The end of the year is looming large. You might need to get your diary in order snappishly. We’ve got you.
Check out our curated guide of the top business networking events in the Illawarra for November and December. Remember to check back, we’ll add more in a couple of weeks as more dates are confirmed.
If we’ve missed your special event, or neglected to include your group, don’t be shy - get in touch. Email janine@pulseillawarra.com.au
November:
Wednesday, November 4: Caffeine Connections has organised and end -of-year catch-up at Shellharbour’s Georgia Rose, 11am-1pm, for the region’s NDIS community. To book your place, click here.
Thursday, November 5: Community Industry Group 2026 Annual General Meeting at iAccelerate, Building 239, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong, 10am-1pm. Members and non-members welcome, free. Guest speakers are Dr Jacki Johnson and Dr Tamantha Stutchbury. Register here
Friday, November 6: Boss Woman Breakfast is organised by Wollongong Women at Georgia Rose, Shell Cove, 9am-11am. Tickets $79.80, book here.
Thursday-Friday, November 5-6: A two-day Mental Health First Aid training course, in conjunction with Talk2mebro, at South Coast Private Hospital, Wollongong. 9am-5pm both days, cost $400. Gain the essential skills to recognise and support those experiencing mental health challenges. Limited spots available, register here.
Friday, November 6: Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 – Gala Dinner presented by The Property Council of Australia. At the International Convention Centre, Sydney, 6pm. Watch as the industry crowns the best projects, developments, people and companies. Member $510, non-member $710. Book here.
Saturday, November 7: Design Unlocked: A Tour of Northern Illawarra Architecture is part of the 2026 Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design. Join a curated tour of three remarkable homes across Austinmer, Bulli and Wollongong. Choose either 1pm-5pm or 2pm-6pm. Tickets $45. More details here.
Tuesday, November 10: i3net November Industry Breakfast, 7.30am-10.30am, at City Beach Function Centre, 1 Marine Dr, Wollongong. Director business development and risk at GM³, Amanda Crehan, along with technical services manager at Peabody Energy, Metropolitan Coal, Nicolas Tucker, are the guest speakers. Members $99, non-members $180. Book now.
Tuesday, November 10: A seminar on Effective Complaints Management, 9.30am 1.30pm, at Community Industry Group, 26 Mortlock AvenuePort Kembla. Facilitated by Edward Birt, this course is designed for anyone who receives, handles, or oversees complaints as part of their role. Spaces limited, email Community Industry Group @ admin@cigroup.org.au or call us on (02) 4256 4333 as soon as possible. Register here
Wednesday, November 11: The NSW Government’s newly-released Data Centres Framework and Guidelines is the topic at the Property Council of Australia’s Data Centres Breakfast, 7am-9am, at Commbank Stadium, Parramatta. Tickets $180, book here.
Wednesday, November 11: Independent candidate for the seat of Keira, Kylie Flament, hosts an online community conversation on the cost of living, 7.30pm-8.30pm. An interactive, online conversation exploring the rising cost of living. How do we ease the pressure on local households so that everyone can afford the essentials and live well? More details + registration here
Thursday, November 12: AI for Marketing and Content Development, 9.30am-1pm, at Wollongong City Council, 41 Burelli St, Wollongong. Ideal for micro or small businesses, this program is delivered through the Australian Government's Digital Solutions Program in partnership with Wollongong City Council, this interactive session will help you understand how AI can support your day-to-day business activities. Places are limited and registration is essential via the Digital Solutions Program website.
Thursday, November 12: Fabulous Finance, presented by the Community Industry Group, 10am-1pm, at 26 Mortlock Ave, Port Kembla. Facilitated by Peter Masterson, this training is aimed at Board Members, those looking to join a board, CFOs, finance managers, managers and CEOs. $50 members, $80 non-members. Register here
Friday, November 13: Shellharbour Sunrise Walk & Coffee, organised by Wollongong Women, free, meet at Badu Cafe for a 6.15am start. 7am coffee and connection. More details here
Friday, November 13-14: The Social Enterprise Summit and Festival. Day 1 is a flagship gathering for senior leaders across government, corporate, and social enterprise sectors, Day 2 a community showcase bringing together purpose-driven founders, fair-trade stallholders, and conscious consumers from across NSW and the ACT. To be held at the University of Sydney. All the details here.
Friday, November 13: A Walk on Country - Shoalhaven presented by UOW Associate Professor Anthony McKnight. From 9.30am-12.30pm, meet at UOW Shoalhaven Campus, Building 302, Room LG25. An unhurried walk on Country, where Country is both guide and teacher. Register by Nov 4, do that here.
