At a glance
Simon Bedard attended the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) National Small Business Summit at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour on 4 and 5 August 2026, as National Chair of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AIBB). His focus at the Summit was exit readiness, succession and acquisition finance, and he met Senator Jane Hume and Senator David Pocock.
COSBOA's National Small Business Summit brought associations, policymakers and owners together in Sydney over two days. Simon attended on behalf of the AIBB, a COSBOA member organisation.
What Simon heard on day one
Simon reported on the first day in a LinkedIn post. The NSW Small Business Minister, Janelle Saffin, backed the state's more than 1 million business owners, with a push to cut red tape and help local businesses tender for more than $40 billion in government spending.
Economists put productivity at a 60-year low and made the case that tax reform is long overdue. There was also real debate about how to regulate AI without holding it back.
Why it matters for owners
Simon tied the day back to owners.
"All of it feeds into what a business is worth, and the conditions an owner will face when they come to sell."
As National Chair of the AIBB, Simon keeps his focus on exit readiness, succession and acquisition finance, so a business does not close for want of a buyer.
Around the Summit
Simon met Senator Jane Hume and Senator David Pocock during the Summit.
Photos: COSBOA.
COSBOA National Small Business Summit 2026: questions and answers
When and where was the COSBOA National Small Business Summit 2026?
The COSBOA National Small Business Summit 2026 was held on 4 and 5 August 2026 at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.
Did Simon Bedard speak at the COSBOA Summit?
Simon Bedard attended the Summit as a delegate, as National Chair of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers. He was not on the programme as a speaker.
What was discussed at the COSBOA Summit 2026?
On day one, the NSW Small Business Minister, Janelle Saffin, spoke on cutting red tape and government tendering; economists put productivity at a 60-year low and argued for tax reform; and there was debate on how to regulate AI.
Who did Simon Bedard meet at the COSBOA Summit?
Simon Bedard met Senator Jane Hume and Senator David Pocock at the Summit.
Keep reading
- SeeCOSBOA AGM, Council Day and Council Dinner 2026Simon in Canberra, October 2026
- ReadSimon's post from day one (opens in a new tab)LinkedIn
- ReadBusiness Succession Planning: A Guide for OwnersInsight article
- ListenReading the Economy: Inflation, Rates, and the Succession CliffBuy Grow Sell, with Warren Hogan
- VisitCOSBOA National Small Business Summit (opens in a new tab)cosboansbs.com.au
