EOFY Event Ideas for 2026: Speakers, MCs & Entertainers

EOFY Event Ideas for 2026: Speakers, MCs & Entertainers to Celebrate Success

June 30, 2026 marks end of the Australian financial year (EOFY) making it a prime time for corporate events. Not just another busy period for your business to power through, EOFY is the perfect opportunity to reflect on hard work, recognise team contributions and energise your team. End of Financial Year events celebrate achievements and create a stronger sense of community. Plus, an EOFY event offers the perfect tax-deductible opportunity to utilise budget before the end of the tax year, whilst investing in culture and morale.

With our recommended planning timeline fast approaching (book February – April for June 2026!), we’ve created this guide to simplify delivering a memorable, enjoyable and inspiring End of Financial Year event, whether you’re looking for formal or fun. Combined with the right talent, whether you’re looking for a motivational keynote speaker, comedian or MC, your EOFY event can easily become an opportunity for your team to celebrate, learn and grow.

Top Motivational Speakers for EOFY 2026

Why Organisations Should Celebrate EOFY

 

The end of the financial year serves as a milestone marker, creating a natural reflection and celebration point. In 2026, it marks the completion of the 12-month business cycle spanning July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, marking the transition to the new financial year. Significantly, EOFY also marks the conclusion of the tax year, and a time to finalise accounts, which makes the end of June the optimal time to review achievements and lessons learned.

Corporate EOFY events provide opportunities to reward your team for their hard work during the financial year, as well as regroup and set a positive tone for the next one. Recognising team contributions and celebrating successes and milestones can boost morale and demonstrate appreciation for your employees. Above all, EOFY events can build team cohesion and culture, ultimately strengthening the identity of your organisation.

But it’s not just warm fuzzy moments – an EOFY event that makes your team feel valued and recognised can offer a sense of accomplishment, and renewed energy and motivation for every team member. Building on team connection and camaraderie enthusiastically generates anticipation for opportunities in the new financial year. EOFY events are an investment in culture and team satisfaction but with strategic end-of-year spending, they also make a great tax-deductible business expense to utilise remaining budget before June 30!

Types of EOFY Events for 2026

There’s a wide range of types of events for EOFY, from corporate to comic. Here are some options to light up events calendars around Australia in June 2026.

Formal Awards & Recognition Events

• Structured program with awards presentations
• 2-3 hour evening event or lunch
• MC-hosted with keynote speaker
• Recognition of individual/team achievements

Best for: Celebrating specific accomplishments, honoring outstanding performance, formal corporate culture

Talent Needed: Professional MC, inspirational keynote speaker, possibly live music

Browse our CEO Keynote Speakers

Team Celebration & Networking

• Cocktail reception or dinner
• Relaxed networking atmosphere
• Light entertainment (comedian, live band)
• Team mingling and social connection

Best for: Building relationships, informal culture, team bonding, client appreciation

Talent Needed: MC or host, entertainment (comedian, band, DJ), possibly roving performers

Browse our MCs for EOFY 2026

Motivational Kick-Off for New Year

• Forward-looking event combining reflection with inspiration
• Keynote speaker addressing lessons learned and future opportunities
• Goal-setting and vision for new financial year
• Half-day or full-day conference style

Best for: Organizations wanting to energize teams for FY2026-27, strategic direction communication

Talent Needed: Motivational keynote speaker, business speaker, professional facilitator or MC

Browse Motivational Speakers for EOFY 2026

Team Building & Fun Day

• Daytime activities with lunch
• Team challenges, games, or outdoor activities
• Casual celebration with entertainment
• Focus on fun and connection

Best for: Team morale, stress relief after busy period, strengthening relationships

Talent Needed: MC/host, entertainer (comedian, magician), possibly team building facilitator

Browse Comedians for EOFY 2026

Client Appreciation Events

• Thank you event for key clients/partners
• Lunch, dinner, or evening reception
• Professional yet warm atmosphere
• Light entertainment and networking

Best for: External relationship building, client retention, business development

Talent Needed: Professional MC, business speaker or industry expert, refined entertainment

Hybrid or Virtual Celebrations

• Broadcast celebration for distributed teams
• Virtual speaker presentation with Q&A
• Online entertainment or interactive elements
• Delivered to remote and office-based staff

Best for: Geographically dispersed teams, remote workplaces, budget-conscious events

Talent Needed: Virtual-savvy speaker or MC, digital entertainment options

EOFY 2026 Event Ideas by Organisation Size

SMALL BUSINESS (10-50 employees)

