Brisbane's ultimate Pop-Up event for event planners returns

Brisbane Pop-Up, the must-attend event for event planners, will bring the city’s top venues, hotels and service suppliers together under one roof for two-and-a-half manic hours. 

The most-anticipated annual gathering on every Brisbane event planner’s calendar since 2009, Brisbane Pop-Up serves as a whirlwind showcase of new and unique products, services and venues. 

Over 80 exhibitors are set to strut their stuff at Brisbane City Hall on Thursday August 22 from 11.30am to 2pm, with epic prizes on offer for attendees. 

The super-streamlined display gives time-poor planners an opportunity to discover all the latest trends over lunch, and find that missing piece that will take their next event from ordinary to extraordinary. 

To say the event is highly targeted would be an understatement — aside from the exhibitors, attendance is exclusively limited to association and corporate meeting planners, executive assistants, personal assistants and professional conference organisers. 

Susan Hamilton, Sales & Marketing Manager at Select Audio Visual, has been exhibiting at Brisbane Pop-Up from the beginning, and says it offers an unmissable opportunity for both exhibitors and attendees. 

“We’re all so time-poor these days, and I think that’s why Brisbane Pop-Up works so well, because it’s a condensed activation,” Hamilton says. 

“It’s a trade show condensed into two-and-a-half hours, so people can get in, get as much information as they can, and get back to work. It’s the perfect format for busy professionals. 

“It’s short and sharp and it’s very energetic… it’s a bit like speed dating, in that you can get around to see 80 industry professionals in one session, and I think people appreciate that. 

“The event has such a fun atmosphere — you walk in there and you instantly feel energised, and I think that just rubs off on everybody.”

Of course, it’s not all fun and games. At the end of the day, Hamilton says, exhibitors and attendees alike are at Brisbane Pop-Up to do business.

“The return on investment has always been there for me, so it’s an easy decision to come back every year,” she says. 

“The first year I was there, I actually signed up a six-figure contract. Now, that doesn’t happen every year, but the quality of the buyers is always really high, which I appreciate, because as a sales professional you want to be talking to the decision makers.” 

With so much action crammed into two-and-a-half hours, it’s best for attendees to come prepared. Craig Fox, the owner of Wine & Dine’m Catering and Baedeker Wine Bar, says it pays to come to the Pop-Up with a plan. 

“You should treat it almost like a music festival,” Fox says. 

“Have a look at the floor plan in advance, see who’s there, figure out who you want to talk to and make a little bit of a schedule. But, just like a music festival, you still want to embrace an element of spontaneity — don’t be afraid to talk to people and ask, ‘Who else do you recommend?’ 

“There are so many great event suppliers and venues there, and it’s an intense experience. From the time the doors open to the time they close, it’s two-and-a-half hours of talking, swapping business cards and taking notes, and hoping to get some business out of it or find that thing that’s going to put your event over the top.”

Fox will be attending this year’s event in his guise as the exclusive caterer for the new Fortitude Music Hall.  

“The response to the venue has been phenomenal so far,” he says. 

“I think it’s something Brisbane’s been waiting for, so I’m looking forward to spreading the word at Brisbane Pop-Up.”   

Susan Hamilton has one final tip for attendees — make sure you bring your business card. 

“Most exhibitors will be giving away a really great prize you can go in the draw to win, and if you don’t have a business card, you may miss out,” she says. 

“Oh, and make sure you stay for the confetti drop at the end. Every year, it’s such a buzz and definitely the highlight of the event when the confetti falls with the prize tickets — it always cracks me up!” 

Brisbane Pop-Up 2019 will be held at Brisbane City Hall on Thursday August 22 from 11.30am to 2pm. You can register your interest to attend here.