The EB Expo Returns to Sydney In 2015

The EB Expo Returns to Sydney In 2015

EB Games was hardly going to turn its back on one of its best concepts ever, but just in case there was ever any doubt, today it was announced that the EB Expo is returning to Sydney in 2015.

The official date is October 2 until October 4 and tickets go on sale 9am AEDT on April 16. You can purchase them on the EB Expo website, at EB Games stores or through oztix.com.au. The event will be held, once again, at Sydney Showgrounds. It is, admittedly, a pretty cool venue.

If you’ve been to previous EB Expos you’ll know what to expect: early looks at upcoming video games, some event-style panels, and my personal favourite: a Waluigi made out of balloons.

Most major publishers seems slated to attend. PlayStation, XBOX, Nintendo, Activision, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment are currently confirmed.

“EB Expo continues to set the standards by celebrating the video game industry and embracing pop culture. We’re boasting the most unreleased games of any exhibition in Australia this year,” said EB Games Marketing and Events Director Debra McGrath.

A couple of cool things to note: John Robertson, of ‘The Dark Room’ fame, will be performing at the show. Turns out he’s bringing his critically acclaimed show The Dark Room to the event. I’ve been super keen to check that out, so this is a positive.

Also — bizarrely — The Umbilical Brothers are also going to be performing. That’s cool. I guess? What does it have to do with video games? No-one knows (or possibly cares).

“Every year the EB Expo team will continue to add fresh new elements to the mix and we’re really looking forward to wow-ing our existing and new crowds with original content,” said Debra. I guess that might explain it.

I’ve always enjoyed the EB Expo and it does manage to get its fair share of top notch exclusive content. I played Titanfall there for the first time. That was cool.

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BESydney’s New Strategy to Trap MICE

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has unveiled a new strategies and corporate restructure that will see the company target NSW MICE opportunities.

Announced yesterday, the company said among the key changes would be the appointment of a Mumbai-based representative to drive more Indian business as well as the launch of a new corporate structure that will see company’s resources grow.

Kicking off from July 2012, BESydney chief executive Lyn Lewis-Smith said the organisation would also be divided into four teams focused on growing, securing, delivering and sustaining.

“The new structure will better support clients throughout the event lifecycle, and combined with other initiatives – such as our new Future Leaders program – will help to give us the edge on understanding and delivering meetings for the coming generations,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.

“We are refocused, re-energised and realigned for the future.”

As well, the company said it would look to recruit a new general manager of business development while from 1 June Hannah Jamieson will step into the new role of general manager of strategic marketing.

Robyn Johnson will also join the team under the role of general manager event delivery as Sonya Stewart remains in her role a chief financial officer.

“The team is excited,” she added.  

“We will streamline processes, deepen and expand international and domestic collaborative relationships with the private and public sectors, and increase our flexibility and agility to respond to emerging market trends.

“This year BESydney has already achieved a record number of bid wins, and there are a number of weeks to go before we close the books.

“Yet, achievement doesn’t mean we can be complacent. It is time to challenge the status quo!”

(Source: eTravelblackboard.com)

Sydney Secures More International Conferences

Business Events Sydney has kicked off the new financial year with the announcement that three major conferences have been confirmed for Sydney in 2012.

The conferences are predicted to bring in almost $4M to the local economy.

The following is an overview of each event.

Robotics Science and Systems (RSS)

Date: 2012
Delegates: 400 over 5 days
Estimated value: $1.7 million

RSS brings together researchers working on algorithmic or mathematical foundations of robotics, robotics applications, and the analysis of robotic systems. These conferences have consistently provided high-quality, topically focused forums for researchers at the forefront of robotic development. 2012 will be the first time the conference is held in the Asia Pacific Region. Previous conferences have been held in USA, Spain and Switzerland.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) met with the client in October 2010 as they had a long involvement with the conference.

A demonstration of support from industry and government was a specific requirement for the bid submission, which was presented at the conference in June 2011.

In early July 2011 it was decided by the RSS advisory board that Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) would host the 2012 Conference.

BESydney will assist with local arrangements. The University of Sydney is the proposed venue for the 2012 conference.

International Symposium on Mobile Mapping Technology (MMT) 2012

Date: 2015
Delegates: 400 over 4 days
Estimated value: $1.3 million

The event focuses on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. This is the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information from noncontact imaging and other sensor systems about the Earth and its environment, and other physical objects and processes.

This opportunity was identified by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) Ambassador, Paul Harcombe. BESydney presented the bid at the 2011 conference in Poland. The bid document and presentation included information on the University of New South Wales (UNSW) as a venue and destination information about Sydney and Australia. The committee decided against Sydney for 2013, but selected the destination for the 2015 event. This is the first time that the committee has decided on the destination of two consecutive MMT Symposiums at the same time.

The recent success of the Sydney XXIV International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Congress in 2010 was a huge selling point for the committee, as FIG is a major sponsor of MMT. The event also links nicely into Australia's strengths in the spatial sciences field.

The client will host the event at UNSW and the university will provide management support. They will not tender for a PCO.

15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT)

Date: 2012
Delegates: 300 over 4 days
Estimated value: $954,000

The Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT) conference series was founded in 1993 in Ireland. Held annually, the conference provides a chance for academics, researchers, and engineers to meet and exchange innovative ideas and information on all aspects of materials, material processing technologies, manufacturing and computer aided engineering and nanotechnologies. 2012 will be the first time that this event is held in Australia.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) identified this lead in April 2007 and, with the help of the UK/Europe office, in 2009 approached the International Steering Committee for further information.

In May 2011, Sydney's bid to host AMPT 2012 was submitted to the International Steering Committee. The submission included a draft budget by a Gold Stakeholder PCO, and proposed University of Wollongong as the conference venue.

In June 2011, the International Steering Committee voted and announced that Sydney will host the 2012 conference. Competing countries included Poland, Tunisia, Egypt and United Arab Emirates.

Promotion of AMPT 2012 will begin in July at the 2011 conference in Istanbul. The PCO selection process will commence after this year's event.

National Medicines Policy Conference 2012

Date: 2012
Delegates: 300 over 4 days
Estimated value: $579,600

This event was first held in Sydney in 1995 and will return in 2012. The conference will be co-hosted by the World Health Organisation, in particular through two of its regional offices, Western Pacific and South East Asia.

In March 2011, the client contacted Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for venue information. Gold Coast and Brisbane were also being considered as possible host destinations for 2012.

BESydney submitted Sydney's proposal to host the event in early April 2011, and was selected as the destination for 2012.