ABE 2026: Side events worth knowing about in Sydney

Accounting & Business Expo week brings together a large part of the accounting and bookkeeping community. Alongside the conference sessions themselves, the week has also become known for the conversations, meetups, and smaller gatherings happening around the expo.

These side events often give practitioners a different way to connect. Some start the day with breakfast discussions before the expo doors open. Others happen during the conference through product demos and practical walkthroughs. Then there are the evening events where people continue conversations away from the conference floor.

If you are planning to attend ABE this year, there are several events happening around the expo that are worth adding to your calendar.

MidCon Yacht Party 2026

Darling Harbour, Sydney
Wednesday 18 March | 6:00 to 10:00 PM

After the conference sessions wrap up on Wednesday, Rechargly is hosting the MidCon Yacht Party for ABE attendees.

The event moves networking away from the expo floor and onto Sydney Harbour for an evening aboard a private yacht.

Rather than a traditional conference social in a function room, the event is designed to give attendees space to connect in a more relaxed environment while cruising through the harbour.

Drinks and canapés will be served throughout the evening, and a live DJ will provide music for the event.

The event is expected to bring together firm owners, partners, operators and industry leaders attending ABE, giving people an opportunity to continue conversations from the conference and meet others in the profession.

RSVP for the Yacht Party:
https://midconyachtparty.com

AccountKit PowerHour Breakfast

Vogue Cafe, Darling Harbour
Wednesday 18 March | 7:00 to 9:00 AM

For those arriving early on the first morning of the expo, AccountKit is hosting a small PowerHour breakfast for firm leaders before the conference begins.

The session focuses on a topic many firms are dealing with during busy periods. As workloads grow and deadlines begin to overlap, teams are looking for better ways to manage complex workflows while keeping work visible.

During the breakfast session, the AccountKit team will walk through how firms are structuring workflows as workloads increase and how teams are using the platform to manage peak periods.

The setting is informal and designed to encourage discussion between firms before the expo begins.

Reserve your spot:
https://accountkit.com/powerhour

Eggs’n Inspiration with Abby

Nick’s Seafood Restaurant, Cockle Bay Wharf
Wednesday 18 March | 7:30 to 9:00 AM

Another way to begin Day 1 of ABE is with the Eggs’n Inspiration breakfast hosted by Corinne Smith and the Abby team.

This event brings together accountants and bookkeepers for a relaxed start to the morning before heading into the expo. It provides an opportunity to meet others in the profession and start conversations before the conference sessions begin.

Alongside breakfast and coffee, the Abby team will share how firms are beginning to explore AI and automation within their compliance workflows. The discussion looks at how practitioners are experimenting with new tools and where automation is starting to appear in everyday accounting work.

Breakfast, coffee and juice are included.

Reserve your spot:
https://events.humanitix.com/eggs-n-inspiration-with-abby

Payday Super for Micro Clients: See it in Action

ICC Sydney, Accounting and Business Expo Demo Theatre
Wednesday 18 March | 3:20 PM

During the expo itself, Paul Sharpe, CEO of Easy Business App, will run a demonstration showing how payroll, STP and Payday Super can be managed together in a single workflow.

The session focuses on practical processes for advisors supporting micro and small businesses.

Paul will walk through how advisors can run payroll and STP efficiently, process super alongside payroll when wages are paid, and eliminate super errors upfront using the Member Verification Request.

The session also explores how software designed specifically for small employers can help advisors better support micro clients.

If you would like to speak with the team, Easy Business App will also be available during the expo at booth C23.

Add the demo to your ABE schedule:
https://www.accountingbusinessexpo.com.au

XU Magazine Run Club

Sydney, location to be confirmed
Thursday 19 March | Morning, time to be confirmed

Day two of the Accounting and Business Expo begins with a community run or walk hosted by XU Magazine and the ABE team.

Participants can choose between a 5km run or a 2km walk before the expo begins.

The run club offers a casual way for accountants, advisers and app partners to get some fresh air, meet other attendees, and start the day with some energy before heading back to the conference.

Everyone who joins will also receive a free event t shirt.

Planning your ABE week

ABE has grown into more than just the conference sessions themselves. The week now includes a range of smaller gatherings that give people opportunities to connect, share ideas and continue conversations outside the main expo floor.

If you are attending this year, it can be helpful to look at what is happening around the conference as well. Breakfast sessions, live demos and evening networking events can add another layer to the experience and provide opportunities to meet others across the profession.

Planning ahead can make it easier to fit these events around your conference schedule and make the most of your time in Sydney.