The Sector launches 2026 edition of ECEC Owners and Operators Forum

The Sector has confirmed that its hugely successful Connect+ ECEC Owners and Operators Forum series will be returning for its second edition on 27 February 2026 at the Victoria Park Marquee in Brisbane.  

 

The Forum, which was sold out last year, is designed for current and aspiring early childhood education and care (ECEC) owners and operators as well as any other interested parties in the early learning value chain who are keen to connect with like-minded professionals to listen, learn and network in an intimate, non-corporate setting. 

 

“We are thrilled to be in a position to launch the second edition of our ECEC Owners and Operators Forum with a second to none line up,” Jason Roberts, Founder of The Sector said.

 

“It was always our intention for the Forum to become an annual event and we have been deeply humbled by the multiple requests from last year’s attendees who have been persistently enquiring about next year’s dates.”

 

The event will see the return of some of Australia’s most respected ECEC subject matter experts including Paul Mondo, Stacey Fox and Adam Thomas alongside a raft of new deeply accomplished, high performing early learning professionals including Maxine Bergh, Jae Fraser, Adrian Fonseca and Ash Sachdev.

 

In addition, The Sector is thrilled to confirm that the final segment of the event will be an exclusive sit-down with entrepreneur Eddy Groves that will be hosted by Sean Collins, principal event partner and co-founder of Collins Sacre Consulting. 

 

“Eddy brings a rare perspective, someone who’s lived the highs and lows of rapid expansion on a global stage. His honesty and transparency will make this a fascinating conversation and provide us with invaluable lessons to ensure that all of us involved in the sector strive to be better,” Mr Collins said. 

 

“This year’s Owners and Operators Forum is once again shaping up to be a must attend event. After the success of last year the bar was set very high but huge credit to The Sector team, and our partners, for pulling together what will undoubtedly be an inspiring and rewarding experience for all attendees,” Mr Roberts added. 

 

“Building a Stronger Sector – Lessons in Growth, Risk & Resilience” 

 

To be held in Brisbane, Queensland at the Victoria Park Marquee on Friday 27 February 2025, the ECEC Owners and Operators Forum 2026 will explore multiple themes of relevance and interest to owners and operators active in the space right now. 

 

“Given the challenges experienced by the broader sector in 2025 our panel discussions will almost certainly adopt a more reflective tone as we unpack the complexities of the current moment through policy, greenfield and brownfield lenses and examine how intentional, considered strategies can ensure success, regardless of prevailing uncertainty,” Mr Roberts said. 

 

This years ECEC Owners and Operators Forum will consist of the following segments:

 

The ECEC Policy Environment – Understanding the past, and preparing for the future

 

Jason Roberts, Founder of The Sector will be joined on stage by accomplished and influential president of the Australian Childcare Association, Paul Mondo, and respected and experienced policy analyst and researcher, Dandolo Partner Associate Director Stacey Fox. 

 

The panelists will be tasked with unpacking the rapidly changing policy set up in the ECEC sector, including the true implications of the 3 Day Guarantee, the highly fluid child safety legislation push, potential evolutions to the worker retention payment and the ever present possibility of major policy reform towards “$10 a day care.”

 

Shifting landscapes: Demand, supply and policy headwinds – An owners perspective *

 

Owning and operating an ECEC business is never easy but is always rewarding. For this panel, Sean Collins, co-founder of Collins Sacre Consulting, has once again pulled together a second to none all star panel of proven ECEC leaders to share their experience and insights on how to succeed through multiple business and policy cycles.

 

This year’s owner panel, curated and hosted by Sean Collins, will include Maxine Bergh, Founder Amiga Montessori and Adrian Fonseca, Founder and MD of Oxanda Education.

 

To build or to buy: Navigating greenfield decisions in a complex macro environment *

 

With interest rates trending lower and demand for freehold ECEC assets still robust, ECEC owners and operators continue to wrestle with the key question as to whether buying or building is the most efficient way to commercial success. 

 

This timely panel will unpack this important question in a tightly focused conversation with notable subject matter experts from across the greenfield value chain including Adam Thomas, senior director at Burgess Rawson and Ash Sachdev, CEO of Australia’s leading search platform, Care for Kids.

 

A fireside chat with Eddy Groves

 

In the final session of the day Mr Collins will sit down with Eddy Groves, one of Australia’s most recognised entrepreneurs and an individual whose extraordinary experiences accrued across his business career will undoubtedly make for a fascinating and must see discussion. 

 

*Additional panelists will be announced in the coming weeks

 

To round off the day, networking drinks will be hosted by The Sector team to allow all delegates to relax and connect, unpacking key learnings from this one of a kind ECEC sector experience. 

 

“The interactive component to all Connect+ Forums will be a key differentiator to other events in the sector,” Mr Roberts said.

 

“We feel it is extremely important that our delegates have a voice and are able to seek answers to questions they may have in this space, as well as to influence where narratives go and we look forward to the ECEC Owners and Operators Forum becoming a permanent fixture of the annual ECEC event calendar.”

 

To find out more about the ECEC Owners and Operators Forum click here. 

 

To register click here or contact Anna Boshell via email at [email protected] for more information.