Ready. Set Melbourne puts event organisers in the driver’s seat with choose-your-own-adventure interactive video planning tool.

Digital-savvy Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has launched the latest innovation in its digital suite pushing new frontiers to assist business event professionals with a brand-new interactive video planning tool – Ready. Set. Melbourne.

Somewhere between a video showreel and a choose-your-own-adventure book, Ready. Set. Melbourne is a new interactive video experience that integrates clickable options for business events pros to access information about Melbourne’s and regional Victoria’s capabilities as a business events destination.

The interactive video experience allows association decision-makers, appointed event planners and attendees to select a video version that resonates most with the information they are seeking in a specific moment of their planning journey by deepening the connection to viewer led-and-tailored content.

All videos are infused with further interaction points, providing in-depth local knowledge and helping viewers to host, plan and attend a conference or corporate incentive program in and around Melbourne.

MCB chief executive Julia Swanson explained the Ready. Set. Melbourne video uses the latest digital technology for viewers to interact with unique Melbourne choice-driven video experiences. 

“Viewers getting to make their own choices is the cornerstone of the video platform. Ready. Set. Melbourne hands over control to the viewer, they’re in driver’s seat, making choices that then personalises the experience as they advance through the content. 

“It’s an interactive event planning journey from start to finish,” Swanson enthuses.

Click on the image below to check out Ready. Set. Melbourne.

Digital resources putting events in Melbourne on the map

Melbourne is one of Australia’s most appealing destinations – and its convention bureau team is using an impressive suite of digital solutions to help business event professionals explore the city.

Interactive content is nothing new to MCB and as Victoria’s lead agency in acquiring and delivering business events, it has a growing history with digital leadership, which first started with the award-winning Melbourne Virtual Site Visit launched pre-pandemic.

MCB has since followed up with a strong range of digital assets to assist key business event professionals to plan their event with confidence in Melbourne, demonstrating a higher level of digital maturity and preparedness for changes within the global business event landscape expedited by the pandemic.

Here are a few ways MCB are pioneering smart digital solutions to support events planners.

     1. Find everything you need to know about Melbourne, in one place 

Whether you want to know more about what to do in Melbourne, or simply find out how to get around the city, MCB has expanded its Delegate Destination Site to provide an essential resource for planners and professional conference organisers – and help them promote the destination to potential event attendees.

The dedicated site showcases the many attractions of Melbourne and the wider region to boost delegate engagement and is easily linked to from your conference microsite or other communication channels. You’ll find no shortage of exciting itinerary ideas – think hot-air ballooning over the city, exploring some of Australia’s famed wine regions, or visiting koalas in their natural habitat! Plus, there’s also the capacity to book directly. 

     2. Explore the delights of Melbourne – virtually

The MCB’s award-winning virtual site visit allow planners to tour the city from afar, capturing what it feels like to be in Melbourne and showcases iconic landmarks, such as Melbourne’s Convention Precinct and Knowledge Precinct, alongside over 30 Melbourne hotels, venues and attractions and popular regional touring locations.

This tool allows international event planners, associations and conference organisers to connect with the destination by using innovative technology that delivers an immersive 360° first-person VR experience and plan an upcoming event in Melbourne, from anywhere, at any time, on any device. 

     3. Use virtual toolkits to liven up your marketing 

Want to ensure your delegate marketing materials really engage your audience? The MCB’s Virtual Planners Toolkit has everything planners need to plan and promote Melbourne as an events destination, including imagery, videos, logos and destination descriptors.

Similarly, the Virtual Exhibitor Toolkit is a convenient file-sharing platform, which offers assets geared towards affiliated organisations attending virtual or in-venue events. All assets are available through a user-friendly download link, along with sample itineraries and other useful sales and marketing material.

     4. Download stunning assets to promote your event 

MCB’s cloud-based content hub contains more than 1,000 downloadable photos and videos that can be used to promote Melbourne and regional Victoria as a business destination.  

You’ll find top-quality imagery of the best of the region, from partner venues to some of the region’s most stunning landscapes. We defy you to search for ‘Ninety Mile Beach’ and not want to book a trip immediately.

     5. Reinvent yourself as a wombat (no, really)

With characteristic Aussie warmth, the MCB team has also added some light-hearted resources to its digital offering. These include a ‘working remotely kit’ for events planners who are still working from the kitchen table (complete with fun activities to keep kids entertained).  

Plus, you can even liven up virtual events and drive audience engagement by turning yourself into an iconic Australian wildlife character. MCB has developed a set of animated avatars, with the latest being Kylie the Koala. These animations help bring to life virtual booths and add a dynamic element to digital content. 

Ready. Set. Melbourne Top Features 

• Integrates clickable engagement points, empowering the viewer to personalise their exploration and save interesting content for later.
• The opportunity to connect directly with local event professionals at the Melbourne Convention Bureau or Melbourne’s business events supply chain.

Click here for MCB’s new interactive video planning tool or contact the team at info@melbournecb.com.au.