News Corp Australia – Future Olympics Series

Event Dates / Venues: 

• Sunshine Coast – 31st November 2021 / Maroochy RSL 
• Brisbane – 01st December 2021 / RNA Showgrounds
• Gold Coast – 02nd December 2021 / Australian Outback Spectacular 
• Toowoomba – 03rd December 2021 / Wellcamp Airport 

Background

Centered around the 2032 Olympics with a focus on legacy, the News Corp Future Series was designed to explore the outlook of all major industries and discuss the current state of play, what is needed to elevate and support these industries and discover opportunities that can be capitalised on now to ensure that the Brisbane and key regions (Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba) is leading the way.

Now more than ever, Queensland can confidently look to the future, not only as a world class tourism destination, but as a centre of excellence for those with a dream to succeed.

The Brief

To draw the biggest names in Australian sport and business to discuss the legacy opportunities of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. 

This was to be THE event for those seeking a forum to expand their horizons in business & life. Property developers, investors, startups, corporates, tourism leaders, local government leaders & proud citizens. Where pride and raw opportunity collide – a forum for discovery, possibility, debate, networking, inspiration and education.

It was important to the News Corp team that an agency could come on board with a short lead time, and become a key extension of the team managing the production for all four events simultaneously and executing delivery. 

This included stakeholder liaison, project management, speaker communications and internal and external administration related to the campaign and live event.

The Solution

Highlights – Sunshine Coast;

• Welcome by Jason Scott – Managing Director QLD and News Regional Media, News 
• Virtual Keynote from Simon Kuestenmacher – Co-Founder, The Demographics Group
• Panel discussion moderated by by Nadja Fleet – Editor, Sunshine Coast Daily and;
  • Andrew Brodie – Chief Executive Officer, Sunshine Coast Airport
  • Carol Cashman – Sunshine Coast Chair, Regional Development Australia
  • James Tuma – Group Director, Future State, Urbis
  • Dawn Fraser AC MBE – 4 x Olympic Gold Medallist
• In conversation with Peter Gleeson – Sky News QLD Editor and News Corp Columnist and Lakeisha Patterson – 3 x Paralympic Gold Medallist

Highlights – Brisbane;

• An educational and entertaining Welcome to Country performance 
• Address by Mrs Gina Rinehart – Executive Chairman of the Hancock Prospecting Group, Patron of Swimming Australia, Rowing Australia, Volleyball Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia
• In conversation with Pat Walsh – Sports Editor, 7NEWS Brisbane and Cate Campbell – 4 x Olympic Gold Medallist
• Panel discussion moderated by Chris Jones – Editor, The Courier-Mail and; 
  • The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP – Premier of Queensland and Minister for the Olympics
  • Professor Deborah Terry AO – Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland
  • Kelvin Dodt – Chief Operating Officer, The Star Entertainment Group
  • George Frazis – Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Queensland
• Virtual Keynote by Etienne Thobois – Chief Executive Officer, Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Highlights Gold Coast; 

• Virtual Keynote by Michael Payne – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Payne Sports Media Strategies
• Panel discussion moderated by Rachel Hancock – Editor, Gold Coast Bulletin and; 
  • Tom Tate – Mayor, City of Gold Coast
  • Jess Mellor – Chief Operating Officer, The Star
  • Dean Gould – Chief Marketing Officer, Southern Cross University
  • Clark Kirby – Chief Executive Officer, Village Roadshow
  • Patricia O’Callaghan – Chief Executive Officer, Destination Gold Coast
• In conversation with Steve Titmus – Television Presenter, 7NEWS Gold Coast, Logan Martin – 1 x Olympic Gold Medallist and Curtis McGrath OAM – 3 x Paralympic Gold Medallist

Highlights Toowoomba; 

• Virtual Keynote from Simon Kuestenmacher – Co-Founder, The Demographics Group
• Panel discussion moderated by Jordan Philip – Editor, The Chronicle and;
  • Mark Mason, Project Manager – Olympic Strategy and Legacy, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprises
  • Mike Stewart – Principal, LJ Hooker Toowoomba
  • Todd Rohl – Chief Executive Officer, Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce
  • John Wagner – Chairman, Wagner Corporation
  • Natalia Cook – 1 x Olympic Gold Medallist

We Are Phoenix developed and executed a detailed project plan to ensure the success of the Future Olympics series, this included:

• Budget management and financial reporting
• VIP invitation/ RSVP management and all pre-event communications 
• Creation of event and campaign collateral including sponsor briefs, MC brief and attendee pre and post event communications
• Venue management including contract negotiation, F&B management, AV and Production coordination and on-site management
• Management of event suppliers including styling, printing, and activations
• Regular email marketing to registered attendees to maximise pre-event engagement
• Management of videographers and photographers including television networks and Sky News
• Regular WIP meetings with all relevant parties
• Multiple speaker briefings and technical rehearsals
• Management of pre-recorded content
• Collecting, collating, and managing all event assets including multiple videos and digital slides for the event
• Risk analysis on all potential issues
• Creation of top level and detailed event run-sheets for all involved parties
• Table and seating plan creation and management in line with Government COVID-19 guidelines
• On-the-day management by a dedicated team inc: staff management, catering, AV/ production, presenter management, audience registration, MC and speaker  management and client liaison
• Post series reporting and details debrief 

The Results

• A successful series – 4 locations in 4 consecutive days across Queensland; Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Toowoomba 
• 11 different speakers in 4 locations 
• Over 1050 attendees inc. VIPs from Government and Industry