Spring is conference and event season across regional Victoria. If you’re working in tech—or your business relies on technology—these events offer learning, networking, and community connection.

Here’s my guide to what’s happening September through November 2025.

Major Conferences

Geelong Tech Summit

When: October 15-16, 2025 Where: Geelong Conference Centre Cost: $350-500

Two days of sessions covering AI implementation, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and regional tech careers. Strong speaker lineup including several interstate presenters.

Good mix of technical depth and business strategy. Networking events each evening.

Best for: Business owners and IT leaders wanting comprehensive coverage.

Regional Digital Agriculture Conference

When: November 5-6, 2025 Where: Ballarat Cost: $275-400

Focused on agricultural technology—precision ag, farm management software, connectivity solutions, and data-driven farming.

Includes equipment demonstrations and vendor exhibition. Well-attended by farmers and agribusiness professionals.

Best for: Anyone involved in agricultural technology, farming, or rural business.

Western Victoria Business Technology Expo

When: October 8, 2025 Where: Horsham Cost: Free (registration required)

Single-day expo featuring technology vendors relevant to regional businesses. Presentations throughout the day on practical topics.

Less formal than conferences, more focused on showcasing products and services.

Best for: Business owners exploring technology purchases.

Regular Meetups

Geelong Tech Meetup

When: First Wednesday of each month Where: Rotating Geelong venues Cost: Free

Consistent attendance of 40-60 people. Mix of presentations and networking. Topics vary month to month but skew toward software development.

Welcoming to newcomers. Good for expanding your Geelong tech network.

Ballarat Developer Group

When: Second Thursday of each month Where: Federation University Cost: Free

Developer-focused meetup with technical presentations. Smaller community but engaged and supportive.

Best for: Developers and technical people in the Ballarat region.

Bendigo Digital

When: Third Tuesday of each month Where: Bendigo Tech Hub Cost: Free

Broader than just developers—includes marketers, business owners, and tech-curious people. Good mix of skill levels.

Regular attendance around 30-40 people.

Rural Tech Coffee

When: Various Fridays Where: Rotating small towns (check website) Cost: Free (buy your own coffee)

Informal gatherings in smaller regional centres. No formal presentations, just coffee and conversation.

Valuable for people in areas without regular tech events. Check their schedule for locations.

Workshops and Training

Google Digital Garage Regional Sessions

When: Various dates, September-November Where: Multiple regional centres Cost: Free

Google’s free digital skills training comes to regional Victoria. Sessions cover basics—digital marketing, online presence, data analytics fundamentals.

Best for: Business owners new to digital, employees wanting foundational skills.

Business Victoria Digital Workshops

When: Ongoing Where: Various regional locations and online Cost: Free or subsidised

Government-funded workshops on e-commerce, social media, and business technology. Quality varies but cost is right.

Check Business Victoria website for current schedule.

Cyber Security Essentials Workshops

When: October 22 (Bendigo), November 12 (Geelong) Where: As listed Cost: $99

Practical cybersecurity training for small business. Covers password management, two-factor authentication, recognising phishing, and incident response.

Best for: Business owners who know they should do more about security.

Online Options

For those who can’t travel to events:

Geelong Tech Meetup

Often livestreams sessions. Check their social media.

Business Victoria Webinars

Regular online sessions on digital topics. Access from anywhere.

Regional Tech Slack Community

Active Slack workspace connecting regional Victorian tech workers. Not an event, but valuable for ongoing connection.

Maximising Event Value

Tips for getting the most from these events:

Go alone if necessary. You’ll meet more people when you’re not talking to colleagues you already know.

Follow up. Exchange contact details with interesting people, then actually reach out afterward.

Ask questions. Speakers notice and remember people who engage thoughtfully.

Share what you learn. Brief your team or write notes. The teaching reinforces your own learning.

Attend regularly. Community builds through consistent presence, not one-time appearances.

Regional tech events are smaller than Melbourne equivalents, but that’s actually an advantage. You can genuinely meet people, have real conversations, and build relationships that matter.

I’ll see you at some of these.