The Vibe

Social impact in the Regions

Social Impact in the Regions is held in small regional communities throughout Australia. Our first, pilot conference we refer to as year 0 was in Coffs Harbour NSW and year 1 was in Kempsey NSW.

Could your community be next? Get in touch to find out more.

The Dress Code (2024)

Conference:

We want you to be comfortable. Kempsey has a temperate climate, you can expect the days to be around 18-22 degrees Celsius and the evenings may be a little cooler (bring a light jumper or cardi).

Cocktail Welcome Event:

Following the national Pitchfest at Kempsey Central (Theatres) carry on from the conference day or bring your party vibes whether you prefer a bit of bling or boho laid back is your style it will all blend in well at this event. The event will be held back in our conference centre at Kempsey Central. You’ll then have the opportunity to eat dinner in one of the local cafes or restaurants open especially for conference delegates.

Cafes and restaurants close early in Kempsey so make sure you book for dinner. Try Kempsey Health Food Shop on 6563 1367 or Lou’s Cafe Restaurant 6562 4869.

Gala Dinner: Theme: On the Fringes

Teddy Loveny took out the best dressed award for the #SIITR23 conference dinner and was anointed with the task of determining our #SIITR24 conference dinner theme. And the theme is…

“On the fringes”

A former ‘fringe carnie’ Teddy describes the origin story of a fringe festival in the clip and draws parallels to the work we do as impact practitioners who often have the feeling of being on the fringes through our communities, identities and through the work we do and grappling with the big challenges. So, whether you dive into famous fringe festivals for inspiration, find yourself some fringing to wear (think – flapper dress) or even use your hair (a fringe) to signify the theme we look forward to seeing your creation.

What to Expect

We have designed the event to ensure there is a variety of ways for you to connect with the conference content and delegates.

We know networking can be daunting for some and have done our best to ensure it’s easy to meet people. All you need to do is turn up ready to soak it all in and we’ll guide you through the rest. If you do have any comments or feedback we can implement in 2025 please reach out.

Walk with us through the conference and venue (2024)

Parking

There is limited parking through the Kempsey CBD with the venue, Kempsey Central being easily accessible on foot from all public parking in the Kempsey CBD. We recommend (if possible) walking from your accommodation or car pooling to ensure you don’t have to walk too far from your park.

Parking at the conference dinner is also limited and we are currently working on ride sharing opportuities for you. You may also discuss carpooling arrangements with a designated driver.

While there are parking options in the Kempsey CBD, you may find less crowded opportunities on the Southern end of the Kempsey Bridge (just a quick walk to the conference centre across the bridge), around Verge Street Oval and along Riverside Park.

Registration

We do want you to be prepared for this. As we are not operating in a traditional conference centre some things just won’t look like a traditional conference. So please turn up prepared for the unexpected. While we will apply our highly tuned event skills to ensuring you have a smooth registration experience the reality is this venue is (a) in a public space and (b) has never, ever been used as a conference venue before (and may never be again) and (c) we will only actually realise the extent of the setup the day prior to your arrival.

So please turn up knowing that we are using the venue because it was the best venue to accommodate our audience and also incorporate the broader Kempsey CBD.

Just secretly, we are quite confident it will all be just wonderful and if all else fails our volunteers will keep you entertained with local stories on arrival.

On arrival we will also ask you to make a selection for your lunch. We’ve arranged this for numerous reasons (1) it puts more money back into the local economy (2) you have a more real local experience (3) the local community will feel proud as they see you enjoying their town and (4) you get to choose from a range of cuisines avoiding boring old sandwiches.
Heads up – there are limited seats at each local cafe. You will choose (first in best dressed) from:

– Kempsey Health Food Shop: A range of healthy local produce
– Bruno’s Pizza: Your choice of small pizza
– Mama Thai: Any chicken, pork or beeef dish from the lunch specials.
– Pho House: Pork or chicken banh bao
– The Depot Cafe: A selection of cafe specials
– Lou’s Cafe Restaurant: A selection of cafe specials
– The Vault: Fresh wraps
– MD Cafe: Your choice of fish and chips, rice paper rolls, sandwiches or wraps

Accessibility & Seating Arrangements

Please make sure we are aware if you have any accessibility needs as early as possible. We want you to feel comfortable throughout the event and unfortunately can’t do that via crystal ball (even though we do try). You can add accessibility information when you purchase your ticket and if you have additional requests please email the conference organiser, Kerry Grace directly and they will be discretely accommodated.

Connect with Your Cohort

Our Business For Good Network site is still live. If you are a ticket holder scan your email for your link to join.

What else to expect 2024

Conference days

SIITR24 will be held at Kempsey Central, a shopping centre located in the Kempsey CBD. While great care has been taken to inform and include the local community in the event chances are there will still be some locals who are delighted and confused about the proceedings. Whether you share information about the conference, or confirm you are boarding a space odyssey is entirely up to you.

The main venue, where plenary sessions will be held each morning is essentially an empty warehouse. While we have worked hard to full any echo in the venue it is unlikely we will be 100% successful and if hearing is a challenge for you we suggest you sit to the centre of the room where the sound will be more coherent.

Our morning and afternoon tea breaks will be in one of three spaces. One will be in the adjoining Country University Centre, an easy walk from the conference room. This room will be contained for conference delegates. The second will be in the makeshift conference foyer which is in the actual Kempsey Central building and the third upstairs (also accessible via a lift) in the Cinema area. All stations will contain the same catering and coffee / tea stations.

We will provide an urn for hot drinks and home baked treats for the breaks. If you want barista coffee you will need to duck across the road to one of the local cafes, or make your way to the Depot Cafe or bakery in Kempsey Central (we are sure you will queue appropriately in doing so)