ResidentialStaff WriterWed 06 May 26
Adelaide Symposium Unpacked: Two-Day Program Revealed
Adelaide is attracting serious development attention—and the inaugural Adelaide Developer Symposium has been built to meet that moment.
Spanning a curated day 1 site tour experience and a content-rich day 2 conference, the program brings together the people actively shaping South Australia’s development pipeline, with a focus on real projects, real capital and real delivery challenges.
Day 1: Site Tours & Networking
The summit begins with an immersive look at Adelaide’s evolving urban landscape through a series of curated site tours, offering attendees direct access to projects and precincts shaping the city’s next phase of growth.
From adaptive reuse to mixed-use regeneration, these tours provide real-world context to the themes explored throughout the conference—connecting strategy with delivery on the ground.
The day concludes with networking drinks at Honeydripper—an opportunity to connect with peers, speakers and industry leaders ahead of the main conference.
Day 2: Conference | Market Insight to Project Delivery
The conference program opens with a macro view of Adelaide’s trajectory.
Vanessa Rader from Ray White will deliver the keynote Adelaide 2036: The Next Decade For Development, unpacking how population growth, employment and infrastructure are shaping demand—and where the next wave of opportunity lies.
Policy, Investment and Market Direction
A government-led panel featuring Adelaide Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith will explore policy, major projects and planning priorities, providing insight into how public-sector leadership is working with industry to unlock development.
This will be followed by a capital-focused discussion on Developing and Investing in Adelaide’s Future, with Trevor Cooke and Ben Yates sharing where capital is being deployed—and why.
Inside the Developer Mindset
Moving into the realities of project delivery, Inside the Private Developer’s Playbook brings together Sophie Laundy, Michael Gillett, Joel Wilkinson and Dan Harris for a frank conversation about how developers are managing risk, identifying opportunity and differentiating projects across apartments, greenfield and mixed-use sectors.
Getting Projects Out of the Ground
One of the most practical sessions of the day, Getting Out of the Ground in SA, connects the full delivery lifecycle.
Featuring Emily Nankivell, Adam Miller, Daniel Guzman and Ben Parkinson, the panel will unpack the realities of planning, funding, construction and valuation—and what it takes to move projects forward in the current market.
Case Studies: Real Projects, Real Lessons
The afternoon program shifts to project-led insights.
Ben Koop will present on the Central Market Arcade redevelopment, highlighting how innovative structures are enabling large-scale urban renewal in constrained environments.
Damon Nagel will explore the transformation of a long-vacant Brutalist office in Port Adelaide into a boutique hotel, illustrating the growing role of adaptive reuse in urban regeneration.
And Ellen Liebelt will unpack the ARCHI initiative, showcasing how underutilised CBD buildings are being converted into new housing supply.
In Conversation
The day concludes with a reflective In Conversation session featuring George Kambitsis, a leading light in the sector in SA, offering perspective on long-term development cycles, lessons learned and how experienced developers are approaching the next phase of growth in South Australia.
The program makes a compelling case for why Adelaide is worth paying attention to right now. For those responsible for making development decisions in the South Australian market, this is the room to be in.
Secure your place now.
The Adelaide Developer Symposium Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4 | SkyCity Adelaide
