Reflecting on the 2025 Resonate Conference: A Moment to Connect, Innovate and Celebrate

2025 Resonate Conference at the beautiful Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens in New South Wales was an unforgettable experience, bringing together our staff from South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales—many of whom were meeting face-to-face for the first time. Over three days of learning, team-building, and socialising, we strengthened relationships, shared ideas, and celebrated the incredible work happening across Resonate. Here’s a recap of some of the standout moments from this year’s conference.

The conference kicked off with Darren Jurevicius, our Managing Director, who provided an inspiring overview of Resonate’s last 12 months, celebrating our accomplishments, reflecting on the challenges we’ve overcome, and setting the stage for the exciting work ahead. Darren’s opening remarks were followed by a powerful Welcome to Country from Aunty Cynthia Morris, who graciously welcomed us to the land and shared important insights on respect and community.

Mini Tech Talks: A Showcase of Expertise and Fun

Anka presenting her Mini Tech talk.

The Mini Tech talks were a highlight, offering an exciting opportunity for colleagues to share their knowledge and expertise on various topics. These sessions were expertly monitored by Jon Cooper and Andy Parker, who ensured the discussions ran smoothly and created an engaging environment for all involved. Anka Glanzner presented “Why Germans Tiptoe and Aussies Don’t,” which blended cultural insights with a touch of humour. The talk sparked lively conversation about cultural differences and communication styles. Anka’s talk was voted by her peers as the best Tech Talk at the conference. Congratulations Anka! Other notable Talks included Nick Henrys taking a technical deep dive into ISO 9613-2:1996 vs ISO 9613-2:2024, providing valuable insights into the variances between the two sound propagation standards and Ryan McKay who delivered a fascinating presentation on contra-rotating propeller noise.

The Innovation Session, led by Matt Stead, Deb James, and Nick Henrys was a highlight for many staff. In this interactive session, teams were given the choice between five internal improvement opportunities and asked to brainstorm ideas for how to improve them. After developing their ideas, the teams pitched the idea to the panel and peer voting decided which improvements we would move forward with, creating a sense of ownership and empowerment. This session encouraged creativity and collaboration, reinforcing Resonate’s commitment to continuous innovation.

Another insightful session was Damien van Raaphorst’s presentation on REACH Profiles, a behavioural profiling tool designed to improve communication and interaction within teams. By exploring four core behavioural styles—Driver, Advisor, Coach, and Counsellor— the session helped attendees gain a deeper understanding of their preferred communication styles. Damien explained how REACH Profiles can help individuals build better team synergy by understanding and adapting to different behavioural styles, ultimately leading to more effective communication and collaboration. The session provided valuable insights for both personal growth and leadership development, offering tools that attendees could use to improve teamwork and foster stronger, more productive relationships.

The conference wouldn’t have been complete without some fun and energetic team-building. Pinnacle Team Events hosted The Scramble, an exciting outdoor activity that had teams racing around the local area, taking team photos, collecting scavenger items, solving IQ tests, and tackling roadblock challenges. The activity was ideal for our conference venue, and teams embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, making it a fantastic way to bond with colleagues and work together to solve problems.

After a busy day of learning and activities, Isabel Munoz hosted a wellness session that included meditation and a work-life balance reflection task. This session allowed participants to take a step back, reflect on their well-being, and focus on maintaining balance in both work and personal life. It was a calming and valuable session that left everyone feeling centred and rejuvenated.

Emma Gjers delivered an inspirational talk on building relationships in work and life. Her session focused on the importance of fostering authentic connections and how strong relationships can positively impact both our professional and personal lives. Emma’s talk resonated with many and served as a great reminder of the value of human connection, trust, and communication in all aspects of life.

Resonate In house DJs, Sebastien Nick & Alex.

No conference is complete without a bit of celebration, and Thursday evening offered the perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy each other’s company. The highlight of the night was the fantastic dinner and social event held at The Lodge, where Sebastien Fijac, Nick Henrys, and Alex Foster took to the DJ decks and kept the energy going throughout the night. The beats set the stage for a lively atmosphere where the dance floor was filled with energy as colleagues came together to celebrate. The evening was the perfect blend of socialising & fun, allowing everyone to relax, dance, and enjoy the night after a full day of learning and collaboration.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was the chance to meet colleagues from different states and departments, many of whom were meeting each other for the first time. The conference helped foster a genuine sense of connection, bringing people together and creating an atmosphere of collaboration and camaraderie. As another colleague put it, “There was something really special about having so many passionate, talented people in one space. The atmosphere was incredible.”

“I really enjoyed meeting all my new colleagues in person! It was great to learn about what everyone works on, how they approach things, and what brings them joy. I’m looking forward to building stronger connections and getting to know everyone even better moving forward!”

A big thank you is due to everyone who helped organise the conference. As one attendee expressed, “I can say that I appreciate very much the efforts from Resonate (the business team and everyone who helped to organise it) to be so dedicated to planning each activity, goodies, and presentations for everyone to enjoy, participate in, and feel special.” The attention to detail and thoughtfulness behind every aspect of the conference ensured that it was a truly memorable event for all.

Looking back on the 2025 Resonate Conference, it’s clear that it was more than just a series of talks and activities—it was a celebration of our team, our achievements, and our shared commitment to making Resonate the best it can be. The combination of insightful sessions, team-building fun, and social moments helped us strengthen our connections and set the stage for an exciting future together.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s conference such a success. We’re already looking forward to the next one, and we can’t wait to see how the ideas, energy, and relationships from this event will continue to shape the future of Resonate.