The all new VIP Buyer Program at the Australian Business Events Expo, and co-located tradeshow Sydney’s Event Showcase, was officially launched this week at a breakfast event at Dockside on Darling Harbour.
Key features of the 2013 VIP Buyer Program were revealed by Karen Krieger, event director for the two tradeshows.
“We’ve heavily reinvested in this year’s VIP Buyer Program to provide a more modern, memorable and effective two-way program that directly links qualified buyers and exhibitors.
“This year’s program is equipped with new software, never been seen or utilised before in Australia, called PresdoMatch from Info Salons, which offers cutting edge technology in event networking.
“We are also creating and managing the ‘buyer experience’ – in the form of memorable activities for buyers to participate in and the extensive range of exceptional networking opportunities on offer – exclusive to the 2013 program,” said Krieger.
The single biggest difference to this year’s VIP Buyer Program is that exhibitors and buyers alike will have the power to choose their own appointments. No appointment will be automated, meaning no exhibitor will have scheduled meetings with uninterested buyers. All the meetings that take place within the program will be mutually agreed to.
Jo-Anne Kelleway, CEO Info Salons Group, met co-founder of LinkedIn Eric Ly and was inspired with the possibilities of creating private social networks for events.
“The concept of private event communities has been made easy for exhibitors and the 2013 VIP Buyer Program will be the first tradeshow in Australia to trial this all new platform.
“You’ll be able to invite your networks and create a qualified and captivated community of business people – who will be able to meet each other and build real relationships. That is, after all, the core of the events world,” said Kelleway.
More than 60 targeted VIP buyers coming from the association, government, event agencies and the corporate sectors across the Asia Pacific region will be taking part this year. To qualify, they will need to be a decision maker and have at least two pieces of business to buy for.
VIP Buyers will be treated to a two-day program including flights and accommodation.
