Partnering with Purpose: BCS Supports the AWSN Summit 2025

We’re thrilled to announce that Best Case Scenario will support the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) Summit 2025 – and we couldn’t be more excited about this partnership.

Taking place on Friday, 1 August at 242 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, the AWSN Summit 2025 brings together professionals and women in leadership from across the security spectrum under the powerful theme: “Unlocking Potential: A Roadmap to Accelerating Women’s Impact in Security.”

A Natural Partnership

This collaboration feels like a perfect fit for BCS. Having worked extensively with TechDiversity on initiatives that champion inclusion and representation in Australia’s tech workforce, we understand the unique challenges and incredible opportunities that come with creating spaces where underrepresented voices can thrive.

The AWSN Summit’s dual focus – morning sessions on “Own Your Path” covering personal development and career growth, and afternoon sessions on “Pave the Way” addressing inclusive workplace culture – mirrors our own commitment to both individual empowerment and systemic change.

Why This Matters

The cybersecurity industry faces a critical skills shortage, and research consistently shows that diverse teams deliver better security outcomes. Yet women remain significantly underrepresented in security roles. Events like the AWSN Summit don’t just talk about change – they actively create the conditions for it.

With speakers including Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator and senior leaders from organisations like the Australian Signals Directorate and Telstra, this isn’t just networking. It’s nation-building work that strengthens Australia’s cybersecurity capability by ensuring we’re drawing on the full spectrum of talent available.

Our Role in the Vision

As event partners, we’re bringing our full expertise across every aspect of the Summit to ensure seamless delivery. Our comprehensive scope includes:

End-to-End Event Management: From initial project planning and timeline creation through to on-site coordination and post-event wrap-up, we’re managing the entire event lifecycle with weekly client updates and detailed runsheets.

• Venue & Production Excellence
• Speaker & Sponsor Support
• Seamless Registration Experience

We’re here to handle every operational detail so AWSN can focus entirely on delivering the transformational content and experiences their community deserves.

Our Director, Luli Adeyemo, captured it perfectly: “Our team are honoured to support the AWSN Summit, an event that aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver purpose-driven, inclusive events. We understand the importance of this moment for AWSN, and we’ll bring our full expertise to ensure its success.”

Looking Ahead

The AWSN Summit represents exactly the kind of future-focused thinking the industry needs. By creating pathways for women to “own their path” whilst simultaneously working to “pave the way” for systemic change, AWSN is tackling the challenge from multiple angles.

We’re proud to be part of this important work and can’t wait to see the connections, insights, and momentum that emerge from  the summit. The security sector’s future depends on events like this – and we’re honoured to help make it happen.

Ready to create your own purpose-driven event? contact us to discuss how we can bring your vision to life, just fill in the form below.

Anatomy of a B2B Community-Driven Event Campaign

A successful B2B community-centric event campaign unfolds in defined stages—each an opportunity to build trust, demonstrate value, and transform one-off interactions into enduring relationships. Here’s how to structure your campaign and use targeted content, including where case studies and testimonials can have maximum impact. Want to streamline your process? Follow our steps below. 

1. Pre-Event: Building Anticipation and Trust

• Define clear goals tightly aligned with your business objectives—whether you measure by qualified leads, engagement, or strategic partnerships.

• Content to deploy:

  • Thought leadership pieces, industry trend blogs, and explainer videos raise awareness and establish authority.

  • Early testimonials from past attendees reinforce perceived value.

  • Case studies showcase ROI for previous sponsors or participants at this point to win the interest of decision-makers.

• Channels: Branded email marketing, social media teasers, website landing pages, and targeted advertising all drive registrations and guide visitors to a central event hub.

• CTA: Download our pre-event content plan template to see exactly when and how to integrate impactful case studies and testimonials.

2. During the Event: Immersion and Engagement

• Deliver immersive experiences that foster genuine connections, such as workshops, panels, or networking lounges.

• Content to deploy:

  • Live-blogging, real-time social updates, and video snippets encourage participation and broader reach.

  • Customer stories and product demos provide relevance and spark discussions.

  • Attendee testimonials captured in real-time can be instantly published to amplify excitement.

