Well ATE has come and gone in a blur of appointments and networking opportunities. Delegates got to experience the brand new Melbourne Convention Centre as it played host to Eastern Welcome and Western Farewell Functions. The MCG hosted a fantastic night for East and West delegates with many interactive activities and the opportunity to walk on the hallowed turf of the MCG was a highlight for many. YATEC Vic/Tas branch gave opportunities for it’s members to do a guided walkthrough of the ATE tradeshow floor for both East and West Hemispheres an opportunity described by those lucky YATEC members as “fantastic”. ATEC held their annual members drinks at the BLVD Bar, always a popular night particularly when ATEC shouts the first drink for members, again another great networking night. Tourism Victoria also had fantastic networking nights at the unique Block Arcade, certainly a different venue for such an event but it worked brilliantly with delegates able to combine excellent food, drinks and networking with a spot of shopping in the Arcade shops.
So all in all a very successful ATE was held in Melbourne despite the fears of swine flu and a number of buyer delegates cancelling their attendance.
For those brave souls that did not fear the media hyped flu another danger with very similar symptoms (headache, nausea, chills, sore eyes etc..) was much more prevalant throughout ATE – Wine Flu! Many cases were reported particularly during the Western Hemisphere and it appeared as though most cases of Wine Flu were reported after delegates had attended Club Qantas the night before. Despite awareness of Wine Flu spreading quickly amongst ATE delegates and the effects of Wine Flu clearly seen on the tradeshow floor during morning appointments, delegates braved Club Qantas for the important networking opportunities it provided. Some delegates seemingly laughing in the face of the Wine Flu danger by repeatedly attending Club Qantas night after night and staying until closing… names will not be revealed here. Some seller booths were well prepared for the danger of Wine Flu, with a Red Bull fridge seen in TNQ, Berocca in SA and the Tourism NSW stand providing a healthy dose of Bacon and Egg roles to help delegates affected by Wine Flu.
All that is left now is the important ATE follow up and then looking forward to ATE 2010 in Adelaide, it’s Heaps Good!!