Event World History

International Event Management

2010-09-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

For those who were wondering why this site has been lacking in action, apart from the fact of being very busy, I am now promoting IEM.

It has been a dormant entity since its creation several years ago due to a combination of family tragedies, health problems and my decision to live more or less permanently overseas.

What next?

My plan is to take care of MICE events coming to Asia in general, and Thailand in particular.

So there will be a more tailored approach- discussing issues in that scenario at the new blog.

The Secret of The Perfect Conference

2008-09-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

I set out in 1976 to develop the secret of producing the perfect event.

In 20 years I came close.

Now, in 2008, I will bring that weird complexity to Thailand, again.

And why not?

Call me in Chiang Mai

Harbin Ice Festival, China 2

2008-01-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

Harbin Ice Festival, China 1

2008-01-29T19:42:00.000-08:00

Tonga: A Varied Experience

2007-12-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

My recent excursion to Tonga was interestingly so say the least. I have written extensively about it on my personal blog and also the venues blog.

Please have a look there for more details but the short of it is that, while it is not the tropical paradise you might expect, it would be a very interesting place for a conference.

Give your delegates an experience they will never forget.
Give them stories to take home.

And also give them a chance to see a culture so different that it will caste their own in stark relief.

What could be better?

Pictured: High School uniform from the top school in Tonga. This really is seen as formal wear over there- including the dress thongs!

Christmas Party Watsons Bay

2007-08-05T19:02:00.000-07:00

Featuring James Morrison and his band.

The curious thing about this event was that we had several areas for people to wander about and enjoy during the night, often with spectacular views, but the guests ALL just wanted to stay together in the tent. Very odd.

This was the first time I observed such behaviour.

Perhaps it tells us something about the social mentality of corporate lawyers?

Medieval Theme Party Part 3

2007-07-09T06:04:00.001-07:00

Medieval Theme Party Part 2

2007-07-09T05:36:00.001-07:00

Medieval Theme Party Part 1

2007-07-09T05:18:00.001-07:00

Six hours of entertainment edited to a total of 15 mins over three episodes.

Awards Table Vs The Stage

2007-06-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

I read recently from a so-called 'events expert' that the stage was more important than any other aspect of the event.

WRONG.

At an awards night, 80% of their time is spent looking at or over the table.

Therefore the table, the centrepiece, the presentation of food and drink is far more important than the stage.

At the same time, the centrepiece must be designed so that most people can talk over it and around it.

It must also be so low that it never interferes with the view of the stage, the screen or other people at the table.

Sorry but too many times have I seen floral arrangments that destroyed the social flow or had to be removed before the stage was used.

A great event is never simple or formulaic.

Later in the night, the awards for these engineers had a table that was groaning under four bottles of wine, a bottle of water and anything else we thought they might need during each awards sequence.

It wasn't pretty but then again, no-one ever complained about having too much too soon...

did they?

Autumn Leaves or Holy Drapes

2007-06-08T04:23:00.000-07:00

The hotel was about to refurbish...
Client booked the venue...

And it was autumn...

Looked great.

As my old mentor Roger Foley taught me- the secret of lighting is darkness.

No-one saw the holes in the curtains, they were too mesmerised by the autumnal images, the quirky butter sculptures (that we got for nothing after we found them in the hotel storeroom and gussied them up) and the food displays- arranged as much like an art event as we could imagine...

Dinosaur Destruction Cenrepiece

2007-06-08T04:17:00.000-07:00

This WAS a great centrepiece- dinosaur being led by caveman with palm trees- BUT the guests loved it so much they had played with, fought over and souvenired the pieces BEFORE the service of dinner1

Three Sisters Ice Centrepiece

2007-06-08T03:50:00.000-07:00

In the blue mountains but with some license...

Guests have their cocktails- ambient music, nothing special... and then dinner is announced.

The lights dim and the guests make their way into a ballroom of fog and bell birds and blue mist...

Then sunrise (turn on extractors) and the Three Sisters emerge in pink from 50 tables...

And the evening begins...

And as the night wears on the centrepieces gradually melt and change...

So beautiful and so easy to do (not so cheap exactly)...

Rabbit Hat Centrepiece

2007-06-08T03:47:00.000-07:00

A conference dinner featuring a great magician, so on entry the tables swirl and rabbits jump from hats...

The sounds of children and birds...

As they sit the tablecloths turn from swirling patterns to soft hues...

Thankfully due the fact the hats were hired, only the rabbits made their way to new homes.

Good to have souvenirs...

Ants Tropical Edible Centrepiece

2007-06-08T03:43:00.000-07:00

For a sales conference dinnier in Cairns, the need to stimulate and amuse on the evening of Day Four.

Ants walk around the table, little lights shine amongst the exotic flowers, jelly snakes trail through foliage...

And each setting gets a 3D puzzle of a tropical animal.

Set off with the sounds of the jungle- as heard on an excursion some night earlier.

Odd thing- at the end of the night all the ants and jelly snakes had disappeared!

Dancing Flowers

2007-06-08T03:35:00.000-07:00

For a formal dinner

They wanted an ice breaker- something to get a bunch of Credit Union people (like bankers but more sombre) talking to each other...

During dinner they seemed normal...

But when the band started they started dancing around...

The reactions were priceless:
Some too tired and emotional got motion sickness
Engineering types pulled them to bits to find the secret (they were REAL flowers)
Many just laughed and chatted
Several thought the aircon had been turned up

But best of all the Hilton Ballroom looked just fabulous as the flowers danced and the guests bubbled.

