Australian American Leadership Dialogue

What Australian American Leadership Dialogue does

The Australian American Leadership Dialogue (AALD) is a track 1.5 private diplomatic initiative founded in 1992 by Phil Scanlan AM and Julie Singer Scanlan AO, with the active support of US President George H.W. Bush. It convenes Australian and American leaders from government, enterprise, defence, technology, space, media, education, and community sectors to review and refine the parameters of the bilateral relationship, with a strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific region. AALD is the only non-US NGO to have been invited into the White House for private briefings and has received active support from every US Administration since 1992 and bipartisan support from all Australian Governments.

AALD delivers its mission through a portfolio of dialogue programs rather than technology products. The flagship is the annual AALD Forum (alternating between Australia and the United States), complemented by four regional/specialized dialogues: the West Coast Leadership Dialogue (WCLD) focused on AI, innovation, and technology; the Honolulu Leadership Dialogue (HLD) addressing defence, security, AUKUS, and Indo-Pacific cooperation; the Space Leadership Dialogue (SLD) exploring space domain awareness and the global space innovation ecosystem; and the Young Leadership Dialogue (YLD) for emerging leaders under 40, supported by an Alumni Young Leadership Dialogue (AYLD) network. A small "Small Bytes" video series on Vimeo extends the dialogue's content reach. There is no proprietary technology platform; the "product" is the convening itself.

The organization is structured as a non-profit entity domiciled in Victoria, Australia, with a US branch office in Washington D.C., and operates with approximately 40 staff across its Melbourne headquarters and Washington D.C. office. Revenue is generated exclusively through a tiered partnership model (Principal, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Supporter), with sponsors including the Australian Government Department of Defence at the Principal tier and BHP, Lockheed Martin, AWS, Optus, Thales, AARNet, ASU, Deakin University, CDC Data Centres, and the Government of South Australia at the Platinum tier. No public pricing applies; participation in dialogue programs is by invitation.

Name

Australian American Leadership Dialogue

Legal name

Australian American Leadership Dialogue

Website

https://aald.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AALD is a 1992-founded track 1.5 private diplomatic initiative that convenes Australian and American leaders across government, enterprise, defence, technology, and academia through its annual Forum and specialized regional dialogues to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diplomatic and International Relations Services

NAICS

International Affairs (92812), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility (BPAFADAG), Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Diplomatic dialogue programs
• Bilateral relations forums
• Track 1.5 diplomacy
• Leadership convening programs
• International relations services

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: AALD generates revenue through partnerships with corporate sponsors across various tiers (Principal, Platinum, Gold, Silver), government partnerships, and supporter contributions. Partners provide financial and in-kind support in exchange for association with the dialogue and access to high-level bilateral networks.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Australian American Leadership Dialogue (AALD) convenes senior Australian and American leaders from government, enterprise, defence, technology, space, media, education, and community through a portfolio of structured private diplomatic dialogue programs. Its core offering is the annual AALD Forum complemented by regional dialogues (West Coast, Honolulu, Space) and the Young Leadership Dialogue, all operating under a track 1.5 model that enables off-the-record bilateral engagement on defence, trade, technology, and strategic policy issues.

Product overview

The Australian American Leadership Dialogue (AALD) operates a portfolio of diplomatic dialogue programs rather than a technology product. The core offering is the annual AALD Forum, complemented by regional programs including the West Coast Leadership Dialogue (WCLD) focused on AI and technology, the Honolulu Leadership Dialogue (HLD) focused on defense and security, the Space Leadership Dialogue (SLD) exploring space collaboration, and the Young Leadership Dialogue (YLD) for emerging leaders. Additional offerings include the YLD Alumni program and the Small Byte video content series. All programs facilitate track 1.5 private diplomacy between Australian and American leaders across government, enterprise, defense, technology, space, media, education, and community sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Leadership Dialogue (YLD): Program focused on cultivating the next generation of leaders and strengthening the Australia–United States alliance through trusted relationships and shared purpose.
• West Coast Leadership Dialogue (WCLD)
• Honolulu Leadership Dialogue (HLD)
• Space Leadership Dialogue (SLD)
• Alumni Young Leadership Dialogue (AYLD)

