Ethnolink Summit - Melbourne

Hola / 你好 / مرحبا / Γειά σου! / こんにちは / Xin chào / Hello!

On Thursday 27 August 2026, Australia’s largest event on multicultural communications, marketing, and engagement returns to Melbourne. The Ethnolink Summit, held at Zinc @ Federation Square, will bring together more than 250 professionals for a full-day experience designed to inspire, educate, and connect.

Join communications, marketing, and engagement professionals from government, councils, and the not-for-profit sector as we explore what it means to develop meaningful communications, campaigns, and projects in a multicultural Australia. Expect real case studies, practical insights, and opportunities to meet like-minded professionals.

For anyone working with Australia’s diverse communities, this Summit offers a valuable day of learning and connection.

Ethnolink is Australia’s largest national multicultural communications, engagement and translation agency. We support organisations that want to connect meaningfully with multicultural and First Nations communities through communications that resonate and research that reflects lived experience.

Our work spans research, strategy, creative, translation, media, and community engagement — all delivered under our triple ISO certifications, including ISO 17100 for Translation Services and ISO 20252 for Market and Social Research. Every year, more than 900 government departments, not-for-profits, and businesses choose Ethnolink for campaigns that reach audiences with clarity and cultural intelligence. Our community network extends to over 5,000 trusted community members across Australia, giving organisations direct pathways to the voices, perspectives, and cultural insights that shape real impact.

Case Studies

Learn from real projects delivered across Australia and gain practical insights you can apply straight away. Hear directly from experts shaping multicultural communications today.

Panel Discussions

Join interactive conversations with leaders in the field. Walk away with strategies, tools, and perspectives that strengthen your multicultural communication practice.

Networking

Connect with over 250 professionals across government, councils, and the not-for-profit sector. Build relationships, share ideas, and expand your network, to help you in your career.

Innovations

Explore new approaches, creative ideas, and emerging techniques transforming multicultural outreach. Leave inspired with fresh thinking for your next project or campaign.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the wide and diverse range of topics that were discussed and presented this morning. Hearing first hand case studies and experiences was fascinating!"

Marketing Lead
Department of Transport and Planning

"I would like to thank you and the team for such an amazing and inspiring event, I loved every part of it was very informative, engaging, and meaningful."

Project Officer
Australian Services Union

"It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals before learning from experts about the best ways to improve our campaign planning and practices. I left feeling inspired."

Marketing & Communications Officer
Crime Stoppers Victoria

Master of Ceremonies: Helen Kapalos

Former Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission

Helen Kapalos is one of Australia's most respected broadcasters and a seasoned communications leader, having held high-profile roles across both national public broadcasters and three major commercial networks.

Appointed as Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission in 2015, Helen completed a four-year term before being named as the inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Fellow for Multicultural Engagement at Swinburne University.

Helen has played a pivotal role in advancing multicultural engagement across media, education, and government. From building pathways for emerging journalists from under-represented backgrounds to shaping policy discussions on diversity, disability, and inclusion, her impact continues to resonate across sectors.

Speaker	Presentation Title
Professor Marc Orlando Director, Translation & Interpreting Program Macquarie University	Words That Work for Everyone: Designing Readable Texts for Multilingual Audiences
Sukhmani Khorana Scientia Associate Professor University of New South Wales	Reimagining Indian-Australian Publics: Diaspora Complexity, Media Ecosystems and Engagement Strategies
Iain Alvarez Marketing Lead Victorian Department of Transport and Planning	From Insight to Impact: Reaching CALD Heavy Vehicle Drivers
Sarah Halpin Campaigns Lead Jean Hailes for Women's Health	Talking Periods: Building a Health Campaign with Communities
Paige-Elise Galloway Community Manager South East Water	When Trust Translates: A Place-Based Approach to Multicultural Engagement with the Dari-Speaking Community
Costa Vasili Founder & CEO Ethnolink	Lessons Learned from a National Multicultural Natural Hazards Campaign
Anthea Hancocks CEO Scanlon Foundation Research Institute	The Relation of Communications to Social Cohesion
Lee Yacoumis Strategic Engagement Manager NAATI	We All Deserve to Be Understood: Learning from NAATI's National Campaign

Who can attend the Summit?

Only Government (Federal, State and Local) attendees and not-for-profit attendees are permitted to attend. Typical attendees are communications, marketing, and community engagement professionals.

When will the full program be made available?

The summit program will be made available on our website as we approach the date of the event. We are aiming to have this finalised by the end of July 2026. However, the Summit will run for the full day (8.30am-4.30pm). Make sure to revisit our site periodically for updates. We will also email registered attendees with the program.

What time does the Summit start?

Doors open from 8.30am, with the event official commencing at 9.30am, and concluding at 4.30pm.

How much are tickets?

Ticket pricing information is available on the Registration Page. Early Bird pricing ends 30 June 2026.

Are there group ticket discounts available?

Group tickets are available for 5 or more at $249 each.

What is the cancellation policy?

We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and you may need to cancel your participation. In such cases, we offer a full refund if the cancellation is made up to 30 days prior to the event. If you cancel less than 30 days before the event, please note that refunds will not be available. However, your ticket remains fully transferable at no additional cost. You can assign your ticket to someone else by notifying the event organiser.

Will the event be catered?

Yes, the entire day will be catered. Dietary requirements will be catered for.

Who can I contact about questions I have?

Please send an email to summit@ethnolink.com.au

Punchy Digital Media

Punchy Digital Media is a cutting-edge production company specialising in captivating digital content. With a focus on animated explainer videos, Punchy Digital Media uses innovative technology and creative storytelling to create powerful digital narratives. Their expert team of animators, graphic designers, and scriptwriters deliver tailored solutions to clients in the Government and Not-for-Profit sectors. Punchy Digital Media works heavily in the production of videos for multicultural communities.

Visit Website

Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative

The Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative operates at the national level to advocate for the diverse health and well-being needs of Australia’s multicultural communities, including research and policy development. It represents a broad range of voices through a formal membership structure that includes multicultural consumers, health and wellbeing services, practitioners, researchers, and organisations focused on multicultural health. The Collaborative also invites mainstream services and organisations with a strong commitment to multicultural health as members and forms partnerships with relevant national organisations.

Visit Website

Australia's only event dedicated to multicultural communications

Melbourne
Thursday 27 August 2026

Tickets On Sale Now

Early Bird Tickets til 30 June 2026

$249 per person (save $100 per ticket)

Regular Ticket Price: $349 per person

Group discount 5+: $249 per person

About the Summit

About Ethnolink