• CTA: Request our live event storytelling blueprint for step-by-step ideas on capturing testimonials and amplifying your message in real time.

3. Post-Event: Sustaining the Community

• Nurture ongoing relationships beyond the event through targeted follow-up and value-driven content.

• Content to deploy:

  • In-depth case studies break down event outcomes for both sponsors and attendees.

  • Video testimonials and long-form interviews, delivered via email or shared in post-event webinars, reinforce key messages and encourage continued engagement.

  • Interactive follow-up (polls, surveys) to gather feedback and inform future events.

• CTA: Grab our post-event content schedule to learn when to send testimonials and case studies to keep the community active and convert interest into long-term opportunity.

4. Embedded in a Larger Campaign: Continuous Value Creation

• Sync your event with your broader content and inbound marketing plan for sustained impact and growth.

• Content to deploy:

  • Monthly newsletters, industry insights, and community spotlights to keep connections warm.

  • Regular success stories and testimonial campaigns to transform satisfied clients into advocates.

• CTA: Ask for our full event content integration plan to see where your team can plug in each content asset for optimal effect—or leave it to us to create and manage the schedule for you.

Ready to transform your next event into a catalyst for lasting business community? At each delegate decision point, request a copy of our event content plan— Request a copy of our plan. 

By Jen Murray, Marketing Consultant, Best Case Scenario

One of the most common questions we get from our B2B tech clients is: “What percentage of business should we realistically expect from hosting an event?”

It’s a fair question. You’re investing significant budget, time, and resources into creating an experience that drives results. You need to know what success looks like.  

The Reality Check: Understanding Your Conversion Funnel

Let’s start with a scenario many of our clients face: you’re hosting an event with 450 attendees. What can you realistically expect?

The answer depends on which conversion metric you’re measuring, and understanding these different stages is crucial for setting proper expectations and measuring true ROI.

• Eyeball to Demo Rate: Your First Success Metric
  For in-person B2B tech events, particularly those with physical product demonstrations, the Eyeball to Demo Rate is your most immediate indicator of engagement quality.
  This measures the percentage of attendees who request a demo or express strong interest in your product during the event (Source: Event Marketing Institute B2B Conversion Study, 2024).

  Real-world example: From 450 total attendees, if 200 match your ideal customer profile and 50 request demos, you’re achieving a 25% qualified attendee conversion rate—which is excellent.

  This metric is particularly valuable for our clients who invest in on-site demonstrations, interactive product showcases, or immersive experience zones. It’s immediate feedback on whether your event experience is compelling enough to drive action.

• From Attendee to Sales Qualified Lead
  For virtual events like webinars, the conversion rates shift.  Attendee-to-SQL (Sales Qualified Lead) conversion rates of 2-3% (Source: B2B Event Marketing Research, 2024). For example, a 600-attendee virtual event generating 15 SQLs represents a 2.5% conversion rate that aligns with industry benchmarks.
  
  Why the difference between virtual and in-person? – In-person events create deeper engagement. Attendees invest time to travel, they’re more committed, and the immersive experience facilitates better qualification conversations. Virtual events cast a wider net but with lighter commitment levels.

• The Ultimate Metric: Event to Closed Deals – Here’s where expectations need to be realistic. The percentage of event attendees who ultimately become customers is much lower than many organisations expect.  Industry reality: Direct event-to-customer conversion rates typically range from 1-3% for closed deals (Source: HubSpot B2B Event Marketing Report, 2024).  This might seem low, but remember—B2B sales cycles are long and involve multiple touchpoints. Your event is rarely the only factor in a purchase decision, but it’s often the catalyst that starts meaningful conversations.

Beyond the Numbers: What Really Drives Event ROI
While these benchmarks are helpful, we’ve learned that successful events do much more than generate immediate leads.

