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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 18th year.

Dates for The Big Meet 2025 are:

  • Sydney: Wednesday 19th March 2025, International Convention Centre Sydney
  • Melbourne: Friday 21st March 2025, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre  
  • Brisbane: Monday 24th March 2025, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • Adelaide: Friday 28th March 2025, Adelaide Convention Centre
  • Perth: Tuesday 1st April 2025,  Perth Convention and Exhibition 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 2025?

SYDNEY - Larger room & ‘Quiet Hour’ in 4 Locations 

We are excited to move to a larger Hall at the International Convention Centre Sydney in 2025 to enable more exhibitors to book and to allow for more room for attendees and exhibitors alike!

We piloted a Quiet Hour program at the Melbourne Big Meet in 2024 where the first hour of the event was 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. We are pleased to announce that we will be offering this program in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide in 2025. 

Events with the Quiet Hour will be extended by one and a half hours at no extra cost to exhibitors, running from 11.00am until 3.30pm, to enable a larger volume of students to interact with exhibitors. 

  • 11.00am - 12.00 noon - Quiet Hour
  • 12.00 noon - 3.30pm - The Big Meet (General Admission)

*Perth timings will remain the same as 2024: 11.00am - 2.00pm

Exhibitors will set up as usual and the AAGE will liaise with the venues and 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 - Early Bird Rates (for bookings made prior to COB Thursday 29th August 2024)

Non-Member Rates - Early Bird Rates (for bookings made prior to COB Thursday 29th August 2024)

    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.

    To view the 2024 exhibitors, please visit www.thebigmeet.com.au

    The Big Meet can attract up from 1,000 to 3,000 attendees at each event (please note, attendee numbers vary from state to state). Around 80% of attendees are final year students or recent graduates. 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. Please note, a walled booth will either have 2 (corner) or 3 solid walls, depending on where you are located on the floor plan. Should you have a preference, please note this in your registration form comments. 


    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.

    Please note: if you book a single space (3m x 3m) and would like to book a walled booth, please select a 'Single Walled Booth' in the registration form. If you book a double space, you will require a 'Double Walled Booth.' The size of the booth booked will directly relate to the size of the space that you book. 

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

    CUSTOM BUILT STANDS

    We have had a few exhibitors in 2024 with custom built stands which looked fabulous (see pictures below) and we are happy to accommodate any requests for these types of stands. Please note, we require information regarding these stands a minimum of 45 days prior to the Big Meet that you are exhibiting at. 

    You must liaise with the AAGE Events team regarding your custom build as your stall space and floor plan allocation will likely be determined depending on your build requirements. All Custom stands must be approved by the venue and information required may vary from venue to venue. Exhibitors wanting a custom stand may also incur additional room hire fees if the setup of your stand is extensive. Please note, no custom stands will be allowed less than 45 days out from the event. Please email thebigmeet@aage.com.au or admin@aage.com.au for further details. 

     

    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 2025. This document will outline further information relating to each event, such as the event timetable, stall inclusions, catering and delivery instructions. 

    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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