News November 08

“With the expert assistance of the WALDRONSMITH Management team, the 26th Annual NIBA Convention held at the new Darwin Convention Centre in September exceeded all expectations. It was a new frontier for all concerned and much logistical planning was required to ensure NIBA maintained its reputation for providing excellence, relevance and excitement at its annual showcase event for the insurance industry in Australia. Over 700 delegates enjoyed the unique sights and features that this special part of Australia has to offer and the convention centre proved a first class venue.” Noel Pettersen, Chief Executive, NIBA.

The Fertility Society of Australia's Annual Scientific Meeting at the Hilton Hotel, Brisbane, 18 to 22 October 2008 was an outstanding success. The number of delegates vastly exceeded expectations (620), the facilities coped well with the extra delegates, the delegates were very complimentary of the content of the program and the guest speakers were very appreciative of the hospitality. The success of the meeting was in large part due to the expert support and guidance provided to the organising committee by the team at WALDRONSMITH Management. We all enjoyed working together to deliver a superb conference held in one of the best locations in Australia. Kevin Forbes, Convenor, FSA 2008.

Our delegates stem from both the creative and corporate side of the industry and WALDRONSMITH Management seamlessly manages the diverse nature of our business. Our event requires enormous attention to detail as our industry has high expectations and WALDRONSMITH Management carry out every request with swift, knowledgeable advice. It is a great comfort having them on our team. Gaylee Butler, Director, Screen Producers of Australia 2008 Conference, Gold Coast.

As convenor of the largest annual scientific vascular meeting in Australasia (Vascular2008), the role of a conference management team was vital. WALDRONSMITH Management not only competently and professionally executed this role but their proven expertise in conducting our annual meetings allowed us the flexibility to engage in new and creative ways to conduct the meeting. 500 delegates from 4 continents were hosted and a complex scientific programme of plenaries, seminars and technical symposia and workshops was coordinated professionally with the team from WALDRONSMITH Management. The pre-conference planning done by WALDRONSMITH Management was matched by on site availability for day to day management of issues as they arose (and there were very few of these). Convenor, Dr Peter Subramanian FRACS, Adelaide Convention Centre.

Earlier this year the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre ran a sustainability forum for their clients, suppliers and staff - Life with a Smaller Footprint.

The purpose was to address the many issues clients face in their quest for sustainable solutions across all aspects of their Conference.

WALDRONSMITH Management, Managing Director, Kate Smith, was invited to present “A PCO’s Perspective” alongside other associated industry colleagues, including Linda Gaunt CEO of Meetings & Events Australia.

We are pleased to announce that Stephanie Gershon has recently joined our Melbourne office as a Conference Manager. With over 8 years experience within the industry, she brings to the team her considerable knowledge and experience of working from the ground up. Having established a conference department within a leading health professional association, Stephanie managed the association’s inaugural event which attracted over 1500 delegates, nationally and globally. She also developed strategies and marketing initiatives for administering major conferences and events. Prior to this Stephanie worked within a PCO environment assisting with Conferences from a number of diverse industries. Stephanie now brings her energy, passion and drive for the industry to WALDRONSMITH Management.

WALDRONSMITH Management congratulates Helen McGowan on 14 years of service. Helen is the Manager of our Sponsorship and Exhibition Department and works with the WALDRONSMITH Management clients who incorporate sponsorship and exhibition in their conferences. In addition to sponsorship and exhibition sales, Helen is involved in the administration and implementation of all her teams’ projects which include database management, exhibition co-ordination from floor plan to onsite build, sponsorship entitlement delivery etc. Helen is a true relationship manager with a keen customer service focus, coupled with a genuine interest in maximising sponsor and exhibitor investment and participation. Helen has a long and rich history, with many of the long term WALDRONSMITH Management
clients and is always keen to embrace the challenges of new clients.