The newly branded Sydney’s Event Showcase: RSVP 2011 and Australian Business Events Expo drew thousands of people to its first day of the co-located tradeshows.

800 people were lined up outside the doors before 10am at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre ready to explore the annual festival of events.

With close to 400 exhibitors across the two shows everything required for events from custom-created glass awards through to performers, florists, caterers, venues, AV suppliers and staging options was on-hand for the visitors to touch, taste, compare and enquire.

Both the Australian Business Events Expo and Sydney’s Event Showcase drew in thousands of people over the two days.

The inaugural Destinations Showcase in the Australian Business Events Expo was popular for buyers looking to gain in depth information from locations all across the country. The Lobby dazzled with a spectacular chandelier cluster hanging high above the business meetings and catch-ups being held between the 30 hosted-buyers and exhibitors.

Whilst, in Sydney’s Event Showcase, visitors got a snippet of the best corporate acts available at the GALA stage and ideas on how to boost morale at the Team-Building Zone.

“The two days are the result of a year’s work by an extremely dedicated team. However, the success of the Showcase and Expo comes down to the business and special events industry supporting this platform,” said event manager, Delwin Kriel.

“With record numbers of pre-registration delegates, we have seen a lot of energy and activity on the show floors.

“Many companies have gone all out with their stands, involved their best people, and have reaped the rewards,” said Kriel.

Party After Dark, noted as the event industry party of the year, brought together the delegates and exhibitors of both shows for the first time. 1000 people partied into the night at Bungalow 8, Kings Street Wharf superbly catered by Belinda Franks Catering.