• Build Brand Authority: Position your organisation as a thought leader in your space
• Accelerate Existing Pipelines: Nurture prospects already in your sales funnel
• Create Strategic Partnerships: Open doors to collaboration opportunities
• Generate Content Assets: Fuel your marketing efforts for months afterward

Maximising Your Event Conversion Rates
Based on our experience across hundreds of events, here are the factors that consistently drive higher conversion rates:

• Laser-Focused Targeting
  Events with tightly defined ideal customer profiles always outperform those trying to appeal to everyone. 
• Interactive Experience Design
  Static presentations don’t drive action. Hands-on demonstrations, workshop formats, and collaborative sessions consistently generate higher engagement and conversion rates.
• Strategic Follow-Up Systems
  The most successful events have robust follow-up processes planned before the event even begins. 
• Integration with Broader Marketing Strategy
  Events shouldn’t exist in isolation. The highest-converting events are integrated with ongoing content marketing, sales outreach, and partnership development efforts.

 The real value lies in the relationships built, pipelines accelerated, and market positioning enhanced.

As we always tell our clients: measure the immediate metrics, but don’t underestimate the long-term impact of bringing the right people together for meaningful conversations.

Planning Your Next Event?
If you’re planning an event and want to discuss realistic ROI expectations for your specific situation, we would be happy to share insights from similar events in your sector.

Every industry and audience is different, and understanding those nuances can make the difference between an event that meets expectations and one that exceeds them.

Reach out to us today.

If you’ve ever attended a massive conference, you’ll know the feeling—rushing from session to session, barely making real connections, and struggling to find the most relevant conversations. That’s why micro-events are making waves.

Why Micro-Events Are the Future

• Genuine Conversations, Not Just Handshakes – The smaller the crowd, the deeper the discussions. Attendees actually get time to engage, challenge ideas, and share insights that matter.
  
  
• Personalised & Purpose-Driven – Unlike big events where one-size-fits-all, micro-events allow organizers to curate experiences tailored to niche audiences—whether it’s exclusive networking, hands-on workshops, or fireside chats.
  
  
• Better Participation & Deeper Engagement – Attendees aren’t just spectators; they’re active participants. The focused setting encourages richer discussions, greater contributions, and more takeaways.
  
  
• More Than Just a Trend—It’s a Shift – The data backs it up: businesses are investing in high-value, high-engagement micro-events instead of broad, general conferences. It’s about quality over quantity.  Research from eventbrite shows 8 in 10 event organisers believe it’s important to grow communities around their events, a key aspect of micro-events

At Best Case Scenario, we’re leaning into curated, immersive experiences that drive genuine connections and actionable results. If you’re considering a micro-event for your 2025 strategy, let’s chat! 

Reach out to us today.

When it comes to event planning, understanding your audience is crucial, especially when building an agenda and selecting speakers. But the work doesn’t stop there. To ensure your event resonates, it’s imperative to have a process in place to review and align each speaker’s content with the expectations of your audience.

Too often, we see events—(though not our clients’)—lose focus on their intended audience, leading to disengaged attendees. Here are some practical steps to avoid this and ensure your speakers deliver value that aligns with your event’s purpose:

• Define Your Audience Profile

  • Clarify who your audience is: their roles, industries, challenges, and goals.
  • Share a detailed attendee profile with your speakers to help them tailor their presentations.

• Communicate Event Objectives

  • Set clear expectations for the tone, themes, and takeaways of the event.
  • Ensure your speakers understand the broader goals of the agenda and how their session fits into it.

• Review Speaker Content

  • Request draft outlines or slides well in advance for review.
  • Provide constructive feedback to help speakers adjust their content to meet audience needs.

• Conduct Speaker Prep Calls

  • Organise one-on-one calls with speakers to go over the audience profile, key themes, and messaging alignment.
  • Use this opportunity to clarify expectations and provide further insights.

• Pre-event Rehearsals

  • Schedule rehearsals to review the flow of presentations and ensure alignment with the overall agenda.
  • Use this time to refine delivery and visual content, ensuring everything speaks directly to your audience.

• Collect Audience Input

  • Consider pre-event surveys to understand attendee expectations and share this feedback with your speakers.

By following these steps, you’ll create an agenda that not only aligns with your audience’s needs but also positions your speakers to deliver impactful and engaging sessions. At Best Case Scenario, we ensure our clients avoid the pitfalls of misaligned messaging, leaving no room for uncertainty about who their event is truly for.