cim february 2015 issue

Melbourne’s winning streak

Tips from an award-winning event

One-of-a kind Aussie destinations

Beach beauty

Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast

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FEB 2015

O� ering world-class facilities, spectacular landscapes, an unmatched array of activities all within easy reach, and warm, welcoming people, New Zealand will take your next event from ordinary to extraordinary. Plan the conference they’ll never forget today.

A business event in New Zealand goes beyond expectation.

EXPERIENCES BEYOND BUSINESS

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www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, February 2015 3

CONTENTS

On the coverA greater emphasis on reducing its environmental footprint and even more benefits for its loyalty club members are just some of the new initiatives at Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast.

APR

IL 2014

WA diversifies Sell TNQ dazzles Brisbane’s G20 legacy

High fiveNew MICE Noosa collaboration

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Don’t miss

Look out for these topical news-based video stories on our website, www.cimmagazine.com, and in the CIM iPad app, to delve deeper into the issues behind the print stories.

REGULARS04 Publisher’s note

06 News

08 New Zealand news

12 International news

17 Q&A Mathias Posch, International Conference Services

42 Venue update

44 Talking point Winston Broadbent, Saxton Speakers Bureau

45 Meeting people

46 PCO Association

FEATURES16 Cover story Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast

18 New Zealand InterContinental Hotels Group famil

22 Melbourne Melbourne’s winning streak continues

28 Australia’s North West Room to move in the rugged North West

30 Central Australia Red hot destination

32 Coffs Coast Keeping it local on the Coffs Coast

34 Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Conference & Events Centre Regional conferencing just got bigger

36 Event reports Australian Tourism Exchange Farewell Function; 29th International Horticultural Congress 2014; Penny Arcade Expo Australia 2014

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4 Convention & Incentive Marketing, February 2015 www.cimmagazine.com

I f you’re going to be in Melbourne for AIME this month, don’t forget to check out the program for Business Events Week,

organised by Melbourne Convention Bureau, which kicks off on Monday, February 23.

Back for a third year, the goal of Business Events Week is to help define the networking, academic and economic benefits of the industry, not only for those of us who are lucky enough to work in it, but also for the broader Australian community.

Last year’s line-up included some fantastic events including the ICCA Forum for Young Professionals, AIME Knowledge education program, and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Open

Space, and this year’s program will no doubt build on it.

As part of Business Events Week, the Business Events Council of Australia is going to be launching its first major study of the industry in a decade. Coming hot on the heels of the release of Deloitte Access Economic’s Business Events: delivering economic prosperity for Australia report, commissioned by the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, this study is a valuable opportunity for the industry to take stock of how we contribute to trade and economic growth in Australia.

While Federal and State governments are undoubtedly becoming more cognisant of the beyond tourism benefits of the business events industry, the more data we have available to us, the better we’ll be able to make the case for greater government support in the future.

Melbourne continues its winning streak by ending 2014 on a high, attracting a slew of high profile international conferences. To find out more, see page 22.

THIS MONTH’S TOP STORY

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Business Events Week matters

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Aquis EIS approved An Environmental Impact Statement for the Aquis development, north of Cairns, has been approved, meaning the

project may proceed subject to conditions. The $8.15 billion project will feature 7500 hotel rooms across eight luxury hotels; a 23,000sqm convention centre; and entertainment and sporting facilities.

Crowne Plaza Hotels gets healthy InterContinental Hotels Group has partnered with chef Teresa Cutter, founder of thehealthychef.com, to develop a range

of 60 fresh and healthy menu options for meetings held in Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts. Dishes are designed to help delegates perform at their best.

Sunshine Coast gets socialThe Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, is to host the 2015 Social Media Tourism Symposium. The conference, to be held at

the Events Centre in Caloundra from July 22-23, will attract 200 delegates and inject approximately $300,000 into the local economy.

New Indigenous experiences for Tjapukai The $14 million Tjapukai Indigenous Experiences at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, near Cairns in Queensland, is set to be

completed in April 2015. Tjapukai will unveil several new additions to the park including the Circle of Life Theatre, Bundarra Cassowary Egg Theatre and Historical Journey, an interactive timeline gallery.

Newcastle wins million dollar medical conferenceNewcastle in NSW will host a major medical student conference in late 2016, set to attract 600 delegates and contribute

almost $1 million to the Hunter economy. The Australian Medical Students’ Association Global Health Conference will be held at a number of venues including the University of Newcastle’s new $95 million NeW Space facility, set to open in the latter half of 2016.

NEWS BRIEFS

A year after work began on the $1.1 billion International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), the project’s developers have confirmed that they are on target for the projected December 2016 opening date.

“In just less than two years, Sydney will have a brand new premium convention, exhibition and entertainment venue – the International Convention Centre Sydney,” said NSW Acting Premier Troy Grant.

“The progress made at the construction site over the past 12 months has been extraordinary, with the 2700 workers inducted on site helping us deliver this major project on schedule.

“During demolition, more than 16,000 tonnes of steel and over 110,000 tonnes – or about 300,000 wheelbarrows full – of concrete were removed from the site.

“Piling for the new buildings is now complete with over 1500 piles created, and concrete structural works are well underway with seven tower cranes in operation, the largest of which can lift 20 tonnes at 90 metres.”

ICC Sydney chief executive and AEG Ogden Group Convention Centres director, Geoff Donaghy, said the development would deliver the very latest model of business events venues.

“Attending business events in Sydney will never be the same again,” he said. “ICC Sydney’s ultramodern, integrated and highly flexible design is backed by high-end technology infrastructure and a world-class, waterfront city centre setting,” he said.

“The development of ICC Sydney ensures Sydney’s premier position as the business events destination of choice when it opens in December 2016 and well into the future,” he said.

Interest in the new Centre is already strong, with Lyn Lewis-Smith, chief executive of Business Events Sydney reporting that the bureau has already secured 19 major global business events for ICC Sydney with an estimated economic benefit to the State of $150 million.

“Many of these events would simply not have come to Sydney without these new facilities,” she said.

ICC Sydney on trackWatch the video in the CIM iPad app.


The sky’s the limit with new China deal A landmark new air services agreement between Australia and China is set to boost growth opportunities for Australia’s tourism industry.

Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss, along with Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb, announced the conclusion of negotiations between the two countries in January.

“Making it possible for Asian markets to grow has been a key priority for the Abbott Government, and this new deal with China will allow Chinese airlines to almost triple their services to Australia over the next two years,” Truss said.

“Under the new arrangements, Australian and Chinese airlines will be able to immediately operate up to 26,500 seats per week between Australia’s major gateway cities and Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou – an increase of 4000 weekly seats or around 18 per cent on these routes.

“A further 7000 weekly seats to and from these destinations will be phased in over the next two years, to a total of 33,500 weekly seats.”

The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has welcomed the Government’s announcement, with BECA chairman, Matthew Hingerty, saying the new agreement will remove an impediment to continued growth from the Chinese market.

“Our members were becoming increasingly alarmed over their ability to bid for visits by large Chinese groups as available seats were quite literally running out,” he said.

“This announcement will go a long way to easing that pressure and will allow our members to bid for events with confidence.

“It will also allow organisers of major trade exhibitions to continue to target buyers and exhibitors in critical areas of export growth like food and agribusiness, health, energy and resources.”

BECA has also welcomed the Government’s acknowledgment of the need to speed up, streamline and make more user-friendly the visa processing for Chinese visitors.

Broadbeach Conference App launchedThe Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) has partnered with the Broadbeach Alliance to launch a Broadbeach Conference App exclusively for delegates attending events at the GCCEC.

The app is aimed at providing delegates with exclusive offers and incentives to shop, dine and stay within the Broadbeach precinct, less than 500 metres walk from the GCCEC. The app is an evolution of the Centre’s conference card, introduced to the market in 2004, which offered event organisers and delegates incentives to explore the nearby precinct.

Some of the Gold Coast’s iconic theme parks and attractions are also being included as part of the app offering, further enhancing the overall event experience within the Gold Coast.

GCCEC’s general manager, Adrienne Readings, spearheaded the initiative, partnering with local business group

Broadbeach Alliance.

“The Broadbeach Conference App is an excellent tool for businesses within the precinct to provide targeted offers for delegates attending conferences and events at the GCCEC,” she said. “The Centre attracts over 200,000 delegates annually and this equates to a strong economic injection directly into Broadbeach and the wider Gold Coast community.”

Broadbeach Alliance CEO Jan McCormick said they were thrilled to partner with the GCCEC.

“Our stakeholders are equally excited about the new phase of the program,” she said. “More than 80 businesses have already signed on in support of the app.

“The program not only has a positive impact on the delegate experience whilst they visit and holiday in Broadbeach during their event but it equally has a positive economic flow-on effect onto stakeholders.”

Direct selling company Nu Skin has chosen Sydney for an incentive worth up to $50 million to the New South Wales economy in 2016. The 2016 Nu Skin Greater China Success Trip was announced recently at the Nu Skin Academy event in Macau.

One of the largest incentives to ever hit Australia’s shores, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) chief executive Lyn Lewis-Smith believes it marks “a milestone in the making”.

“Sydney shines as a strategically-important destination for Asian corporates looking to

reward, motivate and inspire their top sales people,” she said.

“The city is a firm favourite for Asian companies, and this win is testament to this.”

The incentive will see Nu Skin’s qualifying sales people travel to Sydney for an five-day program in April 2016. Delegates are expected to travel from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

The Nu Skin Greater China Success Trip bid involved the commitment and collaborative efforts of “Team Australia” – BESydney, Destination NSW, Tourism Australia, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Sydney Airport Corporation Limited.

“Sydney has exceeded every expectation,” said Nu Skin Greater China regional president, Andrew Fan. “Throughout this journey its stakeholders have united for a cohesive, whole-of-city approach which we have not witnessed before. I am confident that Sydney will deliver an outstanding incentive program. Our sales people will feel motivated and inspired by Sydney as the 2016 host destination and this is sure to drive sales performances.”

Sydney to host $50 million mega incentive


Skycity Entertainment Group has lodged a resource consent application with Auckland Council for the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).

The application is for the NZICC and an adjacent 5-star 300-room Skycity hotel and pedestrian laneway to be developed separately.

Skycity chief executive, Nigel Morrison, says the announcement is a significant and exciting milestone for the project.

“Lodging an application for resource consent represents a significant step towards realising what will be a magnificent facility for both Auckland and New Zealand,’’ said Morrison.

Design improvements, together with significant recent and expected construction cost inflation, has meant that early estimates of the full cost of the development has been revised to a range of NZ$470-530 million ($439-495 million).

Morrison added that Skycity and the Crown have agreed to extend the date for formally approving the preliminary design of the NZICC, which includes agreeing both the design and the total construction cost, until the end of February 2015. Once the designs for the NZICC are finalised with the Crown and resource consent is granted, Skycity hopes to sign a construction contract in late 2015, with work on the project expected to take three years from that point.

Skycity has also released new imagery of the Centre, including a video flythrough showing sweeping views of key spaces inside the NZICC, which will include a large gallery, exhibition space (configurable for a range of events), pre-function areas with panoramic views and a

NZ NEWS

Skycity moves ahead with NZICC project

Restaurant tram back on track Christchurch’s iconic restaurant tram has restarted its dinner service.

The tram had been out of action since the February 2011 earthquakes, but repairs to the tram loop and a refurbished tram saw the service resume in December 2015.

Christchurch Tram operators, Welcome Aboard, have refreshed the menu and refined the restaurant service.

“It’s such a unique experience and Christchurch people will love showing guests

around the transforming city while enjoying a quality meal,” said managing director Michael Esposito.

“It’s a little bit of nostalgia or history combined with a modern menu, plus the new cityscape – we can’t wait to see people’s reactions to the new service.”

The à la carte menu, created by chefs from Rangiora-based company Continental, showcases Canterbury and New Zealand cuisine.

large theatre which can be used for banquet and entertainment events.

Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) has welcomed the application for resource consent for the NZICC, saying it is great news for the tourism industry.

