2026 Workshop

Join Us at the 2026 AIAM Workshop!

26 - 28 October 2026 | Crowne Plaza, Hobart, Tasmania

We invite animal management professionals, industry leaders, and stakeholders to the 2025 AIAM Workshop — Australia’s premier event dedicated to advancing best practices in companion animal management.

The workshop aligns to AIAM's strategic goal to identify, promote and support best practice companion animal management policy and practice.

The workshop provides a national forum for professionals involved in animal management, aiming to:
✅ Critically and constructively assess animal management practices and performance
✅ Reflect on the essential roles and purpose of animal
✅ Inspire innovative thinking and encourage exploring better approaches
✅ Foster collaboration and promote best practice
✅ Share knowledge and experience to build a sense of common purpose and mutual support. 

Early bird registrations are now open. Don't forget to login to access member discounts for registration.

Australian Institute of Animal Management Workshop  

Program

Start

Finish

                                                                    DAY 1 - MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2026                                                                   

10:00

10:30

Training Day Registration

10:30

5:00

CERT
Situational Safety and Tactical Communications

 5:00 5:00

Training Day Finish


Start

Finish

                                                                    DAY 2 - TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2026                                                                   

8:00

9:00

Registration     

9:00

9:15

Brenton Thomass - Australian Institute of Animal Management
Opening & Welcome      

9:15

9:25

Welcome to Country

9:259:55

Dog & Cat Management Board
Dog Incident Assessment Toolbox: A Guide to Assessing Dog Incidents in South Australia

9:5510:20
Tom Meer - City of Port Phillip
Compassion for Change
10:2010:35Questions
10:3511:05  Morning Tea
11:0511:35 
Jenny Cotterell - Australian Pet Welfare Foundation
Night-Time, Full-Time, or No Time: Which Cat Policies Actually Deliver? 
11:35 12:00 
Petra Edwards - City of Charles Sturt
Beyond Compliance: Fostering Safer Communities by Meeting Our Cats' Needs 
12:0012:25 
Emma Davidson - RSPCA NSW
Healthy Pets, Connected Communities, Collaborative Models for Modern Animal Management 
12:2512:40 Questions 
12:40 1:40 Lunch 
1:402:10 
Brooke Kennedy - University of New England
Maximising Efficiency in the Field: Using the Talea App
2:102:35
Bella Fransz - Pet Rescue
From Crisis to Placement: What Rescues Really Need From Councils
2:353:00
Ian Hawkins - City of Onkaparinga
Barking Done Differently: A Modern Innovative Approach to the Regulation of Barking
3:003:15 Questions 
3:15 3:45 Afternoon Tea 
3:45 4:05 

Claudia Jones - RSPCA NSW
Keeping Cats Safe at Home 2.0: An Evidence-Based Approach to Domestic Cat Management in New South Wales 

4:054:25 
Katherine Graham - Warner Institute
Building a Sustainable Animal Management Workforce: Strategies for Attraction, Onboard & Retention 
 4:254:45 
Rose Horton - Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre
From Laboratory to Living Room: Rehoming Ex-Research Beagles Through BARC 
 4:455:00 Questions 
5:00 5:00  Close 
   
 5:306:00 Annual General Meeting 
   
 6:30 9:30 Dinner and Awards Night


Start

Finish

                                                                      DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2026                                                            

8:30

9:00

Registration

9:00

9:10

Brenton Thomass - Australian Institute of Animal Management
Opening & Welcome

9:109:35Dog & Cat Management Board
Good Dogs, Bad Days: Dog Bite Safety Campaign
9:3510:00Tom Georgonicas - City of Port Adelaide Enfield
From Planning to Delivery: Managing Risk on the Front Line in Dog Seizure Operations
10:0010:15Questions
10:1510:45Morning Tea
10:4511:10Jacqui Rand - Australian Pet Welfare Foundation
Working Cats: A Legal Lifesaving Pathway for Healthy Cats Deemed Unadoptable 
11:1011:35 

Gemma Ma - RSPCA NSW
Co-Designing Companion Animal Management

11:35 12:00Ben Radford - Bendigo Animal Relief Centre 
Let's be Honest: Making Difficult Conversations Easier
12:0012:15  Questions
12:15 1:15 Lunch 
1:15 1:40 Aishani Mosquera - RSPCA NSW
Keeping Cats Safe at Home: The Role of Strategic Communication in Humane Cat Population Management
 1:402:05Daniel Kennedy - Wollongong City Council 
Shelter to Sofa: What Council-Run Foster Care Looks Like and What It Can Achieve
2:052:30Jayla Sainty - Veterinary & Community Care
When Animal Welfare Meets Human Vulnerability: A One Welfare Approach for Rangers, Inspectors & Shelter Teams 
2:302:45Questions 
2:45  3:15Afternoon Tea 
 3:15 3:40 Nell Thompson - Getting 2 Zero
There is No Plan C
3:40 4:05

 Tina Martin - Cairns Regional Council
Collaborative Community Desexing Program

4:05 4:30 Petra Edwards - City of Charles Sturt
Beyond Compliance: Fostering Safer Communities by Meeting our Dogs' Needs
 4:304:45 Questions
4:45 5:00  Close 


Training Day

Kick off your 2026 AIAM Workshop with impact.

