Event: Welcome the Olympic Media Venue: Centennial Park, Sydney Date: September 13 2000 Produced by: Cambridge Events Client: Olympic Coordination Authority (OCA) Report by: Trevor Connell Photography by: Trevor Connell Photo Gallery Production: List below

Buttering up the Media

In a superb effort to get the International and Local media on-side during the Sydney Olympics the Olympics Minister, Michael Knight hosted a cocktail party in Centennial Park a few days before the Opening Ceremony. The event was produced by Cambridge Events on behalf of the Olympic Coordination Authority (OCA) and was attended by around 2,000 visiting and local media who were treated to food and wines from the various regions of NSW. In welcoming the media Michael Knight admitted that the NSW government was spending more on this event than they did on welcoming the IOC, an indication of how important the media coverage of the Olympics was to be to the government. The entertainment included many of the walk-around performers who were preparing for appearances during the Olympic season. Catherine Neish of Club Swing captivated the audience on the “Cloud Swing” before Wendy Harmer introduced Yothu Yindi. The effervescent John Morrison managed to drum almost everything on stage and then DJ Richard Weiss saw the night out. The event was held in a stunning 75m x 45m marquee known as the Event Tent. The modular structure was designed by Tony Gasser from Unique Attractions and built in Italy. Although it has been in use in Australia for a year, this was the first time it had been built in an eight pole configuration to make a structure of this size. Interesting to note that this tent fits on one semi and can be erected in one day. The décor by I Creative was simple and stunning, a feature being the bar signage made out of wine bottles. Each of the bars featured wines from the wine regions of NSW while the menu by Tom Rutherford of the Truffle Group also reflected regional produce. Overall this event looked stunning, the location was perfect and the entertainment, although familiar to Sydney event regulars was fresh and very entertaining to the overseas media.

Menu		Photos
	Credits
The event was produced on behalf of the New South Wales Government, the NSW Department Of State & Regional Development, NSW Wine Industry Association and the NSW Farmers Association

Producer	Jill Keyte, Senior Events Manager, OCA Urban Domain
Event Producer	Cambridge Events
Production Manager	David Hart
Production Coordinator	Michelle Hardy & Sonja Simec
Stage Manager	John Hoenig
Site Manager	Daniel Fahey
Technical Director	Eric Robinson
Lighting Design	Dave Harding
Audio	Pat Richardson & John Simpson
Design	I Creative & Andrew Birley
Electician	Allan Borland (Allelec)
Front Of House	Matthew Joscelyn
The Event Tent	Unique Attractions (0418 220 044)
Catering	The Truffle Group
Waitstaff	Stedman's
Lighting & Sound	Jands
Video	Gearhouse Sydney
Structures	Moreton Hire
Stage & Compound	Butlers Hire
Communications	Frequency Communications
Generators	Aggreko Generator Hire
Toilets/Site Sheds	On Site Rentals
Noise Monitoring	Steven Cooper Acoustics
Slide Projection	Peter Howard
Terraplas Flooring	Australian Event Services
Security	ACES (Australian Concert & Entertainment Security)

Photo Gallery

The Event Tent The bar sign made out of wine bottles Simple decor by I Creative Yothu Yindi Club Swing John Morrison Lifeguards

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