Australasian Special Events

Random commentary by Trevor Connell on the Australian events industry - including corporate and public events, festivals, music and anything else I feel I must ramble on about. Views are strictly mine and may or may not be relevant to our main website which is www.specialevents.com.au Follow this blog and/or receive updates via twitter.com/au_events

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The Weekly Wrap – 1st October

Anecdotally I’m hearing that business events are not storming back. For the most part it looks like February/March next year before most will kick in again, and this is across the country. #eventprofsau

Over the past four months I’ve been critical of Gladys’ handling of the latest COVID outbreak in Sydney, which has since spread to the rest of NSW, Victoria, ACT and Queensland.  However I have admired how she has turned up almost every day to face the media (like Dan Andrews). OK she avoided answering some questions and gave very longwinded answers to others. But that is what politicians do and…

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What is ‘the event industry’?

The hardest bit first. Who are we? We all do things that inform, provoke, and make people feel. We help to change their perception of something. Sounds ‘lofty’, but it is true. #eventprofsau #showtechaustralia

The hardest bit first. Who are we? We all do things that inform, provoke, and make people feel. We help to change their perception of something. Sounds ‘lofty’, but it is true. The Entertainment sector entertains and makes people feel something. Whether it is happy, sad, excited, or anxious, people leave an event having experienced emotions. The Business Event sector informs and promotes…

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Like it or not we are on our own!

I did also have ONE call from a winner who thought I was being unfair (I really respect this person and given them full credit to at least want to argue the point) and that it was a positive win for their team. #eventprofsau

On the 28th I posted an article around Making every day count. In it I raised awards, not surprisingly I had a large number of emails and calls saying its good it’s been called out. Some people were at very least disappointed that these proceeded at all when there could have been the same energy put into, say, a mental wellness campaign or something that benefits the whole sector, not just those…

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Have your say, and have associations failed us?

At the beginning of this year I took ASE in a new direction – no more press releases from companies that just want to flog their latest offering and a focus on comment and opinion – not just mine. #eventprofsau

At the beginning of this year I took ASE in a new direction – no more press releases from companies that just want to flog their latest offering , and a focus on comment and opinion – not just mine. Last year I was researching and collating whatever information was out there that affected our industry in coping with COVID in particular, then to publish this as a resource for my readers.  Along…

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BECA slams shutdown of COVID Disaster Payments

BECA is deeply concerned and disappointed with the Federal Treasurer’s announcement yesterday to withdraw COVID-19 Disaster Payments in line with vaccination targets being reached by states and territories... #eventprofsau #BECA #JobKeeper

The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) is deeply concerned and disappointed with the Federal Treasurer’s announcement yesterday to withdraw COVID-19 Disaster Payments in line with vaccination targets being reached by states and territories, without any indication of a targeted replacement lifeline. This decision does not consider the nature of the business events industry and the…

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Oz Comic-Con leads expo rebound as Sydney Showground reopens

As NSW heads towards a 70% vaccination rate by Oct11, Sydney Showground is preparing to resume operations and deliver events this side of Christmas following the release of the NSW Government’s ‘roadmap to recovery’. #eventprofsau #sydneylockdown

As New South Wales heads towards a 70 per cent vaccination rate by October 11, Sydney Showground is preparing to resume operations and deliver events this side of Christmas following the release of the NSW Government’s ‘roadmap to recovery’.With marks already on the board, the venue will again lead the charge bringing Expertise Events, Oz Comic-Con Homegrown to Sydney from December 4 – 5 after…

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What does the latest NSW plan mean for venues and producers?

The NSW Government has announced that venues can reopen on Monday 11th October, ASE approached a venue owner and a venue user for their feedback on this announcement. #eventprofsau #sydneylockdown

The NSW Government has announced that venues can reopen on Monday 11th October at one person per 4 sqm and that limit will be increased to 2 sqm on 1st December. ASE approached a venue owner and a venue user for their feedback on this announcement. First Hilton Cohn, CEO of The Venue Alexandria ASE: How practical is it for you to open at 4 sqm The Venue Alexandria is able to accommodate up to…

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Half-hearted cheer for weddings

The NSW hospitality industry is preparing to surge back to some sort of normality following the tight lockdown restrictions this year, #eventprofsau #sydneylockdown

The NSW hospitality industry is preparing to surge back to some sort of normality following the tight lockdown restrictions this year, although it is a half-hearted cheer as restrictions still carry a ball and chain with the Premier’s announcement. Most in the hospitality industry are gearing towards opening with a 1 person per 4 sqm rule as we hit the 70% target and as we bridge the gap hitting…

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Another government blow to the events sector

Over the last three months many event businesses have managed to keep staff on with assistance from the state governments in NSW, ACT and Victoria. Meanwhile casual workers have been able to draw on the federal income support payments. #eventprofsau

Once again the federal government has delivered a smackdown to workers in the events sector. Over the last three months many event businesses have managed to keep staff on with assistance from the state governments in NSW, ACT and Victoria. Meanwhile casual workers have been able to draw on the federal income support payments that replaced JobKeeper. Today the feds have announced that are…

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Don’t count the days. Make the days count.

when connecting with clients and prospects, the question for many in our industry is have we used our time wisely? #eventprofsau #sydneylockdown

Gary Fitz-Roy on staffing, associations and the future. We all know that planning and preparation are the cornerstones to effective performance, and there are several things you can do to increase your chances of being more successful when connecting with clients and prospects, the question for many in our industry is have we used our time wisely? Seeing this bigger picture allowed you to plan…

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Managing the unvaccinated when venues re-open

There are two issues – first, the promised integration of the “vaccination passport” with the QR check-in system will not be ready on October 11th and no guidelines have yet been issued on how this process has to be managed. #sydneylockdown #eventprofsau

Talking to venue managers about the reopening in Sydney and a big concern is how to manage unvaccinated people wanting to enter venues when they reopen. There are two issues – first, the promised integration of the “vaccination passport” with the QR check-in system will not be ready when venues reopen on October 11th and no guidelines have yet been issued on how this process has to be…

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ACT roadmap shows events returning in November

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said lockdown would end as planned on October 15th with the jurisdiction then transitioning to medium-level public health restrictions. #ACTlockdown #eventprofsau

Providing the public health risk of Covid-19 remains relatively stable over the next two weeks, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said lockdown would end as planned on October 15th with the jurisdiction then transitioning to medium-level public health restrictions. From 15th October The first stage sees venues able to reopen with max guests limited to 25 pax indoors or 50 pax outdoors The…

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The continued impact of COVID-19 on the NZ Events Sector

55% of respondents to the NZ Event Associations latest survey stated that the recent COVID-19 response has had a considerable financial impact on their organisation. #NZEA #eventprofsnz

55% of respondents to the NZ Event Associations latest survey stated that the recent COVID-19 response has had a considerable financial impact on their organisation, whilst a further 23% stated that it had a moderate financial impact. The organisations that were willing to share their financial impact reported losses of up to $2 million dollars each with an average loss of $167 thousand per…

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NSW events stymied until 1st December

The NSW Premier today announced the three stage roadmap to lifting restrictions. However, once again, the announcement was short on detail. So here is what we know regarding events. #sydneylockdown #eventprofsau

The NSW Premier today announced the three stage roadmap to lifting restrictions. However, once again, the announcement was short on detail. So here is what we know regarding events. Stage 1: October 11th – 70% vaccination target achieved As previously announced venues can reopen to fully vaccinated guests with the following restrictions Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor…

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The weekly wrap – 24th September

Spare a thought for Melbourne’s best known event producer and AFL tragic. Peter Jones he told me about being born into the Melbourne Football Club, he attended his first game around 1966. #eventprofsau #AFLGF #sydneylockdown #melbournelockdown

Spare a thought for Melbourne’s best known event producer and AFL tragic. In the podcast I did with Peter Jones he told me about being born into the Melbourne Football Club, he attended his first game around 1966, two years after they last won an AFL flag. Then he has produced the entertainment for 13 AFL Grand Finals and Melbourne featured in none of them (the only two finals they were in since…

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How are regional events faring?

While city events get the most notice, regional events are often ignored. However events are for more important to the regional towns and cities than they are in capitals. #AREA #eventprofsau #regionalevents

While city events get the most notice, regional events are often ignored. However events are for more important to the regional towns and cities than they are in capitals. ASE reached out to Vanessa Briody Co-Director of Oregional Collective and a member of the Australian Regional Events Alliance for a take on how they are faring. When and why AREA was formed? The Australian Regional Events…

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Free online drawing workshop with Brett Bower

Join us tonight for a free online drawing workshop with Brett Bower #Sydneycartoonist #eventprofsau

Brett Bower has been involved in the event industry for a long time – both on the production side and performing as a cartoonist and sand artist. Brett Bower Brett is running a FREE Zoom drawing workshop this evening 7pm – 8pm (Friday 24th) We will be drawing an Australian bush landscape step by step.   No special skill is required.  It’s an opportunity to relax with a glass of wine, scribble…

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