Key Dates
Call for Abstracts open: 13th May 2024
Call for Abstracts close: extended to 2nd July 2024
Conference Details:
Conference dates: 19th & 20th November 2024
Conference location: Pan Pacific Perth
The 2024 Conference theme focuses on UNLOCKING POTENTIAL: Our People, Our Places. The parks and leisure industry in Western Australia is so much more than leisure facilities, community sports and parks. The people behind these places are creative, responsive, imaginative and resourceful practitioners, and the conference aims to further working relationships and learning in the interest of stronger parks and leisure industries. The PLAWA State Conference is the opportunity to present and discuss unique approaches, innovation, research, real practice and emerging trends. Share your learnings with leisure & recreation planners, aquatic and leisure centre managers, community facility designers and managers, landscape architects, parks managers and officers, fitness and community sports facilitators, event organisers and community program managers.
Delegates
PLAWA State Conference is held every two years and caters to delegates from local & state governments, private enterprises, state sporting associations, peak bodies and education professionals working in the following fields:
- parks and environment
- leisure and recreation planning
- aquatic leisure centres
- leisure fitness and community health & wellbeing
- sports and community facilities
- community sport, club development and programming
- social and physical activity
- sporting, community and commercial events
Conference Streams
- Parks – design and manage our public spaces
- Places – activate and operate our community leisure facilities
- Planning – plan and conceptualise for sport, recreation and leisure
- Participation – activate and energise through sports, recreation and events
- People – grow and thrive through personal development
Presentation Types
The Conference Committee is seeking engaging presentations and activities for exploring a diverse range of topics, viewpoints, innovation and research to enrich workplace and community outcomes:
- Solo or shared presentations (25 minutes only)
- Panel presentations (25 minutes only)
- Workshops (50 minutes)
- Technical tours
Potential Topics
We are looking for local, state, national and international presenters. With potential topics of interest being;
- Personal development
- Emerging trends
- New initiatives
- Artificial intelligence and evolving technologies
- Research and analysis demonstrating multiple benefits
- Innovation and case studies
- Planning and design
- Operations and management best practise
Application Process
Abstracts must be submitted using the online system. Receipt of a complete abstract will be acknowledged by email. Information required with an abstract submission:
- Topic title
- Session types: solo presentation, shared presentation, workshop, panel, discussion
- Presenter name, email, mobile number
- Co-presenters including email and mobile number (maximum of 4 co-presenters)
- Short biography (max 100 words) and headshot photograph for program publication of all presenters
- Abstract for program publication (maximum 200 words)
- Learning objectives - A minimum of three learning objectives (please use dot points)
- Streams: Parks, Places, Planning, Participation, People
- Target audience
Submission Conditions
The invitation to submit an abstract does not constitute an offer to pay travel, accommodation, or registration costs associated with the Conference.
Speakers will have the option to register and attend the Conference for a reduced rate (speaker rate). Conversely, if a speaker can only be at the Conference for their presentation, no registration fee will be applicable.
Your biography, photo and abstract will be published online and used when introducing you as a presenter at the conference.
Should your submission be accepted, presentations will run for 25 minutes plus 5 minutes Q&A, panel sessions and workshops will run for 50 minutes plus 5 minutes Q&A. Abstract including the learning objectives will be published as submitted. Please proofread your abstract prior to submission.
By submitting your Abstract, you accept the terms and conditions of the Conference.
For any further information contact Leith Fradd on 0451 993 526 or eoplawa@parksleisure.com.au
Hints and Suggestions
- Equipment, product, or service suppliers are encouraged to consider presentations that include a project undertaken by a Local Government Authority in which the product/service was used. If possible co-present with the Local Government Authority involved in the project.
- Abstracts should focus on key learnings, and not simply be a summary of a process and outcomes, e.g. feedback from the users, improvements for future projects, benefits to industry and community, filling an identified gap in service, what you will learn from the presentation.
- Sessions that incorporate substantial delegate participation are encouraged.
- Delegate workshop formats are encouraged.
Please check your details carefully and the accuracy of the abstract as it will be used in our publications for the Conference.
By submitting your abstract, you accept the terms and conditions of the Conference.
For any further information contact Leith Fradd on 0451 993 526 or eoplawa@parksleisure.com.au
Judging Criteria
- Alignment with the conference theme
- Relevance to the nominated stream
- Demonstration of innovative idea/s and emerging trends
- Clear learning outcomes provided
- The author has ensured their presentation (workshop/oral presentation/panel presentation) is engaging for the audience. They have incorporated discussion time and/or a chance for participants to share their experiences.
- All requested information has been supplied
Please note all accepted abstract presenters are required to pay to attend and present. An abstract does not constitute an offer to pay travel, accommodation, or registration costs.
Conference Registrations
All successful submissions are required to register for the conference. A speakers conference registration rate is available. Conversely, if a speaker can only be at the Conference for their presentation, no registration fee will be applicable.
If you experience difficulties and require assistance, please contact eoplawa@parksleisure.com.au
