Your guide to the essential Illawarra networking events for July-August 2026
Check out our curated guide of the top business networking events in the Illawarra for the next couple of months.
These are the dates you don’t want to miss. But if we have overlooked your special event, put us right - get in touch. Please email gayle@pulseillawarra.com.au or janine@pulseillawarra.com.au
And don’t stop at the diary either, keep scrolling for all the details of the key networking groups in the Illawarra.
JULY
Wednesday, July 1: BNI Seacliff Business Networking Weekly, 6.45am-8.30am, at the Legacy Cafe and Bar, 139 Balgownie Rd, Balgownie. Register here, tickets are $20.
Thursday, July 2: i3net is partnering with Inside Industry PK to present a customised Clean Energy Tour, 7.30am-11am. The tour will combine both “drive-through tours”, as well as a number of site visits, where participants will hear directly from project leaders and gain deeper insights into key facilities. Among the speakers: Giselle Coromandel (Head of Business Development - Renewables, BlueScope), Mahi Singh, (Procurement Manager Manufacturing, BlueScope), Doug Barr (Systems Manager, Squadron Energy), Peter Ernst (Head of Regional Ports, Port Authority NSW). Member tickets: $80 + GST, available here
Thursday, July 2: iAccelerate opens its doors. Take a free tour and listen to the info session, noon-1pm, at the Squires Way, North Wollongong building. Starting or scaling a business? This could be for you. Register here
Friday, July 3: Boss Woman Breakfast, at Shell Cove’s Georgia Rose, 9am-10.30am. These breakfasts are only held bi-monthly, ticket cut-off is 24 hours before the event. Get yours here, from $79.80.
Tuesday, July 7: Kick-start your day with Cereal Entrepreneurs at iAccelerate UOW’s Innovation campus, North Wollongong. Designed for founders, creatives and future entrepreneurs who want protected time to work on their ideas in a like‑minded community. Free tickets here.
Wednesday, July 8: BNI Seacliff Business Networking weekly meeting, 6.45am-8.30am, at the Legacy Cafe and Bar, 139 Balgownie Rd, Balgownie. Register here, tickets are $20.
Wednesday. July 8: The 2026 University of Wollongong Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Final, 3pm-4.30pm. Register here. Seven outstanding PhD candidates will present their research in a compelling, accessible format.
Wednesday, July 8: Casual networking with local entrepreneurs organised by Wollongong Entrepreneurs & Networking Group, 6pm-8pm, at The Waterfront Shell Cove Marina. Sign up here.
Thursday, July. 9: Test Your Business Idea Wollongong, 9.30-11.30am, at iAccelerate, Squires Way, Innovation Campus, North Wollongong. This workshop is tailored for students, researchers, alumni, and community members eager to turn ideas into action. Spots limited, register here.
Wednesday, July 15: RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven and The Pulse Illawarra have teamed up to present a free AI Breakfast briefing session with Bill Simpson-Young from the Gradient Institute, 7.30am-10am, iAccelerate, Innovation Campus, North Wollongong. Book your spot here.
Wednesday, July 15: SEO Connect organised by Business Illawarra, at Hotel Totto, 7pm-10pm. Join an exclusive gathering of the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands most influential business leaders for an evening of strategic conversation, meaningful connection, and high-impact networking. Tickets $190.
Thursday, July 16: Effective Complaints Management, 9.30am-1.30pm, presented by Community Industry Group, 26 Mortlock AvenuePort Kembla. This course, facilitated by Edward Birt, is designed for anyone who receives, handles, or oversees complaints as part of their role. Tickets $100 for members and $150 for non-members. Available here
Thursday, July 16: Able Plus presents Able Meet - Shoalhaven, at 10am-noon, at Worrigee Sports Club, Worrigee. his is a speed networking event where all attendees get to meet all the providers for 5 minutes to learn about their services and discuss if they work for you. Reserve a spot here.
Friday, July 17: The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre 40 Years Celebration Dinner at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, 6.30pm-10.30pm. The night in the Grand Ballroom will be a celebration of four decades of impact, while raising vital funds to support services in the future. Tickets here $160 per ticket or $1450 for a table of 10. For any queries or special requests, contact info@womenshealthcentre.com.au or call 02 4255 6800.