Mission accomplished!

Atelier Bow-Wow Tokyo

2007-03-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

Pic from this amazing design team.

Have a look at their website:

http://www.bow-wow.jp/

Lots of amazing house designs and other quirky MCA type stuff.

Fleet Steps Waiters

2007-03-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

Sunset cocktails at Fleet Steps looking over the the Botanic Gardens and the Opera House followed by dinner in a marquee.

It was October but this incentive group had just come from England so the travel consultant required air conditoning and heaters- just in case.

As it happened we had the air-con on as it had been a warm day and yet some guests complained of the cold, so we put the gas heaters on in their end of the tent.

Be Prepared.

The Human Element

2007-03-15T23:02:00.000-07:00

This is the tricky element of event production: finding exactly the right talent to fit with the audience.

30 years of experience does help.

How much for Japan?

2007-03-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

What happens if you take 100 conference delegates to Japan?

The following costings cover the entire process of transport, accommodation, entertainment, staging and catering.

The concept is based on a five night stay with conference days, tour day, gala dinner and team building.

They are based on mid-season costs.

I know some of you will fall over in shock at these prices but do keep in mind that these are CHEAP compared to several years ago. The cost of going to Japan has decreased considerably.

Also, consider the benefits; a unique venue that most delegates would not have seen, a chance to engage with a dynamic culture that addresses the issues of past and future with success and style and a rich array of visual feasts.

These are just a guideline to assist with budgeting but they are close to reality.

Kyoto Per Delegate: $8,176

5 nights $475,350.71
100 airfares $104,600.00
Subtotal $770,091.00
RDA Management Fee $47,535.07
Total Cost $817,626.07

Tokyo Per Delegate: $9,070
5 nights $535,187.14
100 airfares $104,600.00
Subtotal $853,862.00
RDA Management Fee $53,518.71
Total Cost $907,380.71

Airfares Syd-Tokyo $1,046.00 (average)
Accomm $403 per person per night, 5 stars plus!

Conference Audience Response Systems

2007-02-21T16:57:00.000-08:00

Just a keypad? Well yes but then you might as well say: Just a pen?

OK, so what is it?
A keypad that allows for multiple choice and open-ended answers.
It also had a microphone included that allows each delegate to speak to the room.

So why use it?

1. Getting the truth.
From my own research, in both the corporate and social arenas, it is quite clear that people do not tell the truth.

They may not lie. They may just gloss over the negatives to make their bosses and colleagues feel better.

Using this tech you can get at the truth quickly, analyse it and respond to it, all in one day.

By using a mix of open-ended (what is?) and closed (AB or C?) questions you can also find out if your paradigm matches reality.

2. Understanding each other.
For most of your sales team, understanding what other people think, feel and do is very important.

They especially want to know how other people do things and what kinds of results they get.

This technology allows for immediate statistical analysis (closed questions) and open expression of concerns, problems and strengths that can be analysed overnight and fed back to the group the next day.

3. Motivation via the Hawthorne Effect.
For reasons beyond my ken this effect is largely ignored in the current corporate environment.

Yet those companies who pay attention to it reap great rewards.

It is a simple fact that the act itself, the act of asking people how they feel and what they want, actually makes people work happier and get better results.

Add to that the power of responding to their needs and you multiply the effect several times.

4. Financial rewards from this approach.
There are two key elements in this: motivating staff and keeping them.

We have already discussed the motivational concept but let's consider the value in terms of staff turnover.

Consider just one staff member at a salary of $50,000
It is estimated that it will take two years for their replacement to reach the same level of productivity.
On top of that there are also the training costs and costs of lost productivity.

So, if using the system results in just one staff member staying on the team, the net saving is around $100,000

Consider that using the system for a 5 day conference would cost around $29,040.00 including concept development and project analysis.

You would actually save AT LEAST $70,960.00.

That's a MORE THAN 200% return on investment, NOT INCLUDING the added benefits of clearly understanding your team and the overall motivational improvement.

Iriki Island Vanuatu

2007-02-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

Vanuatu remains a pacific paradise though I would recommend avoiding Vila (not an inspiring town).

This resort is in Vila harbour.

On the upside, easy to get to from Sydney, very friendly people and an air of relaxation that can rarely be found.

While Vila only has two nightclubs/bars, they are both a scene in themselves. Like the early days of Canberra, when only two nightclubs are open, you can meet almost everyone in just one night!

On the other hand while I was there I spent two afternoons sitting by a lagoon, reading a book and watching the world paddle by... more relaxing than drugs and much better for you.

Banyan Tree Phuket

2007-02-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

Phuket is a diverse area with glorious beaches, nearby small islands for lunch and funky little towns off the beaten track.

This makes it an accessible and dynamic destination.

Unlike Bangkok, getting from place to place is a breeze.

Banyan Tree Bangkok

2007-02-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

This property is an oasis of calm and style in the middle of Bangkok mayhem.

It also features a rooftop bar and restaurant- actually on the roof so you can sit at your chair and look down for immediate vertigo, but the view is absolutely amazing.

During my stay we went up to the roof of an evening but if I have my time again I will go at sunset to catch the vision of the city by day and by night.

Of course, the service and the comestibles were simply superb.

Banyan Tree Ringha

2007-02-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

Just 32 suites & lodges in the highlands near Tibet...

AIME Conference Venue Prospects

2007-02-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

Pics: Taj Hotels, India. Some of the most magnificent venues in the world. Many of them have only been open to the public for the first time fairly recently. Imagine the chance to live like an Indian Maharaja.

