At a glance
Simon Bedard, Founder and Managing Director of Exit Advisory Group and National Chair of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AIBB), opened and closed the AIBB National Conference 2026 in Cairns. He also joined economist Warren Hogan and Jim Parker, 2026 Chair of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), on a panel called "The Great Business Transition".
Business brokers from across Australia met at The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns from 31 August to 2 September 2026 for the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (opens in a new tab) national conference. The theme was "FUTURE-READY: Smarter Business, Stronger Brokers".
It was Simon's first national conference as Chair of the institute, a role he has held since 2025. Here is what happened over the three days.
Day one: the first National CPD Day
The conference opened with a new format. In February 2026 the AIBB National Board approved a National CPD Day: a full day of professional development on the first day of the conference.
Opening the conference as National Chair
Simon gave the National Chair Welcome and Conference Opening at 8:30am on Tuesday 1 September. His signed welcome also opened the printed conference booklet.
The Great Business Transition panel
The panel ran on Tuesday afternoon, from 2:45pm to 3:45pm. Simon sat alongside two people who look at the market from very different positions.
Warren Hogan is the founder of EQ Economics and a former Chief Economist at ANZ. Jim Parker is the 2026 Chair of the International Business Brokers Association (opens in a new tab), which describes itself as formed in 1984, with more than 2,900 members. He came to Australia for the conference.
The programme described the session as connecting "global trends to transaction realities, examining succession, valuations, buyer behaviour, private equity and finance."
Those are the questions you face when planning an exit: who will buy, what they will pay, and how the deal gets funded. For the economic side in more depth, Warren Hogan sat down with Simon on the Buy Grow Sell podcast.
Listen on Buy Grow SellReading the Economy: Inflation, Rates, and the Succession CliffSimon Bedard with economist Warren HoganRecognising Registered Business Valuers
The AIBB's Registered Business Valuer (RBV) program trains brokers to value businesses to a professional standard, and it is offered every two years. As National Chair, Simon presented RBV certificates to this year's graduates.
Colin Simkin received the AIBB Registered Business Valuer Academic Excellence Award 2026. Simon holds the RBV credential himself, and Exit Advisory Group's business valuations are prepared in accordance with the International Valuation Standards (IVS).
Around the conference
The evenings brought members together for the 2026 AIBB awards and the gala dinner. Matt Alderton, founder of Bx, presented "Plan to Win" and was MC for the gala dinner.
Listen on Buy Grow SellShaping the Story Behind Your SaleEpisode 15, Simon Bedard with Matt Alderton of Bx
Closing the conference
On Wednesday morning Simon gave the Welcome and Advocacy address. He closed the conference at 4:00pm that afternoon.
Outside the conference, Simon represents the AIBB on the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), so business ownership, succession and transition stay part of the national conversation. You can follow that work on his COSBOA Canberra page.
AIBB National Conference 2026: questions and answers
When and where was the AIBB National Conference 2026?
The AIBB National Conference 2026 ran from 31 August to 2 September 2026 at The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns, Queensland. The Australian Institute of Business Brokers hosted it under the theme "FUTURE-READY: Smarter Business, Stronger Brokers".
Who spoke on The Great Business Transition panel at the AIBB conference?
Simon Bedard, Founder and Managing Director of Exit Advisory Group, economist Warren Hogan of EQ Economics, and Jim Parker, 2026 Chair of the International Business Brokers Association. The panel ran on Tuesday 1 September 2026.
What did The Great Business Transition panel cover?
The conference programme described the panel as connecting global trends to transaction realities, examining succession, valuations, buyer behaviour, private equity and finance.
Who opened and closed the AIBB National Conference 2026?
Simon Bedard, National Chair of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers, gave the welcome and conference opening on Tuesday 1 September 2026 and closed the conference on Wednesday 2 September.
What was new at the 2026 AIBB conference?
The first National CPD Day. The AIBB National Board approved it in February 2026, and it ran on day one of the conference.
Keep reading
- ListenReading the Economy: Inflation, Rates, and the Succession CliffBuy Grow Sell, with Warren Hogan
- ListenShaping the Story Behind Your SaleBuy Grow Sell, episode 15, with Matt Alderton of Bx
- ReadBusiness Succession Planning: A Guide for OwnersInsight article
- SeeSimon Bedard speakingTalks, panels and the full speaking record
- VisitAustralian Institute of Business Brokers (opens in a new tab)aibb.org.au
