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Strong commitment needed to run tech events in Australia revealed at GEC23

24 September, 2023
Strong commitment needed to run tech events in Australia revealed at GEC23 | News | Pause Awards
Desmon John
Desmond John
24 September, 2023
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Australia’s top ecosystem builders share their experiences, challenges, and opportunities in organising large-scale tech events at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC23) conference in Melbourne.

When it comes to orchestrating transformative tech events, who better to turn to than Australia’s creme-de-la-creme of ecosystem builders? Having crafted impactful festivals and conferences, Craig Swann of _SOUTHSTART, Maxine Sherrin of Spark Festival, Kate Montgomery from Tropical Innovation Festival, Danelle Cross from West Tech Fest and moderated by George Hedon from Pause Fest, are the maestros to glean insights from. Their collective wisdom offers a blueprint on the power, potential, and pain points of managing large-scale tech events. So, let’s dive into the goldmine of insights shared during the GEC23 panel discussion.

Craig Swann, the lively founder of _SOUTHSTART, didn’t mince words when he declared, “Events generate idea sex.” Behind the chuckles and raised eyebrows, his underlying message was crystal clear: events are powerhouses of innovation. As people converge, they don’t just exchange business cards, but ideas, challenges, and solutions. His witty remark resonates with George Hedon’s sentiment: hosting an event is merely the beginning – it’s how the modern world communicates and does business! What truly matters is the ripple effect it creates, fostering collaborations, connections, and of course, the birth of groundbreaking concepts.

Ecosystem events for impact graph
Ecosystem events for impact graph

Addressing the elephant in the room – the dreaded funding gap – Maxine Sherrin of Spark Festival lamented the uphill battle many face. While Sydney and Melbourne are the darlings of Australia’s tech scene, they often grapple with securing governmental support. And, hey, let’s spill the beans: sponsoring an event doesn’t mean you get the reins. It’s a delicate dance between gaining funding and maintaining independence. The desire for multi-year (3-5) support isn’t just a wish, it’s a lifeline for continued community engagement.

Danelle Cross, orchestrator of West Tech Fest, conveyed the lasting impact of hosting events, stating, “When you host an event, everyone gets behind it, building a sense of community. It’s about finding partners to collaborate with, and gratifyingly, seeing people return to your ecosystem post-event, showcasing a lasting, positive impact that goes beyond the event itself.” Her insights underscore the ripple effect well-orchestrated events have in nurturing a thriving tech ecosystem.

But events aren’t just about glitz and glamour. They’re adapting to be more immersive and experiential. Kate Montgomery, from Tropical Innovation Festival, hinted at the trend of hosting events in unique venues. No more snoozy conference rooms! Imagine discussing tech trends on a beach, a boat, or exploring AI in an art gallery. It’s about blending business with a pinch of pzazz.

Ecosystem leaders

Burnout, that dreaded term, is becoming all too familiar. As Craig Swann candidly put it, “We are just like startups, only we do events.” The tireless efforts of small teams, often one or two people, is commendable. But with limited resources, the candle burns at both ends. And without adequate funding? It’s a ticking time bomb.

Lastly, George Hedon threw down the gauntlet on Australia’s market maturity. The verdict? We’re playing catch-up. There’s a need for deeper market education, not just about the instant value conversion, but how to convince the big players – sponsors and governments alike – to understand the social impact of tech events takes 5 years to flourish and 10 years to build successful event ecosystem, which could be seen in startup terms as an ‘exit’.

The silver lining, however, is the diverse, city-centric ecosystems Australia boasts. The potential is there, waiting to be harnessed. All we need? A unified approach, collaboration, and a sprinkle of Aussie tenacity.

Session Takeaways: Come for the Festival, stay for the Ecosystem

The panel discussion offered invaluable insights into building and sustaining ecosystems through events. Here are some key takeaways:

Be Community-Led: Tech events should be community-led to showcase long-term support for startups and innovation.

Secure Long-Term Partners: Always aim to lock in partners with multi-year funding commitments to ensure sustainable growth.

Demonstrate Impact: Reporting the impact of these events is crucial. Showcasing the positive outcomes they generate helps attract more support.

Investor’s Patience is Key: Building a social impact story through events takes time. Expect results to manifest over approximately five years.

Protect your Brand: While offering free or low-cost tickets to Founders may seem empathetic, it’s essential to balance this with maintaining the event’s brand reputation. Perhaps offset tickets in partnerships and Scholarship programs.

Australia’s tech event landscape is teeming with potential, brimming with ideas, yet fraught with challenges. However, with the insights and dedication of its leading ecosystem builders, the future seems not only promising but electrifying. Speakers hope to continue the conversations on their events around Australia, and you can get involved. The ball’s in our court, Australia. Let’s rally and rise!


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Category tracks



The Culture track seeks entries that exemplify the development of an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture, crucial for organisational success and growth. Submissions should illustrate transformative strategies implemented across core business functions, reflecting expertise, leadership, and a clear vision. These strategies should demonstrate a positive impact on the business, its employees, stakeholders, and customers, showcasing how a nurturing culture contributes to overall growth and innovation.

