Hey, thanks for tuning in today. Wow — what a wild couple of days here in Brisbane. After a massive hailstorm knocked out power for more than 24 hours, I escaped the 40-degree heat and hit the Gold Coast with my friend (and events legend) Sally Porteous to scope out venues for Con Con 2026.
This episode is part post-storm diary, part behind-the-scenes look at how I choose spaces that feel right. We visited five venues, sweating it out in 37-degree heat, and learned that photos and quotes don’t tell you everything — you have to stand in the space. I share what worked, what didn’t (yes, even the flashy casino bar), and why the venue is a main character in creating an unforgettable experience.
“You can’t sense a venue from a website — you have to walk in and feel the energy.”Your Turn
What kind of environments help you think bigger — bright and open, or calm and contained?
Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame. (https://www.workfa.me/)
Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com
P.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:
1. Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9RyOeXZfW4)
2. Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint (https://2hourwork.shop/) .
Let's connect on all the channels:
Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehughes/)
Leanne Hughes on Instagram (https://instagram.com/leannehughes)
Visit my website: leannehughes.com (https://www.leannehughes.com)
Email me: hello@leannehughes.com
Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio (https://helloaudio.fm?fpr=leanne17) .