Products and services

• Australian American Leadership Dialogue (AALD) Forum The flagship annual forum that brings together Australian and American leaders from government, enterprise, defence, technology, space, media, education, and community to review and refine the bilateral relationship parameters. The 33rd annual 2025 Forum was held in Adelaide with 260+ global leaders.
• West Coast Leadership Dialogue (WCLD) A dialogue series focused on AI, innovation, and technology, convening leaders from technology, defence, education, research, and business with sessions exploring AI infrastructure, automation, and practical AI applications. The 2026 WCLD convened in San Diego with the theme 'Where AI Meets Humanity'.
• Honolulu Leadership Dialogue (HLD) A defence and security-focused dialogue addressing strategic risk, Indo-Pacific dynamics, AUKUS partnership, space, cyber, and maritime deterrence between Australia and the United States. The 17th annual 2024 HLD brought 40+ global leaders.
• Space Leadership Dialogue (SLD) A dialogue exploring space domain awareness, shared defence interests, global space innovation ecosystem, and the exploration and use of space resources between the United States and Australia.
• Young Leadership Dialogue (YLD) A program cultivating next-generation Australian and American leaders through immersive retreats and engagement with thought leaders across government, policy, business, AI, technology, defence, and academia. The 2026 YLD Australian Retreat brought together 60+ emerging leaders.
• Alumni Young Leadership Dialogue (AYLD) An alumni network connecting past YLD participants to continue fostering relationships and collaboration between Australian and American emerging leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 260+ global leaders at 2025 Forum in Adelaide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered principal, platinum, gold, silver, yld program partner and supporter.

• Australian Government Department of DefenceprincipalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal partner providing government-level support and engagement for the Australian American Leadership Dialogue. Facilitates high-level defence and security discussions supporting the bilateral alliance.
• AARNetplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian research and education network provider, supporting technology and innovation dialogue programs with advanced networking capabilities and cybersecurity expertise.
• Arizona State University (ASU)platinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS university partner hosting Young Leadership Dialogue programs at their Washington DC campus, providing academic perspectives and institutional engagement.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)platinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerCloud services partner supporting dialogue programs, particularly technology and AI-focused sessions. Hosting key sessions at YLD retreats.
• BHPplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Australian resource company supporting the dialogue as a platinum partner, contributing to discussions on critical minerals, trade, and economic engagement.
• CDC Data CentresplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian data centre provider supporting defence and cybersecurity dialogue programs, hosting dinners for defence and security leaders.
• Deakin UniversityplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partner contributing to education, research, and innovation discussions within the dialogue programs.
• Government of South AustraliaplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner hosting the 2025 AALD Forum in Adelaide, supporting regional engagement and economic development discussions.
• Lockheed MartinplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS defence contractor hosting Space Leadership Dialogue sessions and providing defence and space industry perspectives for bilateral discussions.
• OptusplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian telecommunications company supporting dialogue programs with perspectives on technology, cybersecurity, and communications infrastructure.
• ThalesplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench multinational defence and technology company contributing to discussions on defence technology, aerospace, and security systems.
• Curtin UniversitygoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partner contributing to research and innovation discussions within the dialogue framework.
• Monash UniversitygoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partner hosting YLD sessions and contributing to technology, innovation, and education dialogue programs.
• Kahng FoundationsilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily foundation supporting the dialogue through philanthropic contributions, focused on strengthening Australia-US relations.
• RTX (Raytheon)silverStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS defence and aerospace company contributing to defence and security discussions within the dialogue programs.
• University of NewcastlesilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partner contributing to education and research collaboration discussions.
• Sentinel Real Estateyld program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate company hosting key sessions at Young Leadership Dialogue Australian Retreats, contributing to leadership development programs.
• NeosupporterStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarketing and print production services company providing supporter-level contributions to the dialogue.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA): Australia's peak nonprofit foreign-policy forum with state-based branches convening leaders on international affairs. Comparable convening function and Australian nonprofit diplomatic orientation.
• British-American Business (BAB): Track 1.5-style bilateral UK-US business and policy organisation running flagship conferences, leadership dialogues, and corporate membership tiers. Highly comparable operating model and sponsorship structure.
• Korea Society: US-Korea bilateral organisation running policy briefings, conferences, and next-generation leadership programmes. Directly comparable convening function and bilateral focus.
• US-ASEAN Business Council: US-ASEAN bilateral business and policy organisation with annual missions, sector working groups, and government engagement, broadly comparable in convening and sponsorship design.
• American Australian Council: Long-standing bilateral Australia-US organisation focused on strengthening the alliance through business, government, and policy engagement. Most directly comparable peer in mission and geography to AALD.
• Japan-US Business Council: US-Japan bilateral business forum convening CEOs and senior officials, similar in structure to AALD's annual Forum with closed-door dialogue and tiered corporate sponsorship.

Broad incumbents

• The Atlantic Council: Large US-based international affairs think tank with programmes on Indo-Pacific, defence, and technology policy. Comparable senior-leader convening and corporate sponsorship model.
• Asia Society Policy Institute: Major US-anchored Asia-focused policy organisation with broader Indo-Pacific remit; comparable in convening heads of state, business, and policy leaders across the region.

Regional players

• United States Studies Centre (USSC): University-based research centre at the University of Sydney focused on US-Australia relations, complementing AALD's convening role with research and policy analysis.
• Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI): Australian defence and strategic policy think tank whose work on AUKUS, Indo-Pacific, and critical technology closely overlaps AALD's HLD and SLD content. Comparable mission and stakeholder base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/australian-american-leadership-dialogue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian American Leadership Dialogue