The 4th Biennial International Conference of the Middle Years of Schooling Association Inc.

Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, Australia

May 26 - 28 2005

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ICMS Scores Highly with
International Schooling Conference

Expert advice and collaboration by International Convention Management Services (ICMS) Pty Ltd, brought strong rewards for the recent 4^th Biennial International Conference of the Middle of Years Schooling Association, held at the Gold Coast, Queensland.

"We have been getting so much wonderful feedback about the conference, including the great work of ICMS," according to Susan Hearfield, MYSA Executive Officer and Conference Convenor.

In fact, in a post-event delegate survey, ICMS Pty Ltd scored an impressive 80% satisfaction rating as the professional conference organiser for the event.

ICMS has been bringing people together to exchange ideas, communicate, learn and have fun for over 35 years.

"Our focus is on producing the most memorable event and our dedication to personal, consultative project management and sound financial management is key to our success on behalf of the Middle Years of Schooling Association," explained, ICMS Conference Manager, Jo Thompson.

"Revenues from the conference are used to support the association's activities for two years, until the next conference, so it is vital to the survival of the association that all opportunities to achieve a sound financial result are explored. This was achieved in the face of keeping the registration fees to a minimum, as schools cannot afford to be sending their teachers to expensive conferences."

ICMS drew on its expertise in the area of sponsorship strategies and exhibition management as the cornerstone of the conference's financial success.

"ICMS was heavily involved in the acquisition of sponsors and management of the trade displays, with exhibition space sold out more than a month prior to the event and sponsorship income almost doubled from the previous conference," Ms Thompson explained.

"MYSA opened their workshops to a significantly wider audience than originally planned and this was supported by an excellent line-up of sponsors and trade exhibitors."

Final numbers were also significantly increased by some 24 percent versus the previous conference in 2003 and with ICMS' help, MYSA found a larger, more flexible venue in the Conrad Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast.

"The larger venue gave us more opportunity to not only increase the number of exhibitors, but also to custom-design exhibition space according to client requirements and sponsorship arrangements."

"ICMS also put its creative hat on in the development of an effective theme for the event, giving it a strong identity. This theme worked well when combined with MYSA's comprehensive network through its membership base in marketing the event."

But no school activity is complete without the students. ICMS' efforts in managing the conference were supported by students from Trinity Lutheran College who packed 700 satchels and made it fun in the process by racing each other for the fastest satchel packer!

A number of local schools also hosted school site visits, the conference was opened by Imogen Hentschel, Queensland Middle Years Student of the Year and Hugh Evan, Young Australian of the year, 2005.

Students including musicians, dancers and singers as well as presenters and photographers were all involved in achieving conference success.

ICMS Pty Ltd has been appointed to manage the MYSA 2007 conference at Conrad Jupiters.