Lessons Management Forum 2026
Date
Call for Abstracts
Submissions close 13 February 2026.
Ticket information
Registrations now open.
About the Forum
Important information
Lessons Management Award
Learn more about the winner and finalists.
Accommodation options
Options conveniently located near the forum venue
Contact AFAC/AIDR
Email our events team
- Share lessons identified or learned (refer to the Lessons Management handbook for definition of learned lessons). The program committee will prioritise abstracts on lessons identified.
- Provide introductory level training, workshops, and presentations to educate, encourage, and empower those new to lessons management.
- Provide presentations and workshops that challenge and advance the thinking and practice of experienced lessons management practitioners.
The committee is seeking abstracts that respond to one or more of the following:
- Learning from recovery
Key insights and lessons emerging from recovery-focused events and operations. - Lessons management in recovery contexts
Frameworks, governance, and practices that support effective lessons management during recovery. - From lessons identified to lessons learned
How mature organisations translate insights into action, embed change, and integrate lessons into strategic decision-making. - Technology-enabled lessons management
Leveraging digital tools and artificial intelligence to capture, analyse, and apply lessons more effectively. - The future of lessons management
Emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping how organisations learn from events. - Applying historical insights
What past incidents – particularly recovery efforts – teach us about improving future preparedness and outcomes.
The Lessons Management Forum Call for Abstracts has been extended.
Submissions will close 11pm AEDT on 13 February 2026.
Submit your abstract here.
Ticket options and inclusions
The Lessons Management Forum will be delivered as a hybrid event, allowing those unable to join AFAC and AIDR in Brisbane, Queensland to participate online.
Virtual attendees will join via Zoom, and all delegates will use an online Q&A platform to engage with speakers.
|
In-person forum attendance
Includes:
|
In-person forum attendance + workshop on day three $585 +GST* Includes:
|
Virtual forum attendance
Includes:
|
Coming soon: In-person workshops $125.00 +GST* per workshop Includes:
|
*All prices are in Australian Dollars.
2026 AFAC Lessons Management Award
Nominations are now open.
AFAC, along with member agencies, has recognised the continued need to develop lessons management capability across the fire and emergency services in Australia. The AFAC Knowledge Innovation and Research Utilisation Community of Practice develops and advocates approaches that support the development and sharing of good practice in knowledge management, lessons management, innovation, and cultural practices that support our business at all levels. Learn more about the awards here.
Submit your nomination by Monday 16 March 2026.
Congratulations to our winner and finalists for 2025.
Winner:
-
'Application of AIDR Lessons Management Approach to the DFES Cultural Fire Program'
Cultural Fire Program, Bushfire Centre of Excellence, Department of Fire & Emergency Services
Finalists:
-
'SASES Lessons Management Framework and Lessons Management Board'
South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) -
'Gold Coast Disaster and Emergency Management Lessons Program'
City of Gold Coast -
'Fire and Emergency New Zealand's Lessons Management Policy, Framework, and Supporting Initiatives'
Fire and Emergency New Zealand -
'Western Australia Lessons Management Community of Practitioners'
Department of Fire and Emergency Services -
'Community-centred Tenterfield Post-Bushfire Learning Review'
Fire to Flourish, Monash University
Learn more about the award winner and finalists here.
Participants take part in a broad range of presentations and workshops from various jurisdictions and organisations, including military, health, and fire and emergency services. The program explores sharing lessons, including insights and lessons identified from experiences in an operational context. This may include outcomes from debriefs and outcomes from significant events. It will also explore implementing lessons and the different approaches taken by organisations in managing lessons. This may include development of frameworks, governance, and processes.
The program includes:
Presentations
Presentations will cover lessons that have been identified as well as how to manage lessons. There will be a broad range of presentations and workshops from various organisations, jurisdictions, and sectors.
The forum
The forum is open to everyone and will provide face-to-face networking opportunities to enhance the expanding community of practitioners working in the lessons management area and will encourage new members to join. The forum is also livestreamed for attendees to view as an online delegate if they are unable to attend in person.
Workshops
A selection of workshops related to lessons management will be available to register for, at an additional cost.
Networking event
A networking event is held on the evening of day one of the forum.
Who should attend?
The Lessons Management Forum provides an opportunity for lessons management practitioners, those interested in this area, and those new to the area, to share good practice, learnings, and innovations.