Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Wins International Award For Showcase Event

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre’s creativity and innovation in event delivery has again been recognised internationally, with the venue winning a prestigious International Special Events Society (ISES) Esprit Award.

Announced in Dallas in the United States on the weekend (August 4), the Best Event Design and Decor award acknowledges the Centre’s achievement in staging a spectacular Unconventional Evening in November 2011. 

The Unconventional Evening demonstrated the Centre’s talents and creative flair to more than 80 identities from the arts, media, wine and food industries.  The event was inspired by a painting from the Centre’s Australian art collection, the fiery nine-metre landscape, Point to Point, by renowned artist Tim Storrier. 

With Storrier in attendance as guest of honour, the Centre’s Executive Chef Uwe Habermehl added fire to ice to deliver a succession of theatrical dishes highlighting the finest local produce. 

Meanwhile, the Centre’s production team transformed the cityview Bayside Terrace into a shimmering interpretation of the evening’s theme, with hundreds of tiered candles and a massive projection of another Storrier painting, Landscape which spectacularly morphed into Point to Point.

Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the venue was thrilled to win such a prestigious international accolade.

“The Centre is about to celebrate 25 years of delivering great events so it is wonderful to win an award of this calibre as we approach a landmark anniversary in 2013,” Mr van Amerongen.

“This award is not just about the Centre’s skill in delivering a seamless event, it’s also about the creativity and passion which our teams have demonstrated since our doors first opened. I congratulate them all for their world-class performance.”

Sydney's Event Showcase - Promises A Sensory Special Event

With less than three weeks until opening, the team behind Sydney's Event Showcase 2012 released numerous new show features today, as they ramp up their strategy to engage event buyers to the show floor.

Event Director Rowan Marchingo has tapped into his event production expertise to design and deliver an exhibition experience that will stimulate the five senses.  

"Sydney's Event Showcase 2012 will become what it promotes, a special event that delivers serious business returns for all involved. 

"We've ramped up the on-the-show floor experiences this year to showcase the best ideas and inspiration for those who manage, buy and deliver events of all shapes and sizes.

"This year's Showcase will be an exhibition like no other," said Mr Marchingo. 
Visitor's taste buds will take delight in the brand new feature - Interactive Kitchen - where team building gurus Cheeky Food Group, Taste Food Tours and many others will lead a communal cooking class, whilst the best caterers in town will share samples of their food creations via the roving Bite Tastings. 

Visitors will be encouraged to touch and feel all the new products at the 180 exhibitor stands, and get up close and personal with industry influencers at the Party After Dark - the networking night of nights, this year to be held at Cargo Bar. For the first time ever, visitors will be able to purchase tickets to attend the event industry networking event of the year. 

The Entertainment Showcase has completely transformed the corporate entertainment on show at the exhibition. With famous Australian headliners on the bill, visitors will hear and see the ultimate in event entertainment. Additional entertainers will be also roving the isles adding an element of surprise to the Showcase. 

An interactive and informative smart phone app will be available for exhibitors and visitors to the show. Provided by ShowGizmo, it will include the full details of all the exhibitors on board, and calendarise all events occurring at the show. 

Visitors will hear from international keynote speakers Andrea Michaels and Corbin Ball at the all new, exciting program: Australia's Event Master Class Seminars, which will bring a whole host of domestic and international industry leaders together for the first time. 

Central - the heartbeat of the Showcase is still 'the place to be'. Keynote speakers from Australia's Event Master Class Seminars will congregate here to talk one-on-one with those wanting more insights into their knowledge and skills. 

A full schedule of events is available at the website

Registration is free; however it is strongly advised to register online before the Expo to avoid the queues at the door.

Catch the latest news and details at the events social media sites Facebook & Twitter

BESydney expands the 2012 ABEE Hosted Buyer Program

Australia’s leading convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), in conjunction with the Australian Business Event Expo (ABEE) and airline partner Qantas, has expanded the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program to include both Hosted and Semi-hosted Buyer Programs that will run from 14–16 August 2012.

