AACC NEWS AND EVENTS 

MARCH 2026

AACC President

Dawn Lillington

Hello AACC Members and Friends, 

Well, summer certainly arrived this week, along with daylight savings.

The Australian American Chamber of Commerce has had another busy and productive month, while also taking time to close out the Australian Gala and reflect on its many successful outcomes.

We were delighted to host a fantastic and well-attended International Women’s Day breakfast at Withers. It was a beautiful day to celebrate women, particularly those Australians who have excelled in the U.S. and are now in a position to mentor the next generation. A sincere thank you to our panelists - Ceri Vokes, Julie French, Annie Liao, Margaret Donoghue, and to Daniel O’Toole for expertly guiding the discussion.

The AACC also co-hosted the NSW Government’s NVIDIA networking event. With over 30,000 attendees at the GTC conference, it was inspiring to see such a strong Australian presence, with many AI companies traveling to engage with the latest developments from NVIDIA and its partners as we look ahead to 2026.

We would also like to recognise and farewell Ambassador Kevin Rudd as he concludes his tenure at the Embassy at the end of this month. Ambassador Rudd has been a strong advocate for the U.S. Australia alliance and a valued supporter of bilateral initiatives. We thank him for his continued support of the AACC and the Australian community in the Bay Area.

Looking ahead to April, we hope you will join us for the ANZAC Service at our new venue, and please keep an eye out for upcoming World Cup events supported by the AACC.

Cheers,

Dawn

On behalf of the AACC Board

NEWS

Read the third installment of the market review column from AACC Member Atlas Wealth Group is here.  James Ridley, Managing Director (APAC).

READ THE ARTICLE

UPCOMING EVENTS

ANZAC DAY SERVICE

📆 Saturday, April 25

🕘 10:00am - Service

📍 Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, 609 Sutter St, San Francisco CA 94102

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THE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION

SF CLIMATE WEEK

📆 Wednesday, April 22

🕘 5:00pm - 7:00pm

📍 San Francisco TBD

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RECENT EVENTS

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BREAKFAST

Last week we gathered an exceptional group of women for a spirited conversation in honor of International Women's Day. The discussion spanned the spectrum, from the best (and worst) career advice, finding the catalysts to ask more of yourself, the importance of knowing your non-negotiables, and the unexpected power of a good seatmate on a plane.

Thank you to our wonderful for panelists for sharing their wisdom:

  • Ceri Vokes - CEO-elect, Withers
  • Julia French - Partner, Galileo Ventures
  • Annie Liao - Founder, Build Club 
  • Margaret Donoghue - Head of CSIRO US

Shoutout to our moderator, Deputy Consul General Daniel O'Toole, for steering such a great conversation.

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of Austrade and Withers

SYD > SJC - SCALING AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION AT GTC

The AACC partnered with Investment NSW and Southern Cross AI (SCX.ai) to host an exclusive networking event during NVIDIA GTC 2026. We welcomed a cohort of Sydney's leading AI companies who are at GTC as they scale their technologies into the US market. SCX.ai shared the latest landmark investment in Australia, building the foundation for sustainable, next generation compute and sovereign technical capability. 

Some of the companies from Sydney attending include Unleash Live, Puralink, Syenta, EditontheSpot, Enaxiom, Rhombus AI, Roboserver, Aria Research, Relate, Pitcrew AI, Ternary Net, Verity AI, Trusst and more.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

INTRODUCING PENFOLDS BIN 389 DESIGNED BY TROYE SIVAN

A creative dialogue with a shared passion for culture and creating moments that matter. Penfolds is proud to unveil the first design collaboration with new Creative Partner, Troye Sivan. The first chapter in a landmark multi-year collaboration - Bin 389, reimagined through Troye’s artistic lens. The 750ml gift box and bottle, carefully hand wrapped in tissue paper printed with one of twenty images selected from Troye’s personal camera roll. Discover the limited-edition collaboration. Made for Memories.

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SEARCH FOR SYDNEY'S SECOND GLOBAL FILM STUDIO LOCATION COMMENCES

NSW Government is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to establish a second global film studio in Sydney, paving the way for more international and local screen projects in the state. 

The NSW Government's $100 million capital investment will provide industry the opportunity to partner with government to deliver a second film studio, ensuring NSW remains the filming destination of choice in the southern hemisphere. 

EOI submissions will be evaluated against the NSW Government's objectives to strengthen capacity, attract international blockbusters, support local production, create local jobs, and ensure NSW remains the nation's screen powerhouse. 

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BIRD & BIRD'S AI EXPERTS PUBLISH THE THIRD EDITION OF THEIR EU AI ACT GUIDE

The EU AI Act’s deadlines and obligations continue to evolve. In response, Bird & Bird’s AI experts have released the third edition of their EU AI Act Guide, updated to reflect the latest regulatory developments and recent European Commission guidance on AI compliance.

What’s new?

  • GPAI Guidelines and the Code of Practice
  • The potential impact of the Digital Omnibus proposal
  • Draft Code of Practice for synthetic content marking

The guide explains the Act’s scope, risk categories, enforcement mechanisms and sandbox testing, with clear definitions and an overview of the roles of the AI Office and AI Board.

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NOURISH YOUR BRAIN, ONE MEAL AT A TIME

Can what you eat help protect your brain? Research increasingly suggests it can. Diets rich in vegetables, leafy greens, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats like olive oil have been linked to better cognitive health and a lower risk of dementia. These patterns, seen in the Mediterranean diet and in long-lived “Blue Zone” communities, focus on whole, minimally processed foods that support healthy blood flow, reduce inflammation, and nourish the brain over time. The good news is that brain-healthy eating doesn’t require perfection. Small, repeatable choices, like adding more greens, cooking with olive oil, or choosing whole grains, can make a meaningful difference.

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