• Team lunch with short motivational talk
• Afternoon celebration with drinks and entertainment
• Half-day team building with speaker
• Dinner at restaurant with awards

Budget-Friendly Talent: Emerging, local speakers, virtual speaker for remote teams

MEDIUM BUSINESS (50-200 employees):

• Evening awards dinner with keynote and MC
• Afternoon conference-style with speaker and entertainment
• Off-site team day with activities and celebration
• Cocktail reception with networking and entertainment

Talent: Professional speakers, experienced MCs, quality entertainment

LARGE BUSINESS (200+ employees):

• Gala dinner with awards, keynote, and entertainment
• Full-day conference with multiple speakers
• Major celebration with headline entertainment
• Multi-city events for distributed workforce

Talent: Premium speakers, celebrity MCs, headline entertainment

Best Types of Speakers for EOFY Events 

Motivational Speakers

Motivational speakers make perfect EOFY speakers, celebrating resilience through challenges, providing fresh perspectives on success and inspiring and energising teams as the financial year concludes and new one begins.

Topics include: 

• Achieving goals and celebrating wins
• Resilience through adversity
• High performance and sustainable success
• Team dynamics and collaboration
• Looking forward with optimism

Perfect for: Team celebrations, kick-off events, morale boosting

Featured Speakers
Award-winning enterpreneur and founder of Thankyou, Daniel Flynn challenge leaders and teams to flip their thinking and inspire bold new paths forward, motivated by meaningful change.
Book Daniel Flynn

Karen Jacobsen offers a unique perspective to organisations who want their people to take charge and bounce back when obstacles, challenges or detours get in the way of reaching their goals or achieving results.
Book Karen Jacobsen

Learn the power of vulnerability with Peter Sharp, a visionary social entrepreneur, who excels at bringing out the best in people in remarkable and often unexpected ways.
Book Peter Sharp

Business & Industry Speakers

Business speakers provide insights on FY2026’s trends and future outlook, adding credibility and substance to your event. This educational and inspirational combination for EOFY entertainment positions your organisation in an industry context for the next financial year.

Topics:

• Industry trends and future predictions
• Business lessons from the past year
• Innovation and staying competitive
• Strategic thinking for new financial year
• Economic outlook and opportunities

Perfect for: Executive events, strategic gatherings, client appreciation

Featured Speakers
Professor, The Honourable Greg Hunt led Australia through the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers insights and recommendations around leadership through a crisis.
Book Professor The Honourable Greg Hunt

From negotiating with terrorists to advising boardrooms across three continents, Andrew MacLeod brings a powerful mix of intellect, lived experience, and foresight to any strategic gathering.

Book Andrew MacLeod

Known for her energy and authenticity, former Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp AO captivates audiences with personal insights and relatable stories, ensuring her speeches and panel discussions inspire and resonate with diverse audiences.
Book Sally Capp AO

Comedians & Entertainment

If you’re looking to create a memorable, enjoyable experience, offering stress relief after busy period or a lighthearted end to the financial year, book a comedian to help you celebrate with humour and fun. 

Options:

• Stand-up comedians (corporate-appropriate)
• Comedy MCs who entertain while hosting
• Musical acts or bands
• Specialty entertainers (magicians, performers)

Perfect for: Relaxed celebrations, team events, client functions

Featured Talent
Widely regarded as Australia’s best after-dinner speaker and entertainer, Mick Colliss tells tales (tall and true) of how he came to represent his country. His tale of mateship, creative thinking and Sudoku will leave you breathless with laughter. 
Book Mick Collis 

One of Australia’s most unique stand-up comedians, born showman, Dean Atkinson mixes an energetic blend of comedy, ventriloquism and audience participation to leave the crowd in hysterics.
Book Dean Atkinson 

Alexandra Hudson uses humour and storytelling to challenge perceptions and spark meaningful conversations, leaving audiences entertained, enlightened, and empowered to embrace diversity and rethink their perspectives.
Book Alexandra Hudson 

 

The Role of MCs in EOFY Events

Professional MCs can be the difference between a decent corporate EOFY event and a memorable event that sets the tone for the year to come. It’s not just about entertainment, MCs provide a range of skills, incorporated into their unique presenting style. 

