A soirée to remember – inside Arts Centre Melbourne’s 2018 showcase

Showcasing your venue to potential clients can be a daunting task. After all, you’re trying to reach the imaginations of a room full of event planners in one go. Event planners who may be organising everything from a multi day conference to an extravagant, all-out Christmas party. If there’s one thing Arts Centre Melbourne know how to do, though, it’s put on a show.

Beneath the iconic spire on a cold Melbourne night, the Arts Centre Melbourne team put on the ultimate performance. From the moment guests entered the magnificent Pavilion space, it was clear this was no stock-standard venue showcase. From the French aristocratic MC, Lord Gorgeous, to the two talented lycra-clad strongmen acrobats tumbling around the room, there were details capturing guests’ attention and imagination right from the beginning.

Bespoke cocktails, such as the ‘Karis Highball’ with scotch whisky, pandan, soda and shiso, were shaken not stirred. And no one could contain their childish delight at the free-flowing chocolate fountains. Dark or white, guests dipped and spun their skewered sweet treats, casting spells with their bounty.

For those fans of all thing umami – charcuterie, cheese, breads and quince more than satisfied.

Demonstrating how events can be so much more than a fluorescent-lit room with a DJ and bar, the Arts Centre Melbourne Conference and Events team perfectly orchestrated a series of complementary elements. Fitting, for a venue that can call upon the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to add an extra special element to an event. Where else could you hold an event in such a unique setting as the State Theatre stage, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra making a surprise visit?

Event planners are always looking for ways to make their event extra special, and personalised. At Arts Centre Melbourne, guests can hire their own furniture to customise their event, or collaborate with a recommended supplier such as Dann Event Hire, who styled the space with their gorgeous furniture on the night. The in-house production team are also experts at moulding the space to fit the brief. Having a world class lighting and production team in house certainly makes a world of difference.

“An event should be more than just an occasion. Events should be made up of unique, memorable experiences,” said Arts Centre Melbourne Head of Sales and Events Steve Bayliss. “Tonight is all about showcasing what our team can do, how we can really add something truly unique to your event.”

With the open, arching layout of the Pavilion allowing guests to mingle freely. It was a testament to the flexibility and practicality of the space – with no high traffic patches across the room. From the bar to the balcony overlooking the city, to the charcuterie station and the seated area, guests constantly flowed through the space.

Waiters were also uninhibited by potential roadblocks, or ambushed at the kitchen doors by hungry attendees. Although, this guest did tail the waiters carrying those distinctive cones of lobster on baby brioche with lemon mayonnaise. Debuting the new additions to the Arts Centre Melbourne cocktail menu, scrumptious treats were snapped up quickly, particularly the coq au vin stuffed mushrooms.

The real treat of the showcase however, was the drawing of a series of coveted door prizes. The prizes on offer from various performance partners and sponsors warranted a quickening of one’s heart rate. The grand prize was nothing short of amazing. Two premium economy return airfares to Paris with esteemed sponsor Singapore Airlines saw the entire room fall whisper quiet as the lucky winner was drawn. As the name was called, it was the perfect crescendo of excitement for an evening filled with anticipation and imagination.

Arts Centre Melbourne's showcase captured your imagination? Get in touch with the team to plan your next event >>