A MESSAGE FROM PETER KING
Welcome to the latest edition of eventful thinking.

At Sydney Showground it is our aim to continue to provide first class business event facilities for the benefit of the NSW economy, as well as agricultural excellence in Australia.
At present we’re engaged in discussions with the NSW Government regarding upgrading and expanding the Sydney Showground exhibition space. We’re also looking at the development of our Main Arena, to allow better utilisation of this asset as a 25,000 seat boutique stadium.
We realise that during challenging economic times such as this, the needs of your organisation change, so we are looking at ways to improve our products and services to better match your needs and add more value.
A recent article by John Baldoni at Harvard Business Publishing online, titled "Don't Cancel That Meeting", encourages companies to look at scaling down meetings rather than canceling them altogether. The article makes the point that “when customers and employees see the leadership team standing front and center and delivering the message, it demonstrates that management cares about them and considers them essential to weathering the storm. Canceling such meetings, except when there are no other alternatives, sends the message that employees and even vendors and customers are expendable.”
During turbulent times, events offer increasing value to employees and customers to ensure the value and commitment of an organisation endures. Rather than canceling a meeting, a better option might be to look at a smaller event that sends the right message to participants.
Sydney Showground strives to assist you in achieving your objectives within a changed economic situation. We can help you devise ways to tap further potential from our venues and offer you tailored solutions that will help your business in the best possible way.
To find out how we can work with you to better meet your business objectives, please contact our Business Development team. They look forward to hearing from you.
Peter King
Chief Executive, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW
FUTURE EVENTS
Craftfest - New Show at Sydney Showground
For a craft event like no other, come and visit Craftfest. An event-first in the craft world, Craftfest will be run over 3 days, providing everyone and anyone who loves craft the opportunity to be inspired by all it has to offer.
Craftfest will include a number of interactive feature displays and community based activities which are sure to excite anyone who loves craft or simply wants to get better acquainted with their creative side.
Craftfest is on at the Dome, Sydney Showground, from the 6th till 8th March.
SYDNEY SHOWGROUND IS 'doing it for the kids'
Big Day Out
55,000 participants braved the heat wave at this year’s Big Day Out, hosted by Sydney Showground.
Amongst the participants was Alanna, a girl from the Starlight Foundation, who received a ticket for herself and her best friend through a donation by Sydney Showground.
Special Children's Big Day Out
After 12 years, Sydney Showground continues in their support of special children’s christmas parties, with the launch of the 2008 Special Children's Big Day Out.
The day proved to be a huge success, with close to 3,000 attendees enjoying the party. Reduced waiting times for rides and meeting Santa were some of the many highlights for the 2,000 special needs kids that were invited.
“It is tradition to hold the party at Sydney Showground. With its open space it gives free access to wheel chairs. There’s also great food thanks to Sydney Showground and the "fresh food company", said Phil O’Gorman from NikAlBel Events.
We look forward to the next one!
INSIGHTS
Get your motor running
The Australian Motorcycle Expo is a three-day annual event showcasing the latest and greatest in the motorcycle industry. Spanning over 3 indoor venues with a combined capacity of 9000 people, it was a truly exhilarating experience for all 26,995 visitors.
Outdoor space was also provided, allowing guests ample room to show-off and compare their own bikes, test ride latest release models and see stunt riders in action.
Sydney Showground contributed behind-the-scenes by providing tradesmen, event planners and floor managers. To make sure that everyone’s hunger was kept at bay, 2 cafes and a BBQ were provided by Sydney Showground catering staff.
“The venue allows us to have many outdoor activities which creates an atmosphere which wouldn’t be achievable elsewhere. Sydney Showground is definitely a venue that the Sydney Motorcycle Show will continue to be held at,” said Belinda Maund, ETF operations manager.
Click here to read the Case Study with all details, special touches and more.
SPECIAL PACKAGES
For Formals ...
This year Sydney Showground is offering special packages for School Formals. Ranging from ‘express yourself’ packages, where schools can provide their own themes and decorations, to the ‘all inclusive’ event, with red carpet arrivals, mocktails, dance floor with DJ, photographer and more.
For more information contact Leigh Metham on 02 9704 1157, email lmetham@sydneyshowground.com.au or click here to download the packages.
... and Christmas Parties!
Get in early to secure a venue for your 2009 Christmas party and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you will have a team behind you, ensuring it will be an event to remember.
Make sure you don’t get caught out in the end of year rush for venues. With over 20 unique function spaces, award winning catering and 3 exciting new Christmas Packages to choose from, the Sydney Showground Event Team is here to take care of your every Christmas need so you can enjoy the festive season - along with everyone else!
Just think: you’re only one phone call away from securing a fantastic venue, plus all the entertainment and decorations too.
Contact Andrew Watts on 02 9704 1263 or email sales@sydneyshowground.com.au for more information. Click here to download the Christmas Packages.
Book one of our packages before 3 April 2009 and receive 4 complimentary tickets to the Sydney Royal Easter Show!
NEW STAFF
Welcome Andrew Watts and Peggy Kellner

