Fine Food Australia 2021-2023
Event Project Manager
As Event Project Manager for Fine Food Australia, I was thrilled to work on yet another contract with Diversified Communications Australia.
As Australia's leading B2B trade event for the food service and hospitality industry, we welcomed over 800 exhibitors, 250 speakers and over 26,000 visitors across 4 days.
Feature & Stage Project Management
In my role as the Event Project Manager, I had the responsibility of collaborating with our major sponsors and partners to produce eight (8) feature or stage programs. This involved managing stage construction and audio-visual arrangements, reaching out to potential speakers, creating marketing and website content, designing slide decks plus much much more.
This role enabled me to utilise my stakeholder and people management skills, as well as hone my problem-solving abilities.
Events are not just about the agenda, speakers, or activities – they're about the energy that fuels them!
As someone with a great passion for event planning, I have learned that the collective energy of attendees, organizers, and speakers plays a vital role in determining the success of an event. Whether it's a conference, summit, or festival that lasts for several days, various strategies can be employed to maintain high energy levels and keep attendees engaged throughout the event.
When working on the strategy and planning with Fine Food Australia’s Sponsors and Partners, it was important that they achieve brand marketing, engagement and ROI/ROO through their participation at the event. Many of these sponsors were on multi year sponsor/partner contracts.
Here are some of the strategies we discussed:
Diverse Content:
It is important to offer a diverse range of sessions, workshops, and activities that cater to different interests and learning styles in order to provide attendees with options to tailor their experience.
Dynamic Speakers:
Curate a lineup of dynamic speakers who not only share knowledge but also exude enthusiasm and passion. Their energy can be infectious!
Tech Integration:
Leverage technology to create immersive experiences, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, or live streaming, to connect with remote attendees.
Interactive Sessions:
One way to encourage participation during meetings or events is to conduct interactive sessions such as Q&A panels, roundtable discussions, and live polls. This allows the audience to engage and contribute to the discussion actively. Engagement isn't just about listening; it's about actively involving attendees.
Surprise Elements:
Add unexpected elements or surprise announcements to keep attendees intrigued and excited. It could be a special guest appearance or a fun activity.
Breaks and Wellness:
Don't underestimate the power of breaks. Encourage attendees to recharge with wellness activities like yoga, meditation, or even a wellness fair.
Networking Opportunities:
Facilitate connections by organising networking breaks, social events, or virtual lounges. They inspire and energise.
Gamification:
Incorporate gamification elements like challenges, leaderboards, or scavenger hunts. It sparks friendly competition and keeps participants engaged.
Community Building:
Foster a sense of belonging by creating online communities or forums where attendees can connect before and after the event. This keeps the energy alive long after it ends.