“New convention centres, such as the NZICC, will enable New Zealand to be more competitive on the global scale – bidding for larger scale conventions which bring more delegates and more value to the New Zealand economy,” said TNZ chief executive Kevin Bowler.

The NZICC will allow New Zealand to bid for conferences of up to 3500, opening up a significant number of potential conferences for the country.

“The business events sector has made great

progress in New Zealand and with new conference facilities on the horizon I am confident that there are some exciting times ahead for the sector.”

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chief executive Sue Sullivan also applauded the news, saying it will “put New Zealand on the map”.

“The NZICC will allow New Zealand to host conferences of a size not seen here before,” she said.

“We immediately become an international player, challenging Australia and South East Asia for lucrative convention business. It will give us the ability to tap into markets we’ve been shut out of in the past because we simply haven’t had venues big enough to cater to their needs.”

View the flythrough in the CIM iPad app.


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The New Zealand business events sector is going from strength to strength – with increased investment and resources the industry is now bidding, and winning, more international conferences than ever before.

The last year has seen a steady stream of international conference bids with a total of 19 wins since July 2014 – worth up to $25.8 million to the New Zealand economy.

Wins include the International Conference on Computers in Education for Christchurch, the World Congress On Genetics Applied to Livestock Production coming to Auckland, and the Screenwriting Research Network International Conference in Dunedin.

Improved air connectivity is a key factor in positioning New Zealand as an attractive destination. New direct services from China and Argentina and increased capacity across existing routes makes travel to New Zealand easier than

ever before. This is supported by New Zealand’s world leading visa policy, with over 60 countries being eligible for visa free entry.

These factors work alongside the diverse promotional activity New Zealand has to further strengthen New Zealand’s proposition as a great place to host a business event.

Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) plays a key role in working to identify and to support conference bids, and the team are seeing great results. A feature growing in demand is the delegate marketing support that CAP offers. Together with the conference organisers the programme supports marketing plans to promote the conference and make it financially feasible.

Last year also saw the launch of the Business Events Advocate Programme in New Zealand.

Influential sector leaders play a key role attracting conventions to our shores and the advocate programme is about creating lasting relationships with these individuals so that they can continue to bid for international conferences and encourage their colleagues to do so as well. The programme will take business events in New Zealand to the next level and increase the number of conferences coming to the country.

The industry has made great progress over the past year and with the prospect of new conference facilities and increased collaboration throughout the industry I am confident that we are set for an even bigger 2015.

Bjoern Spreitzer is international business events manager at Tourism New Zealand.

New Zealand set for a massive 2015


New Zealand showcased to association decision makers

Tourism New Zealand, in partnership with The Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) and Air New Zealand, recently hosted nine association executives in New Zealand.

The group, which represent leading Australian associations, were hosted in Rotorua for three days at the New Zealand AuSAE Leadership Symposium, held late last year.

Hard work pays off for ChristchurchChristchurch has won the rights to host two major international conferences in 2017 and 2018, bringing 1200 delegates to the New Zealand city and over NZ$3 million ($2.84 million) to the economy.

The Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau partnered with Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) to prepare the winning bids for the 2017 International Conference on Computers in Education and the 2018 Asia-Oceania Conference of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

“These are two high-profile conference wins for Christchurch, putting our city back on the world stage as an international conference destination,” said bureau manager Caroline Blanchfield.

“Our strategy, to work in partnership with the Tourism New Zealand Business Events team to attract world-class events in our fields of knowledge and expertise, is really starting to pay off.

“Looking to the future and targeting sectors where our region excels and has enthusiastic conference champions has helped the city succeed in winning these bids.”

The executives then experienced bespoke itineraries across Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown, showcasing each destination for future conference opportunities.

International business events manager, Bjoern Spreitzer, says the famil was a great opportunity to showcase what New Zealand has to offer to key association decision makers in Australia.

“The group were able to experience itineraries tailored to their associations and to meet with key local thought leaders relevant to their field of expertise.”

In June 2014, Tourism New Zealand announced a marketing agreement with AuSAE, aimed at growing the number of Australian business events in New Zealand. The two-year agreement formalises a commitment from AuSAE to promote New Zealand as a business events destination to their members and improve the capability of New Zealand associations to host an international conference.


INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BestCities unveils new brand positioning

BestCities Global Alliance has unveiled its new brand positioning and tagline, “When the world wants to meet, we set the standard”, at the Professional Conference Management Association’s (PCMA) signature event, Convening Leaders, held in Chicago last month.

“Having evaluated the values, goals, objectives and vision of the Alliance, we feel that this positioning statement neatly captures both the unique features and benefits of the organisation,” said John Donnelly, chief executive of Marketing Edinburgh, who led the rebranding exercise. “It says what it does, why it does it and what that then results in for clients and the wider industry.”

BestCities also took the opportunity to welcome its newest and first South American partner, Bogotá, Colombia’s capital (pictured).

Despite being a relatively new convention bureau, the Greater Bogotá Convention Bureau (GBCB) already shows many of the qualities that BestCities look for in a partner, according to BestCities chair Karen Bolinger. The city also rates very highly against all alliance criteria including attractiveness,

accessibility, front line service, pre and post touring options, infrastructure quality, future investment and value.

“In order to apply for membership into the Alliance, a city must already be recognised as a destination marketing organisation with bureau functionalities, or be one that is officially

recognised as a future bureau,” she said.

“Greater Bogotá Convention Bureau impressed us greatly with their enthusiasm and readiness to take on Preliminary Membership so soon after their expression of interest. They have also demonstrated a strong commitment and a willingness to embrace the BestCities Quality Management System in order to further improve their internal processes.

“The inclusion of a South American partner is important not only for our geographical growth but equally for our strategic expansion. This important foothold into another emerging market will enable us to tap into new clients and provide our alliance partners with important business and learning opportunities.”

Sandra Garcia Giraldo, executive director of the GBCB, said they are delighted to have been accepted as a BestCities partner.

“We look forward to continuing to develop and grow our expertise and our industry,” she said. “With the support of BestCities, we know we have the potential to rise to be one of Latin America’s top meetings destination.”

New translation service for KyotoA new 24 hour translation service has been launched in Kyoto to assist business travellers attending international events in the Japanese city.

Available in five languages – Spanish, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Korean – the service can be used in times of illness, emergency or general communication with hotel staff. When required, hotel staff can simply call the translation service and their call is taken by an interpreter, who then communicates with the visitor asking the question until the enquiry is resolved.

The service has so far been rolled out across

824 hotels and ryokan (Japanese-style inns). This is in addition to the 900 properties already providing translation services across the city.

“As the number of international visitors coming to Kyoto increases, this service ensures they are able to communicate effectively with the staff even when it might otherwise be difficult,” said James Widgren, international marketing co-ordinator, Kyoto Convention and Visitor Bureau. “The introduction of such a service serves to maintain the city’s reputation for providing high quality services.”

New York offers discounts for delegates NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation, has launched its 2015 New York City Delegate Discount Pass, offering exclusive savings throughout the year at more than 70 restaurants, tours, attractions and retailers.

The Delegate Discount Pass, available to all attendees, exhibitors, meeting planners and event staff, offers delegates the opportunity to experience all the city has to offer during their stay, at an affordable price.

“New York City is known for its unrivalled dining, arts, culture and tours, making it an appealing destination for meeting delegates from around the globe,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company’s president and CEO. “Meeting and convention visitors are crucial to New York City’s record-breaking travel and tourism industry, and we hope they take advantage of the plentiful savings available to them through the 2015 New York City Delegate Discount Pass.”

New York City welcomed an estimated 6.1 million meeting and convention delegates in 2014, up from 5.9 million delegates in 2013.


The IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific tradeshows have recorded a bumper year, with more than 10,000 business appointments taking place over the two-day exhibition, along with in excess of 80 business, education and networking sessions.

“While IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific continues to add value by consistently delivering valuable industry segments of MICE, association, luxury travel and corporate travel, year after year, the immense interest and robust support in [last] year’s event is undoubtedly a reflection of trust and confidence the international MICE and corporate travel industry has pledged to Bangkok, and to Thailand as a top business events destination,” said Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media.

A highlight of the event, which was held in the Thai capital in October, was the

expanded two day Association Days @ IT&CMA, which drew industry professionals and executives from across the region.

In collaboration with partners including MPI International, World PCO Alliance, Australasian Society of Association Executives and International Congress and Convention Association, the program included education forums, destination presentations, business appointments, and networking sessions. Forum topics included “From Asia to Europe: The Role of a PCO in Association Meetings”, “Learning from Success: Association Meetings in Thailand” and “Adding Value with Sustainable Events”.

“Association Days @ IT&CMA is a fantastic opportunity for the industry to connect,” said Per Ankaer, president of World PCO Alliance and managing director of ICS Denmark, who

Strong showing for Bangkok shows

was also a speaker at the event.

“By bringing together everyone from associations to suppliers and PCOs like us, the event encourages mutually beneficial knowledge and business exchange.”

The event was embraced not only by association executives but also convention bureaus and corporates, who welcomed the chance to share in person the facilities, appeal factors and support available to associations.

“The associations segment is a key one for the MICE industry with CVBs and corporates eager to tap on the potential and demand,” said Ng.

CAIRNS CONVENTION CENTRE

visit: www.cairnsconvention.com.au

Serious Business in Australia’s Most Stunning Location

WORLD’S BEST CONGRESS CENTRE 2014 AIPC APEX AWARD


Melbourne based MHF Marketing will provide specialist MICE and golf representation to Vietnam’s Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts Lang Co, incorporating the Banyan Tree Lang Co and the Angsana Lang Co, in Australia and New Zealand.

Mary Helen Farrell, managing director of MHF Marketing, says she is excited to be representing the properties.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to work with such a legendary hotel and resort operator in Vietnam,” she said. “The

Twenty eight high-profile individuals and organisations were honoured by Dubai’s government recently for their ongoing efforts to attract and host international conferences in the city.

The combined efforts of the honourees at the 4th Annual Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors Programme’s Recognition and Networking Event saw 10,000 people visit the emirate last year to attend more than a dozen major conferences, including the L’Oreal Business Forum, the International Tennis Federation’s Annual General Meeting, the Asia Pacific Dental Congress and the World Engineering Education Forum.

Hosted by Dubai Business Events (DBE) - the Official Convention Bureau, a division of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the event also paid tribute to the ambassadors and organisations responsible for submitting over 20 bids in 2014 to bring future international conferences to Dubai.

“While the immediate impact of our conference ambassador’s work helps boost Dubai’s economy by attracting global delegates and booking flights, hotels and conference venues,

New airport approved for BeijingJust six years after the Chinese government spent $4.3 billion to build what was then the world’s largest airport passenger terminal in the nation’s capital, Beijing, it has approved plans for a third airport in the city.

The current Beijing International Airport is Asia’s busiest and the second busiest airport in the world, accommodating more than 83 million passengers last year.

Beijing’s second airport, Nanyuan Airport, a former military airfield which was recently expanded, has limited capacity.

The new airport will be located in the Southern part of the city, and is expected to take five years to build at a total cost of 80 billion yuan ($15.9 billion). It will initially have four runways and be able to handle 72 million passengers, two million tons of cargo and mail, and 620,000 planes by 2025, according to China’s National Development and Reform Commission.

Dubai Business Events honours Ambassadors

the real value of their efforts come when international events give our local community access to jobs, new technologies, intellectual capital and educational exchange,” said Hamad Bin Mejren, executive director of DBE.

“We aim to see Dubai grow not only as a business centre, but as a vibrant and innovative knowledge hub, a place where ideas meet opportunity and where anything is possible.”

The Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors

Programme was set up by DBE five years ago to identify and motivate Dubai-based doctors, scientists, professors, teachers, government officials and business people, who are in some way connected internationally with organisations and associations, to attract conferences from their respective organisations to Dubai. There are currently 150 ambassadors involved in the programme.

Banyan Tree to get Aussie and NZ focusLaguna Lang Co complex offers everything to ensure a highly successful incentive or meeting with Vietnamese flair”.

