An Introduction

At the time of writing, we are all bunkered down in EAN, sheltering from the cold and recovering from the chaos of a couple of crazy weeks that featured our conference and exhibition in Canberra, the launch of the new Elite Assistants website and business, an amazing networking function at the Intercontinental in Melbourne and the bookings of a number of really exciting upcoming events. Oh, and we registered another 20 people into our diplomas plus a similar number for our Brisbane and Melbourne conferences.

So we're all off on holidays for a few weeks...we wish.

Instead we will be getting stuck straight back into preparation for the period of August through until Christmas which looks likely to feature as many as 25 different events for members to attend plus our conferences and exhibitions in Brisbane and Melbourne. And our next round of diplomas commence in August and September depending on which state you are located in.

In all our years we have never been so busy and this is mainly testament to the support we have been receiving from our members for our many different activities but also the support we have been receiving from our partners. With almost every sponsor of the Network now regularly renewing their association with EAN and others joining us at a rapid rate, our goal of ensuring that the Network is a continually hiving and buzzing community is steadily coming true. The website of course also plays a function in that and, again, we've noticed of late a gradual increase in the use of many different members areas of the website, and the chat room continues to be of major interest. Last month we wrote about human capital and our views on providing holistic support, advice, guidance, education and training and recruitment all within the one group.

To that, we are excited to announce that our plans for a new webinar series are slowly coming together and we hope to be able to launch these very soon, with the first webinar to be held in September. See below for more exiting details.

Whoever said that life can be boring obviously never had as exciting and fun a business to work in as well all do. Nor as interesting and fun group to work with as our thousands of members.

Featuring our futurist in residence, Craig Rispin

Anyone who was lucky enough to see Craig Rispin perform at our Perth or Melbourne conferences in the last series will tell you he is a man of incredible vision and with a head full of amazing information. As a futurist, he is engaged by major organisations and governments around the world to provide insights on future trends in everything from technology to population growth or regional economies. So to say that he was a big hit with his insight into technologies that can improve your efficiency at work is an understatement. So, on that basis we've teamed up with Craig to launch a bi-monthly series of webinars - or, to be precise, not webinars. Because Craig wants to make sure attendees experience something way more interesting that just your average webinar.

Our first session will be around efficiency through technology in the workplace with future sessions covering a host of different topics that you will all get to have a say in. The date of the first session in September is yet to be 100% finalised, but the inside word is that it looking like being Wednesday 2nd September with the session running for 45 minutes. Exact details to follow just as soon as we have them. In addition to the bi-monthly sessions with Craig we are also investigating having other sessions with some of our trainers and speakers so we will keep you updated on how those plans evolve. We are really excited about this great opportunity with Craig so we hope you benefit from them in the way we believe you will.

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We are delighted to have a number of new Partners in all states, some represented nationally who are hosting many events between now and the New Year in your state! It has been a hectic few months here at EAN and we have so much in store in the coming months. Here is an update on what has been happening and the ongoing schedule of events. EAN is turning 10 years old in August and are looking at bringing special events to each state to celebrate. We are hopeful to schedule these events towards the end of the year and beginning of next year.

We want to thank all those members who have helped make this Network what it is, so keep an eye out as the events will fill fast!

Canberra

We headed to Canberra on 21 & 22 July for our two day EAN Congress and Exhibition and were excited to welcome so many Canberra EAs to our Networking Event on the first evening. We had lots in store including some amazing give away prizes and as an added bonus, attendees got to meet many of the exhibitors and gather information on some of the suppliers and products you may not know about! In August we have a wonderful evening hosted by the National Convention Centre and Crowne Plaza Canberra who always have something amazing in store, so information for this event will be sent shortly. Hyatt Hotel Canberra will also be hosting another event prior to the end of the year and with several more Partners coming on board shortly, we will have a number of new local venues for you to discover!

