Friday, 31 October 2025
Minyama Room, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
Strap in for your first full day of insight, inspiration and connection at the National Festival of Design Conference 2025. With housing affordability as the central theme, Day 1 will have sessions on the economy, and housing crisis, led by an outstanding line-up of speakers, thought leaders, government and industry innovators.
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Registration
All attendees must register on arrival to collect their lanyard - required for entry to conference sessions and events. Registration also includes your Festival goodie bag.
Opening Addresses
9:00 AM President Welcome
Darren Evens
President
Building Designers Association of Australia
9:10 AM Acknowledgement of Country
Uncle James Mimi
Wakka Wakka Man
Warrant Officer Class 2
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Australian Army
9:20 AM CEO Welcome
Chris Knierim
Chief Executive Office
Building Designers Association of Australia
Economy
9:30 AM Keynote Address
Mark Bouris
Executive Chairman
Yellow Brick Road
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM Morning Tea
11:15 AM Keynote Address
Tim Reardon
Chief Economist
Housing Industry Association
Supported by James Hardie
12:00 PM Table Discussion
Interactive Round Table Discussion Between Members
BDAA Board Members and BDAA Industry Partners
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Lunch
Government Session on Housing Crisis
1:15 PM Keynote Address
Angela Moody
Productivity Commissioner and Chair
QLD Productivity Commission
Keynote Topic: Opportunities to Improve Productivity in the Queensland Construction Industry
2:00 PM Keynote Address
Monica Richter
Senior Manager, Low Carbon Futures Program at WWF-Australia
Project Director, MECLA
Abigail Heywood
Award Winning Environmental Sustainability Expert, Change Maker and Climate Action & Nature Impact Advocate
Keynote Topic: Nature Design Guide: A Country-Centred Approach to Nature-Based Design. Lessons from MECLA’s collaborative approach.
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM Afternoon Tea
3:15 PM Keynote Address
Amy Marsden
Director of Planning
There For Group
Keynote Topic: How grassroots advocacy toppled 30 year old planning barriers to social and affordable housing, and what more can be done for reform at scale.
3:45 PM Keynote Address
Cathy Inglis
Group CEO
Think Brick, Concrete Masonry Association & Roofing Tile Association
Keynote Topic: Stack ‘Em High: Masonry Solutions for Australia’s Housing Crunch
4:15 PM Conference Day 1 Conclusion
6:00 PM Networking Drinks at Boston Shaker Bar
Event Partners:
