17/01/2025
Since 2015 I have not posted any corporate event examples on FB, instead focusing exclusively on weddings. In 2025 I am going to start posting more frequently, showcasing some amazing corporate events as well as my favourite weddings, and providing a few tips and insider 'morsels of information' which may help corporate event planners or wedding planning couples.
Unfortunately this first post is a bit of a whinge... about the new Star Grand Casino Brisbane (not to be confused with The Star Grand Casino Gold Coast).
As part of their safety and compliance requirements, all vendors including professional photographers have to complete a tedious 15 min induction offsite, upload their Public Liability etc. etc. (fair enough I guess) but then once you arrive on site you have to sign in at their staff checkpoint every time you visit to get ID and a lanyard which takes at least 25 minutes extra time, and 25 minutes afterwards! (no exaggeration). Then instead of just being able to return it somewhere convenient... you have to walk all the way back (and it's a LONG way back) and wait in another queue...
The other frustrating thing about the The Star Grand is the very complicated lift system and lack of clear signage.
Only some lifts take you to some floors, for example there are at multiple disconnected 'lift systems'. So to get the rooftop for example, you can't just take any lift... you have to find the special lift for the rooftop then queue with all the other members of the public (125 people waiting) which took an additional 15 minutes... that's if you can find that one and only lift!
There are no staff wandering around to help, and the signage is poorly designed or non existent in terms of helping anyone find where they need to go.
Wouldn't it be nice if they provided vendors (or put on their website) some clear instructions to show how to access each function space, e.g. which lift to use, where these lifts are etc? How about a PDF map on your website so vendors and guests can plan ahead? How many people, families, elderly people with mobility issues get lost there everyday, I would hate to imagine... Come on guys, this is exactly what 'guest experience' is all about.
On the positive side the venue hard product itself is amazing, and they do offer free parking to vendors on site. If you are a vendor though, be warned - aim to arrive at least 45-60 mins before you need to be there, especially if it's your first visit!