Meet the Team: Amanda Lovett, Assistant Director of Sales at The Star

With a passion for tourism and events, Amanda took up the role of Business Development Manager – Events with The Star in 2012 as the venue was re-introduced to the industry as Sydney’s first and only integrated resort. Promoted to Assistant Director of Sales in 2014, in her time at The Star, Amanda has proven her skills in events and customer relations, playing an integral role in raising the profile of The Star within the local and international industry.

One of Amanda’s key achievements at The Star has been her involvement in launching The Star Event Centre in early 2013. Since its launch Amanda has secured numerous high profile events including, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards (a.k.a. Australia’s answers to the Oscars) and the most anticipated night on the music industry calendar, the ARIAs which were held in November for the third year in a row at The Star.

Her experience combined with her memberships within a number of industry associations such as Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) and Business Events Sydney alongside her management of The Star’s presence at international events such as AIME, IMEX and Luxperience has helped to build The Star’s reputation as Sydney’s premier events and entertainment destination.

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

The Star Sydney spearheads the newest unique venue – the red carpet

Providing a money-can’t-buy experience for guests and celebrities alike, The Star, Sydney’s premier events and entertainment destination has transformed the VIP red carpet from an ordinary procession into an experiential event experience in its own right.

With its large entry area facing Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont, event producers are using The Star’s red carpet space as another component to their event production. Spearheading the trend, the 2015 ARIA Awards, held Thursday 26 November, revealed the full capabilities of The Star’s red carpet offering.

With an impressive podium erected on the David Jones sponsored red carpet, former X Factor contestant and nominee for ARIA Song of the Year Nathaniel, took to the stage to belt out his hit ‘Live Louder’ in front of a frenzied audience of admirers. The red carpet had performances, media interviews, two huge media walls, seating for fans, designated media and VIP viewing areas, an impressive 83m long red carpet and a custom built stage that was sponsored by The Star.

A full media pack lined the unique event area, which offered VIPs several opportunities to engage with media and fans on the walk through to the Event Centre.

Jayson Heron, Director of Sales at The Star Sydney, said the red carpet treatment at The Star extends well beyond its physical manifestation.

“Instantly recognisable throughout the world and synonymous with prestige, glamour and celebrity, the red carpet is one of Sydney’s hottest pieces of real estate. We’re seeing a massive trend towards red carpets being managed as an event in their own right and the ARIAs was a stunning example of that.

“The Star’s red carpet is popular with event producers as it encompasses a massive street level area which gives them a lot of options for pre-press opportunities, public engagement and sponsorships, all with the Sydney Harbour in the background,” said Mr Heron.

Due to The Star’s advanced audio visual technology and capability, it is becoming a favourite destination for live streaming. At the ARIAs, Network Ten captured the glamour of the David Jones red carpet, turning it into a 30 minute prime time segment, while viewers at home could tune in live to the webcast.

Taking full advantage of The Star’s integrated offering, on Monday 28 September, 750 of the NRL community’s elite gather to celebrate the Dally M’s at the Event Centre. Making use of the complex’s luxury accommodation offering, rooms in The Darling hotel were transformed into Dally M Styling Suites for use by the wives and girlfriends to prepare. VIPs then made their glamorous arrival at the main event in front of the massive media pack who lined the red carpet entrance.

Another way the red carpet has been used uniquely was at the launch of Matilda the Musical at The Star’s Lyric Theatre on Thursday 20 August. This time VIPs enjoyed an interior red carpet experience, by traversing a carpet that snaked from street level to the theatre inside. Hollywood A-listers Joel Edgerton and Rachel Griffiths were joined by Tim Minchin, Rob Mills, Richard Wilkins, Sonia Kruger, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, and Lisa Wilkinson. Eager to catch a glimpse of the celebrity arrivals, fans lined the red carpet, watching as their favourite celebs were snapped in front of the media wall.

“The integrated nature of red carpet events at The Star truly captures a unique, world class experience that delivers results time and time again for fans, media, attendees and of course, our clients. It’s a winning combination of superior venues, class leading audiovisual production, highly skilled banquet teams and exemplary accommodation, all within the one integrated resort,” said Mr Heron.

