The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) today announced further details of its 2017 Conference program, including a keynote by Tourism Australia’s John O’Sullivan, and a series of specialist workshop clinics that comprise a new second day of the event.

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio, said adding a practical second day of clinics to the program was in response to Member requests for more hands-on skills that can be taken away and applied within the business.

Managing Director and CEO of Tourism Australia, John O’Sullivan, will join us on the EEAA stage in a keynote session to discuss what drives Australia’s success in business events.

He will address what is at the heart of Tourism Australia’s marketing and trade programs and which markets represent the greatest potential for growth in business events.

“The Association is committed to supporting the growth of its Members and the industry through the sharing of relevant, informative and practical content including an important Security and Operations Clinic.”

“Craig Sheridan APM, Managing Director of Sheridan Consulting Group, and Leighton Wood, COO of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will examine what needs to be considered in relation to security at events.

“They will address the current security environment including threat levels, and the recent changes to the Commonwealth legislation regarding obligations in relation to protection of ‘crowded places’. Attendees will be able to formulate an action plan that they can then take back and apply in their business.” DiMascio said.

“We will also hear from a senior representative of Victoria police. Security and safety is top-of-mind for our sector and this deep dive clinic will arm Organisers, Venues and Suppliers with the knowledge and skills they need to keep our events and people safe.”

“Our industry is constantly evolving. As conferences and exhibitions in the event sector converge, so too do the challenges we face and the opportunities for growth. The topics covered at our Conference are applicable to anyone working across the entire spectrum of the event industry and I encourage you all to be part of the conversation in Melbourne” she said.

The keynote topics for the conference include:

• A world view of the exhibition industry, Denzil Rankine, Founder and Executive Chairman, AMR International
• Australia’s economic landscape – risks and opportunities ahead, Nicki Hutley, Chief Economist, Urbis
• Audience Attraction – getting your strategy right, Emma Triggs, Founder and Managing Director, The M Agency
• Trust is the key factor in influencing behaviour – Who do Australians trust?, Steve Spurr, Chief Executive Officer, Edelman Australia
• Universal secrets of strategy, Rosie Yeo, Strategy Consultant
• Australia’s Business Events Story, John O’Sullivan, Managing Director and CEO of Tourism Australia

The EEAA clinics are hands-on sessions specially designed to get to the heart of common issues and provide attendees with practical solutions and strategies that can be implemented straight away.

The specialist clinics include:

• Crisis Management Clinic, Peter Wilkinson, Managing Director, Wilkinson Group
• Sales Clinic, Murray Grimston, Advisory Partner, Miller Heiman Group
• Strategy and Insights Clinic, Denzil Rankine, Founder and Executive Chairman, AMR International
• Social Media Marketing Clinic, Felicity Zadro, Founder and Managing Director, Zadro
• Security and Operations Clinic, Craig Sheridan APM, Managing Director, Sheridan Consulting Group and Leighton Wood, Chief Operating Officer, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Marketing Optimisation Clinic, Brad McIntyre, Country Manager – New Zealand, Eventbrite
• Logistics and Safety Clinic, Sharon Friedman, Safety Manager, Melbourne  Convention and Exhibition Centre and Jim Pantopolis, General Manager – Australia and New Zealand, Agility Fairs & Events
• Stand Design and Experience Clinic, Giles Carlyle, Senior Account Manager and Designer, Designteam; Adam Gottlieb, Founder & CEO, TELEPORTIVITY – powered by Worker Clicks; and Lauren Stapleton, Director of Sales, Decorative Events & Exhibitions

View the Preliminary Program and book your place.

Anyone with an interest in the business event industry is encouraged to join the Association for one or more of the following events:

EVENT DETAILS

TUESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2017
EEAA WELCOME RECEPTION
Registration: 6.00pm – 6.30pm
Event: 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Venue: Panorama Room, Metropolis – 3 Southgate Ave, Southbank, Melbourne
Dress Code: Business

WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2017
EEAA 2017 CONFERENCE – DAY 1
Registration: 8.00am – 8.30am
Event: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: Meeting Room 219-220, Convention Centre, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf, Melbourne
Dress Code: Business

EEAA 2017 AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Pre-drinks: 7:00pm – 7:30pm
Event: 7:30pm – 12:00am
Venue: Touring Hall, Museum Spaces, Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson St, Carlton
Dress Code: Black tie or Business

THURSDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2017
EEAA 2017 CONFERENCE – DAY 2
Breakfast: 8.30am – 9.30am
Registration: 8.30am – 9.30am
Event:  9.30am – 4:30pm
Venue: Meeting Room 219-220, Convention Centre, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf, Melbourne
Dress Code: Business

MCEC EXPANSION UPDATE SESSIONS
Note: The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be holding two special briefings to update EEAA Members on the expansion of the centre. These will be held at the following times:

4.00pm – 5.00pm Tuesday, 28 November and 7.15am – 8.15am Wednesday, 29 November