How place shapes the conversations that matter
Across Australia, conferences and retreats are evolving. They’re no longer just about ticking off agenda items or booking rooms with AV. They’ve become moments where organisations pause, reset and reshape direction. More and more, event planners are being asked to deliver more than a well-run schedule. They’re being asked to create environments that foster clarity, creativity and meaningful change.
The 2025 Cvent ANZ Event Industry Report shows that over 80 percent of planners expect to host more events this year. But the brief is evolving. There’s less appetite for packed programs and more interest in depth. Delegates want space to think. Teams want to step away from the everyday and into a setting that helps ideas land.
As psychologist and author Dr Amantha Imber puts it, “We are so influenced by our surroundings. If you want people to think differently, give them a space that feels different.” It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about choosing venues that help people listen better, think bigger and shift perspective.
Willinga Park is built for that kind of thinking. Set on over 2,600 acres on the NSW South Coast, the venue blends award-winning architecture with nature’s quiet clarity. It’s a place designed to support flow — the flow of people, conversation and ideas. Planners can shape the energy of the day with purpose: starting with a morning briefing in the light-filled Conference Room, breaking for a walk through the sculpture gardens or a moment of reflection in the botanic surrounds, adding a collaborative session by the firepit, and closing with a values-driven dinner in the Stables Restaurant where every detail, from the art on the walls to the stories in the wine list, reflects a connection to place.
Onsite accommodation, recreation and dining are fully integrated. There’s no time lost to logistics. No need to bus people between venues. Your group stays connected, focused and in flow from the first session to the last conversation of the day.
Our team works directly with planners to ensure every part of the experience aligns with the intent of the event. That might mean recommending a session rhythm that allows for spacious thinking, connecting you with trusted local suppliers for wellness or outdoor experiences, or helping you build a dining experience that reinforces the tone of your program.
There’s growing evidence to support this kind of approach. Research shows that people are more productive, creative and engaged when they meet in environments they find both pleasant and purposeful. Access to natural surroundings has been shown to increase creative thinking and well-being, while the quality and feel of a venue directly influence how satisfied attendees feel with an event. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology highlighted that time spent in nature-rich settings positively impacts engagement and mental clarity — key outcomes for any team gathering.
This aligns with a broader shift across the industry. Venues are being chosen not just for what they provide but for how they feel. As noted by Business Events Australia and leading Australian convention centres, the demand for immersive, sustainable and values-aligned venues is growing fast. Events need to feel like they matter.
Willinga Park reflects those values. Powered by a private solar microgrid and built with long-term environmental planning at its core, the venue supports events that care about their impact. It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about choosing spaces that align with purpose.
The venue isn’t the headline. But it is the frame. The setting shapes how people show up. It helps the message land. And it gives space for ideas to take hold.
If your next gathering is about more than getting through the agenda, and you want to create something that leaves people thinking long after they leave, it’s worth choosing a venue that supports that kind of work.
Connect with our team to explore what’s possible at Willinga Park.