There are also Registration FAQs with information about invoicing and the refund policy.
About Signal Not Noise
What is Signal Not Noise?
Signal Not Noise is where digital practitioners and leaders come together to cut through the noise and focus on what matters. We help people who create digital products and services raise their capabilities through in-person events and online learning opportunities.
Signal Not Noise Brisbane has been running since 2017. Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Adelaide also have their editions of the conference.
We've grown from grassroots, collaborative, practitioner origins in the meetup community, with people from small and large organisations and a wide range of industries participating. The conference is participatory and collaborative—workshops, activities, and discussions are favoured over one person at the front of the room with a slide deck.
Our Principles
Our guiding principles are:
- Increase knowledge, understanding and capability
- Provide affordable, accessible, and valuable in-person and online learning opportunities
- Involve our community as session leaders, content creators and local organisers
From LAST to Signal Not Noise
The origins of Signal Not Noise come from a community of professionals who explored the principles of "Lean, Agile, and Systems Thinking" (LAST). Over time, the focus expanded to include all people who work on developing digital products and services—those in Design, Delivery, Product, Engineering, and other related disciplines.
The conference was inspired by Agile Tour. The inaugural Australian instance was held in December 2011 in Sydney. The organisers felt that the community could benefit from something similar, and LAST Conference was born. Here's Ed's writeup of that event and his explanation of "Why I started LAST Conference".
In 2026, we're unifying under a new name that better reflects what we do: helping practitioners find signal amid the noise.
Who should come?
The conference is for people of all levels who want to get out of their silos, level up their skills by learning from peers, and share their experiences in an inclusive, collaborative, and interactive environment.
We're interested in topics that contribute to building better digital products and services, including:
- Product management
- Technology developments (including AI)
- Digital transformation
- Modern systems thinking
- Workplace change
- Software and product development
- User and customer experience
- Leadership and management
- Organisational design and strategy
- Project management and process improvement
- Innovation and creativity
This includes but is not limited to: Developers, Product Managers, Business Analysts, Product Owners, Designers, UX Designers, Iteration Managers, Engineering Managers, Testers, Scrum Masters, CTOs, Project Managers, Trainers and Coaches. Technical and non-technical practitioners are welcome.
Should I come if I'm a beginner?
Absolutely. We want to be inclusive and help people with a wide range of knowledge level up their skills and understanding. Don't be afraid to ask and learn from others.
What is the Diversity Charter?
This charter is for event organisers, speakers, individuals, employers, sponsors and venues, and was founded by Emily Webber. By signing the charter, we publicly committed to doing what we can to increase diversity. This includes engaging with groups in the community to encourage as wide a range of submissions to the conference as possible. We also provide support for people who may not otherwise have the confidence or experience to facilitate a session.
Do you have a Code of Conduct?
Yes. We want to create a safe and inclusive event for participants. Read our Community Code of Conduct.
Who's organising it?
Signal Not Noise grew from communities that hold regular evening user group events throughout the year. Colleagues in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Canberra run their own editions of Signal Not Noise Conference. Tabar provides support to the local organisers across all cities. Tabar is a group of practitioners who provide coaching, training and consulting services.
Submissions
What is the submission process and structure of the event?
Signal Not Noise Conference is a place where the community can gather and exchange ideas and experiences. We encourage people who haven't spoken at many (or any) events to contribute a session idea. You'll be able to receive support on our Slack channel and through other initiatives planned in the lead-up to the event.
We encourage activities and workshops, as well as talks, about real-world experiences (both positive and problematic). Visit our Submissions page for full details and timeline.
We build the schedule iteratively, adding sessions if great new ideas come in or if there's a gap that needs to be filled.
Be as detailed as possible in your submission. This will help you refine your idea, help the content curation team select your session, and allow people to decide they want to participate. Session leaders are free to adjust their session in the lead-up to the event if needed.
Can I come from interstate or overseas? Will you pay my travel costs?
As we're focused on the local community, we don't expect people to travel from interstate or overseas to participate, although you're welcome if you choose to come. As Signal Not Noise is an event with low registration prices, we need to keep overheads low. Therefore, we generally do not reimburse travel and accommodation or pay a fee to session leaders/speakers.
Registration
When will Registration open?
Registration opens once the date and venue are confirmed. Join our newsletter to be notified when registration opens.
On the Day
Details about the conference day will be provided closer to the event once the venue and date are confirmed.
Will there be stress balls/t-shirts/bags/swag?
Not really. Our view is that there's too much stuff at a typical conference, so we aren't having very much, if any. We want to focus on communication, interactions and value rather than swag.
If you have a lanyard holder from a previous event, please bring it. Otherwise, your name badge is self-adhesive. Similarly, you probably have your own bag, so you don't need another one.
We don't include the cost of a shirt in the registration fee, but we have Signal Not Noise t-shirts available for purchase via Redbubble.
Will there be food?
You'll be adequately fed and watered at lunch and morning and afternoon breaks.
We often have a post-event gathering. Make sure you allow time to stick around and engage in stimulating follow-up conversations about the day!
Is the venue accessible?
Accessibility information will be provided once the venue is confirmed. We're committed to ensuring the event is accessible to all participants.