PCOA20 IS A WRAP
As 2020 draws to an end, we’d like to reflect on our conference held just a week or two ago.
It was critical to PCOA that we ensured we held a conference in this challenging year, to give our industry to opportunity to connect, to engage and provide a knowledge forum to continue our professional development.
PCOA pushed forward to deliver our annual industry conference ‘PCOA20’ as a hybrid event connecting over 480 members, business partners and industry colleagues across 7 venues in Australia and New Zealand as well as virtually via the OnAIR platform.
We deliberately set the bar high when creating the objectives for PCOA20 and we knew that it was ambitious and not without risk – but we were committed to demonstrate that hybrid events can and will work – as we navigate the next few years of the “new world” of business events.
PCOA wanted to challenge ourselves and all our supporters to be brave, to push the envelope to achieve our objective of “bringing our community together” and we all did just that.
The theme of the Conference FLEXIBILITY IS THE FUTURE - LIVE, LOCAL AND CONNECTED provided a much-needed platform for the business events community to come together to learn, connect & network.
Our focus for the program curated by Paula Leishman, Tasmanian PCOA Councillor and Managing Director of Leishman Associates was centred around the rebound and recovery of our sector by providing us with a pathway forward for 2021 and beyond.
There was a
phenomenal line-up of speakers involved and we thank all of the speakers who
contributed so much over the two days of the event with a special mention to
ICMI Speakers & Entertainers and our fun and witty emcee Nick Bartlett.
The main hub at the Hyatt Regency Sydney was produced
by Karen Sainsbury, our NSW Councillor and Managing Director of Cornerstone
Events.
The
Association would like to sincerely thank all our industry partners for their
dedication and support to PCOA20 with a special mention to our Technology
partners EventsAIR, Encore and Touchpoint.
We would
also like a special shout to our venue partners, Hyatt Regency Sydney, Crowne
Plaza Adelaide, Crowne Plaza Melbourne, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Park Hyatt
Auckland, Hyatt Regency Perth and Pullman Brisbane King George Square. There
was certainly a special vibe & excitement felt within our hubs for those
meeting face to face again.
What we do
know from this unprecedented year is that as humans we enjoy nothing more than
being together and sharing experiences, so therefore the future will be positive
for the business events community.
We hope you
can all join us in the beautiful Hobart, Tasmania for PCOA 21 from 5 - 7
December 2021.
“ICMI is proud to be a major sponsor of PCOA 2020.
Pre Covid, the PCO Association helped contribute education and lobby wise to and for 500,000 events per year, generating $36,000,000,000 to the Australian economy. ICMI believe this is something The PCOA should be acknowledged for; and be extremely proud of. ICMI also wish to acknowledge what the PCOA have provided to the whole conference and events market through their incredible education and support services.
ICMI is honoured to be partnering with such an outstanding association”.
what attendees have said
I just wanted to extend my thanks to you all for such a successful conference.
I greatly enjoyed the content and the hybrid concept worked extremely well.
It was just wonderful to get amongst it again with our industry colleagues and partners.
Thank you for forging ahead during uncertain times and bringing us all together!
Caroline Borland, Marriott International Inc
I really enjoyed PCOA20.
It was a really well put together program, and I'm so glad I went. I think you've raised the bar so am really keen to see where we go in 2021. Well done to everyone involved. You should be super proud.
It's going to be hard to improve on.
Loved that the organisers took risks.
Congrats to all involved
in delivering an excellent and truly memorable conference.
PCOA is a great opportunity to network
with and connect with buyers.
Due to our direct Brisbane flights and tertiary reputation, Dunedin is an attractive destination for the Australian market
Nicole Carvell, Business Events Tourism Advisor, Enterprise Dunedin
The PCOA conference was fantastic for a variety of reasons... we had great impact
We were easily identifiable wearing our Tiaki Promise T-shirts... Content was relevant & inspirational & I made a lot of great contacts.
Amanda Graham, Convention Bureau Manager,
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
I really enjoyed networking with
delegates from all sectors of our industry
From all corners of Australia and New Zealand
Heidi Heming, Business Development Manager, Australia CINZ
A good mix at this event!
A combo of keynotes with a good story and ideas for us to take back to the workplace are the best
Contact Us
Phone
Cindy Axisa: +61 435 374 476
Maxine Tod: +61 435 103 912