CASE STUDY
BUPA kicks off 2024 with another exceptional event
Overview
Bupa Dental Care kicked off 2024 in what has become its annual tradition; by hosting its conference for practice principals. As the largest dental care network in Australia, Bupa Dental Care has around 200 practices, and a community of more than 800 clinicians and 2,500 support staff, who offer patient-centred care to almost half a million patients every year.
The long-standing Bupa Dental Care conference shows appreciation to practice principals by treating them to leisure and social activities. In 2023, business strategy content was introduced, and practice managers were also invited to the conference. This greater focus on business content was needed for the 2024 event.
Objectives
Following the success of last year’s event created in collaboration with FCM Meetings & Events (M&E), the Bupa Dental Care team not only wanted to replicate but elevate the event to new heights. Turning to FCM M&E again, the 2024 event objectives were crystal clear:
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Acknowledge and celebrate the efforts and achievements of Bupa Dental Care’s people.
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Reflect on 2023 and share priorities for the year ahead.
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Provide opportunities to learn from each other and industry experts.
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Offer opportunities for practices to connect with each other and build their own networks.
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Have fun!
Our approach
With around 300 guests including sponsors and Bupa support staff confirmed, the FCM Meetings & Events team got to work choosing the perfect venue in collaboration with the Bupa Dental Care team - the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast.
“The location fitted guest numbers perfectly. The conference was all on the same floor, and the location had an interesting gala dinner venue option,” FCM Meetings & Events Producer Kara Johnson said. “Our client had also used the venue before, so they felt comfortable with the venue choice.”
The destination also gave guests the time and space to immerse them into the event and content.
Event entertainment included Welcome to Country, keynote speakers, a roving act called ‘Mr & Mrs Von White’, a Hand Balance Act at the gala dinner, as well as the Franky Smart Band who performed at the afterparty.
“At the end of the main course, we had a planned cirque act that really grabbed people’s attention and draw them back to the room,” Kara said. “Tying in with the dinner en blanc theme, we had guests twirling their napkins to signify the start of the gala dinner, and then everyone received a sparkler at the end of the dinner.”
A space was created for suppliers and partners, offering them an inexpo sponsored theatre, allowing guests the chance to listen in to short supplier talks.
Challenges
Kara said the event had very few challenges and the team were able to overcome these quickly, using flexible solutions.
“Having a gala dinner outside in an undercover tennis court was different, as we had to setup a room outside that didn't exist. Our solution was to offer guests hand fans to help with the heat, and we made the decision to move the afterparty inside.
“Everything went very well for our client, because our team integrated with the client’s team, ensuring open and transparent conversation from the beginning.”
Results
“The client was over the moon at the end of the event and so was senior leadership,” Kara said.
Kara mentioned one highlight from the event was the gala dinner en blanc reveal.
"All guests were wowed by the room setup. As they entered the dinner via a ramp, most guests stopped to take photos of the overall view of the gala dinner, which they got to see from a couple of meters up, overlooking the room. We essentially gathered everyone in the exhibition space, and then guided them onto the undercover tennis court, and they didn’t know about this space; it was a surprise for all the guests."
She added, “Overall, it was a great collaboration with the client, everything ran smoothly on site, and the delegation was lovely. It was nice to see the event come to life after working on it for months. It was really rewarding.”