Peggy Kellner has recently been appointed Event Planning Manager at Sydney Showground. Peggy aims to use her extensive experience gained from 15 years at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (including five years as an Event Manager), to streamline procedures and build-upon existing relationships.
“I’m looking for a change; some fresh events, a fresh venue and fresh faces to work with. I really hope I can be at Sydney Showground and build my career just as I did at the Convention Centre.”
You can call Peggy on 02 9704 1012 or email: pkellner@sydneyshowground.com.au
Andrew Watts has been appointed as Business Development Executive at Sydney Showground, working with Government Departments and Associations. Andrew previously worked with Business Events Sydney and the Novotel Brighton Beach as a Business Development Executive.
He believes Sydney Showground, due to its vast capabilities, provides him with a great opportunity to build on his skills and experience. “I know that Sydney Showground has a lot to offer both Associations and Government departments through our location, award winning catering and diverse range of venues.”
To talk to Andrew, call him on 02 9704 1263 or email: awatts@sydneyshowground.com.au
NEW MENU COMPENDIUM 2009
Sydney Showground has just released its 2009 Menu Compendium, with a new, easy-to use format. Providing clients with multiple fine dining options, it offers a greater variety of each entree and main course, including various vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Some new mouthwatering sensations include:
- Herb crusted saddle of lamb with kipfler
potatoes, spinach, Swiss browns and porcini jus
- Szechwan seared Atlantic salmon fillet on
shitake mushrooms with soy sherry dressing
Experience an exquisite dining experience from the canapés through to the Gold Medal Chocolates with your coffee. Sydney Showground catering includes products from the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, offering yet another way it strives to impress. Event-goers can experience tempting offerings from Josophans Chocolates, Pasta Italia and Sublime Gelato. The sweets and treats section has also been updated to include some fantastic cakes and tart options.
The canapé menu items have been updated to include a range of exciting choices from delicate finger food to more substantial canapé items such as:
- Tempura Atlantic salmon with shiso leaf and ponzu dressing
- Caramelized pork belly on a Thai pineapple and mint salad
- Forest mushroom and thyme risotto with shaved parmesan
Please note that our conference Package Menus now include a salad together with the sandwich options.
Download the Menu Compendium 2009 or contact the Business Development team on 02 9704 1003 to discuss our tailor made food and wine experiences.
WHAT'S NEW IN SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK?
New eatery openings near Sydney Showground
Popular steak house Ribs and Rumps has opened a new restaurant at Sydney Olympic Park. From opening their first restaurant at Manly 13 years ago, Ribs and Rumps has grown worldwide, with outlets in Australia, South Africa and the Middle East.
Come and visit the Sydney Olympic Park restaurant for a great selection of mouth watering steaks, ribs, fish and more.

Calling all lovers of Thai food: Hi Thai restaurant is another new addition to Sydney Olympic Park. Offering a range of delicious stir fries, curries, noodles salads and soups, there are also daily lunch specials with eat-in and take away options available.
These two restaurants join the list of eateries on the Dawn Fraser Avenue food mile: such as Food Alert on the Park, Raw Café, The Brewery, and Subway. There are also restaurants like the exquisite Bacar Restaurant at the Pullman Hotel, and the Arena Restaurant at the Novotel. All are within a few hundred meters walking distance from Sydney Showground.
To view a list of eating option at Sydney Olympic park, click here.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Sydney Showground is currently seeking a Business Development Manager for the corporate / PCO sector. We are looking for a motivated and experienced sales professional to drive business growth through the acquisition of new events and the development of existing events.
To find out more, contact Rebecca Barry, General Manager Human Resources, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW on hr@rasnsw.com.au, or click here to view our current opportunities.

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