The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has demonstrated just how unconventional a convention centre can be by staging a dinner event for 80 international guests.

The guests were Australian meeting buyers from the United Kingdom, United States and Asia attending the annual Australian Business Events Expo, held at the Centre July 22-23.

The event saw buyers wearing personalised aprons as they moved between three illuminated cooking bars sampling gourmet food and wine prepared by teams of the Centre’s award-winning chefs and sommeliers.

SCEC Executive Sous Chef Uwe Habermehl
and guests at the event

While the buyers remarked on the creativity of the concept, many commented that the biggest surprise of the night was the realisation that every element, from the themeing and audio visual to the catering, was produced in-house at the Centre.

“I go to buyers’ events around the world and normally they involve either a formal sit-down dinner or a stand-up buffet so the Centre’s format was fantastic. It was so professionally produced that I was amazed to find out everything was done inhouse – what a great way to show off the Centre’s skills,” said World Events UK account director Laura Taylor.

The Centre’s director of marketing and sales Amanda Anker said several of the meeting planners at the event had already asked them to replicate the concept for their clients.

“The Centre prides itself not only on its professionalism but also its creativity, so we’re thrilled by the response we’ve had from the buyers,” Anker said.

“Our goal was to showcase the Centre’s many skills and let buyers know that Sydney can create events that surpass anything they have experienced elsewhere in the world, and the feedback shows that we clearly achieved that.”

For more information on holding your next event at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre click here.