INSPIRATION

Plan a culture-rich gala event with maximum wow factor

Holding a large gala opening event or welcome dinner for your conference or incentive program? Consider holding it at the historic State Library Victoria. Event venue and catering company Showtime Event Group will turn your dinner into a culture-rich experience your delegates won’t forget. Get inspired with these ideas guaranteed to wow!

Project a native Australian design onto the iconic dome

Work with a local Indigenous graphic designer to create a stunning design that can be projected across the roof of the incredible La Trobe Reading Room, there is really no space like it in Melbourne.

Infuse native Australian flavours into your menu

Create a menu championing native Indigenous ingredients such as saltbush, wattleseed and Warrigal greens. Continue that theme into your drinks. Showtime Event Group can even engage with local Indigenous businesses such as Jarrah Boy beers – a delicious drink that features native bush food ingredients grown on Country by Indigenous farmers and harvesters.

Kick off the evening with the Djirri Djirri dancers

Engage with the Djirri Djirri dancers to perform a short Wominjeka Ngarrga (Welcome Dance) which includes an Acknowledgement of Country and 1-2 dances. The Djirri Djirri are a Wurundjeri female dance group and Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds. They have performed at many large high profile events in Melbourne.

Hire an award-winning Indigenous singer

Book an Indigenous singer to perform at your event. Here are some ideas of who you could work with, or visit our Indigenous Supplier Guide for Business Events for more options.

Bumpy

Award-winning Noongar woman and Naarm (Melbourne)-based artist Bumpy has a voice that ripples stars. She has wowed crowds at BIGSOUND, NIMAS, VIVID Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, NGV & Dreamtime at the MCG and more with her deeply affecting music - a shimmering collection of R&B and neo-soul. Bumpy received the New Talent of the Year award at the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAS) and took away Best Soul/RnB/Funk and Gospel work at the Music Victoria Awards. She is also the 2023 recipient of the First Nations Artist Residency Program with the Australian Art Orchestra and Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Shauntai Sherree Abdul-Rahman

Shauntai is an established Inspirational Soul and Gospel singer-songwriter with an exciting career in the world of opera, classical music, composition and theatre making.

A Soprano, Shauntai has the ability to cross genres and has also made a name for herself singing in Indigenous language with the likes of Short Black Opera, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Dance Theatre.

“At Showtime Event Group, we love to create bespoke experiences which celebrate the history and culture of this great state. As a platinum partner of the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce (helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Victoria thrive) we can assist with sourcing all your entertainment and styling requirements. Our indigenous inspired menu has proven a great hit this year, and to be able to host engaging celebrations in one of Melbourne’s iconic places of learning and storytelling is an enormous privilege.”

- Brad Dabbs, Director of Experience, Showtime Event Group

CONTENTS

click here to return to the main page


Indigenous Supplier Guide for Business Events


Sample Incentive Itinerary - One Day Urban Culture and Adventure Experience


Inspiration - Plan a Culture-Rich Gala Event with a Wow Factor


Putting it Into Practice - How MCB Works with Indigenous Suppliers


Sample Incentive Itinerary - Two Day Culture, Wine and Nature Adventure in Regional Victoria

SUPPORTED BY

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Victoria

The Kinaway Chamber of Commerce helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Victoria thrive. As a registered charity, Kinaway provides business support and advice, helps improve visibility and networks, strengthen relationships and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Victoria.
​
​Find out more about Kinaway


Lead the way. Share your positive impact story!

Communicating the steps you take to support local First Peoples businesses and to incorporate Indigenous flavours and experiences into your business event program is a crucial step in driving awareness and momentum across the industry.

MCB encourages you to share your positive impact initiatives with your audiences in the hope this will enact change and encourage other business event planners to follow your lead.


Contact MCB

The Melbourne Convention Bureau team are here to provide free guidance for your next conference, meeting, incentive program or gala event.

Contact us for advice, recommendations and referrals to create a business event with positive impact.


Artwork by Yorta Yorta artist Chloe Jones.