Early start for essential Be.Bendigo breakfast

February 9, 2026 BY Adam Carswell

Inside info: Keynote speaker Bendigo Bank's David Robertson said he'll be providing insights into the economic factors expected to shape 2026, at both a local and national level, at the event. Photo: SUPPLIED

INVALUABLE insights into the economic forces expected to shape 2026 will be on the menu at the Be.Bendigo State of the Economic Market Breakfast, served alongside tea, coffee and a full breakfast.

The event will be headlined by David Robertson, chief economist and head of economic and markets research at Bendigo Bank, who says the current economic environment is marked by a high level of volatility.

“There’s a lot going on at the moment,” he said. “I’m not sure we’ve seen such volatility since the 1980s.

“Part of the challenge is there’s just so much noise.

“It’s very hard to hone in on what will be most influential for households and businesses, and then, having reached a conclusion, being able to explain that in a succinct manner.

“Having said all of that, we’re pretty confident about our forecasts, and we’re also fairly optimistic about the Australian economy on a relative basis.”

Mr Robertson said the primary aim of the breakfast is to give local businesses practical guidance they can use in planning for the year ahead.

“The aim is to value add, to equip them with up-to-date information and a realistic view about how we think consumers are going to behave over the course of the year, and where demand is likely to come from,” he said.

“No spoilers, but I’m glad we’re on the right side of a lot of those forecasts.”

The State of the Economic Market Breakfast will be held on Tuesday 17 February from 7am to 9am at the All Seasons Hotel in Strathdale.

Tickets are available on Humanitix.