Mumbrella can today reveal the dates for CommsCon 2026, the dedicated communications and public relations event, now in its 15th year.

Entries also are now open for the 2026 CommsCon Awards, recognising excellence, innovation and impact across Australia and New Zealand’s PR and communications industry.

This year’s program reflects a pivotal moment for the profession. As organisations confront an era defined by AI, automation and mis- and disinformation, the role of communications is increasingly strategic. Communications professionals now sit at the heart of business leadership, tasked with navigating complexity, building trust, and shaping the narratives that define reputation and public confidence.

CommsCon 2026 marks a return to the event’s original curation process, ensuring the conference program is once again built by the industry, for the industry. The original curator, Mumbrella’s Cat McGinn, will lead event curation with the guidance of an expert advisory panel who help shape both the conference and awards agenda, including: