It was a whirlwind and dynamic week at EVOLVE 2019 for the team at The Event Ecosystem beginning with an informative and eye opening keynote speech on the Third Industrial Age from founder Harris Meitanis on Monday, to a visit from A.C.T.A ambassador and ARIA award winning musician, Megan Washington (who was across the road penning her Opus for Opera Queensland) and on Tuesday night, a stunning win — The Event Ecosystem won the National Award for Innovation in Events for their groundbreaking platform, A.C.T.A.

This after taking down the NSW State Award for Innovation last month! Phew!

Three epic days for the events and entertainment industry culminated in an amazing gala dinner in the ballroom of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center, held to recognise the country’s best and fairest. With 1000 event professionals in attendance, awards were dished out in categories from Best Corporate Event of the Year to Best Audio Visual Achievement and Government Event of the Year.

The national MEA Award for Innovation is a welcome boost of industry recognition for The Event Ecosystem’s vision in adopting peer-to-peer technology within the Events and Entertainment industries. However, it’s the unique technology that A.C.T.A and G.E.T are built on that makes The Event Ecosystem’s platforms truly special.

They are the first booking platforms to adopt frontline blockchain technology, ensuring security and transparency for all parties and allowing clients and suppliers direct communication, contracting and payment facilities. This is coupled with a patented CMS designed specifically to deliver the artist/service in a professional capacity. The platforms totally eliminate the need for middle men and hold no funds in escrow, ultimately culminating in the world’s first P2P talent bookings platforms which work autonomously and FOC on behalf of the artists.

Whilst A.C.T.A services celebrities and media personalities, G.E.T is home to all categories of performance talent including cover bands, DJs, speakers, magicians, circus acts and more.

Since launching G.E.T on February 19 at AIME 2019, the platform has welcomed over 800 new talent members, from musicians and DJs, to magicians and clowns.

A.C.T.A has recently welcomed over 50 new celebrities, including Hamish and Andy, Adam Goodes, Craig Johnston, Tom Thumb, Jordan Raskopoulos, Fiona O’Loughlin, Fifi Box and Carrie Bickmore. These top Australian celebrities join existing household celebrity talent from music and comedy to sports and film, who have already shown support that include Paul McDermott, Megan Washington, Sophie Monk, Olympic champion Michael Klim and UFC Middleweight Champ Robert Whittaker — all embracing the innovation.

"There’s no greater accolade, than one bestowed upon you by your colleagues and by those who your work is designed to serve,” Meitanis stated on stage, accepting the award on behalf of the 20+ staff and Advisory Board. “The Event Ecosystem’s platforms were built specifically for an industry we’re extremely passionate about, and to receive this award, as well as the NSW State Award and continuous plaudits and adoption by our peers justifies to me personally that I wasn’t crazy after all - people are actually excited to embrace the future.”

On Monday, day 1 at EVOLVE 2019, Harris spoke to delegates about the Third Industrial Revolution, aka The Information Age which, for over 40 years now has called for the embrace of frictionless sharing of information — the bedrock on which the digital age rests.

“We have too long been subject to slow, tangled processes and some unscrupulous behaviour,” says Meitanis. “Freedom and control of information is the defining characteristic of this The Information Age and we have a duty to our beloved industries, to keep innovating and evolving processes so that all parties are able to work safer, easier and freely in order to create incredible and memorable  events.”

Throughout the conference, T.EE.’s booth was alive with event industry professionals chatting with T.E.E’s senior project managers Michael Westerway and Laura Chung as well  Marketing and Relationships Director, Joel Cangy.

When Megan Washington popped by to say G’day, talk quickly moved to her explaining the importance of the A.C.T.A and G.E.T platforms for both celebrity artists and talent.

“For an artist, the sharing of performance and logistical documentation in a quick and safe manner is crucial to achieving the very best performance,” Washington says. “Knowing that this information is being handled and stored safely by these platforms is new and refreshing, which is crucial to feeling safe as an artist.”

"The Event Ecosystem wouldn’t exist without the support of both clients and talent, who are eager for its success,” said Meitanis. “It was lovely for our A.C.T.A ambassador, Megan Washington, to take some time away from her Opera Queensland duties to meet with delegates and explain how the content management system really helps both clients and talent improving the way we all work in procuring, delivering and managing talent for events."
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***Date Published** - 3rd April 2019*

***Source** - https://www.eventconnect.com/pressreleases.aspx?pr=2008*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.*

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A.C.T.A by The Event Ecosystem Wins Big! 

Australian built Associated Celebrity Talent App (A.C.T.A.), which officially launched last November, has justified the buzz around it.

A.C.T.A. allows event professionals to book talent directly online– and save up to 90% in time and effort and recently added some high-profile names: Audiopaxx (Carmada, LDRU), Profile Talent (Danii Minogue, David Campbell, Ed Kavalee, Joel Creasey), and Niche Productions (Furnace and the Fundamentals).

This month A.C.T.A. won the National Award for Innovation in Events at the Meetings & Events (MEA) Awards at the ballroom of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center.

Accepting the award, founder and CEO Harris Meitanis told the 1,000 guests, “There’s no greater accolade, than one bestowed upon you by your colleagues and by those who your work is designed to serve.

“The Event Ecosystem’s platforms were built specifically for an industry we’re extremely passionate about, and to receive this award, as well as the NSW state award (in February) and continuous plaudits and adoption by our peers justifies to me personally that I wasn’t crazy after all – people are actually excited to embrace the future.”

A day earlier, Meitanis presented the keynote at EVOLVE 2019 on the Third Industrial Age.

“We have too long been subject to slow, tangled processes and some unscrupulous behaviour,” he said.

“Freedom and control of information is the defining characteristic of this The Information Age.