Case Study: Dental Hygienist Association of Australia drill down at annual Symposium

Dental Hygienist Association of Australia (DHAA) held it’s 13th National Symposium at The Star Event Centre. Organised by Kaigi Conferencing and Events, there are 360 guests at the Symposium.

WHAT YOU DID:

From 5 to 7 November 2015, the Dental Hygienist Association of Australia (DHAA) held their 13th National Symposium at The Star. The Symposium rotates annually around Australia and 2015 was Sydney’s time to shine. The three day event program included a diverse range of speakers and topics around the theme, “Under One Umbrella”, a reference to the increasing body of evidence linking systemic and oral conditions.

Professional Conference Organisers, Kaigi Conference and Events, planned and event managed the Symposium, ultising The Star’s team of elite event professionals to deliver the event. The full breadth of the integrated resort facilities were used for the Symposium, from the Event Centre for their conference and exhibition, through to onsite accommodation at The Darling. In fact, The Star was considered a fitting venue as every required amenity and need was accommodated under one roof.

Across the duration of the Symposium, Kaigi in partnership with The Star played host to 360 Hygienists, Therapists and Oral Health Therapists as well as broader dental industry professionals.

As well as two full days of the exhibition containing 20 to 30 exhibition booths, poster presentations and a welcome reception with drinks and canapes for all delegates, The Star Event Centre hosted a celebratory gala dinner on the Friday evening, 6 November.

SPECIAL TOUCHES:

The gala dinner provided an elegant and much needed break from professional development, and all delegates were invited to attend as part of their conference registration.

At the gala dinner, guests were treated to tasty delights from The Star’s onsite, restaurant quality kitchen, feasting on beautifully indulgent foods like citrus cured Tasmanian salmon with shaved fennel, Bloody Mary gel, radish, fresh watercress and crispy rye croutons, and roasted rack of Riverina Lamb with porcini mushroom risotto, slow roasted juicy Roma tomatoes, topped with a mouthwatering Cabernet Sauvignon jus.

Throughout the Friday and Saturday of the event, The Star’s banquet team set up and manned a gelato bar containing a smorgasbord of sweet delights; a welcome refreshment for all guests.

The many facets of the event showcased the flexibility of The Star to accommodate a range of concurrent sessions; for example the two days of conference sessions ran parallel to the tradeshow.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES:

Challenges to the successful execution of the Symposium included managing the delegate numbers carefully. The final attendee numbers and number of exhibition booths were unknown at the time of contracting the event. To overcome this, it was crucial that the venue had flexibility to grow and accommodate absolutely everyone.

As an Association, the client relies heavily on gaining sponsorship and plenty of registrations for revenue; this also means that the budget was tight. The final spend reflected this, with Kaigi, in association with The Star delivering the event on time and on budget as a result of a thorough run sheet and extensive, strict planning.

With many delegates and speakers coming from interstate, the Symposium required numerous accommodation options for attendees. As Sydney’s only integrated resort, The Star easily overcame this challenge, offering a huge range of on-site accommodation at the five star hotel, The Darling, and Astral Towers and Residences.

CLIENT’S COMMENT:

“As organisers we didn’t have to prompt The Star for anything, it all just happened according to our run sheet with excellent onsite delivery and flawless service from the Venue Banquet Manager and his team.

“Plenty of food ensured that it never ran out, plus there was a great variety presented as well. Some of the most generous break items I’ve ever seen.

“The venue was kept very clean with constant spot clean ups by staff. Toilets also very clean, and the 99% female delegates noted there was never a line for the toilets. The venue was a WOW! The expo, conference and dinner all looked amazing, neat and tidy with plenty of room for food and delegates to mingle.”

Tricia Hopkins, Director, Kaigi Conferencing and Events

The Star Scores as the Home of the Sporting Gala

Leading sporting codes have chosen The Star Sydney to support the delivery of their gala events and award ceremonies over the past two months, including the popular Sydney Swans Club Champion Dinner, the renowned NSW Rugby League Brad Fittler Medal and the glitzy NRL Dally M Awards.

Jayson Heron, Director of Sales at The Star said Sydney’s premier events and entertainment destination is proud to play a part in recognising sport at the top of its level with the hospitality and event management of his award winning team.

