Margaret River ‘anti-conference’ Creative Emergence reveals exclusive headliners

The region is gearing up to host one of the most renowned professional conferences in the southern hemisphere when Emergence Creative makes its comeback next month.

The ever-popular “anti-conference” sets up base at the Margaret River Heart from March 19 to 22, organised by the Creative Corner hub.

Festival director Mat Lewis said the revamped line-up was designed to mix networking, creativity, promoting the region and hosting a really good time for those taking part.

“Emergence Creative ‘the Resurrection’ has sparked some embers from the two sadly postponed festivals to crank back up,” he said.

“The festival alumni of past participants missed the festival and what it brought in terms of that ‘anti-conference’ style and cross-vertical creativity and tech intersection.

“The festival complements an epic creative calendar in the region and aims to connect back to the community as well as focus on international and national connections.”

In years past, Emergence lured big names including Google Zoo’s chief creative Dave Bowman, Facebook Creative Shop’s creative services lead Claire Davidson and New York’s serial tech entrepreneur Bill Cromie, as well as former Mamamia Women’s Network video content creators Briony Benjamin and Clare Gerber.

The 2024 highlights included WA Academy of the Performing Arts international lead Jennifer Halton, Fremantle Media’s Jason Neal, Heckler managing director Charu Menon and Brandable founder Tess Palmyre along with photographer and documentary maker Jason Capobianco.

Emergence will also have a strong South-East Asian presence, with a delegation of creatives set to hit town, including speakers Mahesa Desaga, fashion director Grace Lam, and Singaporean creative Asheen Naidu, among others.

The festival shapes up with an opening event before two days of intensive workshops and meet-ups unfold.

Key events during Emergence under the “Rogue Elements” banner include functions at the White Elephant, Red Feather Coffee in Cowaramup and a music showcase at The River.

Amid everything else, the festival has also produced a podcast for punters, with the latest episode of Creative Glue featuring photographic superstars Martine Perret and David Dare Parker in conversation with Scott Robinson.

To get involved, visit emergencecreative.com.