Hagemeyer incentive makes most of Macau

THE BRIEF
Hagemeyer Australia is a B2B distributor of electrical maintenance, repair and operations products to building contractors in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Each year it holds an incentive, conference and trade expo called Network Connections that brings together customers, suppliers and staff.

CHALLENGES
Pre-planning began a year before the April event. Destination Asia was the local DMC while Incentive House Australia was the organiser. Les Alford, conference and events manager with Incentive House, says:
“This is a serious event with emphasis on networking and educating, as well as being entertaining.
“The programme is unique as it not only involves a conference but is also a trade expo and, more importantly, a motivational incentive for Hagemeyer customers and staff Australia wide.”

EXECUTION
A 13,000 sqm space in the Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Centre was fitted out with a 1,000-seat, raised-tier stadium, an 80-booth trade expo, plus an area where delegates could relax and network.
Trade exhibitors included well-known international brands who are direct suppliers to Hagemeyer Australia.

Hagemeyer Australia brought in some excellent keynote speakers for the event, including dual Olympic gold medallist Kieren Perkins and former Australian politician Jeff Kennett.

Other entertainment included a toga party at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf and a Rock ‘n’ Roll evening with an exclusive performance by American artist Suzi Quatro.

Phantom of the Opera star Tom Griffiths also sang alongside a 17-piece orchestra on the
final evening of the event. The closing song of the night was quite fitting – ‘I Would
Walk 500 Miles’ – which meant not only the journey to get to Macau, but also the
long walk through the Venetian.

A number of delegates left after the final Gala Dinner at 1.45am with a ‘grab and go’ breakfast bag and a coffee to catch their 9am flight back to Australia from Hong Kong.

VERDICT
“The most important thing is that 960 people walked away with a ‘wow’,” says Adrianne Lynch of Destination Asia.

“There is not enough praise I could give about the Venetian. Everyone had limited expectations because they all knew we would be working with a new hotel. We were waiting for something to go wrong and nothing did. It’s amazing.”