Melbourne’s comedy calendar is about to add a new kind of headline. Not a gala. Not a late night showcase. But a serious industry gathering for the people who make comedy happen.
The Business of Comedy Conference will run from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April 2026 at Crowne Plaza Melbourne, timed to coincide with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The three day event brings together government and enterprise, performers and entrepreneurs, celebrity comedians and the comedy curious.
The conference was the brainchild of Hard Knock Knocks founder Morry Morgan, who identified a gap in the Australian comedy landscape. While festivals, like the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, attract hundreds of thousands of ticket sales over its 26 day run, “comedy has little support for the other 11 months of the year.” Morry’s vision is that the yearly conference enhances the comedy sector’s economic value across Victoria and Australia while enriching the lives of its creators. But he’s quick to add that it’s not about asking for handouts. The future of the comedy industry is that it becomes self sufficient, and to that end, he is bringing together key decision and deal makers, including the likes of State Government MP Nina Taylor, Humanitix founder Adam McCurdie, and even The Onion’s co-founder, Scott Dikkers – who will be flying in for the event from the US.
Interestingly, the committee driving the conference include graduates of the Hard Knock Knocks course. Comedy lovers at their core, these alumni are using their ‘day job’ experience to help ensure the conference is a roaring success. Aside form Morry, they include Lily Geddes of ‘Comedy@’, a comedy production company, and Greg Curcio, of ‘Future Ready Transformations’, an organisation transformation consultancy.
Each of the three days target different segments of the comedy industry. Day one focuses on government, policy and infrastructure, exploring how comedy contributes to the Victorian economy and where it fits within broader arts strategy. Expect discussions around funding models, cultural capital and the measurable impact of live performance. Day two shifts to enterprise and innovation, diving into technology impacting live performance, touring logistics, digital media and comedy in branding, as well as scalable business models for comedians and producers. The final day centres on creators themselves, with sessions on starting a comedy career, as well as workshops in stand-up and improv comedy. Across all three days, panels, keynotes and networking sessions are designed to move beyond theory and into actionable outcomes.
Ticketing has also been structured to reflect the diversity of the industry. Early bird pricing rewards those who commit early, with single day passes available for attendees wanting to focus on a particular stream. Full conference passes provide access to all sessions, networking events and keynote presentations. There are also premium packages for organisations and corporate partners seeking deeper engagement. The aim is accessibility without compromising value, ensuring that whether you are a first time performer or a seasoned industry operator, there is a seat at the table.
For more information on the Business of Comedy Conference, click here.