The one-day trade show held on October 30 at the Melbourne Park Function Centre saw 121 venue operators and event industry suppliers exhibiting, with attendance just over 1200.
According to organisers, Conference Works, this was a 26 per cent increase in exhibitor numbers and a 29 per cent jump in visitors.
Meeting Mart in 2007 had a new-look program with Key Conference Solutions hosting a breakfast attended by more than 100 corporate meeting and event planners. The AuSAE (Australian Society of Association Executives) held its annual conference at the venue to coincide with Meeting Mart 2007 resulting in 56 national association heads visiting the show, and the Conference Works and Event Affairs-hosted luncheon saw 112 corporate planners, government buyers and professional conference organisers attending.
The ICMI Speakers’ and Entertainers’ Showcase was attended by 140 delegates while Music Theatre Australia’s entertainment showcase saw about 150 people attending.
Meeting Mart 2007 had a great range of roving performers throughout the exhibition and a stunning finale showcase of feature acts courtesy of Music Theatre Australia One Stop Entertainment. Roving performers included circus acts, magicians, a Dame Edna impersonator, Aussie “tall stars”, caricaturists and stilt walkers as well as some very new and novel characters.
The evening showcase featured some of Australia’s newest and most talented musical, theatrical and circus artists and was described by many as a brilliant grand finale to Meeting Mart and the best entertainment showcase they had been to. Highlights included the spectacular performance by Laser Man, a beautiful and theatrical excerpt from Pot-Pourri’s fantasy-inspired new show Nella Fantasia, the Molly Meldrum character of Ring Master MC Matt Barker, Matt Hollywood, the virtuosity and improvisational brilliance of young concert pianist Stefan Cassomenos and the dynamic balancing circus performance by This Side Up.
Feedback about the 2007 event was strong. Managing director of Corporate Communique, Jenny Boden, said the MTA showcase was a great opportunity to source new and diverse talent.
“Part of our role in the events industry is to source new, high quality performers. We believe it is essential to be kept up-to-date with the latest talent and this year’s MTA showcase certainly provided the opportunity to see some excellent new artists,” she said.
“Once again, the class and professionalism of MTA came through on the night and we will definitely be seeking proposals on several acts we saw for events in 2008.”
Peter Fulcher-Meredith of abt sent a note of congratulations to the MTA team for their showcase.
“It is a perfect (sometimes only) opportunity for time-starved producers such as myself to get a condensed showcase containing such a diverse range of talent under one roof at one time,” he said.
“This is the only way to shop for new ideas when you don’t always get the chance to assess for yourself the quality and appropriateness of the acts. A great service to the industry - take a bow MTA!”
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