The Excellence track celebrates businesses that have demonstrated remarkable success and impact within their industry, regardless of their size. Entries for this category should illustrate how the business's strategic execution, guided by visionary leadership and exceptional expertise, has significantly influenced the industry. The focus will be on the tangible outcomes of these strategies, highlighting the company's ability to innovate, lead, and leave a lasting impression in its field.

The Good track is focused on recognising companies dedicated to their mission of creating a positive societal impact. Entries should highlight innovative solutions aimed at addressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and community well-being. Successful submissions will demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to significant changes, tackling issues like gender inequality, social imbalance, and injustice, thereby setting a precedent for responsible and impactful business practices.

Awarded to a single entry in a category, Grand Prix is the top accolade in that category. To win the Grand Prix, the entire Judging Board must unanimously agree that the entry deserves the accolade of being the best in that category.

The Growth track is about showcasing how businesses have enhanced productivity and execution to make a significant impact in their market. Entries should highlight innovative strategies that have optimised the customer journey, leading to increased engagement and commercial success. This track is for those who have effectively used their understanding of the market and customer needs to scale their business and achieve notable growth.

The Operators track seeks entries that showcase leadership in fostering innovation within their ecosystems. Ideal submissions will highlight how your initiatives have catalysed the creation of new products or services, bolstered by a culture that uplifts internal teams and the wider community. This track celebrates those who drive progress by empowering voices and forging transformative connections in their industry.


Categories


  • Always Evolving New

    Acknowledges a culture of continuous learning and improvement within a company, encourages employee development, and always looks for ways to optimise and innovate operations.


  • Big & Mighty Culture New

    Recognises companies (51-1000 employees) for their exceptional efforts in cultivating a culture that champions innovation.


  • Diverse Co.

    Celebrates workplaces dedicated to fostering innovation through a vibrant tapestry of diverse talents and perspectives.


  • Small & Mighty Culture New

    Applauds small teams of fewer than 50 employees for their remarkable ability to foster innovation and set new benchmarks in their domain.


  • Work Sweet Work

    Acknowledges companies that have achieved extraordinary employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention, creating an exemplary workplace culture.


  • Company of the Year

    Honours an outstanding company that not only showcases exemplary leadership and resilience but also demonstrates a clear, quantifiable impact over the past year.


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    Applauds prioritisation, understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of their customers, including feedback, personalised services and ensuring high satisfaction.


  • Defiant Ones

    Recognises firms that lead technological innovation, setting new standards and defining the future of their industries.


  • Hammer

    Celebrates companies that have not only defined success on their own terms but have also concretely demonstrated their triumphs over the past year.


  • I Wish I'd Done That

    Applauds ingenious, simple solutions in niche markets that spark a universal sentiment of admiration.


  • On the Rise

    Celebrates early-stage startups, under 4 years, that have shown remarkable progress and success in their initial years.


  • Prodigy

    Recognises young visionaries under 30 with outstanding talents and achievements, setting them apart in their fields.


  • Singularity

    Highlights AI-driven companies that are pioneering new services or integrating AI to create innovative products.


  • Women in Business

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  • Ethical Leadership New

    Commends companies exemplifying leadership in environmental and social governance, setting standards in corporate responsibility and ethical practices.


  • Going Green

    Acknowledges companies leading large-scale sustainable initiatives, addressing critical areas like clean energy and environmental justice.


  • Collab New

    Honours strategic partnerships and alliances with other businesses to leverage complementary strengths, access new markets, and share resources for synergistic growth and innovation.


  • Design First

    Celebrates companies where design is the heartbeat of innovation, engaging the whole team in crafting groundbreaking products.


  • Going Global New

    Applauds companies that have expanded their reach globally, showcasing exceptional growth and international success.


  • Great Pivot

    Acknowledges companies that adeptly navigate change, leveraging insights to pivot towards delivering outstanding products.


  • Movement

    Recognises unforgettable event experiences that resonate emotionally, drive social change, or achieve viral status.


  • New Model

    Honours businesses revolutionising markets with elegant and disruptive business models.


  • Next Level New

    Applauds companies which had successful strategic acquisition and integration of another entity, staff or an asset that allowed them to further grow and scale their services.


  • Wildfire

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  • Angel

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  • Creative Maverick New

    Honours unconventional thinkers with exceptional abilities to execute typically unimaginable initiatives, expertly coordinate teams, secure funding or successfully launch multiple ventures.


  • Ecosystem Star

    Celebrates individuals who energise and nurture their communities, fostering engagement and advocacy.


  • Future Builder

    Recognises the determination and resilience of founders who've embarked on the challenging journey of starting their own ventures.


  • Quiet Achiever New

    Applauds the unsung heroes whose behind-the-scenes efforts have led to flawless project executions and exceeded expectations.


  • Splash Down Under New

    Acknowledges international companies making a noteworthy entrance into the Australian market, enriching the local business ecosystem.


  • TopCoder

    Recognises developers for their outstanding technical skills, clean code, and collaborative spirit.


  • Venture Cap

    Salutes venture capital firms with a track record of backing transformative businesses, contributing significantly to Australia's economic growth.


  • Visionary New

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