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Australian Association of Graduate Employers

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The Big Meet

What is The Big Meet?

The Big Meet is a one-day careers fair, organised by the AAGE, which is promoted to all students from all universities in each host city. The Big Meet was established in 2008 and is now in its 17th year.

Dates for The Big Meet 2024 are:

  • Brisbane: Friday 15th March 2024, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • Melbourne: Wednesday 20th March 2024, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre  
  • Sydney: Friday 22nd March 2024, International Convention Centre Sydney 
  • Perth: Monday 25th March 2024,  Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre 
  • Adelaide: Wednesday 27th March 2024, Adelaide Convention Centre 

The Concept

The Big Meet careers fairs were created as a result of feedback received from employers from both the private and public sector. Employers have asked for a cheaper or more efficient way of promoting themselves to potential candidates rather than attending several different careers fairs in the same city. Each Big Meet event is held at a purpose-built exhibition venue in a central location.

The Benefits

The Big Meet careers fairs offer a range of unique benefits to exhibitors including:

  • Promote your organisation across an entire city in just a single day
  • Promote your organisation to students from several universities at a single event
  • Access genuine job seekers at each event
  • Receive contact details for candidates who pre-register for the event, where candidates have approved this.

Why Exhibit?

The Big Meet provides the perfect solution for exhibitors wishing to maximise their exposure to potential candidates whilst minimising their costs. If you have limited time, resources or budget, The Big Meet is the ideal way to reach the right students from a range of universities in one day. Feedback from previous exhibitors confirms The Big Meet as one of the best careers fairs in the country.

What’s New in 2024?

ALL STATES: Pre-Event Webinar

Exhibitors in all states will be offered the opportunity to attend a pre-event webinar where you will be briefed on the event you are attending as well as gain insights on what candidates will be looking for from information shared from the 2024 AAGE Surveys and best practice research undertaken by our event partners on inclusive recruitment practices.

MELBOURNE: New venue and ‘Quiet Hour’

We are excited to move to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2024 to enable all exhibitors to be in one room.

We will also be piloting a new Quiet Hour program at the Melbourne Big Meet in 2024 where the first hour of the event will be advertised as an opportunity for students to register to attend who might find the busy, bright and congested activity of the Big Meet challenging to navigate.

The Melbourne event will be extended by one hour at no extra cost to exhibitors, running from 11.00am until 3.00pm. Exhibitors will set up as usual and the AAGE will liaise with the Convention Centre and our event partners to make some adjustments to the space and our communication with students to facilitate the Quiet Hour.

Following this hour The Big Meet will open to all other students who have registered to attend. Further information will be provided to employers in the coming months and in the pre-event briefing about the Quiet Hour however please let us know if you have any questions prior to booking your space.

How to Book

Indicative pricing is listed below. Please note, prices will vary depending on when you book and whether your organisation is a member of the AAGE. Pricing will also vary based on the number of spaces being booked.

Click on the hyperlink below to be taken to the relevant booking form. 

AAGE Member Rates - Saver Rates (for bookings made prior to COB Thursday 14th December 2023)

Non-Member Rates - Saver Rates (for bookings made prior to COB Thursday 14th December 2023)

    Who Exhibits?

    The Big Meet attracts a range of exhibitors from both the private and public sector as well as professional associations and not-for-profit employers.

    Registered exhibitors for 2024 include:

    Access4u, ACCIONA, Activ Foundation, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Oval SMA Ltd, ADF Careers, Allectum, AMP,ANZIIF, APRA, Arc Infrastructure, Argon & Co, Aspec Engineering Pty Ltd, ATC Williams, Attorney-General's Department, Auditor-General's Department (SA), Ausgrid, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, Australian National Audit Office, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Australian Signals Directorate, Australian Taxation Office, AustralianSuper, Babcock Australasia, BAE Systems Australia, Baker Hughes, Bankwest, BAT Australia, BDO, Beca, Bene Aged Care, Bentleys SA/NT, BG&E Pty Limited, BGL Corporate Solutions, BHP, Brisbane Catholic Education, Brisbane City Council, C&L Accounting, Careers in Food and Fibre,carsales.com, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, CIMIC Group, Civmec, CLO - Community Living Options, Clough, Coles, College of Law, Commercial and Legal, Consolidated Power Projects, CrowdStrike, Daniel Allison & Associates, Defence Intelligence, Defence SA, Deloitte, DENTONS AUSTRALIA LIMITED, Department for Child Protection, Department for Correctional Services (SA), Department for Education (SA), Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Agriculture & Fisheries, Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Department of Defence, Department of Education (VIC), Department of Education (WA), Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (VIC),Department of Finance, Department of Health, Mental Health & Wellbeing Division, Workforce Growth, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Resources (QLD), Department of the Premier and Cabinet (SA),Department of the Treasury, Department of Transport and Main Roads (Qld), Department of Transport and Planning (VIC), Deswik, Detmold Group, disAbility Living Inc., Downer Group, DT Infrastructure, Duxton Capital (Australia),DXC Technology, Egis, Environment Protection Authority, Enzen Australia, Essential Energy, EY, FDM Group,Fivecast, Georgiou, GHD, Goodstart Early Learning, GraduateHero, Grant Thornton, GTE, Gud Holdings, Hastings Deering, Healthcare Australia, Heathgate Resources, Hesperia, Hilton Foods APAC, HLB Mann Judd, Hood Sweeney, Hutchinson Builders, IAG, Indeed, Integrated Application Development, Interagency Graduate Program - DMIRS & JTSI, Kain Lawyers, KordaMentha, Leed Engineering and Construction, Leidos, Leo Cussen Centre for Law, Linfox, Liontown Resources, Lockheed Martin, Lockton Companies Australia, Macquarie Telecom Group, Main Roads WA, Mainfreight, Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA), Mazars, McGrathNicol, Micromine, Mineral Resources, Mondelez International, Moore Australia, Moore Australia (WA), MTC Australia, NAB, National Intelligence Community, Navy Engineering Program, NEC Australia, Newmont Australia, NSW Department of Education, NSW Public Service Commission, Office of the Auditor General, PCYC QLD, Pensar, Perks, Pilbara Minerals, Pitcher Partners, Policy Futures Graduate Program (QLD Government), Powerlink Queensland, Prime Minister and Cabinet,Procter & Gamble, Protiviti, Public Sector Commission (WA), Public Transport Authority of WA, PwC Australia,Queensland Government Digital Graduate Program, Queensland Rail, Queensland Treasury, REA Group, RED Appointments, Redarc Electronics, Resthaven, Robson Environmental, Rokt, Roy Hill, RSM, SA Power Networks, SA Water, Saab Australia, Schneider Electric, SEEK, Seqwater, Siemens Healthineers, Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC), Sportsbet, StewartBrown, Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA), Sunkids Children's Centres, SunPork Group,SW Accountants & Advisors, Sydney Water, Symal Group, SYSTRA ANZ, Talent RISE, tbh, Teach For Australia,Teach QLD, Tesserent, Thales, The Law Society of South Australia, The University of Sydney, Thiess, TikTok,Transgrid, Transport for NSW, Ultra Maritime, UNIQLO Australia, VAGO, Ventia, Victoria Police, Victorian Government Graduate Program, Viterra, Viva Energy, Wallmans Lawyers, Western Power, WGA, Whitehaven Coal, William Buck,Wilmar Sugar, Woodside Energy.

    To find out who exhibited at one or more Big Meet events in 2023, please click here.

    The Big Meet can attract up to 2,000 attendees at each event (please note, attendee numbers vary from state to state). Around 80% of attendees are final year students or recent graduates. The majority of attendees are Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents. Feedback from previous exhibitors tells us that the students who attend The Big Meet are genuine job seekers.

    Promotion to Students and Graduates

    The Big Meet will be promoted to all students at all universities within the host city. Promotional activities include:

    • Promotion of the event by universities in the host city
    • Promotion via university student societies
    • Promotion via professional associations
    • Event website: www.thebigmeet.com.au
    • Promotion via social media
    • Promotion by exhibitors themselves.