MCs manage the event flow by:

• Keeping the program on schedule
• Smoothing transitions between segments
• Managing awards or recognition seamlessly
• Handling unexpected issues (technical, hecklers) professionally

The best MCs monitor the room, making small adjustments to manage the energy of the event, including: 

• Setting and maintaining the event tone
• Keeping audience engaged throughout
• Building excitement for key moments
• Ensuring energy doesn’t drop between segments

MCs also make sure that your organisation’s brand is accurately represented, by:

• Embodying organisational values
• Adding a professional polish that reflects on your company
• Creating a cohesive experience for all guests
• Ensuring consistent messaging through-out the event

Choose the type of MC that best suits your EOFY 2026 event: 

Professional Corporate MCs:

• Experienced with business events
• Polished, articulate, reliable
• Understand corporate culture and protocols

Comedic MCs:

• Add humor and entertainment value
• Keep atmosphere light and fun
• Engage audience with wit

Celebrity or High-Profile MCs:

• Add star power to event
• Draw card for attendees
• Elevate event prestige

Browse our MCs for EOFY 2026 

 

Planning Your EOFY 2026 Event 

Timeline for June 2026 EOFY Events 

February – March 2026: Initial planning and speaker booking

• Define event objectives and format
• Secure venue (if in-person)
• Book speakers, MCs, or entertainment (this is the peak booking period! We recommend booking 4-5 months advance for top talent.)

April 2026: Finalise event details

• Confirm logistics and technical requirements
• Brief speakers/MCs on organisation and audience
• Promote event internally or to clients
• Finalise program and schedule

May 2026: Final preparations

• Confirm attendance numbers
• Coordinate with venue and suppliers
• Final speaker briefings
• Technical rehearsals if needed

June 2026: Execute an amazing EOFY event!

Most EOFY events are held mid-late June, across the week of June 23-27 with Friday June 27 providing week-end closure. Is your organisation incredibly busy until after June 30? No problem: early July events can still be EOFY-themed.

Budget Planning

A typical 2026 EOFY Event budget  should look something like this:

• Venue: 30-40%
• Catering: 30-35%
• Speakers/Entertainment: 20-30%
• AV/Technical: 5-10%
• Other (decorations, gifts, etc.): 5-10%

Tax Considerations

• End of Financial Year events are generally tax-deductible business expenses.
• Spending before June 30 counts in current financial year, so use up that remaining budget!
• As always, consult your accountant for specific FBT implications.

How much does a Keynote Speaker cost in Australia? 

EOFY Event Planning Best Practice

✓ Book talent early (February-March) – June is peak event season
✓ Match speaker/entertainer to organisational culture
✓ Brief talent thoroughly on company context
✓ Balance reflection on past year with excitement for future
✓ Ensure inclusive celebration for all staff
✓ Create memorable moments (not just routine event)
✓ Gather feedback for future planning
✓ Share photos and highlights post-event

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is EOFY and when is it in 2026?

  EOFY is the End Of the Financial Year, and falls on June 30, 2026. In 2026, it marks the completion of the 12-month business cycle spanning July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, marking the transition to the new financial year and the end of the tax year.

• Why do organisations celebrate EOFY?

  Corporate EOFY events provide opportunities to reward your team for their hard work during the financial year, as well as regroup and set a positive tone for the next one. Recognising team contributions and celebrating successes and milestones can boost morale and demonstrate appreciation for your employees.

• What are the best EOFY event formats?
  

  Small businesses (10-50 employees) may enjoy team lunches with short motivational talk, half-day team building with a speaker or dinner at a restaurant with awards. Medium businesses (50-200 employees) suit formal evening awards dinners with a keynote address and MC, afternoon conference-style activities or an off-site team day with activities and celebration. Large businesses can go grand with a gala dinner with awards, keynote speeches and entertainment, major celebrations with headline entertainment or even multi-city events.

• When should I book speakers for EOFY 2026?
  

  Book speakers for your corporate EOFY 2026 events up to 4-6 months prior for in-demand speakers. Usually, for a late-June, early-July event, we’d recommend confirming your speakers, MCs and entertainment between February and April 2026. 

• How much should I budget for speakers and entertainment for EOFY events?
  

  For a 100-person event with a $20,000 budget, aim for around $4,000-6,000 for talent.
  Fora  500-person event with a $100,000 budget, aim for around $15,000-25,000 for talent.

• What types of speakers work best for EOFY celebrations?
  

  We believe MCs are a must, but we’d also recommend motivational speakers in business and industry or comedians for a light-hearted event.

Ready to plan a memorable EOFY 2026 event?

ICMI offers Australia’s best speakers, MCs, and entertainers to make your financial year-end celebration truly special. From motivational keynotes to comedy entertainment, we’ll help you create an event your team will remember.
Contact us today to discuss your EOFY 2026 event and book your talent before peak June season!

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