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts manages more than 30 resorts and hotels, 70 spas, 90 retail galleries and three championship golf courses in 28 countries.

The Laguna Lang Co, Central Vietnam, is situated just over an hour from Da Nang International Airport and within easy reach of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hue, Hoi An and My Son. The Banyan Tree

Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co overlook a wide sandy, private beach and offer complementary facilities with access to the Sir Nick Faldo 18 hole championship golf course. Angsana Lang Co also offers a wide variety of meeting and event facilities for groups from 10 to 200 guests.


ALICE SPRINGSFamed as an outback destination, The Alice provides an exclusive experience for a large range of tailor made event itineraries. Whether an incentive, meeting, conference or workshop, including hot air ballooning, quad biking, camel riding or a cattle station experience, the Alice is your next business event destination.

Start planning your Alice Springs event by visiting the team at AIME, stand F710, adjacent to the International Food Fair.

TEL: 1800 656 209EMAIL: [email protected]: ntconventions.com.au

IACC unveils new global directory The International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) has announced the launch of a new online global directory of IACC-certified conference venues.

The website, IACCmeetings.com, is designed to “provide a streamlined experience for meeting planners who are searching for their next conference venue”, according to IACC chief executive Mark Cooper.

The site has been designed to provide the “ultimate user-friendly experience”, with improved navigation and functionality throughout to allow meeting planners the ability to access detailed product information and videos with the option to share information across all major social networking sites. The website has full functionality over desktop, smartphone and tablet devices.

As part of an innovative social media engagement program being launched this month, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is encouraging locals and visitors alike to show how the best part of travelling throughout the Hawaiian Islands can often be those unplanned moments.

HVCB is inviting travellers to tag #LetHawaiiHappen in their social media posts to share these personal Hawaii memories, and also to see how others enjoyed their days and nights across the islands.

“While everyone knows that The Hawaiian Islands are rich in natural beauty, the oftentimes untold story is that the real

Visitors invited to ‘Let Hawaii happen’ beauty of this incredibly rich destination, with its unique culture, traditions, experiences, and activities, are those special memories that couples, families, and friends create throughout their stay as they hang-loose and go with the flow,” said Jay Talwar, HVCB’s chief marketing officer.

“#LetHawaiiHappen aims to let residents and fellow visitors alike show their friends and family what Hawaii is all about through their personal images as they weave their stories of having fun on their own journeys throughout The Hawaiian Islands.

“Many residents and visitors already share their unique, only-in-Hawaii experiences with friends and family on social media. This program provides an opportunity to amplify their stories and photos so other travellers around the world can relate to and enjoy them.”

Selected social media user-generated content chosen from the hashtag #LetHawaiiHappen will be featured across HVCB’s marketing channels, including its website, gohawaii.com, and its print, digital, online, and social media marketing.


COVER STORY

Last year was a busy one for Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa, the Gold Coast’s only 5-star hotel with absolute beachfront access. The opening of three new meetings venues, an extensive landscaping of the outdoor pool and surrounding lawn entertainment area and the launch of SPG Pro, Starwood’s loyalty program for meetings and travel professionals, ensure that Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa is set to continue its strong run of

growth in 2015.

In addition to improving the aesthetics of the Oasis

Swimming Pool and immediate surrounding areas and further enhancing the opportunities for outdoor events, the refurbishment also focused on reducing the pool’s energy and water consumption.

Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast no longer uses town water to irrigate its gardens or top up its lagoons, with 60,000 litres of artesian water and harvested rain water now stored on site.

Along with increased outdoor possibilities for events, the three latest meeting spaces – the Pandanus Room, Chairman’s Boardroom and Director’s Boardroom – have increased the options for organisers, which along with the flexibility and scale of the Mirage Grand Ballroom means events of all sizes can be catered for.

The Pandanus Room caters for cocktail receptions

up to 250 guests and as a stylish meeting venue seats up to 150 theatre style, offering plenty of natural light, luxurious décor, 4.6m high ceilings, a data projector, 3m screen and built in JBL sound system. A staircase leading from the lobby corridor makes for an impressive welcome while a second direct entry provides access from the hotel’s main driveway. Large 8m x 3m glass doors open onto a new 150sqm outdoor terrace, which is ideal for welcome gatherings, working lunches or a refreshing escape to the outdoors.

The two new boardrooms are designed to encourage collaboration with smaller tables that seat 10 to 16 people, and the latest in audio-visual equipment installed.

For large scale events the Mirage Grand Ballroom seats up to 1000 people theatre style and can be divided into five separate event rooms. The Ballroom offers direct access for vehicle displays and has fully integrated state-of-the-art lighting and audio-visual systems.

With a direct sky bridge connection to over 80 specialty boutiques, convenience stores and restaurants at the Marina Mirage shopping centre, close proximity to Sea World Resort and only a four minute drive from Surfers Paradise, Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast offers unparalleled opportunities and flexibility for delegates.

For SPG members, Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast also now offers free high speed internet access and discounts in food and beverage venues throughout the resort.

Beach beautyA greater emphasis

on reducing its environmental footprint and even more benefits

for its loyalty club members are just some of the new initiatives at

Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast.

Watch the video and slideshow in the CIM iPad app.


Q&A

Q: Congratulations on your win. Can you tell us a little about the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) and its goals?

A: The primary goal of the Conference is to expand the research on lung cancer, exchange knowledge and share the latest information on lung cancer and thoracic malignancies. The main focus of the conference in Sydney was to reach out to the Asian market, which we achieved and even exceeded our hopes. Last but not least, we also wanted to provide everyone with an unforgettable Australian experience.

Q: You’ve been involved with the WCLC since the 2003 conference, held in Vancouver. How were you able to use your past experience to improve this last edition?

A: Our involvement over the years has helped us tremendously in improving the experience for delegates, sponsors, and speakers from year to year. It is the knowledge of the key players and the association itself that makes a huge difference. In addition, we provide an analysis of the conference each time in a 100 page document that helps us implement changes for the next one. Feedback from all of the stakeholders is vital. In addition, we always stay up to date on what is happening in the conference industry to make sure we implement new technologies and other best practices.

Q: What were some of the challenges involved in organising such a large and complex conference?

A: As the conference rotates around the world, each time is a new ballgame. The target markets change and so do compliance regulations, especially when it comes to sponsorship and exhibitions. Timelines are also getting shorter which makes it harder to anticipate final attendance, and therefore it requires last minute adjustments to your hotel blocks, material orders and room set-ups. But to be honest, we love the complexity of events like WCLC – it is actually when our experience shows the most and our team can shine.

Q: Are there any initiatives that you put in place for the Sydney Conference that you’re particularly proud of?

A: We are very proud that we were able to make it a true Australian experience; from the program, which included fantastic Australian speakers including best practices that are being showcased in Australia, to the social events for our delegates which were able to give them a true taste of Australia. We are also proud of our green initiatives and the use of new technologies. We also introduced a couple of new programs to assist delegates from emerging countries such as the “Adopt a Delegate Program” or the “Global Mentorship Program”.

Q: Conference co-president Clinical Professor Michael Boyer has credited team work for the conference’s success. What were some of the ways you worked with the local bid leaders and Business Events Sydney to ensure the event went off smoothly?

A: Michael is absolutely right – it was a fantastic experience and we actually came out of this experience as true friends. It was a mutually respectful collaboration where everyone did what they were best at and everything was openly shared and discussed. We always kept open lines of communication and spent some quality social time with each other as well, which is incredibly important for the general “feel” of an event. Business Events Sydney was always available and we could see how important WCLC was for them. They remained part of the team throughout the process, which is rare for convention bureaus.

Q: How were you able to measure the success of the conference?

A: There are some traditional ways such as the success in numbers, delegate attendance, abstracts received, countries attending, profit achieved, but we have also received a great amount of delegate feedback forms which were almost unanimously positive. And then of course there are the “soft factors” such as the immediate feedback onsite; the amount of emails received from delegates who let us know how much they enjoyed their experience or how much of a difference the conference made for them. Last but not least, we are checking on the legacy that was left; what happened in the destination as a result of the conference.

Q: ICS has been around for almost 40 years. How have you seen the industry change in that time?

A: Technology has changed the industry tremendously and we constantly update our software as well as systems. A few years ago we also started a new department within our company that works on webinars, online learning and hybrid conferences. That part of our company is now integral and we host several online meetings of up to 2500 paying attendees per conference. In addition we also implemented a strategic social media and targeted marketing approach that uses peer to peer promotion as well as behavioural tracking for more tailored campaigns. On the other hand, we are also adjusting session formats and environments to cater to new learning preferences and create an experience that includes every generation and responds to their unique needs. Just 10 years ago, a young delegate would try to fit in with the audience of a conference and work hard to eventually climb up the ladder of an association. Now we see a new generation of delegates that demands change to make sure that their needs are met and they manage to achieve the best outcomes.

The 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer, held in Sydney in October 2013, was named CIM Magazine Best Meeting or Conference at the recent Australian Event Awards. Ylla Watkins caught up with Mathias Posch, president of conference organiser International Conference Services, to find out more.

Winning formula


NEW ZEALAND

With first-rate accommodation and meetings facilities, activities to suit all tastes and an array of truly memorable offsite venues to choose from, an event in the “Land of the Long White Cloud” is bound to be anything but ordinary, writes Ylla Watkins.

Known for its stunning harbour with its flotilla of sails, cosmopolitan urban feel and exciting food and wine scene, Auckland is all that and more, as a group of Australian event organisers recently discovered on a familiarisation organised by InterContinental Hotels Group late last year.

Arriving in Auckland mid-afternoon, the group were whisked away via a surprise Harley Davidson transfer to Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour for a sailing adventure courtesy of Explore NZ. The group were invited to step aboard a former America’s Cup yacht to try their hand at the helm or working the grinders. Other options for groups include going head to head against a second America’s Cup yacht for bragging rights.

Once back on dry land, the group transferred to the Crowne Plaza

Auckland to freshen up before heading out to Taste of Auckland, the city’s annual celebration of Auckland’s best chefs, providores and winemakers. With everything from freshly shucked oysters to pork sandwiches, featuring thick slabs of slow cooked pork with crackling, veal and spinach ravioli with burnt sage and truffle, and crayfish risotto on offer, the group were able to enjoy the best of New Zealand’s culinary offering in a fun, festival atmosphere.

Saturday saw the culinary theme continued, kicking off with a site inspection of one of Auckland’s most exceptional off-site venues, Queens Wharf, made up of Shed 10, a heritage wharf with loads of atmosphere, and the Cloud, built as a temporary structure for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. On two levels, Shed 10 can hold up to 800 people for a variety of events ranging from tradeshows

to gala dinners and awards nights, while The Cloud can hold up to 2000 people comfortably, with VIP areas on the upper and lower floors offering stunning views of the harbour. A popular option is for groups to have dinner in Shed 10, with an after-party in The Cloud.

An easy 35-minute ferry ride from the wharf is Waiheke Island, home to an array of vineyards, dining options and gourmet food producers.

Often called “Auckland’s playground”, Waiheke Island became a haven for artists and others looking for an alternative lifestyle in the ’60s and ’70s, however since the introduction of fast ferries in the late ’80s, many people now live on the island, or have holiday homes there.

A Waiheke Island landmark is Stonyridge vineyard, established

by former Whitbread Round the World Yacht race skipper Stephen White and home to NZ’s most prestigious wine, the Bordeaux-style Stonyridge Larose. Groups are greeted with a glass of wine on arrival before being taken on a tour of the vineyard and tasting, culminating in a delicious lunch in the property’s restaurant.

Another popular stop on any culinary-themed tour of Waiheke is Rangihoua Olive Estate, where tours and tastings are also available for groups.

For a change of pace, EcoZip Adventures offers three exhilarating giant flying fox zip lines, culminating in an immersive forest walk.

Back at the hotel, a “City of Sails” inspired degustation dinner, paired with some of New Zealand’s finest drops, was the perfect conclusion to the day.

North Island escape

Right: The famil group at Hobbiton.

Below: Lunch at Stonyridge Vineyard

on Waiheke Island.


