Having established its credibility and relevance in its first two years as the showpiece for Queensland’s burgeoning Business Events industry, organiser Expertise Events has confirmed that the event will take place for the third consecutive year on Wednesday and Thursday March 29 and 30 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

“Our first two successful years showed just how the demand for knowledge and information on all aspects of event organisation is growing,” said Gary Fitz-Roy, Managing Director of Expertise Events.

“Event ConneQion is a one stop shop with advice for organising a successful event whether it’s a corporate function, conference or seminar, convention, incentive program, product launch, award ceremony, expo or a special event. It is also relevant for those with responsibility for organising such events in-house."

“The 2006 Event ConneQion will be even larger, more comprehensive and more targeted to meet the needs and requirements of the industry."

An anticipated more than one hundred displays will provide expert and experienced advice and information on anything and everything event planners need to know including venue choice, lighting, sound and special effects, staging, theming and decoration, entertainment, catering, promotional products, security and even cleaning.

In addition, the opportunities to “learn from the experts” have been increased with the seminar program involving leading industry experts considerably expanded.

Mr Fitz-Roy said Event ConneQion exists to support the events industry throughout Queensland.  “We are committed to meeting the needs of the industry and have been working with industry figures to ensure this year’s event delivers even higher standards of effectiveness for exhibitors and visitors,” he said.

The range of new developments and initiatives for the March event will include:

• New earlier timing Event ConneQion as the first of the national trade events, giving buyers a headstart for new and exciting ideas for their 2006 events.
• New “inclusive” floor plan brings displays together with a central stage and creates a new dynamic for the event
• Extended seminar and entertainment program An expanded seminar program will provide an educational forum for acknowledged leaders and coupled with a diverse entertainment program including a catering display will represent an attractive, interactive and educational experience for attendees.
• Integrated functions The organisers will encourage industry associations and business groups to host their own functions in the Centre or nearby venues and exhibitors and buyers will b e invited to attend exclusive networking functions.
• More convenient visitation times for students to avoid interruption of the focus on qualified buyers

In emphasising that the main objective of Event ConneQion was to support and assist companies from every part of Queensland to increase their share of the growing events market, the organisers draw particular attention to the special incentives available to Queensland bureaux:

Hosted Buyer program to be repeated: This popular and effective program is again offered to Queensland bureaux which are eligible for a cash incentive when they fly in key buyers from prominent national companies in Sydney or Melbourne, chosen by themselves and relevant to their products, to do business with Queensland’s best suppliers for their events through the coming year.

Special Offer to Queensland Bureaux: Underlining Event ConneQion’s position as an event for all regions of the State, Expertise Events is offering all bureaux the opportunity to become part of the 2006 event at no cost when they enter the event with five other members of their region.

“These initiatives support the creation of a truly Queensland showcase that gives both state and national buyers a full view of Australia’s Sunshine State and what it offers to the business event industry,” said Mr Fitz-Roy.

In yet another move to bring Queensland’s event industry to the attention of a wider audience, the organisers are working with New Zealand’s Meeting Newz Magazine to bring in a famil group of buyers from across the Tasman. The visiting industry delegates will be introduced to exhibitors from all sections of the Queensland event industry.

Bookings are being received and premium spaces are allocated in the sequence received. To make sure of your position before space becomes limited, contact Angela Morrisby on (07) 3358 3010 or by email at angelam@expertiseevents.com.au