State of Social: Taking the work out of networking.
The State of Social community is like family. A big, like-minded, caffeine-infused family.
The State of Social community is unique: hundreds of digital and social marketing pros, business leaders and industry titans coming together to learn, laugh, catch up with old friends, make new contacts and share ideas (and a Hunt And Brew coffee or a sundowner drink or five).
Alongside our customisable program of cherry-picked, world-class speakers, it’s our community that keeps our Australia-wide family coming together at Optus Stadium every year. A community that takes the work out of networking.
So, who will you meet at State of Social ’26: Friction?
There are our world-class speakers, all avid learners and audience members when they’re not on stage, sharing their friction-finagling expertise.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few roles at State of Social over the years – keynote speaker, podcast producer and now speaker liaison – and what keeps me coming back is the absolute superior quality of curation. Each keynote, deep dive and workshop is carefully selected not just for what you’ll learn in that session, but how it all fits together across the two days of the event.
“SOS26 is shaping up to be a banner year for the event and I’m most looking forward to making myself uncomfortable with two days of challenging and provocative presentations and conversations. This year’s theme of Friction really speaks to me and I’m hoping to bring some of that deliberate discomfort back to my work with a tinge of optimism too.”
Andrés López-Varela, Marketing Strategist, New South Wales
You’ll find advertising, marketing and branding agencies, big and small.
“I run my own micro agency and having attended State of Social, I loved how the conference was tiered to organisations of all sizes – whether you’re a large org or a boutique agency/start-up. As a solo operator, this was really good for me personally and meant the atmosphere was really welcoming and friendly, and I made some great new friends and contacts.”
Alex Mills, Alex Mills Social, Sydney
You’ll discover people from all corners of Australia (and beyond).
“I’m the founder of Grand Cru Digital, an independent consultancy specialising in SEO and Google Ads. State of Social is by far the best conference I have ever attended – from the speaker wisdom to the food, coffee and location. Everything is meticulously planned down to the smallest details, which I love. It’s definitely worth flying across the country each year for!
“Every year when I return to SOS, I am always so happy to see Julian Pace on the speaker lineup. Honestly, his sessions are a breath of fresh air and always come at the right moment. I love being at an industry conference that is full of technical brain food and also has sessions like Julian’s which are good for my well-being!”
Casey Bryan, Grand Cru Digital, Victoria
You’ll meet in-house marketing teams from practically every industry.
“I’m the Head of Digital, Brand and Marketing Communications at Orthocell, an ASX-listed regenerative medicine company. I keep coming back to State of Social because it’s one of the few events that blends practical digital thinking with proper creative inspiration. You leave with ideas you can actually use, not just theory.
“For SOS26, I’m keen to see how marketers are dealing with the friction between AI, authenticity, brand trust and measurable performance. That feels especially relevant right now, particularly for organisations trying to grow globally while keeping their communications credible and human.”
Scott Forrest, Orthocell, Western Australia
You’ll get to swap notes with CMOs and senior marketing managers.
“What keeps bringing me back is the constant stream of new ideas, the event activations on both days, and, honestly, the people!
“It’s great to get a refreshed marketing brain, some creative juice flowing again…and this year I’m taking the whole marketing team!”
Lara Potter, ROAR Group (ROAR Active and ROAR Bar & Grill), Western Australia
You’ll bump into freelancers and solo-preneurs.
“One of the biggest takeaways from past conferences has been learning how to adapt quickly to the ever-changing digital environment. The practical strategies shared by speakers have helped me refine my approach to content, audience engagement, and digital marketing technology. I always walk away with actionable ideas rather than just theory, which is why SOS continues to deliver real value year after year.”
“I’m the owner and principal marketing consultant at Sine Qua Non Consulting, where I work with businesses to develop strategic marketing solutions that build strong brands, increase visibility, and drive business growth.
“I keep coming back to State of Social because it’s one of the best opportunities to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving digital marketing landscape. Every year I leave with new ideas, valuable connections, and renewed enthusiasm for what’s possible in marketing.
Anne Pesic, Sine Qua Non Consulting, Perth
And you’ll see people spanning the experience spectrum, from fresh grads to industry leaders.
“I’m the marketing manager at RAC Arena and I love coming back to State of Social as a way to update my knowledge in the everchanging landscape that is social media and marketing.
“There’s always a fantastic lineup of international speakers, and the presentation from Dave Jorgenson (aka the Washington Post’s TikTok Guy) in 2024 was one that has stayed with me. I’m always interested in hearing from Dave Stewart talking about IP law, and Liana Rossi is such a girl boss, I want to be her when I grow up (yes, I’m in my late 30s already, but I said what I said).”
Marika Bailey, RAC Arena, Western Australia
With 1,000+ expected at State of Social ’26: Friction, who will you meet at Optus Stadium this year? What new connections will you make? What potential partners and creative collaborators will you hook up with? We can’t wait to bring you all together on 25 & 26 August.
