A First-Timer’s Guide to State of Social

Everything you need to know to walk in confident and get the most out of your two days.

Walking into State of Social for the first time can feel like stepping into a room where everyone already knows the rhythm. There’s an MC, a packed program, wristbands that seem to unlock things, hundreds of people having conversations you haven’t been part of yet.

This guide is here to change that. Read all of it, skim it, or just jump to what feels unfamiliar. The goal isn’t to attend everything — it’s to choose well, stay curious, and leave with something real.

Before you arrive

If you haven’t already, read the Attendee Guide sent to your inbox after registering. It’s the practical bible for the event. And when you’re ready to plan your days, the How to Plan Your Program guide will help you make sense of session types, levels, and themes so you can build a schedule that actually suits you.

On the day

Your name badge is your ID. Your wristband is your access pass. You need both to move through the event, so wear them from the moment you arrive.

Rooms do fill up for popular sessions, so if there’s something you’re set on, arrive a few minutes early.

Robbie Figg is your MC across both days — sharp, funny, and deeply familiar with the SOS rhythm. He introduces speakers, keeps things moving, and will always let you know if anything changes. You’re in good hands.

Questions during sessions are handled through Slido — no roaming microphone, no stage fright. Submit from your phone and vote up the ones you want answered.

The program at a glance

Welcome to Country
Every year, State of Social opens with a Welcome to Country. We believe it’s essential to start by acknowledging the land we gather on—Whadjuk Noongar Boodja—and the people who have cared for it for millennia.

We are privileged to be welcomed by Barry Winmar, a Whadjuk Noongar man with connections to the Ballardong region. This ceremony is more than a protocol; it’s a moment of reflection that sets the tone for the days ahead. As communicators, it’s a powerful reminder of the deep history of storytelling that exists right here where we stand.

Keynotes
Main-stage sessions delivered to the whole room. Big ideas, emerging trends, and the conversations that are shaping the industry right now.

Breakout Sessions
Shorter, focused sessions running concurrently across different rooms. This is where you choose what matters most to you — specialist insight across a wide range of disciplines.

Deep Dives
Longer, hands-on sessions that go beyond ideas and into application. Expect practical depth, real complexity, and the how, not just the what.

Concurrent Sessions
Multiple sessions occurring simultaneously, giving you a host of choices and the freedom to create your custom State of Social program. All Access and Online ticket holders have access to recordings of every session, so you won’t miss a thing.

Beyond the sessions

Activations are sponsor-led experiences woven throughout the venue — worth exploring during breaks.

The Chillout Lounge is there when you need to step away, decompress, or just grab a coffee (barista-made, courtesy of Hunt and Brew) without missing a beat.

The Sundowners close out the day with end-of-day drinks — a natural place to continue conversations in a more relaxed setting.

The Barkout Session is exactly what it sounds like: rescue puppies, a gold coin donation, and a very good reason to smile. All proceeds go to Dogs’ Refuge Home, our long-standing charity partner.

A word on networking

You don’t need a pitch. Networking at State of Social is informal — conversations happen in queues, in sessions, over coffee, in the lounge. Curiosity is enough.

And if you’re arriving solo: you’re not alone in that. A lot of people are here by themselves. Most people are open to conversation. Nobody expects you to walk in already knowing everyone.

Share what you find

Use #StateofSocial26 on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads to share insights, photos, and moments. It’s also how standout content gets discovered and amplified across the community during the event.

One last thing

There are moments at State of Social that aren’t on the run sheet — a surprise, a laugh you didn’t expect, a conversation that shifts something. Let those happen. They’re part of the design.

If you want help planning your days, the full program and session labels are available here.

If you need support, quieter spaces, or assistance on the day, our team is always happy to help.

Welcome. We’re glad you’re here.