“As a nation star struck by sporting heroes and comprised of avid viewers and participants in a vast range of sporting disciplines; formal award galas are one of the best ways to acknowledge the efforts of our country’s top athletes, and The Star is proud to be a supporting partner in doing so,” said Mr Heron.

Such events included the 2015 Sydney Swans Club Champion Dinner on Friday 9 October, where the much lauded Bob Skilton Medalist was awarded during a luxe gala dinner. Veteran players Rhyce Shaw and Adam Goodes addressed the audience, ascending the Event Centre stage for the final time as Swans players, while the 700 guests enjoyed a gourmet three-course dinner.

The who’s who of New South Wales Rugby League descended on The Star Event Centre for the annual Brad Fittler Medal on Monday 14 September. Rugby league royalty attended the exclusive black-tie occasion to celebrate the state’s best players, with Blues full-back, Josh Dugan claiming the 2015 Brad Fittler Medal in front of 650 attendees.

The evening’s proceedings celebrated The Star’s three-year partnership as an official partner and home of NSW Rugby League and the NSW VB Blues.

On Monday 28 September, 750 high profile members of the NRL community celebrated the Dally M’s at the Event Centre. Making use of the complex’s luxury accommodation offering, suites in The Darling hotel were transformed into Dally M Styling Suites for use by the wives and girlfriends to prepare. VIPs then made their glamorous arrival at the main event in front of the massive media pack who lined the red carpet entrance on Pirrama Rd at The Star.

Mr Heron said that The Star Event Centre is the venue of choice for sporting gala events due to the venue’s flexibility and advanced technical offering for award dinners, including a huge and highly versatile LED wall, superior AV and technology and the ability to consistently produce restaurant quality cuisine.

“These gala events offer the opportunity to celebrate our high-achieving sportspeople and The Star is proud to be the venue this industry turns to when they need a venue that’s versatile, elegant, and technologically advanced,” said Mr Heron.

Meet the Team: Amanda Lovett, Assistant Director of Sales at The Star

IMG_7759With a passion for tourism and events, Amanda took up the role of Business Development Manager – Events with The Star in 2012 as the venue was re-introduced to the industry as Sydney’s first and only integrated resort. Promoted to Assistant Director of Sales in 2014, in her time at The Star, Amanda has proven her skills in events and customer relations, playing an integral role in raising the profile of The Star within the local and international industry.

One of Amanda’s key achievements at The Star has been her involvement in launching The Star Event Centre in early 2013. Since its launch Amanda has secured numerous high profile events including, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards (a.k.a. Australia’s answers to the Oscars) and the most anticipated night on the music industry calendar, the ARIAs which were held in November for the third year in a row at The Star.

Her experience combined with her memberships within a number of industry associations such as Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) and Business Events Sydney alongside her management of The Star’s presence at international events such as AIME, has helped to build The Star’s reputation as Sydney’s premier events and entertainment destination.

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

“Amanda Lovett has been an integral part in making the Annual ARIA Awards such a success at it’s new home The Star Sydney. Amanda is an absolute pleasure to work with. Over the past 3 years Amanda has shown an extremely high level of professionalism, dedication, efficiency and passion in her role at The Star. Amanda has a can do attitude no matter what challenges are presented to her. Amanda is supported by a very proactive team and we at ARIA look forward to working together on producing more memorable ARIA Awards in the future at The Star Sydney.”

Michael Long || Event Producer || ARIA Awards

 

What’s On at The Star

‘Tis the season to party! Celebrate the holidays at The Star with award-winning restaurants and fantastic function spaces – plus plenty of opportunities to party on afterwards or even stay the night!

Enjoy a cocktail and admire the city and harbour skyline from Sydney’s favourite rooftop bar, Sky Terrace, open Thursday to Sunday.

Kick off 2016 at The Star! Enjoy The Star’s top summer hits and events this January.

Sydney Festival is back in 2016 with The Star as Principal Partner and live DJ sets on Sky Terrace, 7 – 24 January, Thursday to Sunday.

The Star’s partnership with The City of Sydney’s Lunar New Year Festival – the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia – will continue 6 – 14 February 2016.

Business leaders from around the globe will descend on the Event Centre, 25 – 26 May 2016, for the World Business Forum; speakers include Sir Richard Branson, Chris Gardner and Tamara Erickson.

Event Gallery: 2015