Crowne Plaza AucklandConveniently located opposite SkyCity Convention Centre in the heart of Auckland’s business and entertainment districts, Crowne Plaza Auckland also offers first-rate conferencing facilities.

Ideal for groups of up to around 250, facilities include 10 meeting rooms over three levels, featuring state-of-the-art AV, as well as 352 accommodation rooms including 170 twins. Level 4 conference rooms have their own entrance, while level 5, which includes the ballroom, is available for exclusive use.

With a focus on making event organisers’ lives just that little bit easier, events held at the hotel are managed from start to finish by a dedicated Crowne Meetings Coordinator.

Sunday saw the group pack their bags for Rotorua, via one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions, Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, around two hours’ drive from Auckland.

One of 158 locations used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the set, which represents The Shire, was rebuilt with permanent materials for the filming of The Hobbit. Visitors to the set can expect to see more than 40 Hobbit holes, as well as landmarks such as the Mill, the Bridge and The Green Dragon Inn, appearing just as

they did in the movie.

Hobbiton offers informative 90-minute tours that even those who aren’t fans of the movies will find fascinating, as well as a range of indoor and outdoor venues guaranteed to add atmosphere to any function. Options including The Green Dragon Inn, best known as the meeting place for the residents of Hobbiton; The Party Marquee, a fully themed marquee with a festive atmosphere; and Yard Flat, overlooking the Party Tree, which lends itself to a

market-style set-up complete with canvas-covered stalls, themed characters and Middle Earth-style activities such as archery. Evening events will enjoy lighting special affects and fireworks can also be arranged.

An hour’s drive from Matamata, Rotorua has a long history of welcoming visitors, thanks to the geothermal activity the region is renowned for. European tourists were drawn to Rotorua’s Pink and White Terraces, a natural phenomenon formed by the chemicals in the

geothermal water regularly spouting from two large geysers, as early as the 1840s. While the terraces were later destroyed in the devastating Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption in 1886, visitors have been flocking to the region ever since. These days, geothermal parks such as Hell’s Gate (a name coined by the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw when he visited) and Te Puia in the Te Whakarewarewa Valley, offer groups the opportunity to walk amongst gushing geysers, bubbling mud

Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Canterbury Park and Warwick Farm are sure to impress event organisers and delegates with the spectacular surrounds of these unique venues and international cuisine prepared by award-winning kitchens. With ample space and free parking at each venue, the Australian Turf Club is the perfect choice for your next corporate or social event.

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pools, and steaming mineral-encrusted rocks.

Geothermal activity aside, much of Rotorua’s appeal for groups is the wide range of activities available, ranging from jet boating and Zorbing (rolling down a hill in a large inflatable ball) to those showcasing Rotorua’s rich Maori culture.

At Skyline Rotorua, accessed by a gondola ride that offers spectacular views of Rotorua, the Luge is a popular option for groups with three tracks (scenic, intermediate and experienced) catering to all levels of confidence. Groups can luge half way down for lunch in the Skyline Forest venue, a permanent marquee in the heart of the forest, which can hold up to 250, or hold a twilight event, with drinks and canapés at the recently refurbished and

reopened Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar at the top station. The restaurant seats up to 500 people or can be partitioned into three smaller spaces.

Small groups can also sample local wines in the Volcanic Hills Wine Tasting Room in the old turnaround station of the gondola, while groups with more than 50 people can be accommodated in the winery at the base of the hill.

Next door to Skyline is Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, home to Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs, a Kiwi conservation program that sees eggs from the endangered species hatched and chicks reared before being released back in wild, as well as high-tech water ride The Big Splash, which offers a fascinating ecological history of New Zealand. Exclusive hire is

available for groups.

Off Road NZ specialises in guided four wheel drive bush safaris, monster truck rides and go-karting for adults, complete with racing suit and helmet, grid starts and a checked flag at the end of the race. Groups of all sizes can be accommodated, and activities can even go ahead in inclement, weather, with the mud adding to the fun! Lunch can be catered for at the venue’s onsite bush camp.

For a more serene offsite experience The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, is a breath taking one-of-a-kind open air venue. Accessed by a path through majestic 18 metre high California Sequoia trees planted in 1901, this covered clearing in the heart of the forest requires little or no theming to create a magical event to remember.

For groups looking to explore Rotorua’s rich cultural heritage Mitai Maori Village is an excellent place for groups to get a sense of Maori culture.

Built on the site of a traditional Maori village, the venue offers evening cultural performances including dinner cooked in a hangi (a traditional Maori cooking pit). Highlights of the evening include a traditional welcome, recreation of the tribe going to war in a traditional war canoe, and dance performances. The evening culminates in a magical guided night walk through the rainforest to see the glow worms.

Rotorua is just as well supplied for venues. While the group’s hotel for the evening, Holiday Inn Rotorua, caters to mid-sized groups, larger events can be accommodated at the Energy Events Centre, run by Events

Above: The group try their hands at luging at Skyline Rotorua. Right: Four wheel driving at Off Road NZ.


Holiday Inn RotoruaRefurbished in 2013, the Holiday Inn Rotorua is the perfect hotel for groups, whether conferencing in-house or at an offsite venue.

Located next door to a Maori village delegates are easily able to experience Maori culture first-hand, while nearby geothermal activity, visible from many of the hotel’s 203 rooms, is used to heat all the water used by the hotel, including the swimming pool and spa, which is kept at a steamy 33 degrees throughout the winter.

The hotel has six conference rooms, a separate area for registration and Pohutu Cultural Theatre decorated with dramatic contemporary. Maori carvings and able to hold 280

banquet-style or 600 theatre-style, a range of cultural activities including a welcome haka or cultural performance can be arranged by the hotel.

WHERE WORLD LEADERS MEET

G20 Host Venue 2014 Brisbane Australia

E [email protected] W www.bcec.com.au

and Venues Rotorua. The Centre holds 850 theatre-style or 700 banquet-style in its Bay Trust Forum, while the multipurpose Unison Arena holds 2600 banquet-style or 4000 theatre-style. Two large exhibition halls have floor space of around

1500sqm. Opened about six years ago, the venue does around 30-35 conferences per year.

Events and Venues Rotorua also run a number of other venues in the city including the picturesque Te Renanga (The Meeting House) Tea House

in the historic Government Gardens in the heart of the city, and the Rotorua Civic Theatre.

With so much on offer both Auckland and Rotorua make ideal destinations for memorable corporate and association meetings and one-of-a-kind

incentives, with the teams at Crowne Plaza Auckland and Holiday Inn Rotorua able to make organising them even easier.

Ylla Watkins was a guest of the InterContinental Hotels Group.


MELBOURNE

Melbourne’s reputation as a global business events powerhouse is set to continue following a standout year in 2014. Economic contribution reached $246 million from the 175 business events secured by Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) in a year that saw Melbourne host three of the world’s largest and most prestigious health-related conferences – the much anticipated AIDS 2014, the World Congress of Cardiology and International Congress of World Federation of Hemophilia.

This comes despite a number of headwinds,

namely increasing competition from overseas and a convention centre that was turning away nearly 20 per cent of new business due to a lack of floor space. MCB chief executive Karen Bolinger describes the result as “fantastic”.

“Melbourne’s IQ strengths enabled us to secure four major international association conferences – the World Congress on Public Health, the World Congress on Intensive and Critical Care Medicine, World Engineers’ Convention and XIII International Congress of Dermatology – which will collectively

contribute over $48 million to the Victorian economy from 2017 to 2021,” she says.

The year finished up with the 2014 World Cancer Congress (WCC), organised by the Union for International Cancer Control and hosted by Cancer Council Australia, and marking six of the world’s largest health conferences to be held at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) within 12 months.

“An event like the WCC requires a strong research base, strong government commitment to cancer control and the

Melbourne continues its winning streak by ending 2014 on a high, building on a 32 per cent increase in economic contribution from secured business events in the 2013-2014 financial year by attracting a slew of high profile international conferences, writes Sheridan Randall.

Healthy start


backing of the city to successfully deliver it,” says Bolinger.

“We are delighted that Melbourne played host to the WCC, as events such as these create a legacy of lasting change and action which will be felt for many years to come.”

In 2014 MCEC recorded its most successful year in history, hosting 1030 events with nearly 1.5 million visitors and generating more than $274 million for Victoria. The venue’s success is set to continue with record growth projected again this financial year.

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

chief executive Peter King says “it’s been an incredible year for international conferences”.

“Looking ahead in 2015 we’ll continue our important ‘Team Melbourne’ partnership and major event strategy with MCB to deliver large international events to Melbourne, which includes the ongoing investment in our world-leading Club Melbourne Ambassador Program,” he adds.

This year Melbourne is also set to host the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE).

“The Australian Tourism Exchange is singularly the most important travel trade

event for putting Australia front and centre in the hearts and minds of the agents who sell Australian holidays in the international market,” says Tourism Australia managing director John O'Sullivan.

“ATE is all about showcasing the exceptional destinations and experiences offered by the diverse tourism businesses that can be found throughout our country, so that we in turn might convert this into future bookings and travel to Australia.

“The host city can expect an immediate injection of $10 million in to the local

Above: The MCEC. Left: The Melbourne Showgrounds.


economy during the week of hosting ATE. However, longer term the event's impact is far and wide reaching as it provides a platform to further grow the $28 billion that is generated annually by international visitors.”

Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, says Melbourne is “the perfect place to host ATE in 2015”.

"Melbourne is delighted to have the opportunity to host the world's leading consumer and lifestyle media, together with travel trade media and we will ensure they are able to experience all that Melbourne and Victoria has to offer," she says.

Last year also saw the long-awaited announcement by the Victorian Government of the venue’s proposed expansion.

“Planning for MCEC’s expansion is progressing and we’ll be continuing conversations with the new Minister over the coming weeks,” says King.

“Our expansion will ensure we can host larger international conferences and provide greater flexibility to strengthen our position as Australia’s number one business events destination.”

The proposal expands the South Wharf precinct footprint to include new retail space, additional car parks, hotel accommodation and multi-purpose

convention and exhibition facilities.

“The expansion could include additional exhibition and banquet space, smaller meeting rooms, new plenary options and an exciting new indoor-outdoor networking and entertainment space,” he says.

“The development will enhance the flexibility of the whole precinct and ensure

MCEC continues to deliver world class event experiences.”

Bolinger also welcomes the news of the proposed expansion.

"MCB is currently working on a significant pipeline of opportunities for the next few years and therefore this investment by the State Government is very welcome news as it will enable both organisations to continue to deliver high-yield large-scale business events to the state for many years to come," she says.

The Melbourne Showgrounds is also gearing

up for a big year with two shows being held at the venue for the first time this year – The Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow (February 11-16) and The Australian Motoring Festival (March 26-29). Mark O’Sullivan, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria’s chief executive, says they are delighted to be the selected venue for the shows.

“Utilising both the indoor and outdoor space across the entire site, the Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow is the largest event held at Melbourne Showgrounds outside of the Royal Melbourne Show,” he says.

“The venue and events teams have worked closely to maximise the space and ensure a fantastic experience for all who attend.”

The Australian Motoring Festival also looks to be a crowd pleaser “as it offers the space for the festival to become interactive”.

“As Melbourne’s largest and most versatile indoor and outdoor venue, Melbourne Showgrounds is the ideal location for this event,” O’Sullivan says.

“As well as being able to view vehicles in the large showroom spaces, attendees will be given the unique opportunity to actually drive cars on two testing tracks, one on-road and one off-road, making this event truly ‘the motor show that moves’.”

Melbourne’s accommodation sector is also

“Events such as these create a legacy of lasting change and

action which will be felt for many years to come.”


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seeing plenty of activity with new and future construction in the works. James Packer's Crown Resorts is looking set to build a new tower with 5-star hotel accommodation after splashing out $50 million for a site behind its Melbourne casino. While the deal has yet to be officially rubber stamped, it looks likely to go ahead with Packer stating that the ongoing high occupancy rates at his three other hotels “demonstrates an urgent need for more hotel capacity at Crown Melbourne to meet both current and future demand".