Wednesday, July 22: Organised by International Centre for Future Health Systems, it’s the 2026 Think Tank: Identifying evidence and research gaps, at UOW’s Innovation Campus, 8:45am-3:30pm. Tickets are free, but few remain. Head here, quickly.
Thursday, July 23: 2026 Kiama Business Awards. Open to all Kiama Business Awards entrants. More details soon.
Friday, July 24: Illawarra Women in Business networking lunch, at Centro CBD, 28 Stewart St, Wollongong, noon-2.15pm. Dr Neryl East wants you to “Ignite Your Influence”: How to communicate with confidence and increase your impact. Members $80, non-members $99. Book here.
Friday, July 24 - Sunday, July 26: Held in the Thirroul District Community Centre & Library, the South Coast Readers & Writers Festival 2026 is a celebration of all things reading, writing and creativity. Choose from 12 unique sessions on Saturday and 10 sessions on Sunday. All the details here.
Tuesday, July 28: The Community Industry Group hosts an online workshop, From Team Member to Team Leader, 9.30am-1.30pm. $100 for members and $150 for CIG non-members. Edward Birt, head of policy and advocacy at CIG is the host. Get tickets here.
Wednesday, July 29: The latest Postgraduate Information Series features business. Online, 6pm-7pm. Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong offers a range of postgraduate business programs that are designed to expand your business expertise and build your leadership capabilities. Register to attend.
Thursday, July 30: The Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT presents How to Demonstrate your Social Enterprise Model, 12pm-1pm, online. If you’re running a for-purpose business and want to show the world that you truly put people and planet first, this is for you. Tickets $10.75 members, $26.13 for non-members. Book here.
Thursday, July 30: NSW Data Centres Solutions Summit, organised by the Property Council of Australia, 7:30am-11:45am, Shangri-La Sydney 176 Cumberland St
Sydney. Senior ministers, planners, utilities, global operators and investors at the table – including NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully MP – this is a practical, collaborative forum for those shaping, approving and delivering data centre projects across NSW. Tickets members $499, non-members $750.
AUGUST
Wednesday, August 12: Mentor Walks Wollongong will be hitting their stride again from 6.30am. It’s a chance to discuss career progression and get support from an exceptional female mentor. Tickets cost $33. Get them here.
Wednesday, August 12: Casual networking with local entrepreneurs organised by Wollongong Entrepreneurs & Networking Group, 6pm-8pm, at The Waterfront Shell Cove Marina. Sign up here.
Thursday, August 13: The Community Industry Group presents Good Governance workshop, 10am-1pm, at 26 Mortlock Ave, Port Kembla. Facilitated by Peter Masterson, this training is aimed for not-for-profit board members and those looking to join a board. Tickets $50 for members, $80 for non-members. Register here.
Wednesday, August 19: Business Illawarra’s latest Business After Hours event, at IMB Ltd, 47 Burelli St, Wollongong, 5pm-7pm. Connect with fellow professionals, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Tickets non-member $46, member $41. Book here
Friday, August 21: It’s the Illawarra Women in Business Coffee Club at Bulli Surf Club, Lot 68 Trinity Road, Bulli, 9.30am-11am. A relaxed and informal environment – networking over a cuppa. Members $12, non-members $20. Book here
Tuesday, August 25: Fabulous Finance, a workshop by the Community Industry Group, 2pm-25pm at 26 Mortlock Ave, Port Kembla. Peter Masterson is the facilitator. This training is aimed at board members, those looking to join a board, CFOs, finance managers, managers and CEOs. Tickets $50 for members, $80 for non-members. Book here.
Tuesday-Wednesday, August 25-26: Annual i3net Industry Showcase at Novotel Wollongong North Beach. The i3net Industry Showcase Expo runs across both sessions: Tuesday Dinner (5.30pm-10.30pm) & Wednesday Breakfast. This means exhibitors receive premium exposure over two high-value industry sessions with more than 200+ senior leaders across manufacturing, energy, mining, defence, infrastructure and major project delivery. The BlueScope Townhall will headline the Showcase Breakfast. A senior management panel will discuss land holdings, project direction and the broader industrial strategy shaping the Illawarra. All the information and tickets here
Thursday, August 27: Communication for Frontline Management online course, facilitated by Community Interest Group’s Edward Birt, 9.30am-1.30pm, online. This workshop is designed for managers and supervisors who are directly responsible for frontline operational or community-based teams. $100 for members and $150 for non-members. Spaces limited, book here
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