At the moment I am waiting for responses from a large number of venues that should provide a very interesting cost comparison of different countries and venues.

Some highlights:
How about a small strategy meeting in a Tibetan Village hotel?
An adventure conference in the New Guinea highlands?
A visit to the Macau Venetian Hotel & Casino where there will be a replica of Las Vegas?

Or what about a conference in an Indian Palace complete with an excusion to the Taj Mahal?

These are just a few of the options for which we hope to have cost comparisons in the near future.

Tired Exhibitor

2007-02-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

My fault really; I had already heard dozens of spiels that day so I just wanted some questions answered and the print material but this struck a nerve for this woman who was quite nice actually.

AIME 2007 Melbourne Exhibition Centre

2007-02-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Maybe some lights on the sign might have been a good idea:

2

3 The very odd Sydney stand with huge bits of fabric (cheap) trying to suggest the Opera House?

3

4

On the plus side, this was an excellent opportunity to meet sales reps for hotels, destination support people and tourism bodies from all over the world and gather information that would be impossible over the internet.

And everyone I met (and there were a lot), was helpful, informative and fun.

On the downside, I think Reed Exhibitions should hand over the event management to a specialist. For these things the devil REALLY is in the details, like actually telling people the address for the gala dinner...

I could go on with a list of petty annoyances but I won't.

What makes me sad is that this now becomes a benchmark for Australian standards to all the attendees and that is not the kind of publicity we need.

AIME 2007, Melbourne: cocktails

2007-02-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

AIME is an international gathering of the meetings and exhibitions industry with suppliers setting up hundreds of stands from all over the world.

The opening event was a cocktail party at the Meblourne Cricket Ground.

Billed as a 'Showcase of Melbourne talent and resources', it turned out to be a cattleyard event with a poverty of ideas, poor catering and nowhere to sit.

I left after 30 minutes, feeling insulted.

VIDEO: Ecologically Sound Product Launch

2007-02-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

This project was to launch a new type of fork lift truck that used electrical motors rather than petrol- thus quieter and they don't fill the warehouse with fumes.

The Launch was designed to reflect this concept; a natural environment, fresh natural foods and human contact with a wide range of entertainers.

And the minimum of tech.

BTW The balloons were made of a biodegradable rubber that would disintegrate in a matter of weeks.

Bill O'Toole Versus Reno Dal Diagrams

2007-01-22T22:47:00.000-08:00

Apparently we are now in the world of process diagrams so we can see what we are doing. Here's one from Bill O'Toole:

from
http://www-personal.usyd.edu.au/~wotoole/epmspage1.html

So I designed one for how I think about event construction.

And here it is:

You need to double click on the picture for a full-size image.

Clear Marquees

2007-01-22T05:38:00.000-08:00

After all, if you are having an event outside, why do you want to put yourself INSIDE?

The Right People for the Job

2007-01-13T01:07:00.000-08:00

It is true that a celebrity like Paris Hilton will guarantee you get some press coverage but will it be about your event or what she's wearing?

Whereas a mid-level celebrity costs a lot less and still gives the event a sense of value and significance.

But if the event has no public role then I recommend a focus on skill and value rather than fame and fortune. Fame and fortune are remarkably fickle. The worst result, which I have seen more than once, is when the celebrity associated with your product and event turns out to be a scoundrel, a fraud or worse.

I still remember Tony Packard being held up as a role model for pharma sales people... not a good choice.

And even more important, the celebrity must not be a pain in the bum. I still remember one even from more than a decade ago (not one of mine) where the out-of-it diva kept the audience of 15,000 waiting for hours...

You can imagine the result.

The Right Setting for the Message

2007-01-13T00:56:00.000-08:00

My personal preference is to choose a suitable space and enhance it, rather than having to fight the environment.

The most important rule is the always make visible investments. Large banners in a dark room are a waste. Huge investments in a one-off presentation need to be questioned.

Where is the bang value?

Sometimes it pays to find a totally run-down awful place to jazz up- like for a Medieval event.

And don't worry too much about realism. It is an event after all and having a good time is more important than verisimilitude every time. Just ask Mr Bond.

Invitations

2007-01-13T00:52:00.000-08:00

For
young people
bankers
lawyers
plumbers...

The aim is to begin the event with the invitation, as if that is the first part of the experience.

It is also important that the invitation reflects the mood and mindset of the intended audience.

And equally important the invitation must deliver essential information:

where
when
what
why
how

And perhaps even how much.

ALWAYS have the key information double-checked and triple-checked by people unfamiliar with the project before it is approved.

And then do the same again with different people AFTER they are printed.

Reno Dal

2007-01-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

So here is an example of a 'corporate' image that adds to the idea of what we do.

Semiotics: The Science of Signs

2007-01-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

Semiotics has a lot of vague and impenetrable stuff written about it but I really think it is fairly simple in essence.

Signs (even signs at an exhibition) have meanings that derive from their nature, what they represent and their context.

And each sign in a context has an effect on all the other signs present. For example, if the sign 'can opener' was altered by the invention of a can opener that lasted forever then that idea would signify a new product concept and all other products ideas would be altered by that new idea.

In this picture is an exhibition stand we designed. The large banner signs are hand-painted, to represent the sense of carnival and fun. The stand was actually set up as a karaoke site for guests (and performers) to get up and sing a song.

The banners and the drapery signify fun and good times in contrast to the slick signs elsewhere in the venue. Thus the other exhibits attracted a more sobre meaning while Genie signified good times and enjoyment.

At times during the exhibition as many as a hundred people gathered around the enjoy the fun (and remember the product).

