Brad Hampel ( pictured below ), director of Solution Entertainment , talks about the thrill and challenges of organising the AIME Welcome Event .

Q : Is there added pressure putting on an event for your peers ?

A : It adds a level of pressure , but also a level of excitement to be honest . It forces you to be more innovative and creative in your ideas . You have to embrace that because ultimately if you have been given the big stage to put on an event of this

scope and size in the industry it really gives you a chance to showcase your capabilities and also think outside the square . It ’ s quite a savvy industry and forward thinking , so this is a great opportunity to really be able put your concepts and ideas forward in that high pressure situation where people are a lot more exposed to what they have seen . I love that you can engage the whole industry in one room at the same time .

Q : How many times have you been to AIME ?

A : I have been to around six AIMEs and the welcome events are always great and quite different . I think this year especially is going to be different because of the venue and location and going with an agency which is not so well known . I don ’ t think people would have expected it to be in a new venue with a new producer .

Q : How did you decide on showcasing the State ’ s creative industries ?

A : It was a very open brief which basically said it is a 25 th anniversary so how are you going to do something special that will drive home the beauty of Victoria . Through the tender process we developed the theme of creative Victoria and went down that track . The thing that I love about Melbourne and Victoria is that could mean anything to anyone . There are so many things that are exciting and it

really gives you an opportunity to explore that a lot further .

Q : What can we expect on the night ?

A : Our approach is to have pops of entertainment throughout the night that won ’ t overbear but will keep people engaged throughout the night . One of the concepts was to bring in the arts scene , so we secured artist David Bromley who will be doing a live piece at the event .

Q : What ’ s your approach to producing events ?

A : Clients these days are a lot more savvy and have a greater access to information . They have seen things out there and are coming to you with their own ideas as well . You can ’ t get too comfortable . The industry is moving at a quicker pace due to the fact that everything is instant . You always have to be aware of what ’ s happening out there . It really comes to understanding what the client ’ s end game is and what they want . There is definitely more pressure to deliver on that .

Q : Where do you get your inspiration from ?

A : I get my inspiration from my team and seeing what ’ s out there in markets around the world . We like to get creative in the office and as the saying goes there is no such thing as a bad idea .

AIME is the leading events and meetings exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region , taking place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre .

This year is set to be the best edition yet , as we celebrate 25 years of making connections and helping drive businesses forward !

See how you can be part of the AIME community www . aime . com . au

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AIME is part of

IBTM , the ibtm events logo , RELX Group and the RE symbol are trade marks of RELX Intellectual Properties SA , used under license . Reed Exhibitions and Reed Travel Exhibitions are trade marks of RELX Group plc . Hosted Buyer is a trade mark of Reed Exhibitions Limited

www . cimmagazine . com Convention & Incentive Marketing , Issue 1 , 2017 27