From the desk of Emma Bowyer

There is nothing more satisfying than as a business owner returning refreshed from summer leave to a busy office where the hard work of the previous year is already paying dividends.

I found this to be the case after my time away with family and friends, to find the efforts my ICMSA family put in just prior to Christmas now bearing fruit across our four offices.

Coupled with our repeat business, 2024 is looking like it will exceed expectations. This is particularly satisfying considering 2023 was our best on record.

I put this latest growth phase down to three specific things:

1. We walk the talk
2. We have the experience to do so
3. Our clients trust us implicitly

It is my opinion that as a Professional Conference Organiser ICMSA is a clear industry leader. Our years of dedication and our expert team listens, learns and implements tried and tested strategies, along with new initiatives, that provide our clients with outcomes exceeding their objectives.

Last month I visited the AIME exhibition in Melbourne where it was thrilling to witness the level of business activity being undertaken. There was a huge increase in exhibitors this year in comparison to the last, particularly from venue operators and hoteliers.

It reminded me that business events are a strong driver for the Australian economy and to be a part of that is a real reward to the work we do for our clients.

New ICMSA business wins

ICMSA has started 2024 with a flurry of new business wins, complementing an already strong year ahead.

Recent business secured include the Joint international Congress on Animal Science (JIAC 2028), 37^th Biennial AAAS Conference and the 13^th WAAP World Conference (Melbourne, 2028), the Inaugural PESA Eastern States Energy Crisis Conference (Sydney, 2024), International Data Week (Brisbane, 2025), the 9^th IPPA World Congress on Positive Psychology (Brisbane, 2025), and the Victorian Legal Services Board Commission (Melbourne, 2024).

The combined delegate attendance at these five Conferences is anticipated to be as high as 10,000, across agriculture, energy, technology, health and legal sectors.

ICMSA deepens Asia Pacific delegate growth strategy

ICMSA has created an Asia Pacific Marketing Team to focus on delegate boosting in the region for its conferences under management.

The 10-member body includes members who have backgrounds and knowledge of Asia Pacific markets including South Korea, Hong Kong, China, India and Sri Lanka.

ICMSA CEO, Emma Bowyer, says the group will assist clients with new opportunities for increasing delegate attendance from throughout the Asia Pacific, with the new body implementing marketing strategies over and above standard delegate boosting initiatives.

Marketing will be tailor-made to specific markets through translating relevant material and utilising channels most popular within each market.

To learn more email [email protected].

Congratulations to the joint Australian Of The Year winners

Photo: Image courtesy of NADC/Salty Dingo

The ICMS Australasia team was thrilled to hear Co-Medical Directors of the Melanoma Institute, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, were in January jointly named 2024 NSW Australian of the Year for their life-saving work in Melanoma.

Their partnership has saved thousands of lives through immunotherapy treatments.

ICMSA had the pleasure of working with the pair on the last Australasian Melanoma Conference in 2021 and with Professor Scolyer on the XXXIV International Congress of the International Academy of Pathology in 2022.

We were also saddened to learn of Professor Scolyer’s news in June 2023 that he has been diagnosed with the brain cancer Glioblastoma and commend him on his brave decision to undergo experimental treatment based on his and Professor Long’s successes with melanoma.

In promising news last week, Professor Scolyer reported his treatment is working and there has been no tumour growth for the past 10 months. You can hear him talking on the ABC here.

Nominate key conference objectives early for best outcomes: PCO

Research undertaken by ICMS Australasia (ICMSA) has determined if event owners have clearly defined objectives the success of their programs can be achieved with long-term legacies created. These objectives should be determined early in the event planning cycle to ensure success, says ICMSA CEO, Emma Bowyer.

Ms Bowyer says over the past 12 months event stakeholders have been prioritising the top five following objectives as:

1. Creation of a collaborative environment
2. Exceeding delegate numbers
3. Greater promotion of their specialisation
4. Sector growth
5. Financial success

“The most successful events we have had in the last year were those which had clear objectives from the outset, allowing our teams to help clients achieve their goals,” she explains.

Click here to read more.

The Directors’ Cut – Emma Bowyer

In the seventh in our series on ICMSA Directors, we talk to ICMSA Owner and CEO, Emma Bowyer, who says the company’s key to success comes down to hard work, honesty, one eye on the past and the other on the future.

Click here to read Emma’s inspiring story.

Out & About

Last month, ICMSA representatives from our Sydney, New Zealand and Melbourne offices attended the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) to meet with leading product suppliers and discover new offerings.

The 2024 event was the largest held since the pandemic with 570 exhibitors and more than 3,500 visitors.

In the lead up to AIME, members of our team also attended events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane hosted by ChristchurchNZ, the International Convention Centre Sydney’s RESPECT Experience, a luncheon with Business Events Adelaide, and a TFE Hotels `training’ session with members of the NSW Waratahs at their new training ground.

When Experience Matters

ICMS Australasia manages projects from concept through to final audit, providing expertise in attracting delegates, sponsors and exhibitors; budget and cash flow control, business and scientific program development; information, presentation, communication and staging technology, creation and delivery of social and recreational activities and accommodation. From idea generation to post event evaluation we provide expertise, creativity and a healthy respect for the financial bottom line.

If you are interested in bidding for an event in Australia or New Zealand or need help with an event already confirmed, pick up the phone or send us an email.

Please feel free to call or email Emma Bowyer.