A selection of general topics for those working in the business events industry in Australia and abroad
3/15/2010 3:31:26 PM
tdg
Posts: 3
|
I agree wih Darth Venue - it shouldn't be about what Australians are comfortable with, it is about an authentic cultural experience, that is what I think our clients want. But let's ask them next time!
|
|
• permalink
|
3/15/2010 1:02:27 PM
mzansi.fosho!
Posts: 3
|
gday darth! thanks for the welcome....i don't believe there are international representatives on the selection committee which is a shame......otherwise the show would be an extremely relevant one and provide a better ROI for some exhibitors.
Darth Venue wrote:
mzansi.fosho! wrote: I also think that the our exhibition organisers need to have internationals on the hosted buyer steering committee rather then just the exhibition organiser, host city as well as the other major sponsors... by mzansi.fosho! on 12/03/2010 You mean they don't? I would have thought they would already If they don't already then this is a very good idea and welcome to the forum
|
|
• permalink
|
3/15/2010 12:58:53 PM
Sydneygirl
Posts: 12
|
Is there such a thing as an AUSSIE EXPERIENCE? I beleive that an international buyer would get into/enjoy the sheep shearing stuff but many of them have been here before and (Australia) have probably seen it all. I think the Aussie Experience has become a 'Multicultural experience". What could/would an international delegate see when in Australia these days? People, food, culture from all over the world. Event Managers take note...Australia has changed. We dont walk around cracking a whip...there are not sheep, horses, koala's or kangaroos in my stree. I've had the opportunity to expeince an Indian Festival in Parramatta (thousands of people), an Italian Food Festival in Leichhardt to name a few so I ask what is the Aussie Experience???
Brad Foster...I smell a mice.net story here....
So back to AIME's networking event...what experinence did the Australia/International buyers take away? Old crappy building...didnt impress me. I probbaly would have been far more impressed if the event was held in one of the many Melbourne Lane ways...home to some pretty funky restaurants/cafes.
|
|
• permalink
|
3/12/2010 2:51:28 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
|
I'm with Darth on his question - what is an Australian Experience these days? Are we all 'outback sheds' and cattle roping, kangaroo petting and crocodile eating? Not that I have any concept of what was presented (or alternatively - expected) at AIME, but I know that perception is still one being floated around as being an 'Australian experience'. I'll probably start another thread on this topic as its one I want to further explore and gain advice upon.
To the subject at hand - what were the seminar series like? Anything stand out? Anyone come away with a million dollar idea? How were they presented? Did the format work? Was it differentf rom what you've previously experienced?
--
8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
|
|
• permalink
|
3/12/2010 1:44:41 PM
mzansi.fosho!
Posts: 3
|
hi, new to this. we had great buyers on our stand however i do think that there were a lot of no shows this year...compared ot last year. I also think that the our exhibition organisers need to have internationals on the hosted buyer steering committee rather then just the exhibition organiser, host city as well as the other major sponsors...as AIME has an international footprint with a large number of APAC and international exhibitors as well as Australia exhibitors. It will increase the shows credibility worldwide.
edited by mzansi.fosho! on 12/03/2010
|
|
• permalink
|
3/5/2010 4:57:07 PM
tdg
Posts: 3
|
I was exhibiting, but spoke to many international hosted buyers who did not feel they were given a strong cultural and authentic Australian experience to sell back home to get their clients across the line to choose Australia and Melbourne for MICE.
|
|
• permalink
|
3/5/2010 2:38:18 PM
bfoster
Administrator
Posts: 62
|
Interesting you say that tdg and Sydneygirl. I had a conversation with an Asian buyer at the welcome reception who was absolutely amazed that the event was being held in what appeared to him to be a dilapidated shed (and he did point out the graffiti). Personally, I thought it was a great venue. It showed Melbourne as the edgy and cool place that it is. And, the food was fantastic. In terms of entertainment, I can't comment because I didn't watch any of it - too busy eating oysters and talking. And incidentally, the venue was the Goods Shed South in the Docklands. Staging Connections did theming and the Atlantic Group provided the food. But back to the Asian hosted buyer... it simply goes to show that Asian delegates - and probably many international visitors - don't want the same experiences that many of us want or like. No doubt he would have been much happier in the Crown Palladium ballroom with nice gold tablecloths and a three-course sit-down meal.
As for the rest of AIME, I found it to be extremely worthwhile once again.
|
|
• permalink
|
3/5/2010 2:11:29 PM
Sydneygirl
Posts: 12
|
tdg - I agree with your sentiments. AIME has come a long way since my first visit. I thought the exhibition was great and the quality of buyers was good. No matter what is happening each year I see exhibitors go the extra mile to impress us with the booth design...keep it up as it keeps the event fresh and unique.
The welcome reception was an absolute flop although I thought the food was good...I'm talking about the venue. If I was an international buyer I would have been very let down. Melbourne did not (this time) 'wow' us!
Re the food at the welcome reception. There's so much talk these days about using local produce that it would have been great to know where the food/beverages came from. Lets see what happens in 2011!
|
|
• permalink
|
3/5/2010 1:47:31 PM
tdg
Posts: 3
|
This was my fourth AIME and I thought the quality of the buyers good, certainly better than 2009. I thought the Welcome Reception however was embarrassing - should it not showcase Australia as a destination for MICE? The MICE dollar we are chasing is not interested in sheds decorated with graffiti and break dancing, or is it? Where were the oysters from, where were the entertainers from, who were they, the food, chefs etc where was the showcase? The venue was also dangerous with broken glass over head, uneven surfaces and impossible to find from the map provided. What is the main takeaway the function left overseas buyers with? From what I heard people say, it wasn't too good.
|
|
• permalink
|
2/26/2010 2:49:38 PM
Sydneygirl
Posts: 12
|
I have been attending AIME for more than 10 years now and even though its hard work...yes we do actually work...my highlight is catching up with my industry friends as they are not all Sydney based. I am eager to see the SYDNEY stand this year...there's a a lot of hype there and everyone is excited...Melbourne watch out!
|
|
• permalink
|
2/26/2010 1:04:52 PM
bfoster
Administrator
Posts: 62
|
The AIME exhibition in Melbourne begins on March 1. That’s next week. If you’re attending what are you looking forward to. And when you’ve attended, why don’t you tell us and our fellow micespace.net participants what you thought of it. What was to like, not to like; what did you see, taste and touch?
|
|
• permalink
|