The Altus, Parkroyal Melbourne hotel and

apartment development at Digital Harbour in Melbourne Docklands is also charging ahead with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle one of many guests at the ground breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of construction late last year. The 37-storey tower will offer 266 accommodation rooms, a restaurant and lounge, gymnasium, lap pool and meeting spaces under the hotel component. Scheduled to launch in the second half of 2016, the 4.5 star Parkroyal Melbourne, will be managed by Singapore-based Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

“Adding diversity to our existing airport

hotel in Melbourne and strengthening our local market presence, Parkroyal Melbourne and its prime location in Docklands makes it the perfect local companion for business and leisure travellers within the city,” says Craig Bond, area general manager, Oceania, Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

In East Melbourne, the newly rebranded Pullman Melbourne on the Park, previously trading as Hilton on the Park, is part of parent group’s Accor’s plans to grow the brand in Melbourne.

“Melbourne has established itself as the events capital of Australia hosting a large

Opposite page from left: The team at Pullman Melbourne on the Park; The Plenary at the World Cancer Congress (WCC) at MCEC. This page: The WCC’s Global Village at MCEC.


Keep delegates freshno matter how long

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number of international events annually as well as being a top choice for meetings and conventions,” says Simon McGrath, chief operating officer of Accor Pacific.

“The city has performed consistently well over a long period of time and we have been eager to find the right opportunity to expand the Pullman brand in this market.

“The hotel has been a fixture of Melbourne’s hospitality tourism scene for years and the combination of its prime location, new Pullman branding and a planned lobby, restaurant and bar refurbishment program will see it attract even greater volumes of business, leisure and conference business with the Pullman brand having a strong focus on conferences and events.”

In the city’s north, the 844 room Bell City in Preston is now managed by Mantra Group following its purchase by Elanor Investors Group. The Bell City site consists of two towers – one comprising a 383 room 4.5 star hotel and apartment complex which carries the Mantra brand, offering extensive conferencing areas and food and beverage outlets; the second tower, under the BreakFree brand, offers 461 hotel rooms, apartments and studios of a 3.5 star level as well as 2.5 star student accommodation, catering to the surrounding La Trobe, RMIT and Melbourne University campuses.

"The consistently high-performing greater Melbourne hotel market combined with the metropolitan location of the Bell City hotels and its unique market drivers, presented us

with an exceptional opportunity to capitalise on our existing portfolio of seven hotels in the Melbourne CBD," says Mantra Group chief executive Bob East.

The property’s purpose-built conference venue complex includes a choice of 15 rooms of varying configurations and sizes, from a ballroom with a 500-person capacity to smaller sized meeting and conference spaces.

Late last year Wyndham Hotel Group opened its flagship Melbourne development, Wyndham Hotel Melbourne, becoming the company’s first hotel in the city. Centrally located in Melbourne’s CBD on the corner of William Street and Little Bourke Street, the high-rise complex features hotel accommodation and residential apartments. Additional hotel


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services and amenities include a 24-hour reception, concierge, a gym, a library, meeting space, ground floor retail and dining precinct and a rooftop pool with a barbecue area and city skyline views.

Another CBD property, the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, has also unveiled its relaunched luxury Melbourne Suites, inspired by the city’s most iconic surrounds. Think sun, sand and multi-coloured bathing boxes for the Brighton Suite; laneway culture in the Degraves Laneway Suite; and the bohemian buzz of The Fitzroy Suite.

Sebastian Germershausen, InterContinental

Melbourne The Rialto’s hotel manager, says “we are incredibly proud to be at the heart of one of the world’s most liveable cities, and are passionate about offering our guests an experience that is uniquely Melbourne”.

Liveability is a word Melbourne is becoming synonymous with, being named the best city in the world to live in for the fourth year running in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index.

Melbourne achieved perfect scores of 100 on healthcare, education and infrastructure and in the sub-category of sport.

Bolinger says receiving the accolade of World’s Most Liveable City four years in a row is “a great achievement”.

“The World’s Most Liveable City award highlights that Melbourne is a unique, exciting and welcoming city and reinforces the city’s position as a leading destination for conferences and meetings,” she says.

“The city has an outstanding track record of hosting some of the world's largest and most prestigious international conferences and as a host city delivers a delegate experience based on ease, accessibility and convenience.”

Opposite page from left: Wyndham Hotel Melbourne; InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto’s new Degraves Laneway Suite; Mantra Bell City.


AUSTRALIA’S NORTH WEST

Covering an area just shy of one million square kilometres, Australia’s North West is in some ways Australia at its most Australian. It’s remote, huge, offers beach, bush and desert, and is like nothing else on the planet. There’s also hardly anyone there. Not yet anyway, but with the Aussie dollar coming back to earth that may change sooner rather than later.

Divided into two regions – the Pilbara has some of the world’s most ancient natural landscapes, dating back two billion years as well as over 700 historic Indigenous archaeological sites and 10,000 rock engravings dating back

as far as 30,000 years, while the Kimberley includes vast wildlife sanctuaries, gorges and waterfalls, and the well known coastal town of Broome.

“Broome offers a resort style, beach destination but with a very unique flavour brought about by its history,” says Glen Chidlow, Australia's North West Tourism’s chief executive.

“It’s a very multi-cultural town, tied in with the pearling industry, which in itself is unique and has shaped Broome.”

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa has been actively supporting key events throughout the year such as Cable Beach Polo and the

Broome Cup to help introduce new markets to the region, according to Kristi Ullrich, the resort’s marketing manager.

The Resort caters for conferences from 10 to 200 delegates in its purpose-built facilities which include the refurbished Sam Male room and new Pandanus Room, while its gardens and pool areas are ideal for private welcome receptions, casual barbeques or formal sit-down dinners overlooking Cable Beach.

Cable Beach Polo is set to kick off on May 19-17 this year. The unique sight of polo played on the sand against a backdrop of the Indian Ocean has become a

drawcard for corporate groups, with 400 VIP sponsors and their guests enjoying the comfort of one of the marquees together with another 2500 spectators watching the spectacle for free from the sands of Cable Beach.

“It is an ideal event for operators to package, as they can budget flights, accommodation, and tours into their package and have access to the limited number of tickets to the VIP marquees,” says Marilynne Paspaley, the event’s producer.

“Cable Beach Polo is a distinctive style of entertainment – personal, exclusive, luxe and intimate.”

Australia’s North West is on the “bucket list” of many, and with a lower Australian dollar it is looking all the more affordable for groups seeking a unique experience closer to home, writes Sheridan Randall.

Room to move Watch the videos in the CIM iPad app.


Other events include the Broome Turf Club’s race season culminating with the Broome Cup Carnival in August, the Kimberley Moon Experience (May 23), part of Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster (May 15-24), the Broome Mango Festival (November) and the Shinju Matsuri Festival of the Pearl (September) which “celebrates Broome’s multi-cultural flavour”, according to Chidlow.

For those looking to get away from it all the Kimberley offers incentive groups an experience like no other. Berkeley River Lodge opens for the season on March 1 and is seeing more bookings for a pre or post conference activity.

“The more local the location of the conference the higher

the rate of conversion for pre and post options,” says Verity Nelson, the lodge’s marketing manager.

“However with the new airstrip (completed in May 2014) conferences held on the east coast have greater accessibility accessing the property for pre and post through our Darwin transfer point. Guests can depart on a direct flight to Darwin and jump straight onto a private charter to the property.”

As one of only six properties in Australia affiliated with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, international bookings have also increased particularly from New Zealand, the US, Germany and the UK.

Another popular option for incentive groups looking to

explore the Kimberley is by boat, with plenty of different vessels to choose from, according to Bruce Connell, director of the Kimberley Cruise Centre.

“There is a real mixture that covers all needs,” he says. Everything from big luxury vessels “like floating hotels” to adventure boats often with helicopters on board that are ideal for fishing, mud crabbing and “all sorts of exploring”. Whichever the vessel the chances are you’ll have the place to yourself.

“The stuff you see is very unusual,” he says. “The Kimberley runs a 14 metre tide and you see this mark way up on the cliff which is where the tide will be in three hours.

[There are also] whirlpools, two metre standing waves, Aboriginal rock art, waterfalls and beautiful swimming pools. You can spot a seven metre salt water crocodile from the boat and then be at a water hole for a swim.”

The Kimberley is what Chidlow describes as a “bucket list” destination.

“It’s got unique attractions, things you can only do here,” he says. “The cards are starting to fall our way a little bit, and there is a greater sentiment for people considering a domestic location for events nowadays. A large number of Australians look at the Kimberley as somewhere they want to go someday.”

That day may have arrived.

Opposite page from left: Berkeley River Lodge; The Kimberley's iconic landscape; Cable Beach Resort; Cable Beach Polo.

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CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

It may seem bizarre to call an area roughly 546,000 square kilometres a hidden gem, but the Central Australia region of the Northern Territory is often overlooked by business events planners looking for a uniquely Australian destination to host their next event.

Home to the quintessential outback town, Alice Springs, spectacular MacDonnell Ranges, and of course that great big rock, Uluru, Central Australia is a destination unlike any other, with great appeal for both corporate meetings and incentive events.

The NT’s second largest population centre with more than 40,000 residents, Alice Springs is the economic, business and service hub for not only the Central Australia, but also services remote areas of South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. Key industry sectors include rural and Indigenous health, mining and natural resources, renewable energy, Indigenous and remote education, innovation and information technology, and arid zone management.

Due to its geographic location, Alice Springs is also Australia’s most central meeting point, being within three hours flying time of most Australian airports.

With most accommodation and venues such as the Alice Springs Convention Centre and adjoining Lasseters just a short walking distance apart, the history and pioneering spirit of Alice Springs has created a place where innovation prospers and creates fertile ground for a creative exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Many iconic Alice Springs events such as the Camel Cup races and the Henley-on-Todd “sailing regatta” can be replicated for business event groups. Outback organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Alice Springs School of the Air offer venues, expert local speakers, scope for technical tour inspections and corporate social responsibility activities. There are also opportunities to engage with and learn from the Arrente people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the region.

According to Nicole Jervis, manager, marketing and communications, for the Northern Territory Convention Bureau (NTCB), Alice Springs suffers from “the perception that you only need to go to the NT once”.

“Our primary regions in the Northern Territory are starkly different and diverse,” she says. “Hosting your event in Alice Springs one year and then in Darwin four years later would provide you with a completely different event and program.

“Alice Springs is an immerseful destination where delegates really connect with each other and the program. It is compact and cost effective, which allows planners the ability to offer more activities and events.

“Time and time again we hear from planners that their ‘Alice’ event is their best event.”

Just over 300 kilometres away from Alice Springs is Uluru and nearby Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, home to arguably Australia’s most

remote conference facility, Uluru Meeting Place.

The resort, which is run by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, recently won 2014 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards for both Indigenous Tourism and Business Tourism.

The Business Tourism Award recognised not only the available facilities for meetings and events but also the breadth of options for team building activities that are available for groups. The Indigenous Tourism accolade was awarded not only for the creation and delivery of a daily suite of free Indigenous guest activities, but also the achievements made by the organisation in Indigenous training and employment.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia has a goal of increasing the Indigenous workforce at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort to 50 per cent by the year 2018. Initiatives to achieve this have included the establishment and operation of the National Indigenous Training Academy and the Mutitjulu Foundation at Uluru. The program is now in its third year has seen 130 trainees graduate.

Ray Stone, executive general manager, sales marketing and distribution for Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, says Uluru Meeting Place is performing well.

“We are forecasting a 12 per cent increase this financial year over last year which is particularly pleasing as in general it hasn’t

Red hotWith its own distinct landscape and culture, Central Australia is a business events destination like no other, writes Ylla Watkins.


ULURUOne of the most recognised icons of Australia, Uluru is the prefect addition to any itinerary. With unique luxury accommodation, stunning outdoor venues and a rich indigenous culture, the possibilities that the people, landscape, culture and wildlife can provide for your next event will create an unforgettable experience for your attendees.

Start planning your Uluru event by visiting the team at AIME, stand F710, adjacent to the International Food Fair.

