Meetings & Events Australia has revealed the preliminary program for its new-look conference Evolve 2019.
Taking place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on 31 March to 2 April 2019, the conference will focus on eight key “tracks”, with “track champions” to oversee the content and selection of speakers.
The program’s eight distinct tracks are:
- Best Practice Case Studies – showcasing MEA award-winning events to provide insights into best practice in event management.
- Event Business – offering advice on how to manage your business to achieve great outcomes and protect it from risk.
- Event Management – including presentations on procurement, commoditising creativity, sustainability best practice, guidelines for dietary requirements, the value of incentives and other key topics.
- Event Panorama – focusing on global trends and perspectives, the Australian market and how Australia is positioned in the competitive world of events.
- Future Leaders – featuring young Australians leading events globally, with interactive sessions designed to develop collaborative problem-solving and communication skills.
- Sales and Marketing – focusing on building relationships, using social media and best strategies to market your business and events.
- Tech Talks – including sessions on AI, VR and all that is new in technology, staging and production and how it is used to increase the event experience.
- Wellness and Personal Development– exploring how to achieve work/life balance and developing personal and professional skills to assist in life and career.
MEA CEO Robyn Johnson said the organisation has been researching and collaborating with the industry to develop the program.
“The format has been changed to deliver a selection of topics presented by world leading speakers and event producers, young event professionals and experts we can learn from to improve our businesses, events, careers and lives,” she said.
Confirmed speakers for the 2019 event include entrepreneur and author Mark Bouris, St. Patrick’s Festival CEO Susan Kirby, futurist Steve Sammartino, Leadership HQ CEO and founder Sonia McDonald and adventurer James Castrission.
“There are still some sessions yet to be finalised,” said Johnson. “We want to keep our options open for late breaking opportunities, however we are confident that the program has strong appeal and will attract attendance from across the industry.”
There are still opportunities to sponsor and exhibit at Evolve 2019 and registrations are open, with early registration closing on 8 January 2019.
