The 2026 Hunter Innovation Festival Roadshow Cessnock

🚀 The 2026 Hunter Innovation Festival Roadshow Hits Cessnock!

​Innovation is thriving in our regions.

​Following their highly successful "Igniting the Spark" launch event, Hunter iF is taking the festival on the road. They are thrilled to invite you to the Cessnock Roadshow, a dedicated showcase of the groundbreaking technologies and visionary founders driving economic evolution right here in the heart of the Hunter.

​Spotlight on Cessnock: Circular Economy & Health Innovation

​Cessnock is rapidly becoming a powerhouse for driving it’s circular economy and innovating in health. Join local industry leaders, investors, and ecosystem builders for an afternoon of high-impact networking and exclusive insights.

​What to expect:

​Hero Innovator Showcases

​Civic Leadership

​Ecosystem Connection

​Featured Speakers

​Mick Carr
Serial entrepreneur and the founder of Grub Lab, the Australian-born marketing x technology company helping independent pubs, clubs and restaurants compete with the world’s biggest chains.  A local boy from Kurri Kurri, Mick has spent more than 20 years building businesses across mining, hospitality, retail and technology. Today, Grub Lab partners with some of the biggest sporting, entertainment and food brands on the planet—including the NFL, NBA, NRL, AFL, Universal, Sony, McCain and Steggles—to give local venues access to blockbuster brands, technology and family experiences once reserved for global restaurant giants.  His mission is simple: help independent venues think bigger, grow faster and take on the world.

​Natalia Cowley
An experienced Chief Executive with a proven track record of leading complex public-sector organisations through major financial, cultural, and operational transformations. Over the past decade, Natalia has served in some of Australia’s most challenging local government environments. Recognised for restoring financial sustainability and strengthening governance, Natalia excels at delivering critical infrastructure and community outcomes under intense public and regulatory scrutiny. Known for a pragmatic and financially rigorous approach, Natalia bridges the gap between high-level strategy and ground-level execution, aligning organisational operations with community and stakeholder expectations.

​Matthew Low
Director and Founder of the Redleaf Property Group, (Joint ventures Wollombi General Store and Redleaf Wollombi).  Matthew specialises in property consulting, with over 20 years in proprietary design, renovation, development and letting.  The Redleaf Property Group offers a personal hands on service, underpinned by many years of experience. We approach each project with fresh eyes, balancing each client’s unique vision with their budget and time commitments. Matthews former career saw him lead the sales function for Leveraged Equities. Primarily focused on coaching the sales team and key account management of Stockbrokers across Australia. Prior to this Matthew was the Associate Director at Macquarie Group for eleven years.

​Samantha Cross
As Business Development & Industry Engagement Lead at Recycle Central Group, Samantha actively engages with businesses, industry groups, government, and local communities to drive resource recovery, advance circular economy practices, and deliver net-zero outcomes. Recycle Central provides solutions for mixed dry waste streams and operates a state-of-the-art, NSW EPA-Licenced resource recovery facility. Holding a Bachelor of Business from the University of Newcastle and a Diploma of Facilities Management. She brings extensive hands-on operational experience from ASX-listed companies including Brambles Australia and Cleanaway, and from founding Cross Connections Consulting, a successful sustainability consultancy where she developed the award-winning Plastic Police® program. She remains actively involved in cross-sector industry groups and local initiatives.With more than 30 years working across industry, government, and community sectors to reduce landfill waste and implement continuous improvement, Samantha is recognised as an early pioneer in the circular economy space. Her credo - communicate, connect, collaborate - has guided her work identifying and implementing practical, viable solutions for the region. She served as Chair of the Waste Management Association of Australia – Hunter Region and has mentored numerous emerging leaders and is currently a mentor under the Hunter Guides Pilot Program. Samantha’s contributions to the industry and region have been recognised with several awards, including the Waste Management Association of Australia Women in the Environment Award, the HunterNet Chairman’s Award, the Hunter Water/Newcastle Herald Hunter Hero Award, and the Lake Macquarie Council Environmental Leader Award. She is passionate about enabling organisations and individuals to take action that leads to better outcomes for both their organisation and the wider community.

​The Road to the Main Event

​The Cessnock Roadshow is a crucial stop on the region-wide tour. Hunter iF are also bringing the innovation spotlight to Maitland (30 September) and Muswellbrook (7 October) to celebrate the unique industrial strengths of our local communities.

​All of this incredible regional momentum culminates on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, where they bring the entire region together at NEX in Newcastle for the massive, full-day Hunter Innovation Festival.

​Event Details & Registration

​Date: Tuesday, 22 September 2026

​Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Light lunch and refreshments provided.

​Location: Cessnock Leagues Club

​Dress Code: Business / Smart Casual

​Space is strictly limited for these intimate regional showcases.

​Secure your ticket today and be part of Cessnock’s next chapter of growth.