Last year’s Hosted Buyer Program catered for a qualified number of fully hosted buyers. This year, expanding the program to two streams will introduce more local buyers to the show floor and enhance the quality and quantity of appointments for exhibitors.

“The expansion of the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program is a strategic decision to ensure ABEE’s show floor continues to be a dynamic platform for supplier and client connection, networking and business,” comments Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney.

“The two distinct programs ensure that both the hosted and semi-hosted buyer experience is productive, as well as educational, and really delivers on the modern day buyer’s needs. We’ve acted on feedback provided by previous participants and have made supplier appointments, key site inspections and networking the priorities in both programs.”

Jodie Richmond, CEO of Exhibition and Trade Fairs (the owner of ABEE) adds, “It is fantastic to work alongside Business Events Sydney and airline partner Qantas to grow the already successful ABEE Hosted Buyer Program. Our combined understanding of the business event market, paired with a savvy, concise format, will see the Program deliver enhanced results to both our Buyers and our Exhibitors this year.

Hosted buyers will receive complimentary Qantas return travel to Sydney and 2 nights' accommodation in a leading Sydney hotel. This program includes participation in the educational program that is punctuated with fantastic speaking talent, scheduled appointments, the Destination Site Inspection Tour, gala events and all ground logistics.

Semi-hosted buyers will have the opportunity to schedule appointments with suppliers, listen to selected speakers on the educational program and enjoy the ABEE Hosted Buyer Dinner. They will also have the option of participating in a full-day Destination Site Inspection Tour.

The Australian Business Events Expo runs from 15–16 August 2012 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and is the ultimate marketplace for business events in Australia.

Sydney's Event Showcase 2012

When:	15 Aug 12 - 16 Aug 12 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Where:	Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Darling Drive, Darling Harbour NSW 2000 New South Wales AUSTRALIA
Cost	Free
Phone	02 9556 7983
Email	dkriel@etf.com.au
Website:	http://sydney.rsvpevent.com.au

Description:
Sydney's Event Showcase 2012 The Solution of your Ideas + Inspiration for events

Sydney’s Event Showcase is Australia’s premier event industry exhibition. High profile, collaborative, creative and comprehensive, this is the single most essential calendar event for over 220 exhibitors and 5,500 decision makers from the corporate events world.

Firmly established as the networking opportunity for events professionals, 2012 sees the team celebrating its 8th year in Sydney as the ultimate showcase for products and service providers in the business.

The 2-day, annually hosted show provides the fantastic opportunity for buyers and sellers to gather, to experience and to be inspired by the impressive showcase that presents the very best the industry has to offer.

The show will open its doors at 10am - 5pm, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th August.
Our visitors organise a range of events from intimate business lunches to large-scale awards ceremonies and festivals. RSVP is your opportunity to feature your brand as part of this extraordinary event.

Sydney's Event Showcase 2012

Jewellers Optimistic as 2012 Fairs Approach

Anticipation is growing for the jewellery industry as the 2012 trade fair season approaches.

The ‘jewellery trade fair season’ begins next month with Victoria hosting the Melbourne Jewellery Fair March 4-5 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, while the Brisbane Jewellery Fair takes place March 25-26 at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre in Southbank.

For the second consecutive year Australia will stage three jewellery fairs, with Sydney hosting the main event in September.

Director for wholesaler Ellani Collections, Paul Hicks, told Jeweller last year’s Melbourne fair was well supported and set in a positive atmosphere.

“I expect Melbourne to be even better for me this year,” Hicks said. “After a great Sydney fair and Christmas I’ve acquired a lot of new accounts and Melbourne has left me constantly busy.”

Hicks stressed the importance of having a third fair, saying it’s a great opportunity for retailers around the country to build relationships with suppliers and vice-versa.

