The Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Business Festival 2026 brought business leaders, exhibitors, community organisations and government representatives to Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday, 27 August.
Organised by the Frankston Business Chamber, the full-day event combined a business expo with keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
The conference covered industrial development, housing, branding, artificial intelligence, workplace wellbeing, hospitality and regional economic growth.
Frankston Business Chamber Delivers Full-Day Program
Frankston Business Chamber chief executive Bernadine Geary and MC Therese O’Neill hosted the festival, which opened with an update from Frankston Mayor Sue Baker.
The chamber and organising team delivered a broad program that connected regional economic issues with practical information for business owners.
Meanwhile, the business expo operated alongside the conference. This allowed attendees to visit stalls between presentations and speak directly with local businesses and service providers.
Exhibitors photographed by STPL News included the Frankston Business Chamber, Esse Aesthetics and Wellness Rooms, Caddyman, Mums Supporting Families in Need, MiLife Victoria and the Frankston Social Enterprise and Innovation Hub.
Doing Business, Core24 Health Clubs, Peninsula Swim School, Progress NDIS Services and Accelerate were also among the exhibitors.
Together, the stalls represented industries including health, disability support, printing, transport, tourism, professional services, social enterprise and community assistance.
Keynote Speakers Cover Business And Regional Growth
Nichols Crowder director Michael Crowder opened the keynote program with From Industrial Land to Innovation Hubs: The Future of Business Space. His presentation examined the changing demand for industrial, logistics and commercial property across Melbourne’s south-east.
Image: RPP FM
Linden Jackson, managing director and co-owner of Agile IT Solutions, presented Innovation Frontiers: The Good, The Bad and The Bot.
Jackson addressed the practical opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence, emerging technology and cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses.
Media personality Dee Dee Dunleavy later delivered When the Microphone Goes Silent: Lessons in Reputation, Resilience and Reinvention.
Drawing on more than four decades in Australian media, Dunleavy discussed professional setbacks, public scrutiny and rebuilding a career.
Roccella Group co-founder Bruno Ceraso also presented From 1 to 100: The Recipe for Building Great Hospitality Brands.
Ceraso examined the development of hospitality businesses and the contribution successful venues can make to regional identity and economic activity.
The four keynote presentations provided perspectives across property, technology, media and hospitality.
Housing, Branding And Workplace Wellbeing Examined
Housing pressures were examined during The Housing Puzzle: Balancing Growth, Affordability and Community Needs in Frankston and Mornington Peninsula.
Chaired by Patricia Zurrer from Property Consulting Australia, the panel included Jason Pater from the Payton Foundation, Steve Phillips from Community Support Frankston, Federal Member for Dunkley Jodie Belyea and Amanda Davidson from Bendigo Bank.
The discussion considered the relationship between housing availability, affordability, workforce pressures and community wellbeing.
A separate panel, Brand Frontiers: Strategy, Storytelling and Positioning, examined how businesses can communicate their purpose and differentiate themselves in competitive markets.
The panel brought together chair Lauren Wild from Mornington Peninsula Magazine, Sam Grigg from Burst Brand Agency, Jeremy Dart from Doing Business, Elizabeth McDonald from Netfocus IT and Melissa Tantuccio from Alloggio.
In addition, workplace culture and psychological safety were considered during the Healthy People, Healthy Workplaces panel.
The final panel examined how tourism, hospitality, arts, culture and local businesses can contribute to stronger regional destinations.
Representatives and students from Monash University also presented findings from the Monash Innovation Guarantee program. The initiative paired the university with the Frankston Business Chamber to examine a business challenge and develop potential responses.
Frankston Council Maintains Visible Role
Frankston City Council maintained a visible presence throughout the festival program.
Mayor Sue Baker delivered a council update during the opening session.
Council’s manager of place activation, arts and creativity, Tammy Ryan, also participated in The Business of Place: How Strong Destinations Drive Regional Growth.
The festival’s use of Frankston Arts Centre allowed the theatre conference, business expo and networking activities to operate within the same venue.
Council’s participation demonstrated active engagement with businesses from Frankston and the surrounding region.
Festival Creates Regional Business Connections
The festival provided a shared platform for businesses and organisations operating across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
Its combination of industry presentations, panel discussions, exhibition stalls and networking allowed regional economic issues to be considered alongside practical business advice.
The event also gave businesses an opportunity to promote their services, exchange ideas and build connections outside their immediate industries.
The full conference program is available through the Frankston Business Chamber.
Frankston And Mornington Peninsula Business Festival Photo Gallery
STPL News photographed the stage presentations, business exhibitors and networking activity throughout the festival.
View the full photo gallery below.
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