珀斯会展中心高级活动经理Bryony Panetta：从业25年的会展职业之路

Meet Bryony Panetta, senior event manager at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

How long have you been in the events industry?

I’ve been fortunate to build a career spanning more than 25 years in the events industry, working across a diverse range of venues and event types.

Where did you start your career?

I began my career straight out of TAFE at Four Points by Sheraton Perth, working in the banquets department and delivering a variety of events, including school balls and weddings.

From there, I moved to Subiaco Oval and HBF Park, where I gained valuable experience delivering major sporting events, large-scale concerts and other high-profile live events.

What does your role at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre involve, and what projects are you currently working on?

As senior event manager at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, I have a team of event managers responsible for the planning, coordination and delivery of a wide range of events, from large-scale exhibitions and gala dinners to major conferences and theatre productions – no two days are ever the same.

My role combines client relationship management with detailed operational planning.

We act as the vital link between our clients and internal operational teams, ensuring every element comes together seamlessly to deliver a successful event experience.

At the moment, I’m managing a diverse portfolio of events, including a large-scale consumer exhibition, a VIP corporate luncheon and a multi-day theatre production, each with its unique requirements and objectives.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best part of my role is the variety and energy that comes with every event.

Our clients are often incredibly passionate about what they do, and I enjoy working closely with them to bring their vision to life.

Every event is like solving a complex puzzle, with many moving parts that need to align.

Seeing all those elements come together and watching a successful event unfold is rewarding and exciting.

What advice would you give to someone entering the events industry?

Be willing to start hands-on and learn the operational side of events.

A strong understanding of how events run on the ground provides invaluable knowledge and experience that simply can’t be taught in a classroom.

Take every opportunity to learn, experience different event formats and ask plenty of questions.

The more exposure you gain across different types of events, the better equipped you’ll be to manage challenges and deliver successful outcomes.

What would your dream event look like?

My dream event would be one that incorporates multiple elements and creates an immersive experience for attendees.

Working within a large blank-canvas venue such as Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre provides endless creative possibilities.

Pair that with collaborative clients, supportive suppliers and a passionate team that enjoys delivering exceptional experiences, and you have the recipe for a memorable event.

What has been your career highlight?

One of the highlights of my career was successfully delivering three major large-scale events in a single month, back-to-back.

Each event involved complexity, tight timelines and high client expectations.

Managing competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of delivery was challenging and rewarding.

Seeing all three events come together successfully remains one of my proudest professional achievements.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt during your career?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt is that strong communication and relationship-building is just as valuable as technical events expertise.

The ability to connect with clients, build rapport and communicate confidently throughout the planning process creates confidence and fosters successful partnerships.

Great events are built on strong relationships as much as strong logistics.

What is the best event you have ever worked on?

One of the most memorable and rewarding events I’ve had the privilege of working on was the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Conference and Exhibition (AFAC25).

The event took over the entire Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, utilising five exhibition pavilions, one pavilion for live demonstrations, the fully activated theatre, all 12 conferencing rooms and the extended ballroom spaces for a gala dinner.

The scale and diversity of the event was remarkable, featuring innovative activations such as a hackathon, specialist emergency services equipment displays and even a helicopter.

I was impressed by the organisers’ commitment to inclusivity, which included the provision of a dedicated Sunflower Room for guests with hidden disabilities.

The event welcomed more than 2000 guests for the opening networking function before continuing across four days of conferences, workshops, exhibitions and the gala dinner.

After more than a year of planning, and with countless logistical considerations and moving parts, it was incredibly rewarding to see the event come together so successfully.

It remains a standout project in my career and a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration, planning and teamwork.

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