From chic soirées to elaborate expos, 2023 was a year of almost non-stop fabulous events. In a bout of festive nostalgia, the Karryon Crew looks back on the year that was and the events that were tough to beat.
You gotta love the travel industry. In travel, a work event is rarely some boring conference about some tedious topic. Instead, we get to learn about the world with some of its most fun people.
Here are the Karryon Crew’s 2023 Party Picks:
(ONE OF) SIM’S FAVE(S): Visit USA Expo Week
Asking me to choose from the events I’ve had the privilege to organise and attend is like asking me to choose between children! But I absolutely loved the Visit USA Expos. The bonds built and rebuilt between the US suppliers and our local trade partners reminded me of why we do this. It was also so incredible to see over 700 agents join us over three days, making the event really come alive.
Planning wise, I love expos and am a massive geek, so I had a blast working on the details, from picking the catering to creating floor plans for more than 70 exhibitors. It felt like planning a fun and exciting wedding, especially with the playful touches (who doesn’t love a champagne dress?)! Collaborating with the Visit USA committee was fantastic, seeing the events unfold smoothly on such a large scale and knowing I’d done my bit to bring the industry together in travel was more than I could ask for.
CAITLIN’S FAVE: Travel Guides in Vanuatu live watch party
Vanuatu took centre stage at the Travel Guides live watch party in Sydney this year. Let’s face it, how often do travel advisors and industry partners gather at an official event to watch live television? But thanks to the Vanuatu Tourism Office and Air Vanuatu that’s exactly what happened! And an event where everyone came away a winner thanks to some pretty awesome flight deals… what’s not to love?!
MARK’S FAVE: Memphis Tourism exclusive VIP event
I said it then and I’ll say it now, the Memphis event was always going to be one of the top events of the year. Memphis is synonymous with music, and instead of just telling us, Memphis Tourism showed us via the music of Marcus Scott and the Bo-Keys who travelled from Memphis for events in Sydney and Melbourne. It also helps that Memphis Tourism Australia Director Chris Ingram and I both love the same band. He’s clearly got taste!
MATT’S FAVE: Celebrating (and thanking) our partners at Karryon is 10 event
One of the main reasons I started Karryon was because I wanted to share the stories of the people in travel that make it such an incredible and rewarding community to belong to. It’s been ten years and we’ve gone from strength to strength. None of this would have been possible without the support of our readers and our partners. So we said thank you in the most industry-suitable way we knew how: with a lot of drinks and a lot of mates. And a touch of Karryon pink.
SALLY’S FAVE: USA House events for SXSW Sydney
When SXSW hit Sydney for the first time in its 36-year history, Karryon was there… almost every night. During the week-long entertainment and tech-driven extravaganza, Brand USA took over the “USA House” at Pumphouse Sydney to showcase ‘The Unexpected States of America’, a partnership initiative with Hawaii Tourism Oceania, Visit California, Visit Austin, Travel Texas, and Explore Louisiana. The vibe was amazing, and I particularly loved the cocktail demo by Strong Water Anaheim Master Mixologist Robert Adamson!
GAYA’S FAVE: Karryon’s inaugural Open Mindset event
This event was everything that is right about the travel industry. We know the pandemic and the subsequent shutting down of the world did a lot of damage. And then suddenly the borders were open and we were so busy. Not just in volume but complexity. There was no time to heal. It’s kind of like running with a blister. Eventually, that blister is going to pop and, if not dealt with, will get infected. Open Mindset, focused as it was on mental wellbeing, brought to the fore what we so often push down.
KAT’S FAVE: The opening of W Sydney
As a long-time fan of hotels and design, I love a hotel opening and the chance to take a peek inside multiple public spaces, rooms and suites. The long-awaited W Sydney, by Marriott International, had been on the radar of the travel media for a good number of years. After unexpected delays, it officially opened in October. I arrived at its morning opening ceremony where a DJ was cranking the tunes. Following the Welcome to Country, official speeches, and a dance performance, we were led indoors for a tour and champagne breakfast. The hotel carries the signature, edgy design elements that the W brand is known for. My favourite spaces were the marine-inspired Living Room Lobby and Bar, the WET Deck, and the Level 30 Bar.
Other memorable events during my short time at Karryon this year include meeting several Tahiti specialist advisors at a Tahiti Tourisme and Air Tahiti Nui dinner at Aria; experiencing an incredible private tour of Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs with Adventure World; and meeting several members of the trade and hearing about luxury trends and developments at Luxperience 2023.
LIZ’S FAVE: Meeting Jamie Oliver at Royal Caribbean event aboard Ovation of the Seas
It was honestly so surreal to meet him in person. I grew up watching The Naked Chef and thinking he was this cool dude with a totally new way of presenting cooking. His restaurant in Perth was also my first job when I moved over to Australia as a backpacker back in the day. Full circle moment of getting to make pasta with him on board Ovation of the Seas to celebrate his decade long partnership with Royal Caribbean.
DANI’S FAVE: Karryon’s pre-NTIA Glam Club 2023
The National Travel Industry Award (NTIA) ceremony is such a fantastic night for our industry but with 1400 + people in attendance it is hard to get to chat to everyone (although I definitely try)! Getting a smaller group of people together in a more intimate setting to celebrate the nominees whilst drinking champagne and getting your hair did is both a joy and privilege. We love working with our suppliers each year to bring this to life to show our appreciation, extend the joy and live our ‘together in travel’ mantra.
BROOKE’S FAVE: Karryon’s 2023 Christmas Party!
Whether you’re reading this from a pontoon in the harbour or sitting at your desk frantically trying to get your work done so you can get to a pontoon in the harbour, the Karryon Crew wishes you the best for what’s left of 2023 and what’s coming in 2024.
Our calendars are already starting to fill up.
Want to make your next event unforgettable? Contact simran@karryon.com.au. And don’t forget to get all your events for 2024 in the Events Calendar. It’s the place to be!
