Australia's Leading Ecommerce Conferences to Attend (2024)
Conferences are events where several people with a shared interest - a love of a hobby, fandom, global issue or industry - come together and discuss the latest trends, research, or other subjects. They are opportunities for information sharing, networking, exposure and fundraising, and often feature guest speakers who are experts in their field.
Conferences are similar to conventions, but the two have a key difference. People come together at conventions to discuss a key topic, shared work and common interests. Conferences have more specific objectives, formal processes and rules for discussion. They are designed to fact-find, problem solve and consult on a chosen topic. Conferences vary in size and structure, with some taking days and attracting thousands of global attendees while others comprise a single organisation, location or niche topic.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned entrepreneur, growing and scaling an online dropshipping business can be a difficult journey. You need to know the daily ins and outs of running an ecommerce business and stay up to date with the latest trends, consumer habits and best practices in a constantly changing industry. Ecommerce conferences exist to educate, share, consult and connect with industry professionals, entrepreneurs and new business owners on all matters related to ecommerce, from shipping and logistics to marketing trends. They also provide excellent opportunities to socialise and network with peers, service providers and industry experts alike. As consumer preferences change and supply chains face new challenges, there’s no better way to stay ahead of the game than lifting each other up and sharing current industry knowledge.
What are the benefits of attending conferences?
Is it that important for your business to attend conferences in 2024? Yes! Conferences are a valuable source of information for everyone in your organisation and industry, whether you’re a retailer, supplier or wholesaler.
Retailers can use ecommerce conferences to meet with new suppliers and wholesalers. It’s a great way to find out which products are trending and connect with those who make them or to meet with other retailers and learn from their successes and failures. You might also connect with influencers, affiliates, investors or even partners. Attend seminars for both insight and inspiration. Learn from the industry experts and your business will flourish in no time.
As a wholesaler, you may attend an ecommerce conference to connect with suppliers or retailers. You may find advice on where to find the best deals, products, couriers and other relevant services, or connect with leading manufacturers and marketplaces easily through networking and attending workshops and seminars.
Have trouble getting your product out there? Suppliers can find out what retailers and consumers are looking for first-hand, whether it’s trending products or a particular level of service. Expose your business to hundreds, if not thousands, of retailers looking for the perfect business partner. You will also gain insights into supply chain management, courier services, advances in manufacturing technology, and many more.
Ready to start an ecommerce business, but still trying to figure out the conference circuit? Dropshipzone has everything you need to get started in ecommerce. Our platform takes the guesswork out of dropshipping by connecting dedicated Retailers to reliable Suppliers. Our blog helps you keep up-to-date with the latest in ecommerce, SEO and digital marketing from our own industry experts - you may even see us at your next conference! You can get started today at no cost - simply click below.
Without further ado, let’s explore the key ecommerce conferences happening right now in 2024.
The must-attend eCommerce conferences in Australia for 2024
eTail Australia (Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, February 13-15)
One of the leading annual conferences for Australia’s top online retail leaders, eTail Australia brings together CEOs, CMOs, Heads of eCommerce and Digital Marketing Leaders to discuss the current ecommerce market. The conference has operated since 1999 and uses current, cutting-edge research to tailor each conference’s agenda. They boast fun and immersive activities such as fireside chats, panel discussions, case studies, interactive roundtables and networking drinks. eTail Australia has a wide range of seminars covering everything from powering retail with AI to important regulatory changes affecting data privacy in Australia. There are also seminars on choosing the right software partners, developing your brand image, and creating a business that gives back. With 400+ leaders from some of the biggest names in digital sales and marketing under one roof, eTail Australia provides valuable insights for ecommerce businesses at any stage of their business journey.
Key speakers:
Mark Baartse: Chief Marketing Officer and Marketing Consultant
Mal Chua: Managing Director at Ecom Nation
Jak Falkinder: Chief Marketing Officer at Entertainment Group
Mariana Franco: Head of Digital Marketing at OZSALE
Thilo Kaipert: Chief Product & Technology Officer at Redbubble
Sara Long: Ecommerce Lead at The Kraft Heinz Company
Amaury Tregeur: Co-Founder at Bread Agency
Mary Proulx: Co-Founder at Bread Agency
…and more!