TEL: 1800 656 209EMAIL: [email protected]: ntconventions.com.au

been a strong year for meetings in regional Australia,” he says.

“Meeting planners have been telling us that it is our deep involvement in Indigenous employment and training as well as the free guest experiences on offer, all of which reflect an aspect of Indigenous cultures, that provides a unique delegate experience. The spirituality of Uluru, immediately recognisable, creates a powerful basis for team building and bonding.

“The fact that every dollar of profit we make goes back to the resort to support Indigenous employment and training, resort renovation and general improvement is also powerful for those companies looking for a CSR component to their events.”

While you can’t underestimate the pulling power of Uluru itself, which is on many people’s “bucket list”, according to Jervis, “Uluru Meeting Place has been a fantastic product to come into the market”.

“Uluru is another compact destination where delegates are able to come together as a group and enjoy the undeniable spiritual connectedness to land and country,” she says.

“Uluru as a destination also provides a one-stop-shop for planners. As events are residential it makes organising them a breeze.”

With the NTCB keen to spread the word about Central Australia in 2015, the bureau will be running a program of destination

awareness famils such as the annual Alice Stampede held in the middle of the year, as well as incorporating educationals which are aligned to key industries such as health and energy. They will also be continuing their focus on making CSR a larger component of events in the Territory and more sustainable.

“A lot of CSR initiatives are about leaving a lasting to the community and environment you visit, but we would like to focus on a CSR exchange for visitors and community, a ‘shared value’ concept,” says Jervis.

“We want each event to have a real ROI for visiting our destination by tapping in to our key industries, social fabric and diversity of our regions.”

Opposite page from left: Indigenous interaction is a key part of any visit to Uluru; Voyages Ayers Rock Resort; Uluru Meeting Place; Lasseters Camel Cup in Alice Springs.


COFFS COAST

The Coffs Coast, in New South Wales, is becoming an attractive location for organisers looking to keep it local, writes Sheridan Randall.

Local heroAs the global economic forces ebb and flow, their effects closer to home are not always so bad, with the falling oil price and depreciating Australian dollar making Australia much more appealing to organisers looking to get away from the major cities.

Coffs Coast is one such region. Mid-way between Sydney and Brisbane, this coastal gem also pulls business from Melbourne with Coffs Harbour Regional Airport serviced by three carriers (QantasLink, Virgin Australia and Tigerair) with direct services from Sydney (three to six flights daily) and Melbourne (two flights on Saturdays).

One of the largest properties offering both accommodation (135 guest rooms, in addition to two and three bedroom villas and 10 luxury apartments) and meeting space is Opal Cove Resort, which caters for up to 300 delegates cabaret-style and up to 550 delegates theatre-style in its main ballroom, while its Ocean View Foyer comfortably holds 50 trade booths. Functions on the Resort Terrace offer sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, while outdoor events can

also be held on the beachfront reserve or nearby lagoon, according to Tanya Watts, the resort’s sales manager.

“Our beach front access and reserve is the perfect location for functions and activities,” she says. “Team building activities including camel rides, stand up paddle boards, kayaks, skydiving, segway rides and laser clay shooting are a few of the activities available to conference guests. We are also able to accommodate helicopter flights with direct resort access.”

Exploring the resort grounds including beach walks, playing a round of golf on the 9 hole par 3 golf course, or a game of miniature golf featuring an Australiana theme are also popular activities for delegates.

“Opal Cove Resort has formed fantastic working relationships with the major tourism and team building operators in the region,” she adds.

“We work closely with external team building companies and are also able to hold events offsite such as cocktail functions at Dolphin Marine Magic.”

For organisers looking for something different Dolphin Marine Magic is the perfect location. Whether it is team-building options, pre or post tour activities or as an offsite location for a dinner or cocktail event, the marine animal conservation park has options for all.

“It’s great for ice-breakers, where [delegates] can have a seal kiss on arrival and sit in the grandstand, which is undercover, and watch a presentation from our animal trainers that includes dolphins and seals,” says Leah Holmes, marketing officer at Dolphin Marine Magic.

“I think people are looking for something a little bit different. If you are looking for a team bonding experience we can do small groups in the water interacting with the dolphins. It’s a really special thing and they can have a team photo in the water. They also do an ‘in the shoes of a trainer’ with people coming in and seeing what it is like to be a trainer for a day and compare animal training with staff training, which is great for team leaders.”

A garden marquee seats 120 people for a formal round table setting, or 200 plus for a


stand-up, cocktail style function.

“We can work it around each event and maybe get the CEO on stage to get make any announcement and welcomes, and from there they can go to the garden and marquee for finger food,” she says.

Last year Coffs Harbour was chosen to host the Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Conference, with around 1000 delegates coming for three days in October. Held at C.ex Coffs, it was a case of welcoming them

back after the event was last held there in 2007. The conference consisted of two main conference days, including a welcome reception and gala dinner.

October was “a huge month” for C.ex Coffs with a record amount of events, which was a challenge for the events team at C.ex Coffs in terms of timing, according to the venue’s events coordinator, Melanie Swindells.

“We had very tight bump in and room turn around times to ensure the LGNSW

Conference was set to perfection,” she says.

Cementing the region’s one-stop-shop reputation, the organisers chose to work with RME, a local business specialising in exhibition stands, for its booths, as well as the team at C.ex Coffs to cater for all of the exhibition area requirements. The gala dinner for 900 was held at Bonville Golf Resort under a marquee.

It is the Coffs Coast’s ability to cater for all facets of an event, from AV and booth building to gourmet catering and entertainment that makes the difference, according to Michelle Aubert, conference manager at Coffs Coast Marketing.

“Local AV, theming companies, boothing companies, local singers and entertainment, we have all of these companies locally which can keep costs down rather than bringing people from Sydney or Brisbane,” she says.

A free Coffs Coast travel app released late last year delivers the top 101 activities ranked in order as voted by its app users, making it ideal for anyone wanting to get the lowdown on what to do when visiting, according to Aubert.

Whether it is an intimate meeting for under 10 or a large conference up to 1000, the Coffs Coast can accommodate it – and with 101 activities on offer there is plenty to keep everyone satisfied.

Opposite page from left: Dolphin Marine Magic; aerial view of Coffs Harbour; offsite dinner at Bonville Golf Resort.


HUNTER VALLEY

A new Conference and Events Centre at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is set to mark a new phase for business events in the New South Wales region, writes Sheridan Randall.

Event organisers from both New South Wales and interstate gathered on January 30 at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley for the launch of the resort’s highly anticipated Conference and Events Centre. The group enjoyed a tour of the new venue before heading outside to

enjoy a selection of food and wine offerings at interactive food stations from many of the Resort’s local partners.

With a capacity to cater up to more than 1600 theatre-style or 830 banquet-style across its two conference rooms and

exhibition space, featuring a combined 2000sqm of meetings space, the new Centre is set to make the Hunter Valley a credible rival to destinations such as the Gold Coast, according to Robert Coates, the resort’s general manager.

Hunter gatherer

Right: Guests enjoying local food and wine. Below: Inside

the new Conference and Events Centre.

Watch the video in the CIM iPad app.

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, February 2015 3514797 SSG CIM AD_210x125_OL.indd 1 14/01/2015 2:04 pm

“We want to be seen as a credible option to other destinations that can do big collaborative events,” he said. “The Hunter Valley now has the ability to do it.”

Citing the collaborative nature of the resort’s many partners across the Hunter Valley, combined with the region’s proximity to an international airport (Newcastle Airport) and its accessibility to Sydney, a 2½ hour drive, Coates says the new venue is “a big opportunity here for us to work with others in the region and build bigger and bigger conferences in the Hunter Valley”.

“We can collectively in the Hunter Valley do really good things,” he said. “Our mission is to make the Hunter Valley one of the key regional destinations in Australia.”

The new Conference and Events Centre is the result of the “vision” of the resort’s owners, the Schwartz Family Company, who “are great believers in regional NSW”, according to Coates.

“What we also have that is really important is space,” he added. “We have acres and acres of grass that we can do things on. When it comes to doing things that are a little bit different we can do them here because we have the space to do that. We also have a great creative team who can create some really exciting itineraries for your delegates. The only challenge we have is to get you to bring your events here.”

Also attending the launch event was Karin Sheppard, chief operating officer –

Australasia, Japan, Korea at IHG, who said the new Conference and Events Centre is “something that can really make a difference for business events in NSW”.

After spending the last seven years overseas Sheppard said that returning to see the resort filled her with pride at what has been achieved since it opened in 2006.

“I can’t think of anywhere in Australia where we have a regional venue like this where you can welcome guests and do some really amazing things.

“This fantastic Conference and Events Centre is something that can truly mark the next phase in what we can do together to create memorable events for those that come and do business here.”

From left: (L-R) Louise Maher, Hunter Valley Events; Cheryl and Michael Fleck, Synergy Events; and Gus Maher, Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association; the exterior of the Conference and Events Centre.


EVENT REPORT

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Australia’s largest annual travel and tourism business-to-business event, Tourism Australia’s Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) brings together Australia’s tourism industry and tourism wholesalers with retailers from around the world.

Held for the first time outside of a capital city in its 35-year history, ATE 2014 saw around 1200 Australian sellers from approximately 460 companies, 600 key buyers from over 38 countries, and more than 50 international and Australian media descend on Cairns in Tropical North Queensland for five days in May.

One of Australia’s best known leisure tourism destinations for the international market, Cairns turned on its tropical charm for the event, with organisers and delegates alike hailing it an outstanding success.

According to Tourism Australia, overall satisfaction reached a record high this year with 100 per cent of the buyers and 99 per cent of sellers who responded to

a post-event survey expressing their satisfaction with the event. Factors highlighted by the 1800 delegates as having contributed to the success of ATE14 included the welcome by the city of Cairns and enthusiastic support of the local community; the casual, laid back atmosphere; and the flawless planning and execution of the event itself.

Singled out for special praise was the ATE14 Farewell function, held at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal and catered for by Cairns-based Tropical Catering & Events. The launch pad for Tourism Australia’s global “Restaurant Australia” marketing campaign, the event showcased Australia’s exceptional food and wine experiences.

With a goal of promoting the very best of Australian food and drink, Tropical Catering & Events went on to win the Best Achievement in Catering award at the 2014 Australian Event Awards for their work on the event.

Working with a brief from event

The farewell function for the Australian Tourism Exchange 2014 not only wowed guests but it won Cairns-based Tropical Catering & Events the award for Best Achievement in Catering at the 2014 Australian Event Awards.

A farewell feast for the senses

The ATE14 farewell function, held at Cairns

Cruise Liner Terminal, was attended by 2000 tourism

industry insiders from around the globe.


Tourism Australia used the event to launch

their new global “Restaurant Australia”

campaign, focusing on Australia’s exceptional

food and wine experiences.

organiser Belle-Laide Events, Tropical Catering & Events’ executive chef Ben McCarthy sourced ingredients from Australia’s finest producers, providores and winemakers to create a menu which combined canapé service and interactive food stations.

Pulling the event together was a “mammoth team effort”, according to Cathy Alexander, Tropical Catering & Events’ events manager, achieved in just

five weeks.

Amongst the challenges the team faced were coming up with a menu that not only represented every state in Australia, but also ensured that all 2000 guests got enough to eat throughout the two-hour event; setting up within an extremely tight timeframe and catering for all weather eventualities at the indoor-outdoor venue.

“A lot of thought went into getting the staffing level right

and how quickly we could get the food out,” said Alexander. “Obviously being a Farewell event everyone is going to get stuck into the drinks, so we wanted to make sure the food went out as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Extended by an hour on the night by Tourism Australia, the event went on to be the most highly rated catered event by guests in ATE’s history.

“Being singled out as one of

the best event caterers in the country is a huge honour at any time,” Tropical Catering & Events’ managing director Mark Kamsler added.

“But as a young company in regional Australia, we are even more proud of the accolade. With just five weeks to pull together the entire ATE Farewell function, this achievement is all the more outstanding providing real testament to the dedication and drive of our passionate team.”

