Could there be a better way to celebrate Memphis, a metropolis known for its music, than with a spirited live band who’ve travelled all the way down from the city itself? By the sounds of an enraptured crowd at this Sydney event, you couldn’t imagine there would be.
Nearly 200 guests gathered for what might have been the coolest (hey, this is Memphis) travel industry event of the year so far on Thursday night at Hilton Sydney’s Zeta Bar as special guests Marcus Scott and the Bo-Keys serenaded (or rather blues-rocked) the crowd with tunes that transported those present to the famed Tennessee town.
More like a party – or rather gig – than an industry event, the evening also saw Memphis Tourism and co-hosts United Airlines award some cool prizes. And, of course, there were plenty of beverages and Memphis-inspired food on offer, like Cajun pulled pork sliders, beef brisket with mac and cheese, and popcorn cauliflower.
Two cool events
The night before, Memphis Tourism hosted a similar event in Melbourne at the well-known music venue, The Toff. Around 150 travel industry guests turned out for the Victorian bash.
“Memphis Tourism is thrilled by the turnout and response to our events in Melbourne and Sydney this week,” Memphis Tourism Australia Director Chris Ingram told Karryon.
“Both events were packed with hundreds of partygoers from the travel trade, industry, and the media, all coming together to get a good dose of the blues and soul that makes Memphis one of the coolest destinations on the planet.
“With entertainment from some of the city’s finest – Marcus Scott and the Bo-Keys – the events also provided a sneak peek at what people can expect from this year’s Blues on Broadbeach, which remains a key event in the Memphis Tourism calendar.”
Speaking to guests at the Sydney event, Ingram called Memphis a “cool, gritty, fun destination …. steeped in blues, soul, and rock n roll”.
“During the pandemic, we did so much work … we didn’t stop. We opened up new hotels; we opened up new restaurants,” he said.
“The city just kept on keeping on and even right now today, Australia has made its way back to being the number three source market [behind Canada and the UK] to Memphis.
“The Australian market just loves that part of the world.”
Read our interview with Ingram to discover the sights, and indeed sounds, Aussies can’t miss in Memphis.
