Innovation drives 10-year partnership

By Arinex Managing Director, Nicole Walker

As the world emerges from the pandemic to meet in-person once again, there is no doubt an element of uncertainty remains. This is where a trusted, long-term relationship between an event management company and its client can really come to the fore.

After two years of mostly hybrid and virtual events, Arinex recently put its on-the-ground event management expertise to use once again to deliver the 2022 National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Awards for Excellence.

As Australia’s largest awards program for women in construction, the annual celebration has grown significantly since Arinex was first appointed to manage the event in 2012.

The 2022 NAWIC Awards for Excellence was the first in-person, stand-alone event that Arinex had delivered since Covid-19 restrictions were introduced.

The Awards meant so much to both Arinex and our client, NAWIC’s NSW Chapter, because not only did it mark a return to face-to-face events, but it was also 10 years since Arinex was first appointed to deliver the event.

Over that time, Arinex has helped grow the awards from 500 to 1,200 delegates and we were thrilled to see this year’s numbers on par with the last pre-Covid event in 2019.

“Arinex has grown with us over the past 10 years and has reached a point where they could run the event with their eyes closed. More importantly, they understand our objectives and strategic direction, which saved a lot of time when it came to approaching the event after a two-year break due to Covid-19 restrictions.”

NAWIC New South Wales Chapter Awards Chair, Taleah Baird

The benefits are mutual

There are mutual benefits to a long-standing relationship like the one Arinex has with the NAWIC Awards organisers.

When it came to planning the 2022 event, we could essentially pick up where we left off because trust and rapport had been built over 10 years.

Arinex Senior Account Manager Leonie Ferris-Tonge has worked closely with NAWIC since we were first appointed to manage the event. She has become a true extension of the NAWIC team and has a complete understanding of what they want to achieve.

Over the past decade, Leonie has developed a proven formula for success when it comes to the event format and logistics. This allows more time and energy to go towards new ideas that take the event to the next level with each year.

In that regard, there are many time and cost savings that come with an established relationship compared to one where you are bidding for and managing an event for the first time.

After a two-year hiatus, NAWIC once again challenged us to deliver its awards night with fresh ideas and innovation, and to do so in a way that complied with evolving Covid-19 restrictions.

To a certain extent we were able to take a level of stress off our client’s shoulders. They knew our team would be on top of contingency planning and would be working closely with our suppliers and other third parties to ensure there was flexibility to make last-minute changes.

Thankfully social distancing restrictions eased slightly a few days prior to the event, and we were able to incorporate a dance floor so that attendees could really let their hair down and celebrate properly for the first time in two years.

The 2022 NAWIC Awards for Excellence also marked the first in-person event held at the International Convention Centre Sydney since the introduction of restrictions.

Hosted by Australian television presenter, Johanna Griggs, the event featured Sceptron lighting installations, LED dancers and a live auction that raised over AU$35,000 for the NAWIC International Women’s Day Scholarship.

Adaptation the key to success

While the past two years held its challenges, it also provided opportunities for Arinex to further strengthen relationships with our clients.

For many clients, moving their established conferences to a virtual format was understandably daunting. However, it allowed us to provide a new level of service by helping them adapt and achieve their objectives in new and different ways.

Putting the impact of the pandemic aside, the conferencing and business events world is one that will always be rapidly evolving and as such, event management companies are expected to constantly set new benchmarks.

It is therefore important to never become complacent with any client, no matter how strong you believe the relationship is.

Having operated for nearly 50 years, Arinex has fostered relationships by providing consistent high-level event management, adapting to challenges, being dedicated to continual improvement, coming to the table with new ideas and working with our clients as one team.

We take this approach with clients both new and old, and that is what we believe will keep us in business for years to come.

Joanna Griggs - MC    DInner