For the first time, Spice is presenting the Ideas Academy at AIME 2024 – to be held on 20-21 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – with keynote speaker sessions and panel discussions delivering expert information and knowledge sharing about the events industry.

Each Ideas Academy presented by Spice session will be delivered silently via individual headphones, with high-quality, informative content providing practical takeaways for attendees to implement in their businesses.

Topics covered include event marketing, sustainability, food and beverage, entertainment, team building, First Nations culture and wellness.

On Wednesday, 21 February, from 2.15pm to 2.45pm, Fernando will present the “Elevating the Entertainment Experience” session, focusing on:

• Unique and unexpected entertainment ideas that can create a “wow” factor.
• Using entertainment to convey key messages or values.
• How entertainment experiences can evoke emotions that leave a lasting impact on attendees.
• Integrating local artists, performers and musicians into the entertainment line-up to showcase an event’s connection to its community or location.

Fernando is the creative director and founder of Cirkus Bizurkus, a company that provides entertainment solutions for companies such as Qantas, Porsche, Uber, Bloomberg and TikTok.

He started his career as a celebrity stylist and photographer in New York and London before returning to Australia to work on TV shows such as Australian Idol, Australia’s Got Talent, X Factor, Australia’s Next Top Model and The Face.

However, it was launching hotels QT and The Darling that gave Fernando insight into circus and live performances. It was then that he had his light bulb moment: to launch Cirkus Bizurkus.

Fast forward to 2020 and the COVID-19 lockdowns, and Australia suddenly had space to rethink its next move. Soon, Cirkus Bizurkus began working with some amazing companies.

What began as a costume design and entertainment solution business soon expanded into creative direction, live events and production, as well as its Cirkus Skool.

Cirkus Bizurkus continues to evolve every day with the infinite possibility of creativity and drive to create magical solutions for clients.

The company is also behind the creative direction of the Neon Carnival: AIME 2024 welcome event revealed – Spice News.

Ideas Academy presented by Spice sessions are free for all AIME attendees without booking.

Registrations for AIME 2024, which runs from 19-21 February, are now open at aime.com.au.