ARCIA update: Gala Dinner & Excellence Awards wrap-up

There was a lot of anticipation in the lead-up to Comms Connect Melbourne and our annual gala dinner and awards night this year, with the expectation that both would see solid numbers and growth on 2022 — and nobody, it would seem, was disappointed.

Our dinner and awards night attendance was up significantly, reaching almost 500, and having seen the queues at the exhibition and conference entrance myself, Comms Connect clearly had an outstanding turnout too, with the show floor buzzing (in particular on day one). It was great to see the show bounce back to its former glory after a few difficult years and it demonstrates that the vibrancy and collaboration that these events have fostered and generated, both locally and internationally, since we first formed our strategic partnership many years ago, continues in a very positive manner, thanks to the hard work of all involved.

Our MC Paul McDermott did an outstanding job looking after the awards proceedings whilst entertaining our guests for the evening, on occasion leaving the stage to speak with and poke good-natured fun at a few tables and their guests. This entertainment, along with the newly revamped award categories, plus the great food and service delivered by the MCEC team, seemed to hit the spot, with the very positive feedback suggesting it was one of the best nights ARCIA has put on over the years.

MC Paul McDermott in action.

Award competition was strong on the night, with our very worthy winners being chased closely by solid nominees, making it extremely difficult for our awards judges to make final selections. But that’s what makes entry so worthwhile, so please make sure you participate and nominate those that you see as worthy in 2024.

Congratulations to the 2023 ARCIA Excellence Awards winners:

• Small Business Award: Spectrum Engineering
• Outstanding Individual of the Year Award: Daniel Chivell
• Local Manufacturing Award: Omnitronics, with the DRG100 Digital Radio Gateway
• Major Project Award: NSW Telco Authority and the Queensland Government Wireless Network Contract Directorate, for their Interstate Roaming Service
• Industry Innovation Award: Simoco Wireless Solutions, with the VR-950
• Peter Wallace Industry Advancement Award: Wayne Turnbull
• Jonathan Livingston Award: Andrew Wyborn
• Life Member Awards: Steve Jaques and David Cox
   

The team from Spectrum Engineering (left and middle).

Daniel Chivell (left).

The team from Omnitronics.

The team from the NSW Telco Authority.

The team from Simoco Wireless Solutions.

Andrew Wyborn (centre).

David Cox (left) and Steve Jaques (right).

At the time of writing, the year is set to wrap up for ARCIA with two final networking opportunities — first in Brisbane on 16 November at The Greek Club, where Nick Ashby, who was unable to be in Melbourne, will be presented the Major Project Award, on behalf of the Queensland Government Wireless Network Contract Directorate, for the Interstate Roaming Service; and finally at The Shoe Bar in Perth on 6 December, with all welcome to join us.

To keep up with our ever-developing calendar of events and training courses for 2024, including conferences in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, visit https://arcia.org.au/events/.

Paul Davis, CEO, Australian Radio Communications Industry Association.