The BusVic 2015 Maintenance Conference and Bus Expo is set to raise the bar
A dedicated app has been launched for the BusVic 2015 Maintenance Conference and Bus Expo on July 8 and 9.
BusVic tourism development and industry marketing manager Craig Spurr says the app is an exciting addition that will help exhibitors to share their knowledge and contact details at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
“The app has been developed specifically for the event,” Spurr says.
“It’s essentially a tool for exhibitors and delegates to share more information.
“It will be loaded with information on the program and users can even work their way through it and build their own program depending on their interests.
“Another great feature of the app is that users can actually use it to take notes and send these to colleagues, there is no need for them to worry about bringing a pad or pen.”
Spurr says the benefits of using the app before, during and after the event as a means of communication and networking are enormous.
“We’ve taken advice from other conference organisers who are all now using technology to help delegates get the most out of their event,” Spurr says.
All those registered to attend will receive an email with clear and easy to follow instructions on how to download and install the app and how to fill out their own personal and company profiles that can be viewed and shared.
“It’s going to be ongoing, so the app will be live for at least a year after the event, so people can continue using it until next year’s event when all the information will be updated,” Spurr says.
“It’s just going to provide that added depth and sharing of knowledge, especially for exhibitors.”
Those who have registered or plan to register their attendance are encouraged to download and get familiar with the app interface and various features as soon as possible.
“One of the most important things is creating a useful personal and company profile within the app, so that other attendees can see what you have to offer,” Spurr says.
Users can use the app to search for exhibitors by category, rather than having to wade through a large list of them all and download the most current program of events for the show.
“There will be an events and news feed, to help keep everyone up to date with what’s happening in the industry, including alerts on upcoming events and industry happenings,” Spurr says.
“There will also be an interactive floor plan, where you can click on pin-drops and be directed to our partner’s profiles.”
The lanyards’ given out to all participants can even be scanned by anyone with a phone or tablet that has the app open, to store contact details electronically – without the need for pen and paper.
In the meantime, all is going to plan for the BusVic organisers.
“At the moment we have around 600 people registered to attend,” he says.
“But that number will fill out to around 1400, since most people register their attendance in May and early June.
“The word from our branch meetings and meetings with suppliers and operators is that we will see record numbers attend.”
The exhibition room will be bursting with innovative companies keen to illustrate what they do and explain how they can help others to reach their long-term goals in the industry.
“The exhibit is close to capacity and we will have up to 100 buses on display,” Spurr says.
“The trade stalls are close to full with about 130 stands at this point.”
Maintenance, technical and management conference sessions and workshops covering a wide variety of industry related topics will be delivered within the exhibit.
Delegates can interact with more than 150 leading industry suppliers and be brought up to date with the latest products, services and developments.
Keynote speakers and entertainers include Mark Donaldson VC, Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson, Kate Ceberano and James Galea.
The industry gala dinner will be held at Crown Palladium on July 8 and networking dinner at Munich Brauhaus on the closing night.
“Our organising committee have come up with an exciting programme, which will address current issues and provide a great learning and development experience,” Spurr says.
“We have arranged for some top industry experts to come along and share their knowledge.
“We encourage all to register for the event, we want everyone to get as much as they can out of it and build valuable and lasting relationships with others in the industry.”