Most companies shy away from this theatrical approach because they feel it undermines their corporate identity.

In some cases this might be true but in most cases it just means that they are invisible.

Sing! Sell! and Succeed!

Australian Wildlife World Darling Harbour

2006-12-29T21:08:00.000-08:00

The spruke tells of 13 habitats and 130 Australian species- close up!

But it is really just a bunch of glass fronted cages and most of the species seem to be insects that are hard to find.

There are two open 'habitats' with some kangaroos, wallabies and koalas but that doesn't add up to much.

At $57 for two, overpriced and disappointing.

Judgement: go to Taronga Zoo.

The Perfect Conference: Thailand

2006-12-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

One of the odd things about a sales conference is just how important the people are.

You want it to run smoothly but at the same time you want people to be able to relax and have fun.

You also need to be very careful about your support team and make sure that they know exactly what is needed.

In my experience the only way is to create as much clear detail as you can in advance- send schedules and designs, scale plans and sketches.

And then, get there a week early and talk to every key person on the team, because you never know what they understand from what you have sent. And there is always more on site than they have told you.

You even need to taste the wine and eat the food- truly. This is especially true in the tropics where wine can go off very quickly if it is not stored properly throughout the delivery chain.

When organising this conference I tasted a wine at the hotel which was going off and rejected it, then the next day tasted the same wine at one of our dinner venues to find it was superb. You just can't be sure.

Even the issue of audio-visual staff can be misunderstood. In Asia, when things go wrong it is expected and no-one worries too much but for a western crowd it can be a disaster, so you need to analyse the design and make sure the staff know their duties clearly.

All of this takes a long time. If you have a week-long conference, it takes about a week on-site to meet and brief all the key people, even after they have been faxed and contracted. It makes a big difference to the result, believe me.

And when you are already investing half a million dollars on a conference, spending ten percent on quality control is hardly an extravagance. Unless of course, the result doesn't really matter...

The Studio At Last

2006-11-23T22:35:00.000-08:00

After four months we have finally reached the point whereby the roof is on the the basic infrastructure is in place.

Now I can begin to put the studio in order.

2007 will be a big year.

I hope.

South Africa

2006-11-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

This guy is a Zulu singing at the entrance to a tourist spot in KwaZulu Natal.

South Africa has been made unpopular as an incentive venue due to the rumours of social unrest and street crime yet most of these have been promoted by the press and oddly by the white-dominated tour industry who profit from the paranoia.

I would say that Johannesbutg is about as dangerous as Sydney or maybe Canberra. Like anywhere you need to be careful and that's that.

Consider South Africa. You will get the greatest service, some of the most considerate staff and an educational experience.

Fitting the Scene

2006-11-14T05:44:00.000-08:00

This is a shot from a conference in Bali- the little artistic touches supplied by the hotel and its staff were wonderful.

Each overseas event is a challenge of cultures and logistics.

Thankfully my Honors degree in Social Anthropology and my basic understandings of Philology allow me to navigate this quite successfully.

My usual strategy is to arrive a week early and meet everyone who will work on the event, one at a time or team at a time to prepare them to work as a single team. It can work.

There is an additional expense- it is essential that I do a venue survey as early as possible.

Without this, there can be major problems, like the product launch we did in Dubai. On arrival I discovered that the ceilings were lower than the specifications and were mirrored; the stage and screens were covered in confusing reflections.

Very disappointing. The staging design did not work AND the look was less than professional.

And so?

For a saving of about $4,000 the client risked losing several million dollars in new contracts.

Hardly a sensible economy.

Treetops At the Zoo

2006-11-12T01:05:00.000-08:00

Two ideas for venues- The Floating Island and Treetops at Taronga Zoo.

Double click on pic for enlargement.

Tailored Events Catering Fort Denistone

2006-09-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Tailored Events Catering have just got the contract to provide catering on Fort Denistone.

Last night was their launch cocktail party and it was interesting.

We arrived at the Wharf near the MCA at 6:05pm and lined up at what seemed liked the right place- no signage, no welcome party.

The guests were even asking each other: Are you going to Fort Denistone?

After waiting about half an hour we got on a water taxi, by which time another 200 guests had lined up behind us. An hour later they were still arriving.

Once at the venue, things went a bit more smoothly- though again there wasn't anyone officially greeting guests. Rather we walked along the wharf and found a dark table where name tags were scattered in no apparent order ( the young girls behind the table said they were in alphabetical order- but they weren't).

The venue was laid out in cocktail style with a clear marquee at one end. Inside the marquee, a seven piece band (too loud) and several food service areas (all crowded together at one end of the marquee- why?).

OK, so the food and drink was well done.

But why do caterers continue to pretend that they understand the dynamics of event production?

There was a speech from Mrs Tailor (I think) and then it was time to move on.

Luckily we hadn't had that many drinks and getting onto the rocking beast of a water taxi was fun (if hazardous) and the trip back was pleasant.

BUT the venue has some issues.

Apart from the access problem, once you are on the island you really can't see much of the harbour sights due to the odd sightlines and if you want to smoke you have to stand on the wharf.

Plus, of a nighttime, this venue is not suited to an international group. As part of a daytime event for perhaps a lunch drop off, maybe.

Selling a Hotel as a Cricket Pitch

2006-09-13T02:24:00.000-07:00

Back in the 80's there was a group of PCO's (Professional Convention Organisers) from the States who came here on a 'famil' to be sold our great resources.

