Comms Connect Melbourne Event Witnessed a Significant and Robust Attendance

This week, the preeminent critical communications event in the Southern Hemisphere, Comms Connect, returned to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with a two-day conference and exhibition on 18–19 October, as well as preconference workshops from ARCIA and the ACCF on 17 October.

According to the organizer, Westwick Farrow, this year, onsite registrations were especially robust, with the Comms Connect team issuing entry permits from the morning of the first day of the conference through the afternoon of the second day.

Recent milestones such as the establishment of an Australian Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) Taskforce, the launch of the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN), and the delivery of the first service on New Zealand's Public Safety Network (PSN), which were all extensively discussed at the show, made the event feel very timely.

As expected, the conference agenda was packed with presentations on the topics of Public Safety and Emergency Management, Technology, and Industry, with speakers from as far as Western Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States representing government, industry, telcos, and first responders. In the meantime,  and as usual, the exhibition floor featured dozens of vendors displaying their products, as well as a number of interactive opportunities (including a number of communications vehicles) for attendees to explore.

Event Director Geoff Hird stated that the first day of the event surpassed any previous single-day attendance in the event's 15-year history, stating, "It was a fantastic event with lots of energy on the expo floor and excellent presentations in the three conference theatres — thanks to our sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers. When you run out of lanyards at day two's lunch, you know the event was a success."

On the evening of 18 October, the ARCIA Industry Gala Dinner and Excellence Awards were held to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of outstanding individuals, companies, and initiatives in the Australian radio communications industry.