Melbourne Edge at AIME 2019

March 16, 2019

Melbourne Convention Bureau’s most recent Melbourne Edge event presented by Melbourne Convention Bureau and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) inspired and challenged industry professionals to adapt to growing global trends and how to leverage these business insights for long term sustainability.

Held on Wednesday 20 February during AIME 2019 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the knowledge forum featured keynotes from two global leaders on building communities through events and social impacts for the association sector.

Prominent business events industry leader and President and CEO at Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Sherrif Karamat shared his insights on the five trends in the global meeting industry and how to shape engagement for associations.

Mr. Karamat provided practical key learnings on how to embrace these trends for event success to truly engage and resonate with audiences. From emotional intelligence and exploring the use of technology, to the balancing act of connectivity – “the more connected we are, the more disconnected we feel,” and being fully present in the moment. By creating a clearer sense of space and looking to environmental cues for enhanced user experiences, we can leverage geography for deeper enrichment. He encouraged brands to find their voice and act on meaningful messages regarding their values and business choices and not to stand silent on issues that matter to their audiences.

Swiss born and New York based entrepreneur and community builder Fabian Pfortmüller, Founder and CEO of the Together Group challenged attendees to think differently about their events and provided practical tools for developing a community framework around their association or event.

Thought provoking and insightful, Mr. Pfortmüller detailed how we can turn events into powerful communities, creating trust with our audiences along the event journey to evoke a sense of belonging. This will ultimately foster commitment and build advocacy for our events.

Owned by Melbourne Convention Bureau, the Melbourne Edge Event Series unites tourism and events professionals with great minds and inspires innovation in business events through bold presentations, lively debates and tactile workshops.
 

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Thank you to our event partners