RDA Murray created the Regional Futures Forum to bring national conversations about productivity, industry, energy, workforce and investment into regional Australia – and to ensure regional leaders were not simply responding to change but helping shape it.

Held at Charles Sturt University in Albury on 26–27 March 2026, the Forum brought together 172 participants from government, industry, research, education and regional organisations. Across 13 sessions, speakers and participants explored issues including Future Made in Australia, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, supply chains and logistics, water, workforce, artificial intelligence, productivity and the future role of regions in Australia’s economic development.

RDA Murray’s role went beyond event delivery. The Forum was designed as an engagement and intelligence platform. It connected regional businesses and leaders with policymakers and experts, tested emerging ideas, identified shared constraints and opportunities, and strengthened relationships that can support future projects and advocacy.

Participant engagement was strong, with 205 live questions and 195 upvotes recorded through the event platform. The Forum achieved a Net Promoter Score of +54, and overall satisfaction of 4.4 out of 5. The audience was geographically diverse, with 49% of participants from NSW and 27% from Victoria, reflecting the cross-border economic reality of the Murray region.

The communications campaign significantly extended the Forum’s reach beyond the room. LinkedIn generated 980,158 impressions and 10,799 clicks; Instagram achieved a reach of 184,192 and 328,577 impressions; and the ticket page attracted 17,550 unique visitors. The result was a stronger profile for regional issues and for RDA Murray as a credible convener of future-focused economic development conversations.

The Forum also created a platform for follow-on work, including more focused ‘Regional Futures: In Focus’ events and deeper engagement in areas such as energy transition, freight and logistics, advanced manufacturing and workforce.