Symposium Program

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Australian Event Symposium 2024

Date: Wednesday 23 October 2024

Venue: Le Montage, 38 Frazer St, Lilyfield NSW 2040
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Dress: Business

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Wednesday 23 October 2024

8:30am – 9:00am
Arrival Tea and Coffee Break in the Exhibition

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9:00am – 9:15am
Welcome to the Australian Event Symposium

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9:15am – 10:30am

Opening Presentation: Future-Proofing Events: Emerging Technologies Shaping Tomorrow’s Experiences

In this session, we’ll explore the cutting-edge technologies and trends revolutionising the events industry, from AI-driven personalisation to immersive virtual experiences. Our panel of experts will discuss how advancements in AI, data analytics, and immersive tech are set to transform event planning, delivery, and engagement over the coming years. Attendees will gain strategic insights into what the future holds, how to stay ahead of these innovations, and what event experiences might look like in 5, 10, or even 20 years. Join us for a forward-looking discussion that will inspire new approaches and practical applications to future-proof your events.

Speakers:

• Hailey Mason, The Shift Corp
• Anders Sörman-Nilsson, Thinque
• Andrew Stone, Meshh

Facilitator: Libbie Ray, Connected Event Group

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10:30am – 11:00am
Morning Tea and Coffee Break in the Exhibition

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11:00am – 12:30pm

Concurrent Sessions

Engaging Communities Through Events

Discover an effective and successful framework empowering organisations to create engaging community events. The framework integrates Vision, Strategy, and Resources to plan, forecast, and ensure relevance in the future.

Skills and Outcomes:

• Utilise the Vision – Strategy – Resources = IMPACT formula to empower your organisation in creating impactful events and campaigns.
• Establish a clear vision for fundraising initiatives, enabling the maximisation of fundraising impact and community engagement.
• Seize opportunities to create events that not only raise funds but also foster community engagement and enhance awareness for your organisation’s mission and goals.

Speaker: Liliana Sanelli, The Perfect Events Group

Emerging Risk and Security Management Considerations for Events in the Current Threat Environment

Planning for Events requires detailed Risk Assessment as the pillar for the delivery of a safe and successful Event. In this session we will explore risk categories in the current threat environment and the mitigation strategy surrounding.

Skills and Outcomes:

• Identifying the correct risk categories specific to your Event
• Case Studies from Major Events in Greenfield sites, Venues and Stadia
• How the current threat environment and compliance requirements effect event planning and budgeting

Speaker: Craig Sheridan, Sheridan Consulting Group

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12:30pm – 1:30pm
Lunch Break in the Exhibition

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1:30pm – 2:45pm

Concurrent Sessions

Working with the Unconventional and Delivering a Unique Experience

Creativity is flowing and expectations for the ‘out of the ordinary’ is becoming increasingly sought after to enhance guest experiences and move away from the ‘safe’ design not only here but internationally.

Transforming unconventional spaces into a unique event space to alter the guest’s journey and engagement with the event make for memorable experiences as they indulge in the novelty of the unexpected.

Skills and Outcomes:

• Identifying the unique characteristics within spaces (indoor and outdoor) and how to maximise and use their features
• How to make the space work for you without sacrificing event quality
• Designing and transforming the space through décor, visuals and experiences
• Bringing all the elements together from venue, design, staging to food and beverage to create a truly memorable experience

Speaker: Peter Jones, PJSE Consulting

Digital Marketing for Events

In this session, C-Founder of Rocket Agency, Host of the Smarter Marketer Podcast and B&T Marketer of the Year finalist James Lawrence will share how to maximise event attendance and engagement using digital marketing channels.

Skills and Outcomes:

• How the digital landscape has changed in 2024
• Examples of how you can use Google Ads, Meta and LinkedIn to drive event registrations
• How you can use email marketing for event marketing

Speaker: James Lawrence, Rocket

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2:45pm – 3:15pm
Afternoon Tea and Coffee Break in the Exhibition

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3:15pm – 4:15pm

Closing Presentation: From Sydney 2000 to Brisbane 2032

CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee and director of the organising committee for the Brisbane Games, Matt Carroll AM, will take to the stage with Sandy Hollway AO, former CEO of the Sydney Organising Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games.
The pair will explore a variety of big questions on Brisbane’s moment in the spotlight in 2032.
Topics up for discussion include what the events industry should be doing now to prepare, lessons learned from both Sydney in 2000 and Paris this year and potential legacies from the Brisbane Olympics.

Speakers:

• Matt Carroll AM, Australian Olympic Committee
• Sandy Hollway AO, Former CEO of SOCOG

Facilitator: Brenda LaPorte, Former Board Member of Tourism and Events Queensland

4:15pm – 4:30pm

Closing Comments

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Justify Your Attendance

Need to make a business case to your boss to attend? Use our Justification Letter – just select the options that are relevant to you, print, sign and submit!

Download Justification Letter

Want to get Involved?

We welcome input from the industry – if there’s a topic you’d like to see on the program, or you’d like to contribute through presentation of a session, get in touch with us: [email protected]