Start your experience with a powerful, hands-on Situational Safety and Tactical Communications Training Day designed to elevate your awareness, sharpen your communication skills, and build confidence in challenging interactions.

Delivered by CERT, one of the region’s most trusted providers of safety, communication, and conflict-management training, this highly practical session equips you with the tools to stay safe, communicate with purpose, and manage difficult situations with professionalism and control.

The training session will cover:

  • Situational Awareness - Boost your situational awareness to stay safe, read environments faster and make better decisions under pressure.
  • Tactical Communications - Strengthen your tactical communication skills so you can influence outcomes, stay calm and stay in control when conversations get tough.
  • Physical Interactions - Learn safe, effective engagement techniques including stance, positioning and the two‑stage approach to reduce risk from the very first moment.
  • Managing Difficult People - Handle difficult people with confidence using practical, proven techniques that keep interactions professional and productive.
  • Managing Aggressive Behaviour – Learn how to understand when a person is moving to aggression and apply de-escalation techniques and safe withdrawal.

The training day is booked separately from the workshop, be sure to select the training day option when registering to secure your place.

Dinner & Awards Night

The Dinner and Awards Night will be held on Tuesday 27 October 2026, from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, at the AURA Event Space, Crowne Plaza Hobart. The evening will include a three‑course dinner with drinks, providing an opportunity for delegates to relax, network and celebrate excellence within the animal management profession.

The Animal Management Awards will be announced during the Dinner and Awards Night. These awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of animal management officers, leaders and teams from across Australia.

The awards honour the dedication, innovation and excellence demonstrated in the delivery of animal management services, highlighting the vital role these professionals play in building safe, healthier communities and promoting responsible pet ownership nationwide.

They shine a light on individuals and teams who go above and beyond, often working behind the scenes, to ensure the wellbeing of animals and the safety of our communities. From proactive community education to innovative programs and service delivery models, their work continues to set new standards of professionalism and compassion in the field.

More than a celebration of achievements, the Animal Management Awards recognise the passion, resilience and leadership that drive continuous improvement in animal management across Australia

There are 3 award categories:

  • Animal Management Officer of the Year
  • Leader of the Year
  • Excellence in Innovation in Animal Management

To nominate, please download the nominations form and submit your completed nomination by 5 October 2026.

Please ensure you select a registration that includes dinner if you are attending the dinner and award function. Alternatively, you can book a separate ticket to the dinner.

Sponsorship

Support the 2026 AIAM Workshop and position your organisation as a leader in the animal management sector. Sponsoring this event connects your brand with innovation, professionalism and community impact, while placing you directly in front of the people shaping the future of animal management across Australia and beyond.

  • Enhance your brand reputation with prominent logo placement across workshop materials, boosting visibility with a diverse network of industry stakeholders.
  • Showcase your products and innovations to an audience actively seeking new tools, technologies and solutions that improve animal management and welfare.
  • Unlock valuable networking opportunities and build meaningful partnerships that can drive business growth and long‑term collaboration.
  • Demonstrate your corporate social responsibility by supporting an event dedicated to improving community safety, animal welfare and professional practice—reinforcing your organisation as ethical, responsible and future‑focused.

To read more about the sponsorship packages, download our sponsorship prospectus here.

The Venue

Crowne Plaza Hobart, located at 110 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, is a contemporary hotel and conference facility in the heart of Hobart’s CBD. With accommodation available onsite, the venue allows attendees to move seamlessly between their accommodation and workshop sessions without the need to travel. The hotel’s central location places delegates within easy walking distance of Hobart’s waterfront, Salamanca Place and key cultural attractions. Crowne Plaza Hobart is conveniently located approximately 15 minutes (18–20 km) from Hobart Airport, with easy access via taxi, rideshare, car hire and direct airport bus services.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available onsite at the Crowne Plaza Hobart, the official venue for the 2026 AIAM Workshop. Staying at the venue offers convenience and easy access to all workshop sessions, networking events, and associated activities.

Special attendee rate of $330 per night (room only) is available if booking through this link.

With Thanks to our Sponsors

Silver Sponsors:

   

  

Bronze Sponsors:

             

             

  

        

  • Our Workshop

Australian Institute of Animal Management Limited - ABN 69 666 244 980 - Suite 514, 89 Burwood Road Hawthorn Victoria 3122

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