The Client: LGNSW

The Local Government NSW Annual Conference is one of NSW’s most significant policy-making events, bringing together council leaders and key stakeholders to shape the future of local government across the state. The 2025 conference welcomed around 1,000 delegates, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, mayors, councillors, executives and senior staff representing NSW’s 128 councils.

Penrith City Council served as the host council, welcoming delegates to Western Sydney at a time of major regional growth and investment. WSCC and the Panthers Precinct were selected to host the conference following a competitive Expression of Interest process, with the precinct’s flexible event spaces, integrated accommodation and dining, affordability, and strategic Western Sydney location identified as key factors in the decision.

“We are honoured to host the 2025 LGNSW Annual Conference in Penrith, the best community in the West. Penrith is growing at an exponential rate with the Western Sydney International Airport, the Metro rail line and a huge array of projects shaping a greener, more liveable city. We welcome the opportunity to show off our wonderful city to conference delegates.”

Todd Carney — Penrith Mayor

Event Execution

Seamless Multi Space Activation

Across three days, the conference activated multiple venues throughout WSCC and the Panthers Precinct, demonstrating the precinct’s capability to manage high volume, complex programs running in parallel. EVAN Theatre hosted the main conference sessions, while WSCC supported concurrent plenaries and workshops as well as catering moments and the conference dinner.

Precinct Wide Delegate Experience

Outside the formal conference program, delegates engaged with the wider Panthers Precinct, enjoying dining at Marcel Bar & Bistro and exploring a range of bars, dining and entertainment experiences.

Food and beverage was delivered throughout the program to support a high-volume schedule, with catering thoughtfully curated to suit both the scale of the event and the client’s preferences. Strategically positioned catering stations supported smooth delegate movement between sessions and encouraged informal networking.

With many delegates travelling to Penrith, accommodation at the adjoining Pullman Sydney Penrith provided a seamless extension of the conference experience, keeping movement simple and the program running smoothly.

Overcoming Challenges

Delivering a high-profile, multi-venue event required careful coordination and operational flexibility. Close collaboration across stakeholders ensured a smooth delegate journey while enabling multiple concurrent sessions, catering moments, and venue activations to run as planned.

Additional signage and dedicated event staff were strategically positioned throughout the venue to support wayfinding and manage crowd movement. These measures helped delegates navigate the precinct with ease, contributing to a welcoming, well-organised atmosphere across the three-day program.

“This was a big moment for the precinct. Hosting the LGNSW Conference let us show how seamlessly WSCC, EVAN Theatre and the wider Panthers Precinct operate when fully activated. With workshops, plenaries and the conference dinner running across multiple venues, everything worked exactly as designed. We saw strong demand across accommodation and hospitality, and delivered a smooth experience from start to finish. It was a great opportunity to welcome delegates to Penrith.”

Charlie Young — WSCC & Pullman Sydney Penrith General Manager

Outcomes and Impact

The conference strengthened confidence in Western Sydney as an alternative hub for large-scale business events. It showcased how WSCC, EVAN Theatre and the wider Panthers Precinct operate seamlessly when fully activated, while also delivering strong benefits to the local visitor economy through accommodation, dining, retail and tourism spend.

WSCC is proud to have partnered with Local Government NSW and Penrith City Council on this landmark event and is grateful for the trust placed in the precinct to deliver their vision at scale.