Event Name: 9th Australian Palliative Care Conference
Theme: Partners Across the Lifespan
Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre
No. of Conference Delegates: 909
No. of Exhibition Stands: 31
Sponsorship: 25
Abstracts: 350

The Client:
Palliative Care Australia is the peak national organisation representing the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of quality care at the end of life for all.

Conference Objectives:

• Communicating developments
• Presentations on research and projects being conducted
• Networking and professional development of specialists
• Participants to liaise and establish affiliations with related Organisations
• Discussion, debate, research, education and training
• Showcase products, systems and services

These objectives were achieved by ensuring a comprehensive and well planned program was established.  Exhibitors and sponsors were sourced to showcase their products and assist in displaying the latest updated technology.  A social program was also established to encourage networking and discussions amongst all parties.

The Role of ICE:
The Conference Committee members were professionals from the industry who were volunteering and did not have the time, resources or expertise to coordinate such a large event. 
ICE was contracted to professionally coordinate all aspects of the event, this included liaising with all service providers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates to ensure a successful outcome was achieved.

Rationale/Methodology:
The project planning process involved the construction of a detailed critical path to monitor, update and evaluate the event criteria.  ICE reported monthly to the Conference Committee.

New Initiatives:
It was important for the Committee to incorporate new ideas and concepts for the Conference showcasing the positive side to Palliative Care.  The following initiatives were incorporated into the Conference and were extremely successful.

Four Funerals in One Day - A Play
Written by Alan Hopgood in collaboration with Molly Carlise, the 9th Australian Palliative Care Conference premiered the play ‘Four Funerals in One Day'. Written specifically for the Conference audience, the performance piece explored the human reality for patients and professional carers living and dying in palliative care.
Performed in the last session of the first day, the play provided much stimulus for discussion over the following days of the Conference and was extremely well received as an alternative medium for the exchange of information.
This play then toured Palliative Care Services around Australia.

Complementary Therapies
A complementary therapies room was located near the plenary theatre and offered delegates the opportunity to experience reflexology and reiki treatments. The local therapists kindly volunteered their services and delegates were booked in appointments of 10 minutes. In exchange for their free services, the therapists could speak to the delegates about their services and also had a table to display their brochures/business cards.

Reflections
Throughout the Conference program, reflections were scheduled in the plenary theatre. These reflections included; ‘The journey within', ‘Children and parents: reflecting on the experience when a child dies', ‘The woman from meath', ‘Meanings of home' and the ‘Farewell photo collage' and were a collection of personal stories, poems, photo collages. During the reflections, the doors to the plenary theatre were closed and remained closed until the reflection had finished.

Performers
To distract delegates from the intense nature of the Conference, Skye and Matilda clowns along with the Empress Stilt Dance provided light entertainment during Morning Tea and Lunches during the Conference.

What our Client says:
The level of professionalism and dedication to our conference shown by your Project Management Team is to be highly commended. At all times we felt in control of the conference, without the administrative burden which can come from a conference as large as ours.
Our sponsors have voiced their appreciation on how supported they felt in the lead up to the conference and most importantly onsite which is of high importance to the Association.
Careful budget management and constant reporting ensured there were no surprises and we were able to plan effectively for the conference which resulted in a healthy surplus being achieved.
Kevin P. Larkins (CEO, Palliative Care Victoria