How BESydney helped bring the 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters to Sydney
The decision to bring the 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters (5WCWS) to Sydney in 2025 was never just about hosting a conference. For Karen Bentley, CEO of WESNET -Australia’s national peak body for domestic and family violence services - it was about delivering real, lasting change for women and communities in Australia and across the globe.
Representing nearly 300 grassroots women’s organisations, WESNET plays a critical role in advocating for safety, equity, and innovation in support services for those affected by gender-based violence. With a strong commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices, the organisation saw 5WCWS as an opportunity to advance global collaboration and spotlight Australia’s leadership and challenges in this space.
That vision aligned seamlessly with BESydney’s Social Impact Strategy, a global benchmark for how business meetings can drive purposeful outcomes. Together, BESydney and WESNET are proving that a conference can be more than an event with the right partnerships – it can be a catalyst for transformation.
Beyond the bid: aligning on purpose
The World Conference of Women’s Shelters is the largest and most influential global gathering on violence against women. Until now, it had never been held in the Southern Hemisphere.
Karen Bentley and the WESNET Board knew that Sydney could be the right host city – but only if they found local partners who understood the significance of the moment.
“We needed a destination that not only had global appeal but could also offer safety, accessibility, and affordability – especially for delegates from low- and middle-income countries,” Bentley says.
BESydney’s Social Impact Strategy was instrumental in making the case for Sydney. Launched to embed purpose into business events, the strategy is built around three impact pathways:
- BESydney staff, board, ambassadors, sector & strategic partners and members
- Clients - associations and corporate & incentive
- Community and community representatives
BESydney also maps seven impact domains in its Social Impact Strategy – themes where visiting events can deliver the greatest benefit:
- Talent attraction & upskilling
- Research & development, innovation
- ‘Women in’ initiatives (engineering/STEM, health, science, leadership, entrepreneurship, tech/AI)
- First Nations engagement (health, education, governance, leadership, cultural exchange)
- Pacific engagement & partnerships with lower- to middle-income countries (LMIC)
- Policy change (influencing or contributing to high-level policy change)
- Diversity, equity & inclusion
For Bentley, that strategic clarity and values alignment gave WESNET the confidence to move forward.
“BESydney was a logical choice for WESNET as a strategic partner to help us deliver on our social impact goals due to their extensive experience in this arena and their connections with and around the region,” Bentley adds. “They weren’t just a bid partner – they shared our long-term vision, helping us think through every layer of the delegate experience – from cost and transport to safety, inclusion and legacy.”
Karen Bentley
CEO of WESNET
Building regional momentum
One of 5WCW’s long-term goals is to help establish a women’s shelter network for the Oceania region – something that doesn’t yet exist. With support from BESydney, WESNET is leveraging the conference as a springboard for lasting regional collaboration.
“With the conference heading to the Southern Hemisphere and to our region for the first time, this is the best opportunity we’ve had to bring together shelters from across the Pacific and Australasia,” Bentley says. “Many countries in our region experience high rates of violence against women. Connecting to share practice approaches and build a network will be transformative.
“The conference is our anchor, but the real impact will be what comes after,” Bentley explains. “We’re planting the seeds for partnerships across the Pacific that will grow well beyond 2025.”
This aligns with BESydney’s broader impact framework, which prioritises knowledge sharing and capability building within Australia and across the Asia-Pacific.
Unlocking financial and social accessibility improvements
WESNET and BESydney recognised that accessibility isn’t just about ramps and restrooms – it’s also about affordability and inclusion. International travel is out of reach for many grassroots organisations, particularly those in emerging economies. But the conference couldn’t afford to exclude these voices.
That’s why a core part of the 5WCWS model includes two categories of scholarships: one covering registration, and another contributing to travel and accommodation. Working alongside government, philanthropic and private partners, WESNET are actively securing funding to support delegates who would otherwise be unable to attend.
“Financial barriers have kept too many frontline workers out of the global conversation for too long,” Bentley says. “We’re changing that.”
This approach mirrors BESydney’s broader commitment to redefining accessibility as a pillar of its social impact work, including removing barriers for people with disabilities, First Nations and underrepresented communities.
Credit: Destination NSW
Creating local and global legacy
What sets BESydney apart globally is its belief that events should leave Sydney better than it was before. That belief is baked into every detail of the 5WCWS planning – from the people involved to the platforms created.
The conference will include a First Nations Lounge, guided by Indigenous experts, and a dedicated First Nations Workshop – connecting global delegates with Australia’s deep cultural knowledge and healing practices. Through storytelling, ceremony, art, and inclusion in the speaker program, these elements ensure the conference is not only inclusive – it’s transformative.
5WCWS also includes working with local shelters, inviting frontline workers to participate, and creating volunteering pathways that inspire locals and visitors alike.
As Bentley notes, “For many of our delegates, this isn’t just professional development – it’s deeply personal. It’s a moment to be seen, valued, and feel like part of a global movement.
“Women’s specialist services can be life-saving. From prevention to recovery, this event brings together global and local voices that can drive change at every level. We know this work has the power to change – and save – lives.”
How BESydney measures social impact
BESydney believes that business events should leave a legacy that go beyond the event itself. That’s why they’ve built a practical measurement framework to track the real-world impact of the conferences and meetings they help bring to Sydney.
Their approach starts early — during the bid phase — and continues well after the final session. BESydney works closely with clients, partners and community groups to set shared goals, align with local priorities, and define what success looks like.
BESydney focuses on outcomes that matter: from boosting health equity and education access to advancing First Nations inclusion and sustainability. For example, in helping to bring the 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters to Sydney, they supported scholarship funding, built in accessibility and cultural inclusion, and helped lay the groundwork for a new shelter network across the Pacific.
They measure what changes, using surveys, interviews, and data to understand the benefits for delegates, communities, and the city. Their framework is aligned with global standards like the UN Sustainable Development Goals and local government strategies to ensure they’re driving meaningful and lasting results.
It’s about more than numbers. It’s about showing that a business event can spark change in Sydney and far beyond with the right partnerships.
As BESydney CEO Amanda Lampe says, “We want the conferences we host in Sydney to leave a legacy – not just make a profit or create memories. Our job is to help clients bring their purpose to life in a way that matters long after the closing session.”
As the world grapples with gender-based violence, social inequality and political instability, the 5WCWS 2025 could not come at a more important time. With BESydney as a partner, Karen Bentley and WESNET have not only secured a world-class host destination – they’ve gained a platform to empower voices, uplift communities and build momentum for change.
This is exactly what BESydney exists to do: turn global meetings into lasting local and global impact.
The 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters will be held from 15 -18 September 2025 in Sydney.
For more information on incorporating Social Impact into your next event, just click below.
