Having reinvented the tradeshow format, we take a look back at the very first FRONT event and what made it so unique.

From the very first moment of stepping inside the doors of Carriageworks, guests were treated to an event like no other.

Fusing the best in design and the latest in technology, FRONT has proven that the industry is ready to move forward into a new age of tradeshows.

What went into making this meticulously engineered event? Come on a journey with us as we revisit all the components that went into making FRONT 2018 a hit.

Making an entrance

After a seamless registration, visitors were greeted with a slick and cheeky entrance. The unexpected elements courtesy of Autex, who decked out the cavernous space with a series playful swings, a charming picket fence and cloud-like noise control panels.

But before guests stepped into the thriving exhibition space, they could take a rest or tee up a meeting in Seeho Su’s elegant Concierge Lounge, which featured high-quality design products from Maruni and Molo. The lounge gave the first taste of what was just around the corner…

Places to gather, meet and work

Behind the thick, black drapes guests could spend time making their way through the exhibition space. Intimate on scale but no less grand, each aisle was lined with high tables and bar stools for planned, or impromptu, meetings. And what meeting would be complete without a coffee, or even a wine later in the day? All amenities were considered, with coffee carts and food dotted throughout.

At its very core, FRONT was all about facilitating relationship building. From the unique exhibition stands to the central walkway, all the way down to the Dyson Business Lounge – guests were using the event to connect.

We get it though, in the busy work lives we lead today, checking in on emails or other work is a must and FRONT was specifically designed to encourage business and work.

“I’ve been to trade shows from Frankfurt to New York to New Zealand, and I haven’t been to a trade show that’s been as well-focused,” says Tony Creighton, sales and business development manager at Stormtech.

Welcome to the 2.0 tradeshow format.

 

The people

Of course, it wouldn’t have been what it was without the people. With guests flying in from Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, FRONT became the epicentre of the commercial design industry. In the crowd were not only the top brands exhibiting the latest innovations, but also a mix of world-class speakers such as Mia Feasey (Siren Design), Iwan Sunito (Crown Group) and Koichi Takada to name just a few.

And from the attendees’ side? All the major firms across ranging sectors came down to join us – Woods Bagot, Westpac, HASSELL, Mirvac, Westfield, DKO, Australia Post, Geyer, Macquarie Group, Stockland and Woolworths, plus many more.

At the end of the day, getting in front of the right people can make all the difference.

 

Knowledge sharing

Where is the industry heading? What does a practice need to do to survive and thrive? How are retail and hospitality merging into a new typology? Does strategy eat creativity for breakfast?

FRONT set out to answer these questions, and pose a whole lot more through a carefully curated FRONT Forum seminar series, a slew of CPD presentations and the crown jewel – an old school style debate.

Across 16 sessions, more than 2000+ tickets were sold proving that the industry is hungry for knowledge and eager to hear from not just the brightest stars, but a diverse voice.

Keep an eye out for the videos from each seminar, which will be released in the coming weeks along with more stories on the insights gained from such a blockbuster two-day event.

We can’t wait to welcome you at FRONT in 2019! If you have any questions, drop Colleen a line at colleen@indesign.com.au.

Otherwise, check in on the action here.