Get Local is going ahead as planned on 15th, 16th February 2022 and co-owner Donna Kessler has a message for the industry.

“We as an industry need to change the language. If we cancel this event it sends the wrong message. We need to demonstrate how to run a safe event to encourage others to do so. COVID is here to stay, distractions will continue to occur, and we need to move forward.

We will be adhering to the NSW Health Guidelines and providing Rapid Antigen tests for all participants. Let’s get moving, we need to”.

AIME is also pressing on and I look forward to attending both events to catch up with industry colleagues.

Have you noticed that so many annual events are “postponing” to similar dates a year later when they have in fact cancelled. Well there is a reason for that and it is all to do with the Business Events Grants program. We have been having a look at who were the biggest winners from this program for a report next week. Here is one snippet – 34% of the $56m distributed by the scheme went to just five events – and only one of them went ahead last year.

If you were a recipient or your event was approved for the scheme we would love to hear from you – what was the process like and what were the benefits?  Send an email or give me a call on 1300 850 021

This year’s lamb advert called it!

Gary Fitz-Roy is not impressed by the latest move by WA Premier McGowan

Mark McGowan’s announcement last night should come as no surprise as it reflects his whole way of operating for the last two years. However the impact on the events sector in WA will be great and the sector could fall five years behind the East Coast in the recovery process. It’s ironic that the 2022 lamb advert called it when they asked will WA ever be part of Australia 

Survey reveals the impact of Omicron on the Event Industry

Save Victorian Events has released the results of a snap survey of Victoria’s Event Industry. This is the fourth survey we have done of the event industry in the last year.  We’ve had over 400 responses.  
The purpose of these surveys is to get solid data that we can all use to brief governments, media and others about the real situation in the Event industry, and so we can all lobby for much needed support.

Time to get Victorian events back on track

Peter Jones looks at the fallout from the Djokovic fiasco.

As part of the ongoing discussion over the last week, one of the surprising areas has been the supposed irreparable damage to Victorian’s ongoing Major Events and events in general.

And in other news…

Holding ourselves to account: Owning up to the events of the Mumbrella Christmas party

Mumbrella is owned by Diversified Communications who also own about a dozen expos/conferences.

In his first piece for Mumbrella, Diversified Communications (parent company of Mumbrella) managing director David Longman shares the details of an unfortunate incident that occurred late last year.

And a very interesting and considered response from Tim Burrowes who founded Mumbrella. Burrowes sold Mumbrella to Diversified in 2017 and then left the company in July last year.

A Christmas debacle for Mumbrella

This afternoon the owners of Mumbrella dropped a bombshell. Two employees have left the company and other staff have been given official warnings after “illicit drugs” were taken in the office. The drug in question was cocaine, on the day of the Christmas party. Yes, it was that much of a cliché.

Melbourne set to step into breach as 2026 Commonwealth Games host city – The Age

Melbourne has emerged as a likely host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the Victorian government confirming an approach from a desperate Commonwealth Games Federation faced with the embarrassment that no other city in its community of more than 50 nations is willing to bid for host-city status.

I might catch COVID-19, but until then I’ll keep going to shows – Nick Miller, The Age

I donned my mask and went to a show last Saturday: I was in Sydney for the premiere of the super Bob Dylan don’t-call-it-a-jukebox-musical Girl From the North Country (it’s going to Melbourne this year). It was a great night: I took my dad, we shared opinions on the reworking of Dylan’s music, we agreed Lisa McCune was best on stage, we had a beer or two in the foyer.

And – unfortunately, as I predicted last week, Local Australia Day celebrations are being cancelled. 

Penrith Council axes planned Australia Day events, citing COVID risk – The Western Weekender

Campbelltown’s Australia Day event cancelled – Macarthur Advertiser

Australia Day concert cancelled – Geelong Independent

Fireworks cancellation for Australia Day 2022 – Central Coast Council

Australia Day celebrations go virtual as 2022 parade cancelled – Southern Highland News

Streaky Bay Australia Day Celebrations Cancelled – Magic 899

Blacktown Australia Day Concert cancelled – The Angels (yes – the band)