LAQ CONFERENCE
We are pleased to announce that the 2026 Conference will be held on
Friday 5th – Sunday 7th June at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort.
The LAQ Conference is held in June each year and attracts over 120 delegates from across Queensland. It is designed to be very practical and provide members with information, tools and resources to ensure their Committee and members build strong, successful and sustainable Centres that provide the best possible experience to their athletes and families.
Members will enjoy two jam-packed days filled with engaging keynote speakers, workshops, group sessions and discussions focused on the latest issues for Centre Committees. There will also be trade exhibitions from LAQ sponsors.
Conference provides an opportunity for Centre’s to learn more about the workings of the Association, a chance to ask questions of the Board and its Committees both in business sessions and out of business sessions.
More importantly, it gives you the opportunity to meet other Centre delegates from all over the State and exchange ideas.
Essentially, Conference is a place for sharing information and experiences. You may be surprised to find during conversations with other delegates that a problem your Centre experiences has been satisfactorily resolved by other Centres.
Conference commences with an informal welcome function on Friday evening, providing an opportunity to come together and meet the LAQ Board, Staff, sponsors and other Conference attendees. This provides a fantastic networking opportunity before the formalities of conference. Canapes are provided at this welcome function. The formal business sessions are held on Saturday (full day) and Sunday (half day).
On Saturday night, the Conference Awards dinner recognises the significant contribution of our volunteers and pays thanks to our Centres for their efforts throughout the season. This dinner is usually themed, and attendees are encouraged to come dressed for the theme. The theme for this year’s dinner is TOTALLY AWESOME 80’s. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed for the theme. However, if you don’t wish to participate, a smart casual attire is acceptable.
The LAQ AGM, General meeting and various presentations and discussions are held on the Sunday morning of Conference.
Click on the tabs below for further details for the 2026 Conference and to register.
AGENDA
COSTS
Costs per person to attend the 2026 Conference are as follows:
Full Conference | $420 |
Saturday or Sunday only | $300 |
Saturday or Sunday including Awards Dinner | $370 |
Awards Dinner only | $110 |
Full conference includes the Friday night welcome function, Conference attendance on both Saturday and Sunday (including all meals) and the Saturday night awards dinner.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is provided at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort to LAQ members at a discounted price. Centres must book their own accommodation for the Conference. LAQ does not make accommodation bookings on behalf of Centre members.
Accommodation costs are as follows:
| Garden View Single | Garden View Twin | Lagoon View Single | Lagoon View Twin |
Early Bird Rates | $289 | $ 309 | $ 319 | $ 339 |
After 7th March | $309 | $ 329 | $ 339 | $ 359 |
Within 14 days of event | No discounted rates | |||
All above rates include breakfast.
Complimentary car parking is provided for all attendees at the venue.
Centre’s are encouraged to book accommodation early to avoid missing out on our member discount prices.
All accommodation bookings should be finalised before Friday 22nd May. After this, accommodation can still be booked, but not at our member discount price.
Full payment for rooms must be made at the time of booking with no changes or cancellations once booked. However, the venue will allow room name changes if required.
It is important to note that Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort are not holding room specially for our Conference. However, with over 300 rooms available onsite, they are confident that by booking before 22nd May, your Centre will not miss out.
REGISTRATIONS
Registrations for the 2026 Conference are NOW OPEN!
When registering for Conference, please answer all questions on the form, and select the workshops you wish to attend. Please select your workshops carefully as there will be no changes once you have submitted your registration.
Centres can register one voting delegate for the Conference. There is no limit on the number of observers.
Closing date for registrations is Friday 15th May.
Once all registrations have closed, your Centre will be invoiced accordingly. Full payment of your Centre’s attendance MUST be made by Friday 29th May. Failure to do so will result in your Centre not being able to attend Conference.
If a Centre or delegates withdraw from Conference after 15th May, they will be charged for any non-refundable amounts paid to the venue on their behalf.
VOTING
Each Centre is entitled to one (1) voting delegate.
To be eligible to vote, Centres are required to complete and return the 2026/2027 season Centre and Committee Membership form and have paid their LAQ affiliation fee.
If your Centre cannot be represented at the Conference and is located more than 100km from the Conference venue, your Centre is entitled to submit a postal vote for motions.
Motions should be discussed and decided upon at a Centre Committee meeting. Those Centres attending the Conference will vote on motions at Conference. For those Centres submitting a postal vote, the completed postal voting form must be authorised by the Centre Manager and Secretary and returned to LAQ by the dates detailed below.
If there are any amendments proposed to a motion at Conference, postal votes become invalid.
There is also no postal voting on Constitutional motions.
* Centre & Committee Membership form, the affiliation the fee and the Centre minutes are all required by Wednesday 27th May.
* Closing date for postal votes is Wednesday 27th May.
LAQ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
The AGM will be held on the Sunday morning of the Conference. At this meeting, the postal voting of nominees for the Board of Director positions will be announced.
Additional information for the AGM, including profiles for Board of Director positions and voting forms will be emails to all Centres.
* Closing date for AGM postal votes is Wednesday 27th May.
DOCUMENTS
GUEST SPEAKERS
This year’s lineup is packed with inspiring guest speakers, practical workshops, fresh ideas, and valuable takeaways designed specifically for Little Athletics Centres. Whether you’re looking for new ways to engage families, strengthen your committee, grow participation, or simply connect with others who “get it” — there’s something for everyone.
Below is a sneak peek at some of the incredible workshops and presenters joining us this year!
