According to the official report of the show there were 3547 trade visitors, hosted buyers and corporate VIPs (un-audited) passing through the doors of the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre over the two days of the tradeshow (May 16-17). The feeling on the floor for many exhibitors was that AEE has its place in the local business event industry exhibition landscape.
Described in the pre and post-show publicity as Sydney’s first truly national show for the business event sector, at last count there were 160 exhibitors representing destinations, venues, entertainers and attractions “from throughout Australia”. Perusing the “throughout Australia” part and the majority of these were primarily venue operators, convention and visitors bureaux, and the odd product supplier. The majority of exhibitors still appeared to be fairly Sydney-centric, although organisers are expecting this to shift further in 2008.
With the Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau passing the baton of the running of the show to Exhibitions & Trade Fairs (now owned by Staging Connections), there were always going to be some changes to the event in 2007. Among the show’s highlights was TASTE – Live Theatre Kitchen, the Showtime Stage and PAMPER. TASTE featured live cooking demonstrations throughout both days advising visitors on the best options for event catering, while the Showtime Stage had a varied selection of entertainers performing. The attractions were popular and the interest surrounding these gave the sense that part of the exhibition was busy, perhaps even when other areas were not.
Based on the initial feedback from exhibitors, many were impressed with the quality of visitors they were able to meet face to face, including new and potential clients. Said Patricia Chan, general manager – sales for Expo Hire (Aust) “We were inundated with queries from visitors right from the start of the morning and even had an event booked with us before lunch time! The show certainly hit on the right events target market...we certainly look forward to exhibiting again next year”.
The networking event at the conclusion of day one was a sell out and the combined effort of David Grant Special Events, Staging Connections and Doltone House made for a spectacular evening that was described by more than one participant as “going off!” It appeared as if the trio of sponsors had been given a workable budget this time around – or they were being extremely generous – because there was plenty of booze, food, entertainment and fun. As is the case with so many of these after-expo parties, the room was pretty packed, but certainly not too much so.
Prior to the start of the expo another dinner was held for the 40-odd hosted delegates who were brought in from around Australia and internationally especially to attend AEE. Directions, designer Robert Dein, Sydney Props, Yaama Dhinawan Hospitality Training College, laissez-faire catering, mondo bartenders, and McWilliams Wines did an exceptional job of turning the massive space of Sydney Technology Park into a more intimate setting for guests who were given a real taste of some of Sydney’s fine food and fun entertainment.
Directions sales and marketing general manager, Leeann Cole said the company was proud to support the SCVB with the launch of AEE 2007 through designing and producing the welcome evening at ATP in conjunction with their partners.
“We were delighted to hear that the hosted buyers ranked our dinner as their number one experience of the program,” she said.
With the re-branding of Hancock Events under the Directions banner just before this event, at the end of April, this was also a perfect opportunity for us to strengthen our brand recognition and showcase our team’s exceptional creativity and experience.”
AEE also ran a seminar program, coordinated by Meetings & Events Australia, offering a variety of topics for people working in different levels of the events industry.
Commenting on the exhibition itself, business development manager of GPO Sydney, Stevey Murphy, said they were very pleased with the show.
“It was smaller than Sydney on Sale, however, the exhibition consisted of quality exhibitors and products. We have received many leads and new customers with over $150,000 in functions already confirmed.
“We will definitely exhibit in 2008.”
Convention manager of the Albury Wodonga Convention Bureau, Andrew Heibl, was not as complimentary.
“We were not happy with the change to a national event from a regional point of view,” he said.
“The SCVB’s interests seem to side more with competing against AIME/MCVB than aiding NSW members – even expressed by a new SCVB staff member. Basically [there was] no regional NSW support or even referrals from the AccessNSW stand – surprising since we were just one of about four regional NSW booths!
“[We have] no direct business secured yet… all work in progress stuff as you would understand. [We were] happy with the quality/quantity of leads though – this improved on last year, but I think this had more to do with the weather than [the exhibition] becoming a national event.”
Mr Heibl said they would most probably exhibit again in 2008.
Managing director and CEO of The Hawkesford Group, Jim Hawkesford, said the show was well organised and the quality of buyers was very good. “I am sure we have written business but sometimes it is hard to ascertain exactly.”
Top |