The essential guide to the Illawarra's top networking events for March-April 2026
The dates you can't afford to miss plus contact details for the region's key business groups
Check out our curated guide of the top business networking events in the Illawarra for (can you believe it - already?) March and April 2025.
April’s offering’s a little lean right now, but we’ll update listings over the next few weeks. Should we have overlooked your event, your group - get in touch. Email janine@pulseillawarra.com.au
APRIL
Tuesday, March 3: RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven presents its Regional Funding Bootcamp Series Nowra Workshop, from 8am-10am, at the Ray Cleary Building on the UOW Shoalhaven Campus. The practical workshop designed to build confidence and capability in preparing funding-ready projects is free. Register here.
Friday, March 6: International Women’s Day Illawarra lunch at WIN Entertainment Centre, 11.30am-3.30pm. Dual Olympian, doctor, mother and TV personality Jana Pittman is the guest speaker for this special 21st anniversary event. This is an allocated table seating event - 10 per table. Tickets $178 standard, $96 for 12-17 years.
Saturday, March 7: The inaugural TEDxWollongong on IPAC, Wollongong, from 3pm, Saturday, March 7. This event is sold out.
Wednesday, March 11: Mentor Walks Wollongong March event. Meet on the grassed area on the north side of North Wollongong Surf Club, 6.30am to 7.45am. An hour walk and talk for women at all stages of their career. Scroll down for the FAQs here. Tickets $33 available here.
Tuesday, March 10: RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven presents its Regional Funding Bootcamp Series at Wollongong’s iAccelerate, from 8am-10am. The practical workshop designed to build confidence and capability in preparing funding-ready projects is free. Register here.
Wednesday, March 11: RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven is organising a delegation for a site visit to the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) at Bradfield. The visit to Western Sydney Airport will look at export and freight opportunities and is an opportunity to see the new terminal building. Meet at Western Sydney International Airport 9.15am. More details here.
Thursday, March 12: UDIA NSW Illawarra Luncheon, 12pm for a 12.30pm start, to 2pm, at City Beach Function Centre. Guest speaker is Maree Kilroy, Lead Economist at Oxford Economics Australia. She will also contribute to a panel discussion with Managing Director at Colliers Wollongong, Simon Kersten, and Sophie Ale, General Manager, Masterplanned Communities NSW/ACT at Stockland. Tickets here
Thursday, March 12: AI and Helpful Lies meet up, organised by Siligong.dev, part of Siligong Valley. 5.30pm, drinks and networking, 6pm- 7.30pm. At Ahoy Ahoy, Level 4, 2 Coombe St, Wollongong. Talks from Angad Sethi, Sam Wighton and Dareren Collins. All the details here.
Friday, March 13: Wollongong Women’s International Women’s Day Brunch, at City Beach Function Centre, from 10am-12.30pm. Guest speaker is award-winning podcaster and author Kate Fisher, founder of Milkshakes for Marleigh. Tickets $165 - $205. Available here
Thursday, March 12: Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra 2026 Trivia Night Fundraiser, 6.30p,-9pm, at the Croatian Centre, Figtree. Doors open at 6pm. Tables of 10 cost $350. Available here. For single tickets or inquiries, contact cristina.sacco@mcci.org.au
Saturday, March 14: University of Wollongong Rural Health Research Conference 2026 at UOW’s Shoalhaven campus. Delegates will explore the theme of “strengthening rural health through people, equity, and collaborations”. All the details here.
Wednesday, March 18: The Property Council of Australia’s Illawarra Outlook lunch at WIN Entertainment Centre. From 12pm-2pm. Tickets $140-$210, available here. Guest speakers include Fountaindale Group of Companies director Jennifer Macquarie, Wollongong City Council’s director planning & environment Linda Davis, PDC Law director Lorri Field and UOW’s Ty Christopher.
Thursday, March 19: Young Professionals Network - Breakfast with Bruce Roberts, at The Sage Hotel, 7.30am-9am. Roberts, a respected WIN News presenter, will share tips on shaping a strong personal brand, communicating with clarity, and developing the kind of presence that earns trust in meetings, presentations and everyday professional moments. Tickets $45 member, $49 non-member. Get your ticket here.
Thursday, March 19: Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services presents “SOLD!” documentary screening, starring comedian Mark Humphries. Includes Q&A with writer, director and producer Bill Code. From 6pm-9pm at Wests Illawarra, Unanderra. The event is free but register here.
Thursday, March 26: Entrepreneurial Women’s Breakfast - The Generosity Advantage at the University of Wollongong, 7.30am-9am, at UOW’s Breakout Space, iAccelerate Centre, Innovation Campus, North Wollongong. Gain insights, inspiration, and meaningful connections from a panel of trailblazing women - Natalie Piucco, Hayley Evans, and Laetitia Andrac. Entry is free, register here.
APRIL
Wednesday, April 15: Visitor Economy Insights Webinar Series, hosted by Destination Sydney Surrounds South, online, between 1pm-2pm. The series is a monthly program designed to share timely insights, data, learnings and best-practice guidance to support tourism operators, destination stakeholders and partners across the Destination Sydney Surrounds South region. Register here or for more details email info@dnsss.com.au
Wednesday, April 22: Business Illawarra’s CEO Connect. More details to come
Wednesday, April 29: Business Illawarra’s next Business after Hours networking, from 5pm-7pm. More details to come
Looking for a network?
1. Business Illawarra
As the region’s peak business organisation, Business Illawarra supports over 27,000 businesses across the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, South Coast, and Capital regions. They offer a comprehensive events program, including networking, educational, and executive-level events, connecting members with key decision-makers and providing valuable insights. More on Business Illawarra here
2. i3net (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network)
i3net is a network of advanced manufacturers and industrial innovators in the Illawarra. They host events like the Industry Breakfast, providing opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring real work opportunities. More on i3nethere
3. Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB)
IWIB is a vibrant network dedicated to supporting and connecting women in business. They host regular networking lunches, coffee clubs, and an annual Businesswomen’s Awards, providing a platform for collaboration and professional growth. More on IWIB here
4. The Illawarra Connection
This exclusive organisation brings together business and community leaders to foster connections, inspire collaboration, and drive innovation in the region. They also partner with RDA Illawarra and the Sydney Business School to deliver the Leadership Illawarra Program. Read more about the Illawarra Connection here.
5. Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce (NICC)
NICC supports local businesses in the northern Illawarra region through events like business breakfasts and networking evenings, fostering community building and collaboration among professionals. More in the NICC here