Brisbane

A group of Brisbane EAs joined us on 16 June on board the P&O cruise liner for a fantastic viewing of the vessel and an amazing luncheon in Luke Mangan's Salt Restaurant. It was a unique opportunity for us to see first-hand the event spaces as an option for conferencing. With so many restaurant and accommodation choices, pool decks, on board entertainment, casinos, team building activities, health clubs, spa and bars. This is an option not to forget if looking for alternative conference spaces as they now have short cruises from 2-4 days, ideal for corporates. We are about to get very busy in Brisbane with Keystone Events scheduled to host a function in August at one of their award winning restaurants, so keep an eye out for the invite soon! We also have a famil coming up to Sanctuary Cove! This will be ideal for those who have a conference event coming up that they are looking for space outside of the Brisbane area and will take place on a weekend in August. It will be extremely popular so keep an eye out for an opportunity to attend.

September 15 & 16 will see our EAN Brisbane Congress & Exhibition coming to town and we love hosting this event and catching up with so many of the Brisbane EAs. We will once again be hosting a Networking Event on the first evening for those EAs who don't have the opportunity to come along and see the Exhibition during the two days. There will be plenty of prizes on offer and an opportunity to meet many of the supplier and product companies on site. And don't forget we are looking at hosting our 10 Year celebrations, so we will see you again prior to the end of the year. We also have a number of Partners about to come on board with the Network in Queensland so will be scheduling in their events if not before Christmas then early in the New Year.

Perth

Keystone are one of our newest national partners and they are planning to host an event in August to showcase their new restaurant - Chop House. This restaurant is famous for their steak and cuts of meat and one that will become a favourite for your corporate teams! With private dining areas and a sensational wine list this is an event not to be missed. An invite will be out shortly so keep an eye out. InterContinental Perth is also scheduled to host an event in September and we are delighted to be working with IHG nationally and looking forward to showcasing this amazing venue to all the Perth EAs. Don't forget we are also looking at hosting our 10 year celebration and are crossing our fingers we can fit it into the Perth calendar prior to year-end! There is more and more scheduled and dates are filling fast for the remainder of the year, so looking forward to catching up with you all a little more often!

Melbourne

We have hosted a few events in recent months in Melbourne and wanted to mention our May event which was hosted by BE Victoria. It was held at the iconic Bobby McGee's and saw suppliers from all over Victoria come together for a fantastic informative evening and a chance to meet so many of them face to face. With amazing giveaway prizes and spectacular food and beverages, our thanks go to BE Victoria for hosting this wonderful event, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! On 15 July our national partner IHG welcomed us all to the InterContinental Hotel in their newly refurbished Laneway Rooms. The room looked spectacular with beautiful pink lights highlighting the original brick walls overlooking the mural painted laneway. We were spoilt to actually have the mural artist on site showing us his techniques along with the most scrumptious selection of antipasto and delicate canapés which were enjoyed by all. The coffee martinis were an absolute hit and we all enjoyed viewing the opportunity to discover more about the hotel and even learn about their resident bees! Thank you so much IHG for hosting this event, it was a wonderful evening and we are looking forward to catching up with the wonderful staff again soon.

The next event is scheduled for 20 August with our partners Cliftons. They are the meeting and conference room experts and I believe we are grabbing our bags of popcorn and ice creams for some movie trivia - with a difference!! Wait for more information about this one as it comes to hand and invites will be sent very shortly. It is guaranteed once again to be popular, so make sure you register quickly. More events are scheduled with BE Geelong launch of their new Planner Guide in November along with the EAN Congress & Exhibition on 17 & 18 which will see another Networking Event on the first evening.

Sydney

A group of EAs joined us on 23 June for a famil on board P&O cruise liner. It was a fantastic opportunity to view their event space as an alternative for conferencing and ideal for corporates with their shorter cruises from 2-4 days. We also snuck in a lunch with a group of EAs at the Holiday Inn Sydney. We were treated to a themed 'round the world' luncheon which was a unique way to view their different event spaces and see their different accommodation rooms. The staff, food and beverages were fabulous and you should have seen the dessert!! This hotel is ideal for those wanting meetings and accommodation close to the airport and with a number of event spaces, definitely one to consider.

