Pilbara Supplier Summit - 2026

The Pilbara Supplier Summit returned to Newman on 4 September 2026, co-delivered by the Newman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and CORE Innovation Hub, bringing together local businesses, resource companies and government to strengthen the connections between them.

Forty-eight local businesses took part in the Exhibition, showing the depth and diversity of what Newman has to offer. The Summit also featured a panel on Building Local Capability, facilitated by Jessica Barker (Newman Futures) with panellists Steven Harding (Shire of East Pilbara CEO), Anthony Middleton (Shire of East Pilbara President), Kelly Nunn (PDC Senior Regional Development Officer), Sarah Stampfli (NCCI Chair), Michael Lea (NCCI Vice Chair) and Joshua Boyle (NCCI Secretary). Capability-building workshops on public speaking, AI and the services offered by the Small Business Development Corporation rounded out the day.

Attendees included Minister for the Pilbara Amber-Jade Sanderson, Kevin Michel, and representatives from the Pilbara Development Commission, DevWA, the Shire of East Pilbara, BHP (Asset President WAIO Tim Day and Newman Operations General Manager Rod Ballinger), Fortescue, Rio Tinto and Mineral Resources/CSI Mining Services. It was a fantastic event, with genuinely positive engagement between resource industry representatives, attendees and each other.

The real value of the Summit came from the connections it created: local businesses engaging directly with resource company representatives, and just as importantly, with each other. Having Minister Sanderson in attendance reflected the significance of Newman's central role in the Pilbara and beyond, and her visit gave NCCI the chance to meet with her directly on the needs of Newman businesses.

The Summit also reinforced the work still ahead. Feedback from local businesses pointed to two clear barriers to winning more resource sector work: earlier engagement and visibility with procurement teams, and the shortage of industrial land needed for businesses to grow. Building on the win already secured through the $32 million Light Industrial Area (LIA) expansion, NCCI continues to advocate to DevelopmentWA on behalf of Newman businesses, informing the business case for the General Industrial Area (GIA) and the further industrial land Newman needs to grow. 

Newman is ideally positioned to be a supply and logistics hub for the entire region, and NCCI remains focused on working with industry and government so local businesses are ready for, and included in, procurement opportunities that deliver value for industry, government and the community alike.

NCCI thanks CORE Innovation Hub for co-delivering the Summit, and every business, sponsor and government representative who made the day a success.