The Sheraton Wentworth went to a production company (since defunct) who sold them on the idea of a Cricket Breakfast to show these people how creative and exciting the hotel would be for them.

So 40 people get to have breakfast in a darkened ballroom, covered in astroturf and draped in camouflage nets, while watching a game they didn't understand with a backdrop of clever projections they weren't interested in.

The breakfast cost $40,000 for the staging, plus catering.
The 40 guests (I don't think they ALL turned up but hey!) to my knowledge referred absolutely no business to the hotel as a result.

But then again, don't all Americans like sitting in the dark watching cricket for breakfast?

Hmmm... Think again.

THE LESSON:
Don't be flummoxed by kid producers. Rather, listen carefully to what your audience is looking for, and give it to them. And if you are really clever, give them even more than that.

Never less.

Ubud, A Safe Place in Bali

2006-09-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

Will there be another bomb attack this October?

It was the first week of October that the last two occurred.

The only smart thing to do is avoid Bali around that time.

At the same time it might be wise to consider Ubud as a destination.

High up the mountainside it is a lot cooler than the coast and the people are a lot more laid back.

Also, so far there has not been any trouble up there.

On the downside the largest resorts only have about 60 rooms but there is a conference facility being finished as I type...

Worth considering.

I love working in Bali- such a commitment to style and enjoyment.

And an understanding of service that we often lack in Terror Australis.

Art of Selling Forklift Trucks

2006-08-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people ask me what I do as an event producer and I say:

Well, let's see.

I've sold sheep dip in Tasmania,
launched IT services in the Middle East,
made drug salesman design rafts in Indonesia,
made sewage sound sexy in Sydney and
made the world famous video that every home should have:

Intestinal Worms and Your Dog.

Pictured is me selling a new type of forklift truck to an audience of Asian and Oceanic dealers.

My job is to turn the event into something special.

In this case we aimed to transform the experience
from the expected to the interesting
but always with the focus on people and nature.

We found a parking lot in the middle of a park in North Sydney.
We had a view of the city.
We welcomed our Asian guests with a dragon and drums.
We announced the lifts on horseback.
We had a carnivale of entertainers and no stage, no PA system, no lighting.

And the most delicious barbie, smorgasbord and booze-up for all.

And I encouraged the entertainers and the crew to mix with the guests,
have lunch with them, chat.

The Japanese guys even got the Town Crier to let them ride his horse!

I think the most amazing thing about this little launch is that
not only did the guests love it but
it also got photo coverage from every reporter who attended.

Another aspect that is worth considering is that
we also had a conference element in a nearby 3 star hotel.

We chose it because we could take it over.
We actually redesigned very room to fit our event-
right down to the products in the minibar.

The relaxed atmosphere of a low-star venue often
adds to the value of a conference as
it allows the guests to feel much more relaxed.

I did this quite a while ago and I am still very proud of it.

Go figure!

Making a Video

2006-08-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

Going through my archives I was touched to find these images:

Anthony Luff in tribal makeup and also as Diana Ross.

Anthony passed away some time ago. RIP.

A wonderful man.

Maybe I'll do a remake of the footage one day...

Reno Dal presents:

2006-08-16T02:32:00.000-07:00

Just found this in the archives.

I think that's me, the bright blur on the right.

The picture on screen is from the SAAB London incentive at the Fleet Steps, Sydney Cove.

One Big Organ: Sydney Town Hall

2006-08-16T02:28:00.000-07:00

One thing I don't understand: why use such a unique venue as Sydney Town Hall and NOT use the organ?

You pay for the organ when you hire the venue and then you just need to hire the organist for a very reasonable fee.

I always find a way to use it; we so rarely hear an organ 'live'.

It is ALWAYS a hit.

PICTURED: Town Hall Organ with Reno Dal lighting- it does need special lighting as the installed system is a bit dull.

Renovation Reality

2006-08-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

Well, if you haven't heard from me recently, the reason is simple: renovation.

We started off with the plan to fix the bathroom roof... then the walls... then the slab... then the drainage... then the back fence... then the roof...

In short I am now about to move to a nearby apartment so I can stop worrying about it all and get on with business.

Oh the horror!

Meeting Jennifer at Sheraton on the Park

2006-08-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

Neither of us could remember what the new name was- not a high profile - and then when we got there the smoking tables were hidden from the view of the park, and what view there once was through the huge conservatory window had been almost totally obscured by a stupid new bar design.

Who would intentionally cut off the main benefit/feature of a venue?

Thankfully we had a very interesting time discussing how the conference and incentive industries could work with the quality cruise market.

(Until the pianist got to work with such amplification we thought we were at a disco- venue please note: you really don't need to mike a piano in a cocktail bar and the SM58 mike while good for vocals does pick the sound of the piano more than the voice- better to go with a more disrectional model... grumpy? Me?)

Back to the topic at hand- can you hear me? In this case: around Africa, the Mediterranean and such...

Why not have conferences at sea?
Sounds bloody good to me.

So we are working on some concepts and hopefully that will lead to a fully developed set of program options for our clients.

Please send me an email if you have any suggestions or relevant experiences.

OR CALL:
MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY (AUST) PTY LIMITED
as agent for MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.
Jennifer Bussanich

RSVP06

2006-07-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

Compare this event to the dull Sydney On Sale (Ideas Fair) a couple of weeks ago:

SoS: about 60 stands MAX, mostly hotel chains (who cares?), only a couple of suppliers, no event producers. On a sunny day at Darling Harbour on the 2nd day, almost no-one visiting at all. Overall a dull waste of time.

