✨ MelbDT End of Year Drinks + Ask Us Anything ✨

What a year. Restructures, layoffs, AI changing the job under our feet, and a market that can’t decide if it’s turned. If you’ve felt it, you’re not alone.
So for our last meetup of 2026 we’re keeping it simple: no slides, no panel. Just drinks, good people and an honest chat about what’s actually happening in the industry.

It’s free, and we’ve put a small bar tab on to say thanks for showing up this year. It’s first come, first served, so get in early 🍻

What’s on:

✨Panel: Ask the hosts anything. Hiring, the job market, design leadership, AI, career pivots, what we’re seeing across our orgs. No question too spicy.
✨ The real state of play. What’s going on in Melbourne design and product right now, minus the LinkedIn gloss.
✨ You pick 2027. We want you to shape next year’s line-up. What topics, speakers and formats would help you most? Bring your ideas (and your hot takes).
✨ Find your people. Whether you’re between roles, hiring, or just hanging on, come hang out with folks in the same boat.

Who it’s for: Anyone in design, product, CX, research or service design. That includes long-timers, first-timers, the recently impacted and the survivor-guilt crew.

Your hosts: Mickey Rummery, Brad Alphonso, Patrick Tan (Anna is away upskiling on Journey Maps and Rach is off making a bebe)

Location: TBC - save the date whilst we lock down an awesome venue