said she was looking forward to being in Alice Springs for OBM 2026.
“Australia burns 7.7 billion litres of jet fuel every year and we have the opportunity right now to produce it here, on Country, from our own resources. That’s the work New Era Energy, Australia’s first Indigenous Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Renewable Diesel Platform, is doing, and the NT is central to that story,” Ms Wootton Tomlin said.
THE ICONIC and Hatch Co-Founder, Adam Jacobs said he was looking forward to travelling to Darwin for OBM 2026.
“I’m looking forward to sharing what I learnt building Australia’s largest online fashion retailer, THE ICONIC,” Mr Jacobs said.
Early bird tickets for the keynote speaker events are on sale now at obm.nt.gov.au. The full OBM 2026 program will be launched in the coming weeks.
