Event Showcase | Advertising Week APAC

“Great minds think unalike”

When we first read an email subject heading with this title, we were immediately intrigued. Too right, we thought – the minds of truly creative and forward-thinking people don’t think like the masses and that is what propels those people to do awesome and amazing things. Like invent electricty or Instagram (both very useful…).

As we clicked to read more, we were excited to learn that earlier this year Sydney played host to some of the regions most creative thinkers at a week-long event – Advertising Week APAC.

With some of the World’s biggest and most influential brands taking part we’re excited to now take a deeper look at how this event all came together and check out some of the key highlights.

Produced by Sydney-based event management company, Workshop Events, Advertising Week APAC brought together industry professionals for a week of thoughtful conversations with leaders from the marketing, advertising, technology and creative spaces.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at one of the most creative fuelled events in town this year…

Event Brief

Workshop Events (WE) were charged with being the local event production ‘eyes and ears’ for their New York-based client. The brief was to assist in bringing to life a world-class event being held in Australia for the first time. Expectations were high as this event possesses a 15-year history in New York, London, Mexico City & Tokyo.

Initial consultations began 12 months out and the WE team, led by Kathy Ferris and Richard Breatnach began pulling it all together with 4 months to go.

Workshop Events were responsible for event management of the conference component at Luna Park, plus all satellite events including procurement and management of all staff including a contingent of volunteers, sourcing printing, photographers, videographers, liaising with major sponsors, venues and other third-party suppliers.

It wasn’t a small event, check out these stats…

• 4,000 + attendees

• 4 days

• 4 stages

• 12 satellite events

• 100+ sessions

• 260+ speakers

The Highlights

The calibre of speakers (over 260!) curated by Advertising Week was world class, engaging audiences (over 4000!) with thought-provoking concepts and glimpses into the future of advertising, marketing and technology.

Pushing the boundaries of venue selection away from traditional conference spaces was one of the key highlights of this event. For a conference of this size and duration, it was certainly a bold move to select Luna Park as the main space and with the spectacular weather that Sydney turned on, the move paid off in spades. All spaces within the entertainment precinct were utilised for presentations, activations, networking lunches, lounges and the grand finale wrap party.

Sponsors exercised their creativity applying a thoughtful approach to their activations. Of particular note were Facebook who delivered a visually exciting and wonderfully interactive container style activation, and Google who opted to use existing infrastructure by owning the ferris wheel for 3 days, branding it and delivering an outstanding experience for attendees.

During down-time, delegates were able to access the television studio themed delegate lounge or innovation hall where the latest and greatest technologies from the likes of Microsoft were being showcased.

Moving off-site, locations around Sydney were varied and included the iconic Sydney Opera House where the opening gala kicked off what was going to be an epic four days.

Leadership breakfasts on the rooftop Harbourside Terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art started each day in style. Spectacular winter sunrises formed the backdrop to panel discussions over a delicious bite to eat before delegates hopped on a ferry for the leisurely ride across the harbour to Milsons Point.

Each evening sponsor dinners took place at various locations including the Richard Wherrett Studio at the Roslyn Packer Theatre. A highlight was a first for Think TV who managed to coordinate the CEO’s of the four leading TV networks to be in the same room for an industry defining panel discussion held at 12-Micron.

And at the end of it all, a circus themed wrap party sponsored by Shutterstock and styled by Workshop Events in Luna Park’s Big Top proved the most appropriate conclusion to a massive four days. Food and beverage flowed as circus performers roamed followed by headline act, popular DJ duo Peking Duk who had the crowd up and partying until closing.

And what did the client think…?

“Just an outstanding, professional performance. No drama. Adults all around. Problems solved. Seamless execution. Promises kept. Partners Happy. All silky smooth. What more could one ask for? Be very, very proud. Bright days ahead.”

Lord Matthew J Sheckner

Global CEO, Advertising Week

Final Note

We absolutely loved learning more about this event – epic in both size and content. Workshop Events obviously think unalike; producing events of this style is a true testament to their creative ability.Thanks to Kathy and Richard for sharing this event with us.

To get a taste of the overall vibe of the event, check out this showreel [1:39m]

Venues and Suppliers involved in this event included:

VENUES:

Luna Park | Conference Venue

Museum of Contemporary Art | Leadership breakfast venue

Richard Wherrett Studio | Sponsor dinner venue

Watermans Room at 12-Micron | Sponsor Dinner Venue

The Tea Room QVB | Sponsor Dinner Venue

Sydney Opera House | Gala Opening

SUPPLIERS:

Audio Visual Events | Technical

Social Focus Media | Event Photography

Outshine Media | Highlights Videographer

Event Hire Services | Furniture Hire

Funkionality | Furniture Hire

Valiant Hire | Furniture Hire

Event Crew | Event Staffing

Cactus Imaging | Signage

Digital Mass | Event Wi-Fi

Yummy Dogs | Hot Dogs

Pollards | Big Top Rigging

Media Wall | Media Walls & Additional Signage

T-Shirts Only | Staff apparel

All images used in this post by Matt Teague of Social Focus Media.