Sydney is about to get even busier with both BE Victoria and Cliftons hosting an event in August, not to mention a famil to Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and Terrigal also planned. We haven't stopped yet, as we are also squeezing in two lunches, one at InterContinental Sydney and one at Holiday Inn Potts Point! September will see an event hosted by Keystone and why not add another luncheon at InterContinental Sydney again! In October and November we have a number of Networking events to squeeze in and are just finalising dates to let you know more details about them, but at this stage there will be one at Holiday Inn Old Sydney, in the Rocks and another at InterContinental Double Bay. We will also be heading east to Coogee for a luncheon at Crowne Plaza. So lots in store and information and invites for many of these events will come through shortly.

Adelaide

Guess what, we have more functions scheduled for Adelaide and invites and dates will be sent shortly. I can tell you that Crowne Plaza will be hosting an event on 7 August and another is scheduled for October with InterContinental Adelaide. We have a number of other Partners who are also keen to host events in Adelaide, so we will keep you posted and send you more information as soon as they are finalised.

"Thank you again to all those who came along to the Networking events. We are continuing to meet more new members each time as well as catch up with existing members which is fantastic! We look forward to seeing you all very soon." - The EAN Team

For the first time in today's work place we are working across teams consisting of multiple generations. Companies that are not strategically planning the talent and capital knowledge transfer of these various demographics, will find in the next 5 years a mass exodus of capital know how from their respective brands.

Right now and over the coming years, there are a number of organisations that are due to have a high volume of retirees leave their respective brands as the workforce ages. Some prominent workforce analysts predict figures as high as 30%.

This is why this topic should be on the lips of every Executive, EA, Manager and Board. Succession planning isn't a question of just putting someone with a tenure of years into another's position as and when needed. It is about the fundamental preparation via transferring emotional intelligence and technical knowledge coupled with mentorship over a period of time to the identified successor. Sometimes this can take years to move another through the ranks to become the leader of a team, business unit or an organisation.

So what are the fundamentals to be considered when reviewing systematic best practice to evidence successful outcomes?

• Build a consistent pipeline of talent to ensure continuity of leadership and critical roles.
• Work to the strengths of each team member to help maximise their potential.
• Ensure you have a clear picture of the outcome of how a team will be structured and who will occupy various positions.
• Focusing on this strategy ensures a higher return of employee investment without attrition.
• Proper planning prevents poor performance so ensure the sponsorship and involvement of leaders in this vital process.

There are some roles that carry more responsibilities than others, prioritise your team roles top down. This ensures that your risk of critical business positions are not left unfilled or vacant which carries a knock on effect to that of the team and broader organisation's needs. If this talent pipeline is effectively planned and managed it will have a number of positive yields; robust career management, creation of opportunity for others, a structured career path and enhanced levels of retention of your organisations workforce. For further information relating to the succession planning process. Please contact Elite Assistants Pty - your Recruitment & Human Capital partners.

Planning an event may seem easy although there are always finer details that everyone sometimes overlooks. To make things easier, below are some helpful tips to remember when planning your future events. If these are followed, your event is sure to run smoothly and be a success.

Seating Styles

Cabaret? Theatre? Classroom? U-Shape? It is always handy to familiarise yourself with all the seating styles when planning an event. Every event is unique and may require different seating styles depending on what the event entails such as group work or a power point presentation. It is important to choose the best seating style that will maximise the conference space and keep your guests engaged and on track. If you are unsure of the different seating styles or which ones work best for different types of event, just ask your event planner.

Maximum room capacity

We understand that things can change, when it comes to organising small or large group meetings and event, availability and numbers may fluctuate. Guests will respond with last minute changes to which you have to alter the event around. It is therefore important to check what the maximum seating capacity of your function room will be to ensure that any last minute changes can be accommodated for.