    Attendance at The Big Meet will be free for all students.

    Exhibitor Inclusions

    Basic Exhibitor Package: "Space Only"

    Our basic exhibitor package is called "Space Only". Each exhibitor will be provided with the following inclusions:

    • Exhibition space approximately 3 metres wide by 3 metres deep 
    • Trestle table, table cloth and 2 chairs for each exhibitor.
    • Connection to a power supply.
    • Catering for up to 2 of the exhibitor's staff.

    Exhibitors will need to bring their own display banner(s) and promotional literature. 

    Please note that a "Space Only" package does not have any walls for hanging/sticking posters.

    If you want to have a larger display area then you can purchase 2 (double) or 3 (Triple) "Space Only" packages.

    The two images below show a "Space Only" stall. The left hand image shows an undressed "Space Only" and the right hand image shows how an example of how the "Space Only" can look once dressed by exhibitors.

    Example of a "space only" set up (before and after exhibitor set up)


    ADDITIONAL ITEM: WALLED DISPLAY BOOTH - $550 + GST

    A purpose built "Walled Display Booth" can be ordered for an additional fee of $550 + GST per space.

    Under this option exhibitors receive everything provided under the "Space Only" package plus the "Walled Display Booth".

    The "Walled Display Booth" includes fascia signs displaying the exhibitor's name and carpeted walls which are velcro compatible.


    The two images below show a "Walled Display Booth". The lefthand image shows an undressed "Walled Display Booth" and the righthand image shows how an example of how the "Walled Display Booth" can look once dressed by exhibitors.

    Example of a Walled Display Booth - single (before and after exhibitor set up)

    FAQs 

    When will we receive more detailed information? 

    A detailed Logistics document will be sent out to all registered exhibitors in late January/early February 2024. We usually send this out prior to the New Year, however, we will send this later to ensure that it contains the most relevant and up-to-date information regarding any COVID-19 policies in each location.  This document will outline further information relating to each event, such as the event timetable, stall inclusions, catering and delivery instructions. 

    What happens if the event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances? 

    If we are unable to proceed with a face-to-face event, due to venue or government restrictions, exhibitors will be able to obtain a full refund or a rollover of their booking fee to 2025. 

    Will we receive a refund if we decide to cancel our attendance in the lead up to the event? 

    The AAGE abides by the ACCC Australian Consumer Law refund policy. No refunds will be given for cancellations if the event proceeds. This applies to all registrations received and is enforced irrespective of if an invoice has been raised or not, or if an invoice remains paid or unpaid.

    Feedback from Previous Big Meets

    “Very satisfied with the calibre and quality of candidates.”
    “Very well organised, venue perfect”
    “One of the best fairs we have attended. We were particularly impressed with the number of high quality students and the organisation of the event.”
    “Just wanted to thank you all for your help leading up to and on the day of the Careers Fair, it went really well and we are so pleased with the calibre of attendees.”
    “Fantastic EVERYTHING.”
    “It was a great day and well organized. ”
    “It was the first time we’d been a stall holder, and it was a great experience. The event itself was extremely well organised, with great communication beforehand about logistics for the event, and support during the event. I also loved that students all had a coloured name tag to denote their University.”
    “Well done Team! Sydney was a great event. Excellent attendance. Your staff super helpful and so appreciated!”
    “Congratulations on the Big Meet event in Sydney! My manager was very pleased with the event and we are keen to participate again next year.”
    “We enjoyed the experience to attend the Big Meet for the first time. This allowed us to touch base with a number of students from various NSW unis and to present our program to interested candidates.”
    “Brisbane candidates were again very focused and keen.”
    “Not as busy as expected, but there were a number of good "quality" candidates that attended. Sometimes it's not just about quantity - quality is just as important.”
    “Happy with all elements of the coordination of this event, so well done.”
    “Not as many candidates as last year, but the quality was there, which is what mattered most in the end.”

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