AAM 2026 Speaker Bio

Bruce Connolly

Manager Investment Attraction

LaTrobe City Council

Bruce heads the Investment Attraction team at Latrobe City Council. His division encompasses trade and investment, new industry development and diversification. He is also responsible for the development of the Latrobe Regional Airport.

The Latrobe Regional Airport is developing the ‘Latrobe Aerospace Technology Precinct’ and is working closely with the Victorian State Government, key universities and industry to develop an advanced air mobility eco system at the precinct. Development, commercialisation, testing and trialling infrastructure for electric and hydrogen aircraft and drones are key areas of focus.   

Bruce was awarded the 2022 Economic Development Australia Peter Chaffey Leadership Award in October and has studied economic development in several countries, most recently completing an Innovations in Economic Development program at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. He has worked in the United States of America and New Zealand on economic development projects and is an ongoing member of Economic Development Australia and the International Economic Development Council.