Friday, November 13: 2026 International Men’s Day Lunch, presented by Healthier Illawarra Men. At University of Wollongong Hall, 11.30am-3.30pm, with special guest and keynote speaker Samuel Johnson. Tickets $175, available here
Monday, November 16: Babcock Supplier Connect Session: Going Global Wollongong, 9am. In collaboration with Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven and i3net, Babcock invites defence industry suppliers to attend this 3-hour session focused on accessing international opportunities through global defence supply chains. Register here. There’s a 2pm session in the Shoalhaven, register here
Monday, November 16: The 2026 BlueScope AGM will be held at The Grand Ballroom, Novotel Northbeach Hotel, 2-14 Cliff Road North Wollongong, from 10am.
Tuesday, November 17: Women in Property - November Insights Dinner at Centro CBD, presented by Carmen Rudd Properties. From 5pm-7.15pm, cost $78, tickets here.
Wednesday, November 18: Get guidance and grow your network at Mentor Walks Wollongong, North Wollongong Surf Club (grassed area), 6.30am-7.45am. Cost $33, tickets here.
Thursday, November 19: Are you sitting on the next big idea but unsure how to bring it to life? iAccelerate will host a workshop called Test Your Business Idea for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders. From 9.30am-11.30pm, at iAccelerate, Innovation Campus, North Wollongong. Book your free ticket here
Thursday, November 19: Celebrate World Social Enterprise Day with the Wollongong Business for Good Lunch at Wollongong Library, from noon. To be catered by the Disability Trust thanks to the generosity of the Peregrine Centre. Members free, non-members $10. Register here.
Friday, November 20: The fourth annual Talk2mebro Cup Wollongong 2026, supporting mental health and suicide prevention. At Wollongong Golf Club, from 11:30am – registration & lunch, 12:30pm – shotgun start, 5:30pm(ish) – presentation, auction & awards. It’s a 4 Ball Ambrose and suitable for golfers of all abilities. Single player $200, team of 4: $750. Tickets here
Friday, November 20: Illawarra Chilean Association 50th Anniversary Dinner, The Builders Club, Wollongong, 6pm. Tickets $35-$50. Buy here.
Friday, November 27: Wollongong Sunrise Walk & Coffee organised by Wollongong Women, free, meet at the beach side of the Pavilion for a 6.15am start. 7am coffee and connection. More details here
Friday, November 27: The Illawarra Women in Business Lunch - with Cathy Freeman, 11am-2.15pm at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, 2-14 Cliff Road, North Wollongong. The event ticket includes a welcome drink and a two-course meal and entertainment on arrival. Members $125, non-members $145. To book, email: events@iwib.com.au
December:
Tuesday, December 1: Cereal Entrepreneurs, hosted by iAccelerate at Squires Way, North Wollongong, from 7am-8.30am. Grab some brekkie, meet like-minded doers and lock in for an hour of power to move forward on your startup or project. Places limited, register here.
Tuesday, December 1: The final dinner for The Illawarra Connection’s year. More details here
Wednesday, December 2: Celebrate the year’s end with Transport Women Australia at the Illawarra Yacht Club, 6pm-9pm, 1 Northcliffe Dr, Warrawong. Members $80, non-members $90. Tickets here
Thursday, December 3: The 2026 i3net Industry Night + AGM, at Wollongong Golf Course, 151-161 Corrimal St, Wollongong, 5.30pm-8.30pm. After networking, food & drinks from 5.30pm, there will be presentation between 6pm-7.20pm. Sicona’s chief operating officer, Nikan Nurb, will speak as will a CBA economist. Book here.
Thursday, December 10: Join the Illawarra’s NBL side for the 2026 Hawks Court Walk, 6pm, $55. Be right in the middle of all the warm-up action! Game day ticket not included. Tickets here
Thursday, December 10: The Wollongong Showcase 2026 is presented by Bus Stop Films at Hoyts Warrawong, 6pm-9pm. It’s a celebration of the talents of participants in the Accessible Filmmaking Program. Tickets $25 general admission or $10 concession/student. Tickets and more details here
Tuesday, December 15: Online from 12pm-2pm, thanks to iAccelerate. Test Your Business Idea, an engaging, hands-on workshop designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders evaluate and validate their business concepts. Book your place 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
6: Illawarra Network Group
Made up of business professionals from a variety of industries in the Illawarra region, they meet regularly to network and support each other in growing their businesses. The Illawarra region has a thriving business environment of industries large and small. There are two chapters:
Wollongong: Meets at The Plant Room at The Disability Trust in Spring Hill every second Wednesday.
Southern Chapter: Meets at The Woolshed, Yallah every second Thursday. More details on ING here