AHG Expo 2026: Where the Industry Comes Together

Spanning two high-energy days, the AHG Expo remains the region’s largest and most comprehensive hospitality and gaming trade event. 

Operators, suppliers, decision-makers and emerging talent will converge under one roof to explore innovation, share insight and make meaningful connections — all with free entry for industry professionals.

In an industry driven by experience and constant evolution, it’s the exchange of ideas across food and beverage, gaming, design and construction, technology, finance and entertainment that keeps venues relevant, competitive and deeply connected to their communities. The AHG Expo continues to be the place where those conversations happen.

Introducing AHG Talks

New for 2026, AHG Talks takes centre stage — with a refreshed, expanded content program designed for today’s operators. 

Running across both days of the Expo, AHG Talks will deliver bite-sized, practical insights straight from exhibitors and industry experts, focused on real-world challenges, emerging trends and actionable solutions.

Some of the speakers already locked in include:

• Andrew Briese, Director, Cooking the Books by Quantaco
  Kitchen profitability – the art of kitchen management
• David McAnalan, Gambling Health Services Manager, Clubs Queensland
  Beyond compliance – gambling health in venues
• Chris Boyle, Chief Visionary Officer, StandbyU Foundation
  Building connected community partnerships
• Global Gaming Network (GGN)
  Women in leadership – knocking out imposter syndrome

Best of all, AHG Talks is completely free and open to all registered attendees.

Leadership in focus: AHG Congress returns

Returning on 24 March, ahead of the Expo floor opening, the AHG Congress will once again be presented by Clubs Queensland, ClubsNSW and the Club Managers’ Association Australia.

Tailored specifically for senior leaders and decision-makers, the Congress will tackle the realities of today’s operating environment — from governance and risk through to workforce challenges, compliance and long-term sustainability. 

The program is designed to equip leaders with the tools, insight and confidence needed to build resilient, future-ready venues.

A crowd favourite returns: the Cocktail Competition

No AHG Expo would be complete without a little flair behind the bar. With 2026 tipped to be the Year of the Spritz, the ever-popular AHG Cocktail Competition is back — and the stakes are higher than ever.

The overall winner will take home:

• $1000 cash
• A trophy
• A Diageo prize pack
• Tickets to the Diageo table at the CQ & McCain Foods Awards for Excellence, held on the night of the competition

Second place will receive $500 cash and third place $250 cash, with both also scoring a Diageo prize pack.

Why attend AHG Expo 2026?

• Free registration for industry professionals
• Hundreds of leading suppliers and world-first product launches
• Practical, on-the-ground insights through AHG Talks
• Strategic leadership learning at AHG Congress
• Unmatched networking opportunities with peers from across Australasia

From its humble beginnings on the Gold Coast to the expansive showcase now hosted in Brisbane, AHG Expo has continued to evolve — growing stronger, smarter and more relevant each year.

With more speakers yet to be announced and countless innovations set to be unveiled across 25 and 26 March, now is the time to be part of it.

Register now and secure your place.