Hot Tip: Checking the maximum room capacity when first making the booking is helpful so you know how many guests to limit an event. You can then keep in mind or cap your maximum numbers which will avoid room capacity issues for your event.

Dietary requirements

Food! Most guests will agree that this is always the best part of any event whether it is a light morning tea or a buffet dinner. It is therefore always important to ask all of your guests if they have any dietary requirements and ensure that you inform your event planner. This will ensure that all guests are catered for accordingly which and will avoid any issues on the day of your event. Keep in mind that some venues will order the food a few days in advance, so try to communicate any dietary requirements as soon as possible.

Read the T's and C's

'Yes I have read and understood the terms and conditions.'. Be honest, have you really? A lot of people are guilty of telling this little white lie. However, sometimes it really does help you understand your venue of choice. It will better prepare you for any reduction of numbers, postponement or cancellations.

Hot Tip: Take a few minutes to ensure you understand the terms and conditions of which the event is being booked and note down important points such as the cancellation fee or when your final numbers or dietary requirements are due.

Budget

If you can, always let your event planner know if you have a budget in mind. You will find that most event spaces will be helpful with assisting you to plan an event within your budget. If they are unable to meet your budget then they can inform you straight away and you can start looking for a more suitable venue and save time.

Special Offers

Always keep an eye out for special offers! Here at the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel we are currently running a September Special with a minimum of 15 guests our Full Day Delegate Package is from $55.00 per person.

Our conference day packages for main conference room hire, include the following:

• 6 foot screen
• Data projector
• Whiteboards and markers
• Flipchart
• Wireless internet
• The room set with lollies, iced water, pens and note pads
• Arrival tea and coffee
• Morning tea
• Buffet lunch served in our Restaurant (working lunch also available upon request)
• Afternoon tea

Subject to availability Valid for new bookings only, held during the month of September.

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto has launched their 2015 Festive offer perfect for your Christmas party or end of year event. The hotel features unique spaces to hold your ideal event that is memorable for your guests. Alluvial Restaurant and Bluestone Wine Lounge run the length of the hotel. What was once a cobblestone laneway between the two buildings is now an impressive dining and event space. Market Lane Bar on the ground floor is ideal for intimate events and for larger groups or The Laneway Rooms provide a uniquely Melbourne flair to your event. From intimate dinners to large parties our experienced events team are available to guide you through the process of planning a spectacular party or event.

To enquire, please contact our team on 03 8627 1622 or or visit melbourne.intercontinental.com/christmasparties

The Great Ocean Road, it's world famous and stunning so why wouldn't you want to consider it as the location for your next business event? Can't think of any reasons why not? Neither could we so we took a group of buyers and journalists from CIM TV on a recent famil to experience it for themselves. The day kicked off with a tour at the Mansion Hotel and Spa, Werribee, just a stone's throw from the Melbourne CBD, Avalon and Tullamarine airports the group were treated to an indulgent morning tea in the historic surrounds. The Hotel offers eight flexible meeting spaces, three smaller boardrooms, two large meeting rooms, The Ballroom and two self-contained spaces including The Theatre and The Pavilion.

Just a short drive down the road we arrived in Geelong, home of the mighty Cats football team and Mercure Geelong who gave us the grand tour of their venue and accommodation options including apartments and suites.

This was followed by a visit to Novotel Geelong accompanied by a delicious lunch. This venue offers waterfront views and boast six flexible function spaces. Part of the group then headed to The Pier, a versatile venue on Geelong's beautiful waterfront with capacity for up to 1000 guests. If you are looking for a metropolitan location without the challenges of a big city Geelong has to be on the top of the list. What better way to get down the coast to Lorne than by helicopter transfer with Geelong Helicopters! The group were excited and surprised as we boarded the choppers for a spectacular trip down the coast. Geelong Helicopters provide a range of charter services including airport transfers and operate scenic flights daily from the Geelong Waterfront on the Yarra Street Pier.

