G’day, Perth! Nathan Baws here. We’re already halfway through 2025, and if there’s one thing I’ve seen from the stages of conferences in the CBD to strategy sessions in Joondalup, it’s that the Perth event scene is at a massive crossroads. The old ways of doing things—throwing together a few speakers, a stale sandwich platter, and calling it a day—just won't cut it anymore. Our city is buzzing with a new kind of energy, a post-boom confidence mixed with a global mindset, and our events need to reflect that.
Punters are smarter, their time is more valuable, and their expectations are through the roof. They don't want to be passively spoken at; they want to be engaged, inspired, and connected in ways that feel genuinely Perth. If you’re planning an event for the back half of this year or getting a head start on 2026, you can't just do what you did last time. You need to be bold. You need to shake things up.
So, I’ve put together the five big, transformative truths that I believe are defining the future of successful events in our incredible city. This is the good oil, the stuff that will take your event from just another date on the calendar to a must-attend, talk-of-the-town experience.
Truth #1: 'Local' Isn't Just a Postcode, It's Your Biggest Asset
For years, "local" meant booking a venue in Perth. That’s table stakes now. The first truth for a standout 2025 event is that hyper-localism is the new premium. It’s about weaving the very fabric of Western Australia into the DNA of your event. This goes far beyond serving Swan Valley wines (though you should definitely do that). It’s about creating an authentic sense of place that global attendees can’t experience anywhere else and that makes locals puff out their chests with pride.
How do you do it? Think deeper. Instead of generic corporate gifts, commission a local Noongar artist to create a unique piece. Instead of stock music, have a musician from the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) compose a theme. Your catering shouldn't just be food; it should be a story of WA produce—think Margaret River cheeses, Gascoyne mangoes, and Fremantle octopus. Get a local craft brewer to host a tasting session during your networking drinks.
This isn’t just about feeling good; it’s a powerful commercial strategy. We're seeing data that suggests over 70% of conference attendees, particularly those from interstate or overseas, rank "authentic local experiences" as a key factor in their overall event satisfaction. When you champion local, you create a richer, more memorable experience that screams "Perth" and makes your event impossible to replicate. It shows you’re not just using the city as a backdrop; you’re celebrating it.
Truth #2: If Your Tech is an Afterthought, So Is Your Event
The second big truth is that technology is no longer a toy or a trendy add-on; it’s the fundamental toolbox for creating modern, engaging experiences. Simply having a clunky event app and a dodgy livestream for hybrid attendees isn't going to impress anyone in 2025. You need to think about tech as an integrated layer that enhances every single touchpoint.
The real game-changers are now accessible. Think about using AI-powered matchmaking to suggest meaningful networking connections for your attendees, moving beyond awkward, random mingling. Imagine using augmented reality (AR) to create interactive trade show booths or historical overlays for a walking tour of the city. A seamless, intuitive event app should be the central nervous system for your event, housing personalised agendas, real-time polls, Q&A modules, and gamified challenges that keep punters engaged from go to whoa.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about tech for tech’s sake. It’s about using technology to solve problems and create "wow" moments. Can you use it to make registration smoother, networking more effective, and content more accessible? At a recent resources conference, they used VR headsets to give attendees a simulated tour of a Pilbara mine site. It was the talk of the event because it was immersive, innovative, and provided genuine insight. If your tech integration is an afterthought, your audience will feel like one too.
Truth #3: Greenwashing is Out. Provable Planet-First Events Are In
For a long time, event sustainability meant popping a recycling bin in the corner and ditching plastic straws. In 2025, that’s just not good enough. Your attendees, sponsors, and stakeholders are more educated and cynical about "greenwashing" than ever before. The third transformative truth is that you need a demonstrable, transparent, planet-first approach.
This means moving towards certifiably carbon-neutral events. It means partnering with caterers who have a clear strategy for minimising food waste, not just talking about it. It’s about designing your event from the ground up to reduce consumption, from digital-only programs to reusable signage and exhibitor booths made from sustainable materials. And crucially, it's about being honest with your reporting. Share your goals, your methods, and your results. Tell your attendees exactly how much waste was diverted from landfill or how many tonnes of carbon were offset through a partnership with a local organisation like Carbon Neutral.
It's a core part of the message I, Nathan Baws, share when I speak: responsibility and innovation go hand-in-hand. An event that genuinely cares for our stunning WA environment is an event that aligns with the values of a modern audience. This isn’t just an ethical choice; it's a powerful branding move that builds immense trust and respect.
Truth #4: Passive Punters Are a Thing of the Past
The age of the "sage on the stage" talking at a silent audience for hours on end is well and truly over. The fourth truth is that attendees are no longer passive consumers of content; they are active participants craving co-creation and connection. Your event agenda needs to reflect this shift from a one-way broadcast to a multi-directional conversation.
This means building in more than just a five-minute Q&A at the end of a session. Design your event around interactive workshops, facilitated "birds of a feather" sessions where like-minded people can tackle a problem together, and "unconference" style agenda slots where attendees can vote on the topics they want to discuss. Use gamification—leaderboards, badges, and prizes—to encourage networking and content engagement through the event app.
Rethink your networking sessions. Instead of just an open room with drinks, create "structured serendipity." Host a "problem-solving breakfast" where each table is given a real-world challenge to discuss. The goal is to move beyond the exchange of business cards and facilitate the exchange of ideas. When people feel like they’ve contributed, not just attended, they feel a sense of ownership and are far more likely to rate the event as a massive success.
Truth #5: Wellness Isn't a Yoga Session, It's Baked into the Agenda
The final truth is perhaps the most human. For too long, "event wellness" was a token 7 am yoga session that few people attended. In 2025, in the wake of a global conversation about burnout and mental health, integrated wellness is a foundational element of good event design. It’s about creating an environment that energises and sustains people, rather than drains them.
What does this look like? It means designing an agenda with proper breaks—not just five minutes to dash to the loo, but real "white space" for attendees to decompress, check emails, or just have a quiet moment. It means providing food that is not only delicious but also nutritious and brain-friendly, catering for all dietary needs as a standard, not an exception.
It's also about the physical environment. Is the seating comfortable? Is there access to natural light? Are there designated quiet zones away from the main hustle and bustle for those who need to recharge? You can even incorporate short, guided mindfulness or breathing exercises at the start of sessions to help focus the room. By baking wellness into the very structure of your event, you show a profound respect for your attendees as whole people, and you create an experience that leaves them feeling better, sharper, and more inspired than when they arrived.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Five big truths to help you shake up the Perth event scene in 2025. It’s about going deeper on local, getting smarter with tech, being genuinely green, making your audience active participants, and putting their wellbeing at the heart of your design. It takes more thought and a bit more hard yakka than the old way, but the payoff is immense. You’ll create an event that doesn't just happen in Perth, but feels of Perth—and that’s something your punters will never forget.
