14 May Capability, Conversations & Keeping Momentum | Dean’s Desk 8 May 14, 2026 By Admin RIN Dean's Desk 0 It’s been another full-on couple of weeks across the network, and honestly, the momentum right now feels really strong. There’s been a lot of conversation lately about uncertainty, confidence and where things are heading - but there’s also a huge amount of capability sitting right here in our region. The past fortnight has reinforced that for me more than ever. Here’s a quick update on what’s been happening. 1. May Industry Briefing: A Different Format That Worked Our May Industry Briefing ended up being one of the most engaging we’ve had in a long time - and surprisingly, we even finished a little earlier than expected. The new interactive format worked really well and created some genuinely honest conversations across the room. As many of you know, RIN already works closely with the Mackay Manufacturing Hub team, but I really enjoy seeing the work they’re doing shared with a broader audience. Kim Kleidon did an outstanding job unpacking the future of manufacturing, workforce attraction, innovation and the importance of continuing to evolve alongside technology and changing industry demands. We also heard from Darren Brownsey from North Queensland Bulk Ports, who spoke about the opportunities around containerisation and what it could mean for our region moving forward. The discussion reinforced just how much capability already exists across our local supply chain. A major highlight was the interactive focus group session facilitated by Anthony Gibbs from Tenaxiti. The engagement across the room was fantastic, and it gave us something incredibly valuable - real-time sentiment directly from businesses and organisations across the region. Most importantly, that data won’t just sit on a shelf. The insights gathered are now being packaged and shared with decision-makers and key stakeholders to help ensure the realities being experienced across regional communities are properly understood. Based on the response, I think it’s safe to say this format will be back. 2. Manufacturing Week – Capability on Display I’ve literally just returned from three days in Brisbane attending Australian Manufacturing Week, and I have to say - it was genuinely encouraging! Having the event hosted in Brisbane this year made it far more accessible, and the scale of it was impressive. Hundreds of exhibitors from across Australia and around the world, a strong speaker program, and a real focus on innovation and advanced manufacturing capability. But the standout for me was seeing Mackay businesses there. It’s something we’ve been hearing more and more lately - manufacturing is a capability. And wow, there is some incredible capability sitting right here on our doorstep. The technology, skills and innovation coming out of regional Queensland deserve to be part of the national conversation, and it was great to see local businesses showcasing exactly that. 3. Safety Conference: Last Chance! Safety Conference 2026 is now just around the corner, and tickets close Monday. I genuinely cannot encourage you strongly enough to attend this one. The keynote lineup is the strongest we’ve ever assembled, the breakout sessions are incredibly valuable, and every year the conversations that happen in the room end up being just as important as what’s happening on stage. This isn’t just another conference on the calendar. It’s one of the few opportunities where people from across the sector come together to openly discuss lessons, leadership and what safer workplaces actually look like moving forward. If you’ve been meaning to book, now’s the time. 4. Taking the Conversation to Parliament While in Brisbane, I also took the opportunity to meet with Shannon Fentiman at Queensland Parliament. A big focus of the discussion was advocacy and ensuring regional voices continue to be heard, particularly around current business sentiment and the realities many organisations are experiencing on the ground right now. Importantly, I was able to take through the insights and data captured during our May Industry Briefing focus group session. The feedback gathered paints a very real picture of the challenges, uncertainty and pressures businesses across our region are navigating at the moment. These conversations matter. We’ll continue beating the drum for regional Queensland and making sure the experiences of our businesses and communities are represented where they need to be. Looking Ahead There’s a lot happening right now across manufacturing, advocacy, safety and industry development, and while some conversations remain challenging, I continue to be encouraged by the level of engagement and capability across our network. As always, plenty happening behind the scenes, and I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming weeks. Related Articles Momentum, Reality & Building What’s Next | Dean’s Desk 4 Momentum builds for RIN in 2026 with sold-out events, strong advocacy in Brisbane, major port infrastructure progress and a renewed focus on diversification and future capability for our region. From Global Headlines to Local Conversations | Dean’s Desk 6 From a busy week of events to behind-the-scenes advocacy work and new mentoring connections, Dean provides a snapshot of what’s been happening across the RIN network and what’s ahead. This Might Be Our Best Lineup Yet | Dean’s Desk 7 Dean’s Desk returns following the Easter break with a forward look at what’s shaping up to be a big few months for RIN. In this edition, Dean shares an update on the highly anticipated Safety Conference 2026 speaker lineup, final opportunities to be part of QME, and how the team is supporting community initiatives during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. He also highlights a new approach to the May Industry Briefing, designed to capture real-time sentiment from businesses navigating rising costs and uncertainty. With strong engagement across events and advocacy, this update provides a snapshot of the conversations and opportunities shaping our region. Back in Action for February | Dean’s Desk 3 Dean’s Desk returns for February as RIN officially kicks off 2026, marking a milestone 25th anniversary year. This update confirms a busy start with sold-out events, growing International Women’s Day momentum, and continued advocacy for regional businesses—setting the tone for a strong year ahead. When IWD Takes Over the Calendar | Dean’s Desk 5 From a sold-out International Women’s Day to important regional conversations and industry–school connections, Dean reflects on a busy few weeks across the RIN network. Representing the Region on the Global Stage | Dean’s Desk 1 In this first edition of Dean’s Desk, we take a look at a busy fortnight for RIN — from international engagement at the ASEAN summit, to advocating for our region at the QRC State of the Sector Lunch. Dean also shares insights from our recent team strategy day as we prepare for a milestone 25th anniversary year, and acknowledges important Board transitions shaping RIN’s leadership going forward. 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