Safely back on solid ground we checked in at the Mantra Lorne set in 12 acres of sweeping landscaped gardens just off the beachfront. After a thorough site inspection the group enjoyed pre dinner drinks and canapés while recapping the highlights of the day. The day was far from over next stop the Cumberland Lorne Conference Centre who showcased their purpose built facilities featuring a tiered auditorium seating 350 guests, the tour was followed with an Argentinian inspired dinner created by Cater and Co highlighting local produce, overlooking the Lorne foreshore.

Day 2 began with a leisurely breakfast then back on the road to Victoria's surf capital Torquay.

Home of the famous Bells Beach and the annual Rip Curl Pro surf competition, the impressive RACV Torquay was the first point of call for the day providing a comprehensive tour of the expansive facilities including ten natural light filled spaces where the group was treated to a decadent morning tea. The Surf Coast Conference Centre at the Surf Coast Hotel provided the group with a tour featuring their accommodation facilities and we then ventured onto Peppers the Sands Resort. Complete with a Stuart Appleby designed golf course the Sands has meeting capacity for 300 delegates. We let the group loose in the Golf Cart Relay run by Big Stick Adventures who corralled the competitive and coached the less confident - this unique activity is only offered in two properties in Victoria. After a sensational lunch overlooking the pristine golf course it was time for the group to hit the road and head back to Melbourne in our trusty tour bus provided by Murrell's Group. Needless to say there was a great deal of chatter on the trip home about upcoming opportunities to utilise the excellent venues visited.

If you would like to know more about the venues Geelong, Lorne and Torquay or you would like to join us on an upcoming famil, please contact us via email at info@businesseventsvictoria.com or phone on 03 8662 5432

Thanks to CIM TV for the imagery!

Have you thought about holding your next after hours events at cliftons?

cliftons is the expert in delivering flexible and innovative venue space to turn your ideas into truly memorable events. our venues are set in the heart of asia pacific's main cities and offer a range of versatile set-up options to suit your requirements within budget. Our experienced team can also provide the space for your after-hours and weekend events. Be it a networking session, cocktail function, product launch, seminar or training class - Cliftons can deliver the venue space and logistics for your next social occasion.

With 10 central locations, over 7,400 global partners, onsite catering options and event planning & management advice; Cliftons is your main partner when it comes to organising your events.

We have function and catering packages to suit all occasions. Get in touch today for exclusive EAN Member rates and offers! Visit www.cliftons.com

Many a toddler or pre-schooler has gone from model child to monster with the arrival of a shiny new baby but, rest assured, there are simple ways to reduce the potential fall-out.

Some older siblings find the arrival of a new sister or brother really very unsettling and may start to show uncharacteristic behaviours such as attention seeking, aggression or regression. You can take simple steps to try to reduce this by getting your toddler involved before you bring baby home. Reading books about babies, helping to get the baby's room ready and coming along to antennal visits will all help your little person feel part of the process.

Don't sneak away to the hospital when the time comes either, make sure that your toddler knows that they will come and visit you in hospital and make sure that there are plenty of hugs before the big introduction to the new baby - your little one will need some reassurance that there is enough love to go around. Another great way to make your toddler feel special too is to give them a gift, maybe the gift could be from the new baby. My Birthday Teddy has the perfect gift for just such an occasion - a personalised teddy bear with the toddler's name and birth date embroidered on the paw of the teddy. This bear is delivered in its own special box, wrapped in tissue, with a special birth certificate. Imagine your little one's face as they open up their special gift.

My Birthday Teddy is of course a beautiful gift for a new baby but you can always put the new baby's box away and make it a special first birthday gift from the other siblings.

