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28th July 2009
The inaugural
Au
stralian Business Events Expo (ABEE) was staged at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 22ndt and 23rd of July and was voted by visitors and exhibitors to be a resounding success. For the first time ABEE was co-located alongside its sister show RSVP delivering a 3 hall super event for
Sydney
event planners.
A total of 6,693 visitors attended both shows over the two day period, of these, 3,165 attended ABEE. This includes visitors who registered for ABEE and those who came from RSVP and crossed over to the ABEE hall. 5,181 visitors attended RSVP. This includes visitors who registered for RSVP and those who crossed over from ABEE hall to RSVP.
Matt Walton ETF MD expressed his delight with the result. “In making this decision our approach has been to look at ways we can continue to add value for our exhibitors, visitors and other industry participants. Visitors embraced the co-location principle and moved easily from one show to the next delivering a bonus audience for exhibitors in both expos. We are delighted with the result given the industry downturn we are all experiencing …”
The visitors to ABEE hailed from key MICE buying sectors such as small to medium enterprises (SME); corporate end users and in house meeting planners; industry associations; not for profits and non government organisations (NGO); professional conference organisers and event management companies; government, business and incentive travel organisations
Carmela Signorelli Marketing Director from Doltone House was delighted with their involvement. “..As a result of participating we acquired many qualified corporate leads. The target audience was specific and aimed at appealing to our clients”.
A major factor in the success of ABEE was the hosted buyer program which was managed and delivered by Business Events Sydney and Qantas. Exhibitor feedback was enthusiastic about the value the hosted program brings to the show. 45 hosted buyers from
Au
stralia
,
UK
, Asia, NZ and
USA
were hand picked, qualified and flown in to attend and participate in scheduled meetings with exhibitors during the exhibition.
Another key factor in the success of ABEE was the way the industry networked with their industry colleagues. This was evident in the constant stream of formal and informal meetings taking place on the floor. The ABEE network-by-twilight function held at the Bayside Lounge on Wednesday 22nd July in the Sydney Convention centre was well attended by hosted buyers, exhibitors and VIP corporate buyers in search of a well earned drink and catch up with the industry. Liliana Paton IM&L Events Manager at Zurich Financial Services was one of our corporate guests who enjoyed the evening.. “…It was a fabulous evening, the décor, design and flow of the evening was sensational. A great networking opportunity..”
ABEE attracted over 189 exhibitors from venues, destinations, convention and visitors bureaus, infrastructure to products, people and ideas designed to enhance and deliver successful business events. RSVP attracted 218 exhibitors. Combined with the buzz of the crowd, excitement from the on site features, which included Limelight Lounge, Taste – live Theatre Kitchen, iTreat zone and the Bosch Technology showcase and other attractions, it made for an action packed two days.
ABEE and RSVP will be staged Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd July 2010 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.
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