The 9th Annual Retail Fulfilment Summit (Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, February 21-22)
Australia’s largest retail fulfilment summit is back for its 9th year, bringing new strategies, case studies and workshops centred around ecommerce fulfilment processes. This summit is crucial for retailers and suppliers seeking to optimise their operational efficiency while continuing to deliver sustainable, personalised customer experiences. Attendees will hear from 80+ industry experts across 64 insightful sessions covering topics such as adapting your supply chain to meet evolving customer expectations and demand surges, personalisation to improve the buying experience, supporting a circular economy through fulfilment, and embracing modern technology to improve fulfilment processes. There are also plenty of opportunities to network through daily refreshments, networking drinks, a day-one afterparty and an exclusive post-conference dinner for attendees. This summit is the perfect opportunity for businesses to explore the latest trends, insights, strategies and research for all things fulfilment.
Key Speakers:
Jack Gance: Chairman and Co-Founder of Chemist Warehouse Group
Rob Hango Zada: Co-Founder/Joint Chief Executive Officer at Shippit
Jackie Kruger: Chief Operating Officer at Black Milk Clothing
Chithalka Navaratne: Group General Manager Supply at Hanes Brands Australasia
Claire O’Hara: General Manager DC Operations and Continuous Improvement at Super Retail Group
Leslie Pogson: Head of Data and Analytics at Catch
Samuel Wood: Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Azura Fashion Group
…and more!
Power Retail All-Star Bash (Crown Palladium, March 7)
Though it’s not technically a conference, The Power Retail All-Star Bash is a key event on the ecommerce calendar for 2024. This annual event is the ultimate awards night for the ecommerce industry, where top-performing ecommerce retailers come together to celebrate the previous year’s achievements and growth. Power Retail uses a top-of-the-line ranking methodology to help judge the top 100 retailers in the lead-up to the event, covering key dimensions such as acquisition, conversion, fulfilment and retention. This event is a key opportunity for businesses to network with the best in online retail while keeping an eye on the competition.
Previous award winners for 2023:
Top User Experience: Adore Beauty
Most Improved Online Performance: Spotlight
Top Email Marketing: Wittner
Top Social Retailer: BlackMilk
Top Australian Marketplace: MyDeal
Top Innovator: Modibodi
Top Emerging Online Retailer: RV Online
Retail Fest Aus (Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, April 15-18)
Founded in 2005 by eBay’s number-one seller Phil Leahy, Retail Global Events was developed to host conferences to support Australian eBay sellers and ensure their global and local success. Since then, the conferences have evolved from being eBay-specific to now servicing the whole eCommerce industry, cumulating in the wide-reaching success of Retail Fest. The conference has consistently attracted over 1000 attendees since moving to the Gold Coast in 2011, with the 2021 and 2022 conferences reaching 1500+ and 1650+ attendees respectively. Retail Global’s mantra is “sharing knowledge without fear”, and they live up to it by allowing small businesses to meet with masters of the industry to learn, grow and share.
Key Speakers:
Simon Beard: Retail Icon at Culture Kings
Olivia Carr: Founder and Leader at Shhh Silk
Nancy Hsu: Retail Marketing Leader at Frankie4
Shannah Kennedy: Executive Life Coach
Julie Mathers: Game-Changing Leader at Flora & Fauna and Snuggle Hunny
Marcus Murphy: Digital Innovator at 5ive
Kai Sakakibara: Inspirational Athlete
Paul Waddy: Brand Builder and CEO at The Horse
...and more!
iMedia Online Retail Summit (Sheraton Grand Mirage on the Gold Coast, April 29 - May 1)
The iMedia Online Retail Summit is an industry-leading networking event catered to senior-level ecommerce professionals and leaders. Paired with some of the top-performing technology and solutions providers in the industry, the summit provides an excellent opportunity for ecommerce entrepreneurs to keep up to date on the latest trends and innovations in online retail while also engaging with industry experts and peers. To qualify for an invitation, retailers must be senior level decision makers and budget owners (upwards of $500k) and representing enterprise-level retailers with an annual turnover of over AUD$100M. Vendors are encouraged to purchase Networker Passes allowing them access and opportunities for networking. However, both invitations and passes are limited, giving the event an air of exclusivity. Each conference has a theme, with 2024’s being “Back to the Future: Why retail is getting back to basics”. This year’s conference will cover the business basics, and growth strategies used by brands with staying power.