Whatever it takes for a quiet life. July is a great time to buy all your My Birthday Teddy bears for the whole family. We have a special offer of $10 each additional bear when you order more than one. My Birthday Teddy is a hand-made bear especially for them. A teddy that has their name embroidered on it forever. It's an heirloom. This is a gift that gives off a lot of love.

Go to www.mybirthdayteddy.com.au, check out the range of beautiful teddies and monthly specials - you could have found the easiest way to keep everyone happy. Starting at $65 including national postage, it's a small price to pay, and if you need your My Birthday Teddy quickly (normally it takes 28 days to produce), there's an Express Service (5 to 10 days for $85). My Birthday Teddy is also comfortable traveling to far-flung destinations worldwide ($80 including international postage).

Welcome to royal on the park hotel Brisbane

The Royal on the Park Hotel Brisbane is an iconic hotel offering a rich history full of tradition, elegance and service. The unique outlook over the City Botanic Gardens provides a view like no other and offers guests a tranquil retreat in the heart of the Brisbane CBD that other hotels simply can't match.

Offering only the very best in service, our guests have returned year after year to a hotel that has become their home away from home.

Incomparable conference facilities, spacious accommodation and majestic city skyline and City Botanic Garden views makes Royal on the Park the very best in four and a half star accommodation. Royal on the Park Hotel Brisbane offers a rich, 46 year history of tradition, elegance and service. Having served many guests including various VIP's and dignitaries, we have the knowledge and experience to look after you and your guests like the VIP's that you are. Uniquely located and opposite the tranquil green backdrop of the Gardens, the 'Royal' is the perfect retreat for all visitors to Brisbane. Retaining moments from our past with warm timber panelling and Egyptian chandeliers throughout, you'll enjoy a warm and genuine welcome from an experienced team who are here to attend to your every need. We are renowned for our successful events ranging from corporate meetings, residential conferencing, gala functions, cocktail parties, dinners and high-tea events to the most beautifully styled and decorated weddings and school formals. With 8 individual function venues available, our ground floor 'pillar-less' ballroom (seats up to 420) breaks into 4 separate conference spaces and all are fully flexible accommodating events from 8 to 800 guests. Offering completely free wifi for all conference and in house guests. Our on-site technician is available to help with audio visual needs and expert chefs will tailor menus specifically to suit any budget, occasion and taste.

The Royal boasts 153 guest rooms comprised of the following three styles:

• Our 138 Deluxe rooms are situated facing either Brisbane CBD views, or looking over the picturesque Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
• The 5 Spa suites enjoy both views, situated at one end of the hotel. They feature a separate dining and lounge room and private bedroom.
• Of our rooms, our 3 Executive suites are our pinnacle rooms. Located on the top floor, they have uninterrupted views of the gardens and Kangaroo point precinct.

Positioned in the heart of the CBD with close proximity to the cultural and entertainment precinct of South Bank, everything is at your fingertips. Overlooking the City Botanic Gardens and offering incomparable conference facilities and award winning restaurant, the 'Royal' truly epitomises the very best in four and a half star accommodation, where service comes first.

Over the past 10 years team building has slowly recovered its reputation from the bad memories of the 80's. The stereotypes of blind folding, falling back and catching each other or group hugs all round. It is due to the number of different levels that team building can be practiced that distorts the definition of what it actually is.

How you build and develop your team is very personal, as it should be! The levels of team culture, vision and commitment are what make your team get out of bed every day. Developing this culture, vision and commitment with your team needs to come from the top and involve a planned strategy which allows for spontaneity. This strategy should include a variety of different activities, programs and workshops which benefit the individual and the team as a whole.

Team building is not to be confused with "team recreation". Recreational activities may include archery, lawn bowls, rock climbing, laser skirmish, Segway's etc. Don't get me wrong these are all fun activities and for the right moment and appropriate outcome I'm all for them but it is important for CEO's, MD's, Managers, Leaders, HR Directors and Learning and Development Offices to realise that team building should include 3 key criteria:

100% inclusive, for introverts and extroverts. We are building a team and in the ultimate team you need a mix of personalities, skills and mind sets. Therefore it is essential to make all participants realise that each and every team member is important for the ultimate goal they are trying to achieve. If they had no use then they wouldn't be there.

