Conferences
Studies reveal that there are five main reasons why people attend conferences: to learn; to be inspired; to meet like-minded people and network; to solicit business; and the location.
The APEN International Conference, held biennially, is an international meeting for rural advisory practitioners, researchers and academics who combine the best extension research and practice from developing and developed countries. A wonderful opportunity to share knowledge and improve extension.
The conference usually rotates between regions and is run by a local APEN Conference committee.
2025 APEN International Conference
Tech + Extension: A Powerful Partnership for Change
14–16 October 2025 | Brisbane Showgrounds, Queensland
In a rapidly evolving world, extension professionals are leading the charge in enabling meaningful change across agriculture, natural resource management, and regional communities.
View the APEN 2025 Conference Wrap Up here.
You can view the Conference Program here.
Thank you to our sponsors.
2023 APEN International Conference
The theme for this year’s conference was: Looking to the future: the role of extension and education.
It was held on November 14 - 16, 2023 in Tailrace Centre, Launceston.
The programme from this conference can be found here.
2022 APEN International Conference
An online conference 9-11 February 2022: this was an amazing APEN event! The theme was Facilitating Change and the Opportunity from Disruption.
Some details are here on this website and details are on the Conference website. The Conference Program and Abstracts is available here
2019 APEN Conference
The conference theme was:
Extending horizons: Extension’s role in climate, rural industries, and community challenges.
It was held in Darwin, 12 & 13 September 2019. For more information, go to the conference website by clicking the conference logo or here.
Check out the Special Conference edition of ExtensionNet.
Pdf files of power-point presentations by keynote and concurrent session speakers are available here.
2017 GFRAS/APEN International Conference
The GFRAS/APEN International Conference was held in Northern Queensland in September 2017 with the theme: Facilitating Balanced Change for Rural and Urban Communities. Click on the Conference link for more details.
2015 APEN Conference, Adelaide
The 2015 APEN Conference, Managing change innovation and action in an ever shrinking world, was held in Adelaide, Australia on 10-12 November 2015.
2013 APEN International Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand
Our 2013 International Conference, Transformative Change: Chosen or Unchosen, was held in Christchurch, New Zealand, 28-30 August 2013.
2011 APEN Conference, Armidale
The 2011 APEN Conference, Hitting a Moving Target – Sustaining landscapes livelihoods and lifestyles in a changing world, was held in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia on 28-30 November 2011.
The proceedings of past conferences can be viewed here.