RSVP06: rainy morning, at the OPT Wharf 8 beside King St Wharf. Hundreds of stands, lots of different products and services on offer, lots of fun from exhibitors doing stuff around the exhibition, giving out food and drink samples. It was a vibrant atmosphere and an excellent production.

Need I mention that when I produced the Sydney on Sale (Ideas Fair) some years ago, it was also was a vibrant and exciting event.

It is ridiculous to think that people 'should' attend, enjoy, whatever.

Congratulations to RSVP06- look for it next year!

Telstra: why details matter.

2006-07-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

It seems like a good idea to have a projected image on your shop window rather than just a sign.

But here we see the image overlaid with the glare of the lamp.

As a result passers-by are blinded, unable to see the image.

A simple mask at the top would solve this problem.

How could such an obvious error be overlooked?

Me

2006-07-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

Just me.

Just me.

Just a look from summer..

And some new formating features for the blog.

Is that really necessary?

2006-06-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

I still remember Mark Jones telling me how he wished we had organised the herd of cows and jackaroos to roam past the wedding reception marquee.

It wasn't till later that he understood:

Necessary is the opposite of celebration.

The essence of celebration is excitement and surprise.

The other essence is a sense of belonging- not as spectators but as members of a community.

That's why it is a good idea to send your employees an interesting, well-designed invitation:

PRINTED ON PAPER (or even something more spectacular)
enclosed in an envelope
personally addressed- by hand

Then your staff will say:

Hey, they didn't have to do that!
Isn't that a nice touch?

PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE.
Treat them as they are, not how you would like them to be.

Pictured- examples of the totally unnecessary
Staff in costume for Genie Performance Headers exhibition stand for the Auto After Market Exhibition.
White Water Rafting event at Brighton Le Sands for a Gas Conference.

Singapore Net, Tourist Terror

2006-06-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

This service for Singapore Airlines isn't available all the time- I guess it depends on the plane.

As for Mr Friend- this is the guy that bored us stupid on the way from Joburg airport to the hotel.

Caveat Emptor!

Fashion from Paris

2006-06-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

Years ago we used to have an imported fashion parade aboput once every to years.

Now it seems that all our fashion spectacle has been absorbed by the Fashion Week phenonemon.

I was particularly proud of this parade- Nina Ricci from Paris with all the models and clothes flown in for the one night.

It used more tha 150 lamps to create the flawless soft lighting effect that allows the clothes and the models to remain the focus of attention,

In the interludes between different segments, a small amount of atmospheric music and subtle lighting changes.

Such a wonderful experience.

And even the people from Paris were pleased.

Amazing!

Security

2006-06-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you want guys looking like SWAT,

and sometimes you know that a well-built guy with a cool head will do the job.

And anyway, why should security be threatening when there is no threat?

Seafood Balkan Reunion

2006-06-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

It was very satisfying to return to the Seafood Balkan after more than a year.

The food and the service are as excellent as ever, and the owner remains just as quirky.

Jack Chot was kind enough to join me.

Morning Tea in Dubai

2006-06-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

So you arrive at the conference in the morning, have a coffee in the foyer, look around the exhibition... and go to the conference- blah, blah, blah.

And emerge back into an Arabian Bazaar complete with food sellers, tents and people hanging about in traditional costume. Not to mention the music.

Makes for a story, a memory, a positive emotional connection.

And also a reminder the while you might be in a hotel anywhere in the world, you actually are somewhere unique.

And it's fun!

Promoting Exhaust Pipes

2006-05-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

OK, so it was about 'Performance Headers' but really they are just hi-tech exhaust pipes.

Anyway, the idea was to maximise the impact of an exhibition stand, to launch a new product and produce a brand theme that coud be elaborated on through the years, ALL of which we did.

Oh, and on a tight budget. (But then, they always are aren't they?)

Exhibition has to be about more than just showings stuff.

Fiasco Opening Night

2006-05-30T01:20:00.000-07:00

I was just looking through our archives and came across this picture.

I have forgotten this guy's name. He was a mute- unable to speak- but a wonderful mime artist.

He came along to the party in this fabulous costume, for fun, because he had heard that my parties were always the best in town.

It seems so simple- just make sure you invite some fascinating people and the party will be on the road to success from the outset.

Its not brain surgery but it seems that people have trouble with this concept.

Back in Sydney

2006-05-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

After 6 weeks of being out and about, it is good to be home.

Though very cold after the Tropics!!

I include some random shots here of the African leg of the trip, the hospice, the computer class I taught, the people.

I am still assessing the data from this research project.

More ideas soon.

Africa Project

2006-05-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

Here we are in action for the Africa Project.

The shooting is over now and I am in Manila.

Overall, a successful project.

My take on the Philippines so far- still not a very inspiring venue.

Shortly off to view mountain and seaside resorts- might show more promise.

As they say- if you don't go, you never know.

Our African Homestead

2006-04-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is where we will be staying in Africa- the Champagne Valley in Kwazulu Natal- near the AIDS Hospice and Creche.

And yes, it might have snow on the mountains- temps from 9-20 in April.

Off to Africa

2006-04-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Leaving on Good Friday... won't be back still the end of May.

Ah the excitement of the road!

Awards: Entertainers

2006-04-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

Again, the after show entertainment is a real challenge- a comedian to break the ice, a singer to woo the ladies?

Or just a big band for dancing and chats?

But again, the entertainers should never the greater than the show- the Awards themselves.

And the other, the most important part of the show?

The chance for the winners to mingle with their peers and get a slap on the back.

Acknowledgement is the name of the game!!

