By James Wells
Images provided by Photobooth
The judges have spoken – the winners of the Best Small Stand of the Year, Best Large Stand of the Year and Best New Product of the Year at RSVP Sydney 2009 have been announced.
Winner of the Best New Product of the Year was Harry’s Cafe de Wheels.
It’s something about those pies! Harry’s Cafe de Wheels chomps into the Best New Product Award
Visitors literally lined up at the 1938 restored caravan which was serving hot pies including chicken, beef and the famous tiger with mash and peas.
According to the owner of Harry’s, Michael Hannah, the decision to exhibit at RSVP originated from a suggestion from Michael and Bill Komorovski.
“We decided to put a toe into the water for the special events market and Michael and Bill wanted to make a business of it. We are sure it will provide some impact for special events as it has novelty value. We can get the van there like Harry did when it used to be towed behind his army ambulance.”
Hannah, who purchased the business on Australia Day 1988, says he has the capacity within his refrigerated truck to store 1000 pies each within his three gas warmers and can serve one pie every 20 seconds as long as there is no money to be collected.
Other finalists in this category were: Sergeants Mess and Coco’s Party Cutouts.
Winner of Best Small Stand 9 square metres and under was Mazzika Events.
Mazika Events took the Best Small Stand Award at the show.
According to the owner of Mazzika Events, Abeer Kamaz this was the first time she has attended the show as an exhibitor, after visiting the exhibition for several years.
Kamaz had a colourful stand that included a naked woman in a bath and she also gave away a year’s supply of Tim Tams to one lucky visitor.
“Some visitors were shocked to see the lady in the tub, sex sells and weird gets noticed.”
Other finalists in this category were: James Craig and Bogan Bingo.
Winner of the RSVP Sydney 2009 Best Large Stand of the Year above 9 square metres was Sydney Props.
The team from Sydney Props celebrate their win.
According to Sydney Props sales executive, Samantha Clancy, exhibiting at the show provided her company with the opportunity to meet new visitors to RSVP and reconnect with existing clients.
Clancy said the stand’s horse racing theme was the brainchild of the whole team at Sydney Props.
“The theme came from upcoming Spring Carnival and Melbourne Cup and our love of our horses. These props are also very popular and wanted to put together a big bright stand that people wanted to come and see.
Clancy said she received good business from the event and a lot of favourable feedback from visitors who stopped by to play the Nintendo Wii on the stand.
“Especially the industry that we are in – it’s all about fun and it’s not work, work, work. It was great to have people connect and enjoy our stand and show them what we can do.
Other finalists in this category were Bell-Laide Events and Decorative Events & Exhibitions.
