How did you arrive at the decision to go through with the tech event despite event cancellations across the globe?
Ten days before the start of QODE Brisbane on March 13, it became apparent that large public gatherings (in Australia) would be prohibited. That evening, we had dinner with three of our global speakers who had already arrived in Brisbane, and the idea of going virtual was hatched.

On Saturday morning, we all met to start planning, and I called my contacts to see who we could work with on a global platform and who could build a virtual expo for us.

Previously, we’d built smaller virtual expos during my time at CeBIT (regarded as one of the world’s most foremost computer expo), but this needed to be quick and very interactive for business. By the end of Saturday, we had our plan and team in place.

How did you gauge the festival could go completely online?
Being a programmer, founder and event owner in technology, we knew the technology was out there – but it was about pulling the right team of experts together in a short time. We had eight days to go live.

Innovation usually comes when it’s pushed hard and fast – when all minds are working 24/7, that’s when you get a breakthrough! We contacted all of our speakers and exhibitors – around 85 per cent jumped on board even though it was a first for everyone. That’s the great thing about innovation – you have to pivot and shift to survive and those who do will survive and those who don’t, won’t. It was a very challenging week, but it was very rewarding.

What do you think this holds in store for future festivals?
As our global speaker Roey Tzezana said, we will be spending increasingly more time in the virtual world and less in the real world. I believe we will have both, but for the next 18 months or more, it will only be online. That is clear.

It’s a really tough year for the industry. How long do you think it’ll take to recover?
From the information and data we have received, it will be more than 18 months and I would think we will have (created) a new industry during this time. We have to, as we must go on and keep communication open – that’s more important than ever before. We have to adapt and innovate, which we at QODE did and will continue to do.

For us, we are moving forward and exploring other forms of communication and ways to connect. I think you have to move forward – in my experience, not doing so leads to negativity. We need to focus on the positives and work on what can be done, not what can’t be.

What are some of the takeaways from QODE Brisbane Virtual and what does it mean for the global MICE industry?
We have a big industry here. One of the most gratifying parts of running QODE Brisbane Virtual was the number of people from the industry who personally thanked me for pushing through, showing we still had an industry and there was hope and opportunity to continue.

The event industry employs many people – security, riggers, cleaners, AV technicians, ushers, food handlers, chefs, front of house, back of house, stand builders, lighting technicians, etc. Millions of people rely on this vibrant industry and we need a positive way forward and QODE Brisbane, in our small way, showed we can all pivot and shift to a new way for events.

There were about 45 of us whom all worked together in the eight days (of setup) – programmers, organisers, camera crews, lighting technicians, AV engineers, sound engineers, global platforms, creative directors, artists, stage builders, and directors – to make this all happen. It wasn’t one person, it was a global team of committed innovators wanting to make innovation happen in our new world and industry.

Keep positive and let’s all work together, as it will be through community and togetherness that we will get through this.