Awards: Screens

2006-04-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

I have seen some amazing screen designs for awards ceremonies- award winning designs.

But I don't agree. The screen is the medium not the message.

It needs to be big enough to be impressive but not so showy that it diminishes the content.

The stars should always be the winners and their achievements.

Awards: Presenters

2006-04-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Fear of boredom sometimes leads clients to choose a comedian to 'spice up' the evening.

Wrong. Awards need a sense of reality and gravitas- not levity. Save the levity for the entertainment.

Some producers also like to record all the announcements to avoid mistakes but this turns the cermony into a TV show that ignores the audience.

Much better to have a professional presenter for the hard parts and use members of the award community to make the winning announcements.

The more of 'our people' you get on stage the more the audience will identify with the process.

It is a matter of balance and emotional value.

Awards: Audience

2006-04-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

Of course, there is the matter of knowing what the audience needs, why they are there:

networking
kudos
promotion
physical enjoyment
emotional satisfaction
entertainment
gravitas

NOT EASY!

Awards- Audience

2006-04-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

Of course, there is the matter of knowing what the audience needs, why they are there:

networking
kudos
promotion
physical enjoyment
emotional satisfaction
entertainment
gravitas

NOT EASY!

Awards: Logistics

2006-04-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

The devil is in the details...

A happy audience is important- even if it means loading up the tables with backup supplies for a 45-minute sequence.

Even if it means reminding people 10 minutes early that it might be a good time to take a walk and a comfort break...

Even if it means telling the sponsors how wide their banners should be so you can fit them in the venue!

Wedding of the Century- Preparation

2006-03-27T03:42:00.000-08:00

Weeks of planning, days of setting up... and then the moment arrives.

Wedding of the Century- Dinner

2006-03-27T03:38:00.000-08:00

Sitting at a magnificent table, perfect wines, fabulous food from Robert of the Pepper Tree...

Wedding of the Century- Dance

2006-03-27T03:36:00.000-08:00

Wedding of the Century- Arrival

2006-03-27T03:30:00.000-08:00

Hunter Valley, Pokolbin.
Create a venue for an international audience of 190.
Transform blackness into a fantasy environment.

Give the bride and groom an experience they will never forget.

Fashion

2006-03-27T03:26:00.000-08:00

Nina Ricci, models flown in from Paris, and a catwalk designed to provide the precise Parisian effect.

Opening Night Party

2006-03-27T03:21:00.000-08:00

To transform an ugly room (the old meat hall) into a fantasy environment that reflected the show to begin with an then transformed itself into a flow of other fun visions.

Il Fiasco

2006-03-27T03:12:00.000-08:00

This huge inflatable had been on top of a hotel to launch a new book- in one night it got more press than it had in weeks, and the restaurant opening got coverage normally impossible.

All good!

The big launch effect...

2006-03-26T05:04:00.000-08:00

Launch at the Gap 2- cocktails

2006-03-26T05:01:00.000-08:00

Launch at the Gap 1

2006-03-26T04:52:00.000-08:00

Eco- more...

2006-03-26T04:41:00.000-08:00

images, stories, fun... and no screens!

In many ways I am proudest of this event- the antipathy of the tech monopoly.

The Aboriginal Surprise

2006-03-26T04:31:00.000-08:00

These Aboriginal guys did a great job and then when they asked for participation, one of the audience came up and played the didge like a professional!!

It was a great moment.

An ecological product launch

2006-03-26T04:23:00.000-08:00

OUR aim was to eschew technology and emphasise the natural and the cultural.

20 journalists, 20 stories, 20 different photos- success!!

Oh, and happy dealers too!

Launch in Dubai

2006-03-26T04:12:00.000-08:00

So you find yourself dealing with cultures from all over the world... an interesting challenge; the uses of social-anthropology and philology.

Whatever the product- it must be interesting!

2006-03-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

Bits'n'Pieces

2006-03-26T03:46:00.000-08:00

Just a few images of event moments... so many different things.

Launching Copper?

2006-03-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

A new service about an old thing,

so you need to give it an edge.

In this case, living statues that played with the audience.

We started each day very quiety, classical.

Then at lunchtime, a bit of podium dancing...

Followed by jazz and mimed play.

People did notice.

Nothing else happened in the whole exhibition.

Escaping the Conference Room: Lunch

2006-03-19T21:22:00.000-08:00

Hotels seem to want to keep people inside and doing the same thing day after day.

It's just not a good idea.

After all, they spend hours and hours in one place already.

It's called the conference room.

So I always recommend adding as much variety around that as possible.

Even when it means rugging up in winter and going down to the beach for fish and chips!!!

Cruelty is one of the key elements of a good producer...

Conference Games

2006-03-11T19:33:00.000-08:00

Games, challenge, excitement, fun!

Torture?

Teasing?

The challenge for me is to come up with ideas that

allow for people to work together,

engage in physical challenge of a kind

that is in no way life threatening or dangerous

and still deliver enough prizes so that every team gets recognition.

The emphasis should be on the process,

Not the winning as such.

It can be done.

Conference Excursions

2006-03-11T19:23:00.000-08:00

A treasure hunt orienteering in buses across the Hunter Valley?

A trip along the Kakadu river, looking for crocodiles?

A boat on the creek in Dubai?

A visit to an island tropical paradise?

Taking a break from the conference room, gettting out and about, adding novelty, games and challenges.

I love excursions that defie the faint-hearted, excite the trouble-shooters

and delight the senses.

And create a chance to bond together

all elements of the synthetic social group.