“We have a duty to our beloved industries, to keep innovating and evolving processes so that all parties are able to work safer, easier and freely in order to create incredible and memorable events.”

The Event Ecosystem team’s booth at the meet received a visit from brand ambassador and ARIA-winning singer-songwriter Megan Washington, who was across the road working on premiering her first opera, for Opera Queensland, based on Georgia Blain’s 2017 novel Between A Wolf And A Dog.

Washington met with delegates, and during an interview said, “I always enjoy events where the client has thought a lot about the song they want me to perform.

“Often it dovetails perfectly with their message, in a way which I would never have thought of myself.”

Since launch, the app has facilitated bookings from Adam Goodes, Reece Mastin, Glen McGrath, Touch Sensitive, Jules Lund, Tenzin and Sophie Monk.

In mid-February, The Event Ecosystem launched G.E.T – Global Event Talent – which sources non-celebrity talent.

G.E.T – Global Event Talent – which launched at AIME in February – is a platform for sourcing non-celebrity talent.

It’s picked up 800 new members, including clowns stilt-walkers, fire twirlers, DJs, cover bands and circus acts.

A.C.T.A and  G.E.T are the first booking platforms to adopt frontline blockchain technology, ensuring security and transparency for all parties with a patented CMS designed to deliver the artist/service in a professional capacity.

All financial transactions are between the act and the client, with the platforms not involved in holding any of the payment.

***Date Published** - 16th April 2019*

***Source** - https://themusicnetwork.com/aussie-celebrity-booking-app-a-c-t-a-wins-national-award-and-adds-audiopaxx-profile-talent-more/*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.*


Aussie celebrity booking app acta wins national award & adds Audiopaxx, Profile Talent

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Our friends in the industry

Even the most game-changing business idea won’t fly on a wing and a prayer—sadly ideas aren’t currency, however visionary they happen to be. Before your startup can truly soar, you need to work out a way to fund it.

There’s no doubt that securing startup funding can be one of the most difficult tasks faced by tech founders — Jess Ruhfus, founder of online collaboration marketing platform Collabosaurus, says “securing funding in Australia is one of the longest sales processes you can go through!”

And without a reliable source in place, many startups struggle to achieve significant traction, market or develop their products, not to mention hire talent and grow their business.

So, how can you secure the funding?
The good news? There is money out there. We’ve rounded up five key things to consider when seeking funding.

1. Before $$ flow, keep it lean

Keeping costs low is a basic business principle 101, but it is even more critical when you are a pre-revenue tech startup. Don’t get swept away by your global vision before finding revenue for major financial commitments.

Harris Meitanis, founder of The Event Ecosystem, says it’s all about being resourceful in the beginning.

“Don’t hire contractors too early, in terms of functions such as PR and marketing,” says Meitanis, who recently launched blockchain-based talent booking platforms A.C.T.A and G.E.T.

In just six months, A.C.T.A has attracted A-list talent from Molly Meldrum to Megan Washington and the platforms are game changing the event and entertainment industries.

“Learn to do this yourself when soft launching. If anything, find a good team to help in driving leads via digital advertising such as SEO, SEM and SMM, but look to create your content and manage socials and communications in-house to keep your early costs down.”

2. Laser focus on revenue

There is a saying in the startup world: “if it doesn’t get you traction, it’s a distraction.” Make it your daily “distraction” — focus! — to nail your first revenue.

This is an attractive sign for investors — and focus is an investment itself these days.

Ruhfus says it’s all about balance.

“Your company’s sales and growth while you’re fundraising is frustratingly important. Find a balance that works for you so that you don’t let growth slide,” she says.

“Investors want to see a growth trend, which is always really difficult to maintain when you’re spending so much time raising capital, especially with a small team.”

3. Grow and nurture your network

Every conversation is an opportunity. You never really know the source of your next investment. And while you may not see the fruits of your networking immediately, have faith that your persistence will grow your network in the long run.

“It’s important to begin building relationships with potential investors, advisors, mentors and customers well before you decide to kick start a funding round,” says Ruhfus.

And remember that you already have friends.

“Start with the people you know: friends, family, your professional network,” says Meitanis. “This will not only help you get started, but will also give you the learning to start to move onto options outside of your network.”

And your enthusiasm will be infectious for all your networks. “Confidence and complete belief in what you’re looking to achieve is an absolute must,” says Meitanis.

4. Know your numbers — and market

Persistence is one thing, but you also need to know your stuff.

Financial projections is one essential area of focus for tech entrepreneurs.

Get to know the fundamentals of a financial spreadsheet — start by downloading a financial projections template (there are plenty online) and customise it for your business well before you start meeting investors.

And then there’s your competitors. “You need to deeply understand your market—look at size, competitors and growth,” says Meitanis. “Spend time building your business model. Accurate numbers are everything. Be meticulous.”

5. Seek legitimate feedback

If you find yourself being knocked back time and time again, Ruhfus recommends seeking legitimate feedback from investors, while also remembering that not all advice is golden.

“If you feel that an investor has said ‘no’ without a clear reason, don’t be afraid to ask. Sometimes, there is a deeper issue as to why an investor isn’t interested,” says Ruhfus.

“I get the line ‘it’s a little early for us’ all the time. So, I push for exact metrics that the investor needs to see before we become an attractive investment.

“Everyone has an opinion, and raising capital is not for the faint hearted. Be careful whose advice you take. Logically distinguish between advice that comes with the right intentions, grounded in relevant experience, with those opinions that are not,” says Ruhfus.

***Date Published** - 25th April 2019*

***Source** - http://anthillonline.com/shaking-the-money-tree-how-to-secure-funding-for-your-tech-startup/*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.*