Founders Petrina Maxwell and Tony Clendon, who first discovered Byron Bay over a decade ago, have been running their business there since 2018. Initially focused on creating unique experiences for clients in Australia and abroad, their deep connection to the region and strong supplier partnerships led them to broaden their services by offering DMC support in this vibrant area.
Maxwell says they believe a destination’s true value lies in the unique experiences that can be created around it; something Agent 86 Experiences has no shortage of expertise in.
Whether it’s a bespoke music festival, total buyouts of exclusive and secret properties in the Northern Rivers Hinterlands or private surf lessons with a world-class Big Wave surfer – we bring the vision to life to create an event that is memorable for all the right reasons.
This corner of Australia is such a special spot and provides the most incredible blank canvas for events. We have a deep commitment to understanding our clients and their audience; we invest in thorough research to connect people with the destination, each other, and the curated experiences we offer. Guests could have been to Byron Bay a handful of times before – but they’ll never have experienced it like this, because each event is tailored with precision for the specific audience.
Clients couldn’t agree more.
“Agent 86 Experiences were our DMC supplier for a hugely successful event recently, bringing over 100 people together over 3 days for a programme that included an entirely bespoke mini-festival – and it was a seamless experience from start to finish. The team go above and beyond, finding unique touchpoints and letting us in on local secrets to make everyone who attended feel like they truly saw the best of Byron and Northern Rivers.
What I particularly appreciate about working with the team is there is no “one size fits all” – they work dynamically with our own team to ensure nothing falls through the cracks and can effortlessly pick up elements of event organisation outside of a strictly DMC scope, such as registration, accommodation and collateral. “Regardless of whether they were pivoting plans due to weather changes, packing in an event, liaising with local suppliers, or coordinating activity days, the team were incredibly professional but not without a sense of humour. The key to pulling off any successful event is a blend of experience, creativity, problem-solving and attention to detail – something Agent 86 Experiences has in spades.”
Strong supplier relationships across the region.
“Anyone who has worked in events knows that things can change in an instant. That’s when our connections with local suppliers become crucial for delivering exceptional experiences. When plans are cancelled at the last minute, we can secure and curate new options and our local experts make it seem effortless.
When you have strong working relationships, the result is always greater than if either party had done it on their own. “Further, it’s an absolute privilege to use local providers after what has been a tumultuous few years for the events and hospitality industries, and to showcase how slick Byron Bay and the surrounding area is to the wider community, Australia and the world.”
"It's not just about rewarding and motivating teams, but about generating substantial ROI, from improving staff retention to boosting sales and brand loyalty. These events aren’t just perks – they’re strategic investments in a company’s culture and future.”
About Agent 86 Experiences
Thay are famous for ‘nailing the brief’ every time and believe a destination is only as incredible as the ‘experience’ that thay create around it. Their relationships are key, not only with clients but with their extensive local and global network of specialist suppliers.