Adventures shared are what bind us together emotionally and spiritually- essential to success.

Conferences are BORING!!!!!

2006-03-11T18:59:00.000-08:00

Let's face it- most conferences are boring as batshit.

There is this incredibly outdated mentality that says: Well, we're paying them to be motivated so we don't need to worry about their emotional state!

My belief is that you make every space in a conference fun, exciting and give the delegates a bundle of fun stories to take home.

You make it an event to look forward to.
You engage them in a variety of silly and serious tasks.
You give them plenty of chances to share their knowledge and their stories.

AND you make sure there is a chance for them to be as silly as possible- because it will be probably the only time they can.

Then you will have a great conference.

Dinner Tables

2006-03-11T18:51:00.000-08:00

Ants running across the tropical theme? Dancing flowers for a bunch of bankers? Skulls and dinosaurs?

IS THIS MAN MAD?

Well, yes, actually but then that's what you pay me for.

The table centre is important simply because it is at the centre of the dinner stage- the table. It should add something significant, meaningful and fun to the event.

DON'T just let the hotel put another one of those tired floral bunches at $80 a pop that are so tall you can't see across the table and so elaborate, you feel you are at the Easter Show.

Try for something interesting that relates to your theme or product.

We've even done little building sites with sand and trucks!
Cobwebs on skulls!
Stuffed animals!
Sound activated flowers!

I am still waiting for the chance to do exploding tables.

Any takers?

Conference Dinners

2006-03-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

Dinner? Fleet Steps? A nice idea but most people who use the venue fail to realise that there is NO LIGHTING in the gardens, so while it looks lovely during the day (which the usual survey time), it is a black nothing at night.

Bubbles? Well, it was a magic theme and I always wanted to do the 'Jumping Bubbles' trick. You turn out the lights in the ballroom so the bubbles are ONLY lit by a slow strobe and so, they seem to jump from place to place. With candles on the tables and the sound of a kids playground in the background.

Again, fun and cheap- sounds like a theme doesn't it?

Big Things from Small Budgets

2006-03-11T18:40:00.000-08:00

Kip Gamblin, now a dancer with the Australian Ballet, opened this hotel marketing conference.

It is a good example of what can be done with a small budget and a bit of imagination- a young white boy and his Aboriginal friend sing the praises of our wonderful country.

There were tears in their eyes...

And then, for the closing, someone had this silly idea of having a singalong. I wasn't very keen but in the end it actually worked out very well; people had a lot of fun and it was your classic, backslapping, happy ending.

Conference Rooms

2006-03-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

You might wonder why this opens with a guy sucking on a fag?
Conferences are the gathering of people with strong egos and defined needs- including smoking.

So the needs should ALL be catered for, and all the sensitivities considered. Rather than having an undertow of resentment from both camps, just clearly designate a smoking area that will work for all and make sure that it is clearly marked, comfortable and not going to make a pall of despond in the non-smokers area.

You will thank me later.

__________________________________

And getting the conference room right is just as important.

You don't want it too bright- can't see the screen images.

And not too dark- can't write things or read things.

So we aim for a room state that allows for all those things, keeping the stage just a little bit brighter than the audience.

That's the other thing- you want the presenters able to see the audience as well.

I think the room should be like a blank canvas on which the ideas are presented- not a rollicking distraction.

It should also be cool- 21 degrees celsius. Any warmer and they will fall asleep, Any cooler and they will freeze.

Some will freeze anyway as the air-con shifts the temperature, so tell them to bring a cardigan or jacket.

Room temperature is the one thing where it is IMPOSSIBLE to please everyone.

At the BMW dinner down at the Fleet Steps we had a tent with air-con. At one end the Australians wanted the temperature dropped as they were too hot. Meanwhile at the other end, the Brits huddle around a heater.

Figure that one out if you can!

Conference Themes

2006-03-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

Always a tricky exercise- you need to match the idea to the situation and then be able to build around it.

But once found, the theme becomes the thread that runs through every element, giving a fresh spin to old ideas and a warm sense of belonging to the new arrivals in the company.

It also gives a name to the event so that rather than being The Annual Conference 2006 it becomes The Ride the Wave conference- names are always better than numbers.

THE POWER OF ONE

Why?
Two companies merge. Everyone is wary of each other. People know that cutbacks are on the way- or rather 'outplacing'.

The Ad Agency came up with a host of images that reflected the image of two twining together, joining. But only served to emphasise the differences.

I came up with the Power of One concept to ride on the back of the popularity African imagery- the music, The Lion King, the images of freedom and excitement. We opened the conference before the doors opened; as people arrived for their morning coffee there was a troupe of 20 African drummers, singers and dancers to greet them with a wall of noise, music and energy.

And that set the tone for the rest of the week.

It didn't hurt that the MD, as it turned out later, was also from Africa.

(I didn't know that when I came up with the idea.)

ON PAPER?
This is often a question.

In fact, the process of planning and designing is something that we do on paper all the time.

It provides a more direct contact with the process.

The computers come later.

Opening Night

2006-03-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

Opening Night Party- themed to flow from the excitement of the product into a fantasy environment. In this case, with the use of projected images to transform a familiar venue into a wild fantasy.

The imagery was designed by Peter Howard, the master projectionista who also did the work on the Asian theme party with the Crystalvision stretch screens.

The beauty of projection is that it allows us to transform a space quite economically, and it also means that we can give the space a story, a dynamic that flows with the action of the evening.

There is also a nod of thanks to Josef Svoboda, the Czech designer who developed the use of projection in the 1960s for European opera.