2026 Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner

Celebrate the people, projects and partnerships shaping a more sustainable future

Join us on the Gold Coast as we showcase the 2026 finalists and announce this year’s Green Gown Awards Australasia winners.

Thursday 29 October 2026 | 6.00 pm–11.30 pm | HOTA, Home of the Arts

Join us for a night of celebration!

Congratulations to the 2026 finalists!

We look forward to welcoming finalists, colleagues and supporters from across Australia and New Zealand to celebrate the outstanding people, projects and partnerships advancing sustainability throughout the tertiary education sector.

The evening will recognise all 2026 finalists before revealing this year’s Green Gown Awards Australasia winners. With a record 53 finalists representing 27 institutions across 13 categories, the 2026 ceremony promises to be an inspiring celebration of leadership, innovation and impact.

Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, with a selection of beverages included throughout the evening, alongside opportunities to connect with institutional leaders, sustainability professionals, students and sector partners.

Celebrate the finalists

Meet the people behind some of Australasia’s most inspiring sustainability initiatives.

Discover the 2026 winners

See the winners and highly commended entries announced across the awards categories.

Connect with the sector

Share the evening with sustainability professionals, leaders and partners from across Australia and New Zealand.

An unforgettable setting at HOTA

The 2026 awards will be held at HOTA, Home of the Arts, in the heart of the Gold Coast. Surrounded by parklands and waterways, with the Surfers Paradise skyline nearby, HOTA provides a distinctive setting for an evening of celebration, connection and recognition.

Address: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, Queensland 4217

HOTA provides information about public transport, parking and accessibility to help guests plan their visit.

Make the most of your Gold Coast visit

The Green Gown Awards Australasia Gala Dinner is being held in conjunction with the 2026 ACTS Conference – The Future of Sustainability, hosted by Griffith University on the Gold Coast from 27–30 October 2026.

Finalists, guests and sector colleagues are warmly invited to join the wider conference program and ACTS’ 20th anniversary celebrations.

If you’re looking for accommodation on the Gold Coast, we’ve secured a few discounts at hotels that are both close to HOTA and match our sustainability ethos. You can view our deals, as well as all the local transport options and some travel tips via the conference website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday 29 October 2026, from 6.00 pm to 11.30 pm, at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast.

The evening is open to 2026 finalists, colleagues, institutional representatives, friends, supporters and members of the wider tertiary sustainability community. You do not need to be a finalist or conference delegate to purchase a ticket.

Your ticket includes entry to the awards ceremony and Gala Dinner, a three-course meal, and a selection of beverages served throughout the evening.

Yes. Being named a finalist does not automatically include attendance at the Gala Dinner. Finalists and their guests should purchase the appropriate ticket through Humanitix. Finalists will be emailed a link for a special discount price. Please contact the ACTS team if you haven’t recieved this email (ggaa@acts.asn.au).

Yes. Institutions are encouraged to bring colleagues and supporters to celebrate their finalists. Please purchase a ticket for each guest attending. A discount is automatically applied at the checkout for groups of 4+ (5%) and 10+ (10%).

Unfortunately, we are unable to livestream the ceremony due to the non-linear nature of the event.

The dress code for the gala dinner is Sustainable Cocktail. Celebrate in cocktail attire, and if you can, choose a sustainable option, whether that’s pre-loved, rented, borrowed, repaired, ethically made or simply something already in your wardrobe. Sustainability is encouraged, not expected.

Absolutely. Please provide all dietary requirements when purchasing your ticket. We encourage guests to include as much detail as possible so the venue and catering team can prepare appropriately.

For complex allergies or dietary requirements, the ACTS team may contact you for further information.

HOTA offers accessible facilities and access options. Please provide any accessibility requirements when purchasing your ticket so we can support your attendance.

Guests can also review HOTA’s accessibility information before the event.

Yes. Gala Dinner tickets can be purchased separately, subject to availability.

The awards are being held in conjunction with the 2026 ACTS Conference – The Future of Sustainability, hosted by Griffith University on the Gold Coast.

Explore the conference and purchase tickets: conference.acts.asn.au

For assistance with tickets, accessibility, dietary requirements or event arrangements, contact: ggaa@acts.asn.au