Key Speakers:
Simon Banks: Managing Director at Paypal
Matthew Benham: Director and Country Leader at Amazon
Nicola Clement: CXO at Adore Beauty
Nic Robin: Chief Commercial Officer at Village Entertainment
Jaimi Starr: Head of Digital at Brand Collective
Edward Welsh: Director of Enterprises at Insider
Paul Zahra: CEO of Australian Retailers Association
…and more!
Online Retailer (ICC Sydney, July 24-25)
Spanning over 15 years, The Online Retailer Conference & Expo hosts Australia’s largest range of ecommerce and tech solutions under one roof. Each year they connect thousands of ecommerce professionals with the latest tech, insights and highly relevant content from all across ecommerce. In 2024, Online Retailer will feature over 140 speakers and 140+ solution providers from the biggest online brands including Dropshipzone, SHE-com, AirOxy and much more. It features a range of free and ticketed activities across 12 streams, 6 free stages, and many workshops, panels and fireside chats. It also features the Australia Post Online Retail Industry Awards (ORIAS) highlighting retail excellence from brands that have excelled over the last 12 months. Awards include Best Small Independent Retailer, Online Retailer of the Year, Best Online Retail Marketing and Best Community Initiative.
Key Speakers:
Guillaume Deront: General Manager for Australia & New Zealand at ShipBob
Rachel Falconer: Customer Insights Partner at Country Road Group
Paul Greenberg: Founder at NORA and Independent Director at MyDeal and Woolworth Marketplus
Sarah Lukins: GM Digital at Fisher & Paykel New Zealand
Gabi Saper: Chief of Growth at SHE-com
Matt Smith: Exhibition Director for Online Retailer
Goran Stefkovski: Chief Technology Officer at Kogan
...and more!
Virtual conferences: are they worth it?
The event industry took a big hit over the COVID-19 crisis, and conferences were no different. Thankfully, software like Skype, Zoom and Google Meet allowed us to supplement the conference experience. We can now hold conferences virtually, something unthinkable just a decade ago. Post-COVID, many conferences provide options for streaming, meaning you don’t have to attend in person. But are virtual conferences a good replacement for in-person events?
Benefits of attending conferences in person
Unique, personalised experiences
When you attend a conference in person, you can directly introduce yourself to people within an organisation. This means they are more likely to remember you when you send that follow-up email, instead of falling into a sea of faceless introductions. From the other perspective, when you represent your organisation at a conference you allow attendees to put a face to your brand name. You can also help to increase brand awareness through interactive giveaways and swag, or even just passing along a business card.
Increased collaboration
Studies have shown that audience participation and engagement are the most crucial aspects of virtual conferences and one of the hardest to overcome. Audiences are less likely to be tuned in or ask questions, and technical issues can often hinder the collaborative process. Attending conferences in person make it easier to collaborate in real time, fully participate in discussions and minimise technical difficulties.
More positive experiences
Would you rather be cooped up in the office, or go on a business road trip to your next conference? Heading out of the office, even for business, is a great mood booster that can improve workplace morale. This leads to a more positive attitude while networking and the potential for more successful business deals.
Benefits of attending conferences virtually
Easier to attend
It can be hard to take time off to attend a conference, especially if it is in another city, state or country. At virtual conferences, you can attend instantly from anywhere - from your home, office, or even the local library. Some conferences may be recorded so you can access seminars and workshops at a later date.
Cheaper and more environmentally friendly
When you don’t have to book a venue, hire caterers or other staff, travel to the location or send workers away from the office, you’re bound to save money with virtual conferences, whether you’re an organiser or an attendee. Eliminating most logistics also lessens carbon emissions, leaving a smaller carbon footprint.
Easier data collection
Conferences are an excellent data collection opportunity, but it can be difficult to entice attendees to complete a survey or sign-up form between seminars. Hosting a conference or seminar online means you can use software to record the number of attendees, what events they are going to, and many other metrics.
Ecommerce conferences are a fruitful investment for any online business. With a full calendar, you’ll learn everything you need about ecommerce and running an online business in Australia. For everything else dropshipping, you can turn to Dropshipzone. We’re always updating our blog with the latest tips and industry trends, as well as providing all our clients with tailored customer service that’s right for their business. We make it easy for online businesses to grow and scale with minimal risk. Get started today and instantly gain access to thousands of products and hundreds of dedicated retailers. Click below to get started with Dropshipzone today.