Tropical Catering & Events’ executive chef Ben McCarthy, events manager Cathy Alexander and executive director Mark Kamsler accept the award for Best Achievement in Catering at the 2014 Australian Event Awards.

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Tropical

Catering &

Events decided

on a mix of

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and interactive

food stations

to ensure that

the 2000 guests

were well-fed

during the two

hour cocktail

event.


EVENT REPORT

It was all things bright and beautiful at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) when it played host to the 29th International Horticultural Congress 2014 (IHC 2014) from August 17-22, 2014.

Jointly hosted by the Australian Society of Horticultural Science, the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the four yearly event also included the World Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and attracted 3275 delegates from 91 countries.

The 150th anniversary of the International Horticultural Congress, it was only the second time the prestigious event had been held in the southern hemisphere.

The bid process for IHC 2014 encompassed an eight year period, with representatives of the Brisbane Convention Bureau, BCEC and the Australian/New Zealand hosts presenting the city’s bid at the IHC 2006 event in Seoul. Competing against Istanbul, the Brisbane bid team members distributed information about Brisbane together with miniature clip-on koalas, as well as hosting a cocktail function. A similar campaign was undertaken at the IHC 2010, held in Lisbon.

More than 10,000 miniature toy koalas were also distributed worldwide, again with the assistance of the Brisbane Convention Bureau, as part of the IHC 2014 Koala Challenge. The IHC 2014 mascot, “HortiKoala”, was part of a social media competition conducted via Facebook and the

After an eight-year bid process to win the 29th International Horticultural Congress 2014, Brisbane’s hosting of the prestigious event came up roses.

Bloomin’ wonderfulNative animals including wombats and

koalas, birds and reptiles were a hit with the

international delegates when they circulated

on the exhibition floor.

Top: The Congress’ theme of “Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes” attracted some of the world’s most renowned experts in tropical horticulture.


Brisbane was a fitting choice for the congress, with delegates easily able to visit the city’s lush, subtropical riverfront parkland. Two of Brisbane’s significant horticultural parks, the City Botanic Gardens and the Roma Street Parklands, were also just a short walk away.

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city. Useful touring information links were provided for the congress website, as well as a handy Quick Reference Guide with essential visitor information.

A Brisbane Marketing initiative, “Brisbane Welcomes the World”, saw 11 IHC 2014 congress volunteers and three staff from conference organiser ICMS Australasia receive special pre-event training that included knowledge of significant horticultural and botanical features of Brisbane surrounds, as well as information on the city, its culture and attractions. This innovative program was developed to ensure delegates received tailor-made hospitality – a highly successful concept unique to Brisbane.

Highlights of the event included a central garden showcase in the 64 booth exhibition hall. Many of the featured plants were

Congress website. The winning delegate’s registration and accommodation prize, valued at $2500, was sponsored by Brisbane’s Griffith University.

Promotional funds for the bid and pre-event promotion were provided by the Brisbane Convention Bureau, and additional funds came from the Brisbane City Conference and Accommodation Bid Fund, a partnership between the Brisbane Convention Bureau, the BCEC, the hotel sector and other key convention partners. In-kind support at the airport included extensive digital Welcome signage, escorts for delegates to the airport train and discounted train transfers to the

donated to local community groups at the conclusion of the congress, leaving a lasting and literally growing legacy for Brisbane.

In addition, 10 technical tours were conducted for delegates including a diverse range of visits to view parks and gardens, turf and sport facilities, production nurseries, urban and organic horticulture and specialist fruit and vegetable production.

Jozef Van Assche, executive director of the International Society of Horticultural Science, praised the event, saying that it was the society’s biggest congress ever, overtaking even “the Mediterranean region, normally considered the garden of horticulture”.

According to Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk, the success of the congress is yet another example of the level of conference hosting that Brisbane has demonstrated it can deliver.

“The International Horticultural Congress, like the G20, was a huge success,” he said.

“Delegates world-wide can be confident that when they come to Brisbane, a seamless, professional and totally outstanding experience awaits them.

“We have the right facilities, venues, infrastructure, hospitality and people – and let’s not forget Brisbane’s wonderful climate and natural beauty.”

The five day congress was attended by 3275

delegates from 91 countries.


Technology facts and figures

• PAX Aus 2014 was the first event to use MCEC’s newly upgraded, fully integrated audio visual system, which has been switched to a digital fibre optic signal path (to display content quicker and easier).

• PAX Aus 2014 generated four times more traffic to MCEC’s website than average.

• Over 500 PCs and 100 Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo consoles were supported by MCEC technology capabilities.

• More than 5000 people simultaneously connected to MCEC’s free wi-fi.

• MCEC tripled its bandwidth to 1GBps for PAX Aus 2014 attendees (the equivalent of downloading 17 apps per second) and three times the speed of MCEC’s standard service.

• 4.8TB of data were downloaded over three days (the equivalent annual data use of 21 households).

• MCEC’s webcasting capabilities allowed PAX presentations to be streamed via a twitch.tv/pax account, which generated 779,320 unique views and 1,045,240 total views world-wide. Each stream was synched with audio, video and presentation slides, facilitated by MCEC technology team.

• PAX Aus 2014 utilised a wide variety of MCEC’s digital signage across the venue, including 33 digital meeting room doorcards, 11 large wayfinding screens and totem displays, and the exhibition building entrance video wall (consisting of 12 screens).

• PAX Aus 2014 also utilised MCEC social media packages, displaying the PAX Aus live twitter feed across the 33 meeting room doorcards, six large wayfinding screens and presentation slides integrated into event sessions.

Many of the gamers who

attended PAX Australia

2014 took the opportunity

to dress up as their favourite

characters.

EVENT REPORT

Ahead of the game

When the second annual Penny Arcade Expo Australia opened its doors in October, it was all systems go for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

When Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) welcomed tens of thousands of gamers in October 2014 for one of the world’s largest games festivals, Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) Australia 2014, it was the ultimate test for MCEC’s technology team.

The high-tech event saw attending gamers download 4.8TB of data, equivalent to the yearly data use of 21 households, over just three days. The internet connection was run at one gigabyte per second, three times the speed of MCEC’s standard service.

Five satellite theatres, delivering

more than 100 panel sessions, events, demonstrations and screenings, utilised MCEC’s integrated audio visual system which was recently upgraded to a digital fibre optic signal path to connect and display content quicker and easier.

“A high-tech event like PAX Australia is a fantastic opportunity for our team to showcase our skills, leading technology, and capabilities,” said MCEC’s director of technology operations, Michael Walsh.

“We pride ourselves on bringing events to life using the latest technologies and invest a great


PAX Australia 2014 attracted a diverse audience of industry and gamers.

More than 150 exhibitors showcased their

products, with more than 500 PCs and 100

Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo consoles

available across the Console Tournament and

Freeplay areas for attendees to use.

THE HON. JULIA GILLARDPrime Minister of Australia, 2010-2013

SPEAKING [email protected] • www.michaelcassel.comRepresented in Australia by Michael Cassel Group in association with The Harry Walker AgencyAll fees donated directly to The Brookings Institution

deal in innovation so we can remain industry leaders.

“PAX Australia is taking full advantage of our venue’s internet capabilities, digital signage, and social media packages. Given the tech-savvy nature of PAX attendees, it’s important we deliver the best.”

The second time the event had been held, PAX had previously been held at Melbourne Showgrounds, where it sold out, prompting organisers to look for a new home that would allow it to double in size. PAX Aus 2014 used all 30,000sqm of the exhibition bays, the plenary

(5500 seats), 20 meeting rooms, 10 support rooms and five hospitality suites, and attracted more than 48,000 attendees.

Attracting positive feedback from attendees, many of whom took to social media and the “blogosphere” during and after the event, organisers have judged the event a success.

“MCEC’s fantastic technology capabilities helped to ensure our event was a success,” said Robert Khoo, president of Penny Arcade. “Their innovative approach meant we could offer PAX attendees the best digital experience possible.”

Left: The high-tech gaming event was a test for MCEC’s technology team.

PAX, founded by Mike and Jerry of the hugely

popular web comic Penny Arcade, is a festival

for gamers to celebrate gaming culture.

PAX Australia 2014 featured an exciting program of international and local speakers, connecting the world’s leading game publishers and developers with local industry representatives to showcase games and provide content to fans in an inclusive community environment.


News in brief

VENUE UPDATE

Ground-breaking renovationHilton Melbourne South Wharf is to undergo a multi-million dollar

ground floor renovation, which will include a new combined restaurant and bar, and five flexible meeting and event spaces. The restaurant and bar will seat up to 150 guests, and the new meeting and events spaces will reinvent the existing indoor and outdoor space.

A seat at The Governors TableThe former MOS café at the Museum of Sydney has reopened as The

Governors Table Bar & Dining. For events the restaurant can seat up to 150 guests, with the option to extend the restaurant space into the Museum of Sydney’s heritage entrance for an additional 100 seated guests or 250 cocktail-style.

A new JenerationThe former Traders Hotel in Hong Kong has been transformed into Hotel Jen, a brand

based on the virtual persona “Jen”. The hotel offers 283 guestrooms with a choice of seven room-types, ranging from a 25sqm superior room to the 50sqm deluxe suite. Other features include a rooftop pool, dining at Café Malacca, free wi-fi throughout the hotel, and free shuttle services to the city’s central business district.

The grand treatmentThe Langham, Sydney, has re-opened its doors after a $30 million transformation. This elegant harbourside retreat offers five brand-new event spaces, an exclusive new day spa, a fine dining experience at Kent Street Kitchen, plus Sydney’s largest lead-in guestrooms featuring Langham’s signature terraces and balconies. The hotel introduces a range of unique luxury offerings for guests, such as private butler tennis afternoons, dog friendly suites, and The Langham Pink Taxi, complimentary for in-house guests who are off to a local lunch, meeting or appointment.


DoubleTree by Hilton debuts in FijiHilton Worldwide has announced the debut of DoubleTree Resort

by Hilton Fiji, formally Sonaisali Island Resort. After extensive conversion works, the property will feature 123 rooms overlooking the South Pacific Ocean, as well as a swimming pool, various restaurants and conferencing facilities. The resort is scheduled to open in early 2015.

Spicers Retreats expands luxury collectionSpicers Retreats

has announced the acquisition of Sangoma Retreat, a luxury boutique property nestled in the Blue Mountains. The retreat offers a unique location, yet is only a 70 minute drive from Sydney. The property offers five private suites, nestled amongst giant boulders and stunning eucalypts.

Holiday Inn Perth refurbHoliday Inn Perth City Centre will undergo a $12 million dollar refurbishment,

with works scheduled for completion in late 2015. Renovations to the hotel will include modern updates of guest rooms, a spacious lobby, plus a new al fresco dining area directly on the street level. The hotel offers a selection of flexible meeting and event spaces to suit a range of occasions.

On the upswingMercure Gold Coast Resort in Queensland has completed a multimillion-dollar update. The extensive redesign and upgrade is the first major renovation at the property since it opened its doors. The makeover takes in common areas, including a new-look lobby, reception and modern restaurant and bar, and AV upgrades in the conference space. The resort has a capacity of up to 700 delegates, across its seven versatile conference rooms and numerous outdoor venues.

The Chandelier for SheratonSheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, in Thailand, has opened a new convention hall, The Chandelier, featuring 892sqm of event space with 7m high ceilings. The new hall is said to be the largest resort conference facility in Thailand’s west, capable of hosting up to 680 people theatre-style or 800 cocktail-style. The Chandelier has all the latest technology as well as direct access for vehicle displays. In total Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa offers 4800sqm of meeting and event space, both indoor and outdoor, suitable for a wide range of business events.


Nanette Moulton and Winston Broadbent were both teachers before they acquired Saxton Speakers Bureau off founder Joan Saxton in 1988, however their passion for computer science combined with advances in technology made for a perfect fit when it came to the growing the business.

“There was a huge opportunity to automate the systems which essentially were run by a carbon copy book and a diary, so armed with a Mac+ and a dot matrix printer we set to work,” says Broadbent.

