20-21
IT’S SHOWTIME
Showtime Event Group general manager Brad Dabbs gives us his take on what makes
Melbourne such an inspiring destination.
Melbourne in a nutshell?
We are the city with a soul!
How do you keep things fresh?
I really focus on predicting trends and not just following them. We need to keep ideas fresh and offer a unique, one off,
experience. Everyone wants to feel that they’re incorporating whatever’s cool and on trend but you definitely need to be
careful not to be cliché.
New venues for 2018?
Melbourne is lucky to have many unique spaces that welcome events as a secondary source of business. Galleries, photo
studios, breweries and distilleries - amazing creative spaces which reflect our cities dynamic love of events and the arts.
What are you most excited about this year?
The launch of Showtime Event Group! Seeing a brand we have worked so hard evolving to its next phase is huge. It is
such an exciting time, since the Showtime Event Centre was opened in South Wharf seven years ago, the business has
grown to add Cargo Hall and develop our interactive South Wharf Events, where we activate the precinct in new and
exciting ways. Showtime Event Group has also been appointed by the National Trust Australia (Victoria) as exclusive
caterer to the Old Melbourne Gaol, Former City Watch house and Old Magistrates Court.
What can hosted buyers expect from the cocktail event at Old Melbourne Gaol?
This event has been so successful over the past years and showcased some amazing
venues. This year, the brief was to move away from a specific theme and to focus on
a great networking event. No spoilers, but we shall be steering away from anything
kitsch and just throwing a really great party! Engaging staff and some exciting
features will get the conversation started between guests, setting the tone for a
fantastic few days of new connections.
What can hosted buyers expect from the Melbourne Edge Event Series?
The Melbourne Edge events have some great speakers lined up including my
good friend Martin Enault of C2, which I’m really looking forward to. There is
more than one way to deliver content, and delegates are constantly being
challenged to think creatively and contribute to conference programs.
Taking workshops out of traditional spaces allows us to build pop up
breakouts and interactions without wasting precious time moving
large groups across multiple city locations. Where else can you
cook with chefs in the morning, and then step outside to build
your own bicycles on a lawn on the riverside? The diversity,
without compromise on quality, makes this such a unique
location.
If you could be anywhere in Melbourne, where would you
be, what would you be drinking and what would be on the
canape tray?
There is a great Speakeasy style venue on the riverside,
Plus 5. Open wood fires and leather couches which is a
good start. I’m definitely one of the lucky ones – spending
my day working on exciting new catering options; but
sometimes you can’t beat a good pizza, a craft beer and
watching the world float by.