Patrick Whitnall, Managing Director of the Australian Influencer Marketing Council (AiMCO), has announced the launch of the inaugural AiMCO Summit, a new national event for the creator and influencer industry.
Set to take place at Sydney’s NIDA Parade Theatre on Thursday 26 February 2026, the summit will bring together creators, agencies, brands and platforms for a day of learning, collaboration and industry insight. The AiMCO Awards will follow that evening.
The theme for the first summit is The Creator Era – Exploring Creators, Culture and Commerce, aiming to examine how creators are influencing culture, shaping communities and driving commercial growth.
The event will feature keynote speakers, panels, workshops, and case studies. AiMCO is now inviting content submissions from across the industry — including creators, marketers, academics, agencies, platforms and brands — for 20-minute sessions that are designed to provoke debate, share bold ideas and deliver clear takeaways.
Proposed sessions can take the form of keynotes, panels, workshops, fireside chats or case studies, and must align with one of three pillars:
• Creators: Covering career pathways, entrepreneurship, representation, ethics and sustainable partnerships.
• Culture: Exploring narrative formats, community dynamics, and the social and cultural impact of creator-led storytelling.
• Commerce: Addressing ROI, measurement, monetisation models, and scalable strategies in creator partnerships.
Whitnall said the summit responds to growing demand from members for a national platform that celebrates and advances the work being done in influencer marketing.
“This summit will be the most significant learning and development event for creators, brands, tech innovators and agencies in Australia,” he said.
“The inaugural event’s focus on the creator era is timely, given nearly a quarter of Australians aged 18 to 44 now identify as influencers, and the sector is projected to be worth more than $1.257 billion by 2028.”
According to AiMCO, data shows that nearly 46 per cent of Australians have purchased a product after seeing it promoted by an influencer.
“Creators are not just shaping the industry, they are leading it. They are building businesses, shaping industry, setting trends, and redefining influence. In turn, brands and platforms are reimagining their value and impact,” Whitnall added.
Content submissions are open until Thursday, 23 October. For submission guidelines and event details, visit the AiMCO Summit and Awards hub.
Top image: Taz & Alessia