From capability to community: How two regional mums are transforming Australia’s events

With a practical framework, online connection and lived experience, the Australian Centre for Regional Events (ACRE) is helping hundreds of events go from re-creating to accelerating - building vibrancy and resilience across the regions. 

When Linda Tillman saw regional organisers working incredibly hard without the engine behind them, she knew the gap wasn’t passion - it was process. Together with Cathy Treasure, she co-founded ACRE two years ago, turning decade-long learnings into a simple, repeatable framework any community can use. 

Year after year, many volunteer committees and small council teams face the same hurdles: knowledge locked in heads, sparse documentation and the pressure to “start again.” ACRE embeds systems, templates and mentoring inside the event so capability stays put and creative energy flows back to programming. 

In 2025 alone, 400+ events engaged with ACRE’s programs and community. At the heart of this is Eventfolk - a national community connecting organisers for bite-size, practical conversations on all things events, including sponsorship, local business engagement, and real-world solutions. It’s where isolation shrinks and confidence grows.

Events are economic and social catalysts. They pull first-time visitors into towns, create repeat visitation, and stimulate spending across drive routes. More than dollars, they lift livability - sparking pride, connection and resilience. East Gippsland Winter Festival illustrates this, delivering month-long value and identity. 

ACRE’s programs meet teams where they are: Self-paced eLearning; Signature Event Management Program; Local Government Event Leadership Program; Event Management Bootcamps, and the premium Destination Events Elevator Program. 

In November 2025, ACRE was named the Arts & Tourism winner in the Innovate with nbn® Grants Program, adding fuel to their mission and expanding networks with national partners interested in regional capability through the use of online connectivity. 

Looking ahead, ACRE is doubling down on quality and user experience. Survey insights show compliance remains a barrier, so the team will elevate toolkits with AI-enabled templates to simplify documentation- keeping organisers focused on creativity and community outcomes.