WHAT YOU DID: This truly unique corporate event was aimed at bringing together the big end of town with the local tourism industry in recognition of the benefits tourism provides the general community. The event took place in the unusual location of Berth 10, Port of Townsville. Two large Sunferries pleasure vessels provided transport from the Sunferries Passenger Terminal to the function space, with Adsteam Tugs providing ballet and water cannon displays en route to the event. Guests disembarked at Berth 10 to be greeted by red carpet treatement. Set among shipping containers and towered over by a 70-metre crane, the function space was a high-tech industrial environment. The night was kicked off with a futuristic interactive man-and-laser sequence from Laserman. Mid-awards entertainment included a high energy dance production from five dancers who were carried into the marquee by a huge crane. The awards ceremony itself had a high-tech edge, with the vision produced to suit a six-metre diameter circular screen above the stage. The completion of the final awards segment was sealed by a full colour laser show followed by high altitude pyrotechnics. Dessert was then served by a parade of wait staff and six crown fork lifts which carried the dessert stations down the centre aisle. Guests enjoyed the melodies of Sydney cover band, Tall Pop Syndrome, for the rest of the evening.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: DIVA Cosmetics provided what was the highlight for many – the uni-sex amenities area, staffed by six beauticians offering personal services such as massage, fingernail polishing, touch ups to make-up and hair, and clothes repairs.
CHALLENGES: Extensive logistical planning with the Port of Townsville, Patrick’s General Stevedoring, Australian Customs, risk assessors, solicitors and the Townsville Harbour Master took six months to finalise. Four days of exclusive access was given to build and remove the 800 tonnes of equipment involved in the set-up.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES: Erecting a 100-square-metre marquee on a jetty meant no pegs to hold it down. Sun Metals came to the rescue with 40 one-tonne bundles of zinc to act as weights for the marquee. With security paramount, access to the site was strictly guarded. The producer decided the best way to keep an eye on incoming traffic was to hire a 50cc scooter for the short trips around the port. And then three flat tyres on the night didn’t help matters!
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