Long Lasting Effect - team building events must incorporate team lessons that a manager can use after the event to discuss, adopt and reflect upon. The most powerful element about team building is the realisation of participants about is required to perform at their best and how this can be applied in the work environment. Team lessons can include: leadership, communication, negotiation skills, roles and responsibilities, risk assessment, decision making, building relationships and the list goes on.

Fun (or for a more of a corporate buzz word Engagement) - First and foremost team building must have a fun element, if you are not having fun then you are not learning or wanting to learn. Fun allows individuals to open themselves up to being a part of a team or building relationships that they would not have been open to in their normal, serious, busy, competitive working environment. In most cases it is fun that allows people to learn more about their colleagues and also about themselves.

"At BeChallenged we constantly strive to be the ultimate team in order to inspire the teams we work with. We are very passionate about what we do and believe whole heartedly the importance of being a part of a happy functioning team. We spend most of our life in the workplace and so we have to make sure we are allowing ourselves and everyone around us to achieve, develop and be happy." - Oliver Sheer Managing Director BeChallenged

If you can create a team with a positive culture, clear vision and commitment then not only will you succeed as a team but gees you will have a whole lot of fun doing it. For more information please check out our website www.bechallenged.com.au

So you've got your event planned out. The date is booked in, theme chosen, invitations sent out to all your colleagues, key business clients, and even a few board members. Everyone is looking forward to celebrating the hard work they've put in. You're on the home stretch and looking forward to the big corporate event of the year… when you find yourself starting to worry. What was the latest weather report again? Is it going to rain or hail, or will the winds take away my decorations and banners? Will bad weather make access difficult, resulting in a disappointing and embarrassing turnout? Will there be enough food and drink? What if the AV doesn't work and nobody can hear the keynote speaker? Did the venue really understand my brief so my event will be everything I promised to deliver? What could go wrong?

At South Wharf Events, we deal with these worries and more on a daily basis. A recent corporate special event, run for 1150 people (in an area catering for up to 2500) shows yet again that no matter how much pre-planning you put in, circumstances can change on you at the last minute!

Party Time at South Wharf

For this particular event, an organizational team of 6 worked closely with a wide group of businesses, their organizers, and suppliers to bring together a unique event with a strong focus on food and beverage. Featuring 5 different event hubs across the space, the aim was to take guests on a journey, allowing them to explore the different flavours of South Wharf Promenade. Showtime Events Centre played host to the 'Seafood Snack Station', Meat Market was 'The Grill', Bohemian the 'Salad Bar', The Common Man hosted 'Asian Delights' and the open air 'Common Lawn' had the Burger Bar & BBQ. The hand held food items were also circulated so no one missed a thing and the array of beverages was consistently flowing. No small detail was overlooked, with Gobos projecting the client's logo over the Yarra River and onto an adjacent abandoned warehouse for spectacular effect, and staff wearing aprons embroidered with the menu items and dietary information for ease of selection. Guests loved it!

At the mercy of Melbourne weather

Just two weeks prior to the event, the weather was flagged as a potential threat, and a close eye was kept on the forecast. One week out, with no sign of improvement, the decision was made to erect a marquee so that guests, and food, would stay dry! Across a 35 metre wide space, arranging a large marquee at the last minute could have spelled disaster, however the process was relatively smooth due to the contingency plans implemented by the team.

• Early in the event planning process, marquee structure and size was mapped out to ensure that if needed, it could be ordered and actioned on short notice.
• Event schedules identified the exact bump in and bump out times that would be required if a marquee was erected.
• Once the decision was made to go ahead, the 'last minute actions' were mostly tying up of loose ends such as making the land lord aware of the changes, ensuring the Places of Public Entertainment (POPE) permit was amended, and conveying bump in/out times to the marquee company.

