Northern Adelaide Defence Industry Networking
Description
Connect. Collaborate. Celebrate.
Join us for an evening bringing together Northern Adelaide’s defence industry businesses, government representatives and industry partners to build connections, share insights and explore opportunities for the region.
Guest speaker: Matt Burnell MP
Hear from Matt Burnell MP, Federal Member for Spence, as he shares his perspective on Australia’s defence priorities, his work on parliamentary defence committees and the opportunities for Northern Adelaide through stronger collaboration across industry and government.
Matt serves on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence and is Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS and Parliamentary Friends of Veterans. His background as a seafarer and veteran brings a unique perspective to the discussion.
Networking, food, drinks and local gin
Enjoy an evening of networking over good food and drinks, with a gin tasting experience featuring local distillery 36 Short as part of the evening’s activities.
Reconnect with industry peers, meet potential collaborators and celebrate the relationships helping shape Northern Adelaide’s defence industry.
Arrive early: Explore Playford’s new commercial hub
Your networking ticket also gives you the option to join a guided tour of the Playford Commercial Hub, adjacent to the Playford Civic Centre and strategically located near RAAF Base Edinburgh and the Greater Edinburgh Parks defence and aerospace precinct.
As the development nears completion, prospective tenants can explore available desk and office space and discover the benefits of establishing a local business presence within Northern Adelaide’s growing industry ecosystem.
Whether you’re a defence supplier, engineering or technology business, specialist consultant or industry service provider, the tour is an opportunity to see the space and discuss what this exciting new hub could offer.
Places on the tour are limited, so register as you purchase your ticket, via the checkout questions.
Tour details
Time: 4:00pm arrival. Tour commences at 4:15pm
Meet at: Event registration desk, Playford Civic Centre - side entrance
Networking Event details
Date: Monday 30 November 2026
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Venue: Playford Civic Centre, 10 Playford Boulevard, Elizabeth
Registration: located at the side entrance of the Civic Centre
Tickets: $40 per person, including food, refreshments and the gin tasting experience.
This event is designed for:
Defence primes, contractors and supply chain partners
Defence industry suppliers, SMEs and local businesses seeking to enter or expand within Defence supply chains
Businesses and organisations interested in opportunities across the Defence sector
Local, state and Commonwealth government stakeholders
Industry associations and economic development organisations
Education, skills and workforce development partners
Organisations and individuals seeking to build connections, identify opportunities and contribute to Defence industry growth in Northern Adelaide
Register now and be part of a defence industry network built for the long term.
Please note the following:
Tickets are not transferrable without written confirmation from City of Playford event team. Tickets must be presented at the Registration Desk, prior to entering the event.
City of Playford reserves the right to refuse entry to any person.
City of Playford reserves the right to require an attendee to leave the event at any time if their behaviour is deemed inappropriate, unsafe or disruptive.
Photography and videography will take place throughout the event. If you do not wish your photo to be taken, please speak with the photographer at the event.
If you have any questions or enquiries regarding the event, please contact our event coordinator, Anna Tripodi, via business@playford.sa.gov.au
Lineup

Matt Burnell, MP
Matt Burnell is the Federal Member for Spence, representing Adelaide’s northern suburbs, home to RAAF Base Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Defence Precinct and a growing defence and advanced manufacturing industry. A former Australian Army Reservist, Matt brings personal experience of military service to his work in Parliament. He is a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence and serves as Co-Chair of both the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS and the Parliamentary Friends of Veterans. Since his election to Parliament in 2022, Matt has been a strong advocate for South Australia's defence industry and its contribution to Australia's national security. He has a particular interest in strengthening Australia's sovereign industrial capability, supporting local defence businesses, and ensuring the next generation of skilled workers can benefit from the significant defence investment taking place across South Australia.
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