Conference Services
Background
Norsearch Conference Services - Specialsing in Higher Education, Academic and University Association conference management across Australia.
Member - Meeting Events Australia (MEA), Member - PCO Association.
Established in December 1994 Norsearch Conference Services has grown to be a well established professional organisation specialising in the management of conferences and events Australia wide. Based at Norsearch Ltd, Southern Cross University Lismore, Norsearch Conference Services works with both internal and external University clients.
Our objective is to work with our clients to deliver the best possible outcome for their event, whether it is a small meeting for 20 or a large conference of over 500 delegates. Our networks are well established with many bureaus, conferencing venues, accommodation houses and tourist operators with whom we have working relationships. We contribute to the overall success of your event without taking over your event.
For each event we appoint a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO). Your PCO works as part of your team or committee in the planning of the event and is then present on site during your event along with other staff from our service if delegate numbers are large. Our special relationships within Southern Cross University allow us to source assistance for your event from academic staff with a particular interest in your topic area. We also have access to up to date accounting, communications and reprographics equipment.
Norsearch Conference Services is managed by Julie Burton. Julie Burton is the founder and manager of the professional conference management service at Norsearch Ltd at Southern Cross University and is involved in the professional management of events such as the AusWeb series of conferences from 1995 to 2008. Her particular experience is in the management of academic and higher education conferences and workshops with over 150 events managed since 1994. She holds a Diploma in Teaching, a Graduate Diploma in Communication Management and a Masters in Education, Training and Development. Julie is also a Member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (MPRIA) and the Professional Conference Organisers Association (PCO-IM)
Email: julie.burton@scu.edu.au
Other staff who may be involved in the organisation of your event include an intern student from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Southern Cross University, and casual support staff.
Norsearch Registration Services
- Develop a secure registration web page to link to your own web site
- Allow delegates to process their own registrations on line
- Provide immediate confirmations back to delegates via their email
- Capture all information provided by delegates
- Provide up to date lists of your delegates including all contact details
- Provide up to date numbers to your meeting venue if requested
- Log details of dietary requirements and other special requests from your guests
- Account for your income from credit card payments, cheques and EFT and arrange transfer of funds post your event.
Manager, Norsearch Conference Services
Norsearch Ltd
Southern Cross University
P.O. Box 157
LISMORE NSW 2480
Phone (02) 66203932
Email jburton@scu.edu.au
Professional Conference Management
Most people become involved in organising a conference either because they have a great idea for a conference or it is “your turn” to host your associations or organisations annual conference? What many people don’t realise is that pulling together a conference and coordinating the many tasks and suppliers involved can be very time consuming. Those who have “been there - done that”, will attest to the benefits of employing a professional conference organiser.
Norsearch Conference Services has worked with both University and external clients to professionally manage over 150 events. Our main areas of expertise and service include:
- A track record in managing a range of association, academic and industry conferences in many professions including the World Wide Web, Small Business Development, University Governance, Complementary Medicine and Healthcare, Australian International Documentary Film Industry and many more.
- Well developed conference administration procedures including on line delegate registration systems and delegate payment via our University trust accounting system.
- Delegate management and liaison including data-bases and on-line Internet systems for registration and payment of conference fees.
- Preparation of conference materials including brochures, programs and conference papers and proceedings.
- Marketing of events to identified groups and wider targeting of associated groups that may be interested in a conference.
- Accounts administration of an event including budgeting, accounts payable/receivable and collection of conference fees, including the handling of all GST associated accounting.
Generally conferences that use a professional organiser do attract a larger number of delegates. This may be that there is more time and energy for all involved to market the event, sometimes to new or emerging markets. In addition, delegates are more satisfied and desired outcomes are more achievable when everything runs smoothly. Norsearch Conference Services are regularly praised by our clients on the efficient organisation and effortless (for our clients!) execution of the event.
Norsearch Conference Services has the management experience and can help you avoid your own staff and steering committee the frustration and huge time commitments in organising an event in between their other duties. Our objective is to work closely with you to ensure a successful conference that exceeds expectations and is an enjoyable experience for all.
Preferred Suppliers
Conference bags and supplies such as lanyards, name tags etc -Visit Execugifts at http://www.execugifts.com.au/
Preferred caterers in many locations including Byron Bay - Visit The Larder at http://thelarder.com.au/
On line registration processing - visit Conference On Line at http://www.conferenceonline.com.au/
Exhibition builds - Visit North Coast Event Hire at http://www.northcoasteventhire.com.au/
Equipment hire and AV support - Visit AK Hire Lismore at http://www.akhire.com.au/
"I recently presented a week-long workshop in Byron Bay for researchers from around Australia and New Zealand. This involved a very large amount of work in registering participants, answering their questions about the workshop, transport and accommodation, arranging the venue and catering, checking the functionality of computing and audio-visual equipment, presenter accommodation, paying accounts and keeping records. We had initially thought to do this ourselves with casual staff. I'm very pleased we didn't! After engaging Julie, I quickly gained confidence she would manage these vitally important functions well and felt completely free to focus my attention on the content of the workshop. Better than I might have hoped, Julie managed all of this is an orderly, calm and timely manner. I would have great confidence in Julie to competently and efficiently manage any operation of this kind or indeed of any kind that might call upon her considerable maturity, skill and capacity to anticipate and take responsibility" Dr Lyndon Brooks, Division of Research, Southern Cross University. August 2009What Our Clients Say About us