“Australia and New Zealand is so spread out that it’s almost impossible to see everyone so the Melbourne and Brisbane fairs are great for everyone to come together,” Hicks added. “Retailing can be a tough gig at the moment so for them to see the wholesalers and form a view of where their business should head is beneficial.”

Duraflex Group director, Phil Edwards, said Thomas Sabo and Spinning Jewelry are launching new ranges at the Melbourne and Brisbane fairs.

“We’re using both fairs to launch two different products and hope to attain good feedback and high attendance rates,” Edwards told Jeweller. “We will have representatives from Thomas Sabo visiting Melbourne and overseas reps will be coming to Brisbane as well.”

Edwards intends to use both fairs as a solid testing ground for future years, with the supplier paying close attention to attendance and retailers’ feedback.

Royal Exhibition Centre in Melbourne's Carlton Gardens

“It’s unusual having two fairs so close together but this year’s fairs will be a testing ground for our new range of products,” Edwards said. “It will be a good chance to monitor retailers’ feedback and keep track of attendance levels.”

Registration

Fair organiser, Expertise Events advises that visitors to the 2011 fairs will have received a new Buyer Identification card making registration simple. Visitors with a blue photo card need only to mark the dates and present the card upon entry to the Melbourne and/or Brisbane fairs for immediate access.

Visitors still holding a past gold buyer card will be required to update their registration and new visitors or those updating their record can download a registration form from the Jewellery Fair website.

Expertise Events managing director, Gary Fitz-Roy said, “With three fairs along Australia’s east coast, the JAA Jewellery Fairs are an ideal chance for jewellery retailers to top-up their stocks and get in-tune with the latest trends after Christmas.”

Both the Melbourne and Brisbane trade fairs will each present over 90 exhibitors offering finished jewellery, retail services, watches and jeweller’s supplies.

Jewellers Optimistic as 2012 Fairs Approach

Sydney Conferences: Busy 2012 for Sydney

Business Event Sydney (BESydney) reports it has secured conferences, congresses and incentive programs that will see over 211,200 delegate days spent in Australia’s harbour city in 2012.

Worth an estimated A$191 million to the New South Wales economy, the events range from small incentive groups to mid-size congresses and international mega events.

“The 2012 calendar year is going to be a bumper year for the business events industry in Sydney and the economic and social legacies of these events will be substantial,” said Lyn Lewis-Smith, BESydney’s acting chief executive.

The events are spread throughout the year, although March will be a stand-out month with eight international events scheduled.

In total, 9,500 delegates will spend more than 39,700 delegate days in Sydney in March. These events include the 3,200-delegate-strong USANA Asia Pacific Convention, the XVI International Symposium on Atherosclerosis that is expected to attract 1,500 delegates and a 1,500-delegate Tupperware Indonesia incentive group.

Busy 2012 for Sydney

Sydney Conferences: Conferences Sydney: Sydney Big Player in Business Event Market

Sydney will see over 211,200 delegate days spent in the harbour city in 2012, as Business Event Sydney (BESydney) secures an estimated $191 million worth of conferences, congress and incentive programs.

Ranging from small incentive groups and mid-sized congress to international mega events, BESydney is bracing for a bumper year for the business events industry in Sydney.

The strong pipeline of business shows Sydney remains a big player in the global business events market, with BESydney Acting Chief Executive Officer Lyn Lewis-Smith saying the economic and social legacies of these events will be substantial.

“Some of these bids were secured by Business Events Sydney over five years ago! Seeing all the cogs in motion – all our Ambassadors, stakeholders, strategic partners and government supporters – working together to make these events a success is going to be fantastic, and an opportunity to profile why the Sydney event experience is like no other,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.
March is a popular month with a total of 9,500 delegates spending over 39,700 delegate days in Sydney attending BESydney secured events.

Some events include the XVI International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, USANA Asia Pacific Convention and Tupperware Indonesia Manager’s Incentive Trip.

(Source: etravelblackboard.com)

Conferences Sydney: Sydney Big Player in Business Event Market