“The last 26 years has been a journey of innovation and automating systems in parallel with developing some wonderful relationships and friendships. We now have what is arguably the best system of its kind in the world.”

The marriage of talent and technology has been the corner stone of Saxton Speakers Bureau’s growth, with the company celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

“I endorse Aristotle’s comment that ‘public speaking is an art’ but with that art comes a lot of detail – thousands of documents, a rich and complex history of the speakers and clients, and thousands of hours of video footage,” he says.

“The technology provides the essential support to that ‘art of public speaking’. We have made a conscious decision to create state of the art technological support systems. Our data base runs everything and we can even access it from our smart phones.”

Working exclusively with some of the leading speakers in the country including Ita Buttrose, Mark Bouris, Roger Corbett, Megan Quinn, Rod McGeoch, Mike Munro, Layne Beachley and Mick Doohan, Broadbent says that their relationship is a partnership “where we grow together”.

“Around 20 people per week ask to join us and we take on about 20 to 30 per year,” he says.

“Most of our new speakers come to us by referral or are born of a need to fill a market niche. We look for something special in each new speaker. We look for exemplary communication skills, market relevance and that quality speaker-audience interaction.”

With such a diverse range of individuals on their books, there are nonetheless some defining characteristics beyond being excellent communicators that they all share beginning with having “earned” their right to speak. To put it simply, each one of them has achieved something that sets them apart whatever field they are in.

“They also possess an indefinable quality,

which you have to be there to see, hear and feel, to create a bond with the audience,” he says. “This is impossible to define, one has it or one doesn’t.”

This trait often means that the speakers usually arrive “as quality performers” who only need minor tweaking before going in front of an audience.

“There is a remarkable correlation between achievement and the ability to communicate,” he adds.

With the joint initiative between Saxton Speakers Bureau and Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo – the Saxton Ultimate Event Experience – now in its fifth year, this year’s 50th anniversary Australia Speaks event on February 24 is set to take things to a new level.

“It is not a speaker showcase; it will be a show produced as a celebration of the spoken word in Australia,” he says.

“It will be powerful, emotional, educational and inspirational and the audience will witness some of the key figures in the history of the spoken word.”

The journey for Broadbent and Moulton has been enriched by “meeting so many extraordinary people and being afforded so much friendship and opportunity” but ultimately their satisfaction is linked to that of their audience.

“[The highlight is] being witness to the joy, energy and inspiration that emanates from an audience following a delivery from a quality speaker,” he says.

TALKING POINT

Winston Broadbent and Nanette Moulton brought tech savvy to Saxton Speakers Bureau when they took it over, bringing Australia’s most inspirational speakers and performers to an even wider audience, discovers Sheridan Randall.

Perfect partnership


MEETING PEOPLE

Peppers Airlie Beach has appointed Mercedes Ireland to the role of sales executive, where she will focus on leisure, groups, and conference and incentive markets. Ireland previously worked with Whitsundays Marketing and Development RTO as the domestic tourism manager.

Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast is pleased to announce the restructure of its group sales department with two new appointments. Nathan Gadd has been promoted from account director to director of sales, and Kerri Hamilton has joined the team as sales manager after transferring from the Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has appointed Martin Buckland as senior director, sales and program management, Australia and New Zealand, and Graeme Pearcey as senior director, traveler services, Australia and New Zealand.

Destination Port Stephens has announced the appointment of new chief executive officer Janelle Gardner. She has worked in the tourism and events industry in Port Stephens for more than 15 years.

Maxine Wallis has been appointed to the role of director of business development – meetings, incentives, conferences

and events at The Langham Auckland in New Zealand. Wallis has nearly 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry including more than 10 years in a senior sales role at Sky City Auckland.

David Quinn joins the venues and events team at UNSW Australia as their new sales manager. Quinn brings a wealth of

knowledge in marketing, sales and management to the role,. He will be responsible for the sales and marketing for UNSW’s Kensington Campus and CBD Campus.

Exhibitions & Trade Fairs has appointed Samantha Adams to the newly created role of client engagement manager. Adams

previously held the role of national member director programs manager at The Institute of Company Directors. She has more than 10 years experience in relationship, event, project and program management across private, corporate and non-for-profit sectors.

International Convention Centre Sydney strengthens their team with the appointment of Tina Eggers (pictured) as national

business development manager, and Michelle Nahas as corporate, government and events business development manager. Eggers joins ICC Sydney following six years as senior business development manager for Dockside Group.

Wyndham Hotel Group has announced the promotion of Barry Robinson to the role of president and managing director, South

East Asia and Pacific Rim. Robinson has been with the Wyndham Hotel Group since 2009 as managing director, South Pacific. He will continue to be based at the Wyndham Corporate Centre on the Gold Coast.

Grand Hyatt Melbourne has named Nicole Pasqual as the new director of sales and marketing. Pasqual joins Hyatt from her most recent

role with Toga Far East Hotels as group director of sales. She brings a wealth of hotel sales and marketing experience, having worked in the industry for the past 22 years.

Outrigger Enterprises Group has appointed Paul Cutler (pictured) as the Australia-based director of sales and marketing for

Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji, and Castaway Island, Fiji. He was previously sales and marketing manager for Fiji’s Nanuku Resort and Spa. Petero Manufolau also joins the team as director of sales at Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji.

Joscelyn Littlejohn takes on the role of director of sales at The Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston. Littlejohn has more than 25

years in the service industry with experience in retail sales, tourism and hospitality, and a strong background in building community and business relationships.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has appointed Rajit Sukumaran as vice president, acquisitions and

development for Asia Pacific. Based in the Asia Pacific divisional office in Singapore, he will oversee Starwood’s regional development offices in Tokyo, Delhi, Jakarta and Sydney.


PCO ASSOCIATION

posts. The outcomes are practical strategies and access to Austrade services – business introductions, assistance with servicing buyers and marketing support.

In late November, the chief executive of Austrade, Bruce Gosper, and his staff joined us at our annual conference to deliver a practical session on how we can work with Austrade.

What have we learnt from all of this is that we need a new narrative; we need a new way of engaging the Government and marketing sectors about the power of exhibitions, and the power of business events generally.

Our overriding job at the Association is to ensure that we look out for our industry and open doors for our members, especially where there may be new opportunities. We try to create environments that give our members access to people, ideas, learning, services and opportunities.

This advocacy agenda requires continual attention to maintain our footprint and impact.

Some of our activities in 2014 included lodging a range of submissions on behalf of members to give our sector more status in accessing Government services and funding; seeking to have “exhibitions” included in the funding guidelines of the new “Demand Driver Infrastructure Program”; lodging a submission to the review of industry training, making the case that Associations like ours should be supported for the work we do in building industry capability; and providing input to the review of Business Events Australia, making the case that Tourism Australia could better leverage major trade and consumer exhibitions to drive visitation. We are also active in the Business Events

Council of Australia – in trying to ensure that all the business events associations can come together with one voice on key issues that matter to our sector.

Looking ahead, the EEAA five year strategy has a goal of lifting our profile in the marketing industry so that exhibitions and their associated events can get a bigger share of the marketing spend.

Breaking into the marketing industry is an almost daunting task for our small association; this is a task that must be taken on by everyone in our industry.

Over the past few years we have brought big marketing names to our table for our

conferences. We launched the Power of Exhibitions campaign and a “toolkit” to help members better articulate the merits of our form of marketing. But to do our sector justice we need to do more as we work in a cluttered marketing landscape.

We must collectively lift our game – it’s a job bigger than any

one Association. We cannot afford to be complacent or old school in the way we present the credentials and capability of live-event-based marketing. Our relevance and our capability as a marketing channel is powerful but we need to step up.

These points can also be applied to the meetings sector as a whole. So when I ask whose responsibility is it to promote the merits of meeting face to face to do business, the answer is “all of us”.

Yes, advocacy is the job of industry associations but think how much more powerful we would be if every single person who works in the business events sector could have a new conversation about the importance of our work.

The business events sector is an economic driver, a powerhouse – and that is what we all must communicate more effectively.

Joyce DiMascio is the chief executive of the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia and a consultant to the PCO Association.

The exhibitions sector continues to be an important part of Australasia’s business events industry as new shows emerge and old ones transform, but are they getting the attention they deserve, asks Joyce DiMascio.

Shifting the focus to exhibitions

For many conferences the exhibitions that accompany them are an important source of revenue. In some cases a conference is only financially viable because of the associated exhibition, yet in the business events world exhibitions have sometimes been positioned as the less exciting area.

At the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA), our message to governments is that a city, state and national economy needs a thriving business events sector which includes a mix of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions. Our role is to build the voice of the exhibition and event industry, with advocacy or representation work targeting governments and also the marketing industry.

In recent years the EEAA led the campaign regarding the redevelopment of Darling Harbour facilities and the creation of a temporary site. Our job was to make the business case for why Sydney had to stay open for business, for the good of not only the city but Australia as a whole.

As you may know we were successful; a new temporary centre, the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island, opened in January 2014 – built in just six months.

We’re now continuing to work with other State Governments as they make the connection between investing in infrastructure for events and their economic development. Our key message is that what happens at trade and consumer exhibitions drives trade, investment, economic development, employment, diplomacy and the visitor economy.

The hard nut to crack has been the Federal Government and its agencies. I am pleased to say that since our first meeting with Federal Trade and Investment Minister, Andrew Robb, in December 2013, we have a new level of traction in Canberra and in particular with Austrade.

In September 2014, we held an historic video conference with Trade Commissioners in five Asian countries across eight overseas

“We need a new way of engaging the Government and marketing sectors

about the power of exhibitions.”


PCO ASSOCIATION NEWSPraise flows for PCO Association conference

PCO Association joins the Business Events Council of AustraliaThe PCO Association has accepted an invitation to join peak industry body the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA).

The council, originally called the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) Industry Council, was formed in 1994 to provide a single voice for the business events sector to liaise with the

Federal Government and other agencies over matters common to the sector.

The council provides an umbrella structure for key industry associations operating in the business events sector. It develops industry positions on issues of common interest and communicates those views to government and relevant agencies. It also provides a forum for the industry

associations to exchange information and co-operate on appropriate matters, with a view to strengthening and growing the business events sector.

Barry Neame, president of the PCO Association, will represent the association on the BECA board, while PCO Association Councillor Mike Pickford will represent the association on the BECA council.

The 2014 PCO Association conference, held at the National Convention Centre, Canberra, late last year, has been deemed a success, with delegates praising the conference’s organisation and program, with the contribution made by guest speakers rating highly.

President of the PCO Association, Barry Neame, said the association was “over the moon” as the result of feedback.

“The focus on professional development and skills for PCOs really hit the right note,” he said.

“The guest speakers were so engaging that delegates were in valuable conversation throughout the breaks.”

Presenters at the two-day conference included Michael Hann, director, Deep Blue Learning; Dr Christine Nixon, chair of the Good Shepherd Microfinance and Deputy Chancellor, Monash University; Richard Robinson, head economic forecaster for the BIS Shrapnel group; and Joyce DiMascio, chief executive of the Exhibition and Event Association of Australia.

Canberra, along with the National Convention Centre, also came in for praise

from delegates, who “saw Canberra as a modern, vibrant, and in some ways, funky destination”, according to Neame.

“They also saw how well the city and its atmosphere married with the convention centre and its strengths, which included service and food,” he said.

As an upshot some delegates are already in talks with the Centre about holding events to the city over the next few years.

The next PCO Association Conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from November 29 – December 1, 2015.

Delegates were impressed by Canberra’s modern, vibrant feel.

Give your guests The Star experience

What will your conference or event be remembered for? An amazing location on one of the world’s best harbours? Fantastic food? Impeccable service? Well, at The Star it can be all of these and more. The Star truly is in a class of its own, offering you an experience like no other. With cutting edge

AV technology, lighting, spectacular venues and friendly and diligent staff, it certainly is a cut above the rest. And because we boast a range of signature dining and 5-star luxury accommodation, The Star makes for the perfect all-round conference and event experience.

Contact The Star Sales Team on +61 2 9657 8568 or [email protected]

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