Organisers

Producers, Managers
and Convenors

Destination Gold Coast familiarisation announced

Gold Coast Business Events is offering the opportunity for delegates attending the PCOA annual conference to experience the latest on offer in the Gold Coast conference and meeting industry. The fully hosted post famil program for PCO’s will be held from 28 – 30 November. The program is designed to showcase venues, event options and experiences for business events, and…

Business Events Council of Australia broadens opportunities

The recent high-level Canberra meeting organised by Business Events Council of Australia will hopefully lead to the Federal Government maximising the opportunities provided by the business events industry’s ability to attract the world’s smartest investors to Australia. “While it is critical that strong and secure investment be maintained for Tourism Australia – to position the country globally as a premium…

Alison Copeman, has been appointed as the new NZ PCOA councillor

Ali established akB in 1999. She is a leading Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and an Australian/NZ Certified Event Manager. Having been a director of the Otago Chamber of Commerce for a number of years, Ali has developed many competencies around good strategy. She is skilled and experienced in working with and leading multiple stakeholders to bring projects to completion. Being…

PCOA Program Release – Meeting Beyond Tomorrow

Themed ‘MEETING Beyond Tomorrow’, the PCOA Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, between 26 – 28 November 2017, the city where it all started 10 years ago. The program, with two strong sub-themes of Innovation and Engagement, includes a variety of expert speakers, covering topics ranging from the latest technology and what…

PCO Association applauds NSW Government on policy launch

The NSW Government has released the much-anticipated NSW Regional Conferencing Strategy & Action Plan, which it says will drive more business events and visitors to rural and regional NSW. Deputy Premier John Barilaro, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall, and Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, launched the $6 million strategy with the aim of securing more conventions, meetings and…

Making Sponsorship Work

Many events struggle with sponsorship. It is not that they struggle to get sponsors, it is more that with the ever-evolving events industry, sponsorship does not work like it used to and we need to get better at making it work, writes Warwick Merry. Here are some key elements to keep in mind when dealing with sponsors. It’s not about you While it…

Industry expert piece – “Advice and tips on planning a conference menu”

So you’ve defined your event goals and booked the venue, now it’s time to focus your attention on selecting the all-important menu. The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC)’s event managers and chefs share advice and tips on planning and implementing a successful conference menu. 1. Assess your event and audience Your menu needs to reflect a solid understanding of…

The sell-out sign has gone up early for exhibition booths at the 2017 annual conference of the Professional Conference Organisers’ Association

The sell-out is the fifth in a row for the event and came five months ahead of the conference, to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre between  26 and 28 November 2017. Barry Neame, the PCO association president, said the clamour for the 60 booths illustrated the value suppliers placed on being able to build a…