Ensuring things go smoothly

Contingency planning and smooth execution, ensuring everyone knew what to do and when to adapt, saved the day for our case event. With experience in delivering a wide range of special events (particularly large-scale precinct events, with many catering for over 2000 guests) our team can be counted on not just to understand your needs, but also to know what to look out for 'just in case'.

The main factor in ensuring a smooth event is a strong team. South Wharf Events understands that every team member plays an important role, from the initial briefing process, to planning and coordination, and all the way through to operations and delivery on the day. Our case event included a total of 51 staff members who all played their part in ensuring the day was pulled off without a hitch. The guests were entertained, satisfied, and at times caught pleasantly by surprise!

Our clients are guided along every step of the way, ensuring that your vision is brought to life with little to worry about or coordinate, leaving you free to enjoy the experience. We frequently receive feedback from guests who are still talking about the event they attended, months and even years later!

Take your corporate event to new heights with the thrill of indoor skydiving! Skydiving generally isn't for the faint hearted but it's an exhilarating activity that has the perfect foundations for team-building. Now that iFLY Downunder has brought the gravity-defying experience indoors through simulated skydiving, you have the opportunity to take working relationships to new heights and see the spirits of your employees soar without actually having to jump out of a plane! Indoor skydiving at iFLY Downunder could be the unique corporate experience you need to get your employees out of the office and into adventure without the worry, expense and risk. Corporate days out and team building exercises are often cliché leaving employees and clients apathetic and uninspired. These experiences hold the purpose of lifting morale and forming stronger work relationships, but how are companies supposed to achieve that when corporate events have adopted a negative connotation? Executives are scrambling for ideas on how to engage their employees and motivate them to harness good working relationships. Nowadays many things push the envelope, so why not change the perception of corporate events with something imaginative and thrilling?

Corporate or Team building days at iFLY Indoor Skydiving are a great way to demonstrate that anything is possible.

Now we are able to experience the adrenaline pumping thrill of human flight without jumping out of a plane through one of the largest, most technically advanced vertical wind tunnels on the planet. An adrenaline producing experience can do wonders for your mental health as the 'rush' sets off endorphins in the body. When we overcome something that gives us a 'rush' we feel a sense of accomplishment. Sharing this experience with team members encourages everyone who is participating to feel more vulnerable which provides great potential for breaking down barriers and forming stronger relationships. It's a fantastic opportunity for people of different tolerance and fear levels to cheer on one another and come out on the other end of the experience learning more about each other.

There's no limit on what kind of event you wish to have; it can be as intimate or grand as you please with iFLY Indoor Skydiving, depending on the scale of the event. All corporate groups experience an exclusive flying session in the glass flight chamber, room hire and video footage from inside the tunnel on a USB. You can either pick a pre-formed package or customise a tailored package and include onsite catering depending on your requirements, objectives and budgets. iFLY is also the home to world-class instructors that provide your team with comprehensive training before they 'suit up' in their flight suit and safety gear. Not only will you be provided with incredible facilities but also exceptional hospitality; you can leave all the nitty gritty details to your iFLY Event Representative and the only responsibility you have is turning up and flying high. iFLY Downunder also has the i4-iFly Leadership Experience Program that integrates learning how to lead and learning how to fly. This includes a masterclass on leadership, feedback assessment and the rewarding flying experience. Fun and transformational, this package can also be customised based on personal development areas.

Indoor skydiving is an experience that encompasses many things, but most importantly it's a unique and unforgettable way to drag your employees away from their desks. It's a safe yet exhilarating way to prove to your employees and clients that you do think of them and that you want to make corporate events as engaging and unpredictable as can be. Remember, anything is possible. For more information on corporate events at iFLY Indoor Skydiving visit our website or call 1300 366 364 to book. Visit aboutmybrain.com/i4-ifly for more information on i4 iFly.