Philosophy

Event Management in Australia has grown into a highly professionalised and incredibly desirable vocation in Australia. This should come as no real surprise when one considers that in the past two decades Australians have leapt to the forefront of the global events scene and been hailed as the heroes of a huge number of high profile events. From Olympic Torch Relays and Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremonies to Red Bull Air Races and mass religious gatherings to Amway corporate sales meetings and Conferences for the World’s leading associations and colleges, Australians are there, quietly and consistently churning out exceptional, world-leading work.

The recipe for continued success requires three essential ingredients.

The first and most important ingredient is unity. The development of a broad ranging events industry identity is essential as is acknowledgement that there are significant untapped opportunities that can be realised simply by working together better.  No more can we afford to separate the disciplines required to deliver successful meetings from sporting events or exhibitions from corporate parties. There is much more to be gained from a whole of industry, whole of nation, whole of profession view where sectors can actively work together to advise public policy, attract international product and build socially meaningful events as one industry.

The second ingredient is innovation. The development, at a national level, of structures and programs that actively foster and encourage risk taking and innovation is essential. It is this risk-taking and innovation that put Australia in the world-leading position that it holds today (remember the impact of Ric Birch’s winking kangaroo Matilda or Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs?) and it is essential that we recognise this and continue to evolve. This is a difficult ask – for risk taking sometimes means failure, but if we’re not brave enough to foster and develop innovative creative endeavours then someone else around the world will be.

The third ingredient is excellence. This is the part of the game that we’re already very good at, but let’s make sure we don’t drop the ball! Educational programs must continue to feature a close relationship with our newly united industry (see ingredient 1) and high achievers must be prepared to share their expertise and experience with the next generation. Government must continue to see the value in a thriving events industry and in growing our international reputation and industry must reinvest through meaningful whole-of-industry mentoring.

The Australian Event Awards is not an industry association or a lobbying group, it is a mechanism to bring the entire Australian events industry together to recognise excellence and innovation wherever it might occur. The outlook for the Australian Events Industry is bright – but we must proceed together with focus, drive and support to ensure that our future professionals can be as proud as we are.