ASX Ltd (ASX:ASX) earlier this week highlighted the upcoming ASX SMIDCaps (Small and Mid-Cap) Conference, with Manager of Listed Company Services Alex Skelton outlining the event’s role in connecting emerging companies with investors.
Speaking with Proactive, Skelton said the one-day conference will take place on 25 March 2026 at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney, marking a change of venue as the ASX building undergoes redevelopment.
The event will feature 27 ASX-listed companies presenting throughout the day across a range of industries including resources, healthcare and consumer brands. Presentations will be split across morning, midday and afternoon sessions, with most companies delivering 15-minute presentations, alongside a shorter seven-minute “lightning round” formatdesigned to provide concise updates for investors.
Skelton said the conference plays an important role in supporting engagement between companies and investors, particularly for the small- and mid-cap segment of the market.
According to Skelton, companies value the opportunity to interact directly with investors and present their strategies in person. She said companies enjoy “being in the room with investors” and having the opportunity to provide “unfiltered access” while answering questions directly.
The conference will open with a market update at 8:45am, followed by a full schedule of company presentations. A panel discussion after lunch will explore how investors can identify opportunities that may be overlooked by the broader market.
The panel will be moderated by Alison Glenn from ASX’s pre-IPO team and will include MA Financial Group managing director John Garrett and Longwave Capital equity portfolio manager Melinda White, bringing together perspectives from experienced market participants.
Skelton said the event is designed to maximise accessibility for investors, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options. All sessions will also be recorded and uploaded to the ASX YouTube channel, allowing investors to review presentations after the event.
Online attendance will be free, while in-person tickets cost $10, including lunch and refreshments.
The SMIDCaps conference forms part of ASX’s broader initiative to support the listed company ecosystem, providing platforms for companies of different sizes to engage with investors. Skelton said the event is held twice annually, with the next conference scheduled for September 2026.
Interview Highlights
- ASX SMIDCaps Conference scheduled for March 25, 2026 in Sydney
- First time hosted at the State Library of New South Wales due to ASX building redevelopment
- 27 ASX-listed companies presenting across multiple sectors
- Conference runs 8:45am start with market update
- Companies present in 15-minute sessions, with a 7-minute lightning round
- Panel discussion: “Finding value where others aren’t looking”
- Panelists include John Garrett (MA Financial Group) and Melinda White (Longwave Capital)
- Event is hybrid with in-person, virtual, and recorded viewing options
- Online attendance free, in-person attendance $10 including lunch
- Conference held twice annually to coincide with reporting cycles
Proactive: Welcome back to Proactive Investors. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm your host Kerry Stephenson. Today I’m joined by Alex Skelton, Manager of Listed Company Services at the ASX. We're going to talk about the ASX SMIDCaps conference, which focuses on small to medium-sized companies.
Alex Skelton: Yes, the conference is on the 25th of March in Sydney at the State Library of New South Wales. It’s a brand-new venue for us and we’re really excited to host investors there.
Proactive: So it’s a new venue this year?
Alex Skelton: Yes, ASX is rebuilding its building, so for the first time we’re hosting the event at the State Library. It’s a fantastic location. The conference is also hybrid, so investors can attend in person or virtually. If they can’t attend either way, all sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the ASX YouTube channel.
Proactive: As Manager of Listed Company Services, how important are these events?
Alex Skelton: They’re very important. Companies love being in the room with investors. It gives them the opportunity to have direct access and answer questions. There’s always a great atmosphere and it helps support the listed company ecosystem.
Proactive: The event is a one-day conference. What time does it start?
Alex Skelton: It starts at 8:45am with a market update. Throughout the day there will be company presentations and a panel discussion about how to find value where others aren’t looking.
Proactive: Who will be on the panel?
Alex Skelton: The panel will be moderated by Alison Glenn from the pre-IPO team at ASX. It will also feature John Garrett, Managing Director of MA Financial Group, and Melinda White, Equity Portfolio Manager at Longwave Capital.
Proactive: How many companies will present?
Alex Skelton: We have 27 listed companies presenting throughout the day. Presentations are split across morning, midday and afternoon sessions. Most companies will have 15 minutes, and we’ll also run a lightning round with seven-minute presentations.
Proactive: Is the conference sector-specific?
Alex Skelton: No, it’s a mix of sectors including resources, healthcare and consumer brands. Some companies are newly listed while others have been listed for some time.
Proactive: How often do you run the SMIDCaps conference?
Alex Skelton: We run it twice a year. This is the first one for 2026, and the next will take place at the end of September.
Proactive: Is it free to attend?
Alex Skelton: Online attendance is free. In-person tickets cost $10, which includes lunch and refreshments.
Proactive: Finally, what does your role involve?
Alex Skelton: My team supports the listed company ecosystem across the ASX, from large caps to small caps. We focus on connecting companies with investors and creating opportunities for engagement, such as events like this conference.