Taking the delegate experience to new heights | Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA) Summit 2022

Fast facts

Event: Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA) Summit 2022

Dates: 31 August – 2 September 2022

Venue: RACV Royal Pines, Gold Coast

Challenge:

ALPMA Summit 2022 organisers were inspired to do things differently after the annual event was postponed for two consecutive years due to the pandemic.

Attracting high-level legal practice executives and managers, the Summit had previously been held in convention centres with a standard program format. For the 2022 Summit, themed Reaching New Heights, organisers aimed to redefine the event experience to reconnect members and partners.

Solutions:

• Marking a distinct change in direction, the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast was selected as the venue. Its range of facilities and outdoor spaces offered both a relaxing environment for delegates and unique promotional and branding opportunities for partners.
• The venue’s expansive lawns and world championship golf course were utilised for two social functions: a pre-arrival Golf Charity Day and the ALPMA Welcome Reception. Both functions served as informal networking opportunities with sponsorship opportunities, including partner-branded golf holes and activations, and partner logos printed on the lawn.
• In line with the Summit theme, Reaching New Heights, a bright pink hot air balloon sponsored by the Summit’s Principal Partner, Dye and Durham, was set up directly outside the event space, offering short rides and photo opportunities for delegates.
• Inside the venue, enhancing the delegate experience was at the forefront of all exhibition activities. Partners offered a range of experiences, including LinkedIn photography headshots, mini head and shoulder massages, an ice-cream cart, fresh juice and mimosa stations, prize draws, sponsored networking breakfasts and product and software demonstrations.
• Along with legal industry thought-leaders, the three-day program featured keynotes speakers including seven-time world champion surfer Layne Beachley AO, who spoke on mental wellness, and dynamic duo Future Crunch who spoke on the importance of adaptability in the modern world.
• Heavily discounted accommodation rates were negotiated by the Arinex Accommodation Services team at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, designed to encourage delegates to register and even extend their stay and experience the Gold Coast at leisure.
• The Summit received generous funding from Destination Gold Coast to assist with event marketing and promotion, as well as access to image libraries, supplier directories and assistance with coordinating site inspections, which was invaluable to the planning process.

Outcome:

Over 380 attendees welcomed a reimagined ALPMA Summit following a two-year break.

A goal to reconnect members and partners through enjoyable experiences was achieved with a new style of venue, expanded partner packages and inspiring speaker line-up.

Delegate Feedback

• 95% of post-event survey respondents would recommend the Summit to others in the future and 74% would likely or highly likely attend the Summit again in 2023.
• 74% agreed the increased level of interaction with partners and exhibitors was good, while 86% rated the speaker program as either good or excellent.
• 79% would recommend the Summit be held at the RACV Royal Pines in the future.