Tourism Australia Campaign 2019

let our star performers Inspire yours

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE AUSTRALIA FOR YOUR NEXT BUSINESS EVENT. PLAN NOW, VISIT AUSTRALIA.COM/BUSINESSEVENTS

Friday, March 1, 2019

In association with

Sponsored Content – The Business 17

MEETINGS • INCENTIVES • CONVENTIONS • EVENTS

Inspirational business Australia’s rolling out the welcome carpet for a growing raft of Kiwi business events visitors.

And that’s just what New Zealand incentive buyers are looking for to inspire and reward their top performers.

“Our clients love Australia as an incentive destination due to the amazing range of experiences just on our doorstep,” says Joelle Talbot, Managing Director of Fortis Events.

“Some of the most memorable programmes we have created have revolved around the array of major events that take place in Australia each year – including the Australian Open, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup Carnival, Vivid Sydney and of course All Black matches. Our groups love taking in the atmosphere around these events and the added touches we can provide by working with local suppliers to enhance their programmes.”

“Another element contributing to our most memorable programmes are the luxury hotels that are opening right across Australia, which d levell off serrviice are proviiding an ellevatted and experience,” says Ms Talbot.

The unprecedented infrastructuree push is being seen throughout the countryy and is the result of continuing high demand from the business events traveller. That means a swathe of new hotels, innovvative he Lucky venues and event spaces ensuring th Country remains at top of the list with kiwi corporate decision–makers when plaanning business events.

“What Australia offers with our ongoing developments is the opportunity to create a programme that hasn’t been done before and is exclusive to their event,” says Penny Lion, Executive General Manager Eveents at Tourism Australia.

“That’s so important in generating g buzz and interest amongst participants an nd delivering return on investment. With developm ments happening right across Australia, inccluding Perth’s Elizabeth Quay, Sydney’s Baraangaroo,

Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns there’s so much choice and opportunity, and that translates into exciting, innovative programmes.

SYDNEY

“The opening of the International Convention Centre Sydney in December 2016 and the regeneration of the Darling Harbour precinct, which we’re a part of, has not only reinvigorated the city’s business events, conventions and exhibition activity but it has also stimulated a whole range of new hotel developments,” says Geoff Donaghy, CEO of ICC Sydney.

Among the new developments is Barangaroo, Sydney’s newest waterfront development comprising 22 hectares of prime harbourside land in the heart of the city. Barangaroo is conveniently connected to Darling Harbour and the nearby ICC Sydney. There are 40 newly built restaurants and bars, including the three level Matt Moran owned Barangaroo House wh here groups off up to 160 gu uestts can be accommodated cocktail stylle and 110 seated when choosing to hire levels exclusively. Other purpose–built eveent spaces include The Cutaway – an expansivee, below– ground concrete space of ering flexxibility for a range of large–scale events of up to 5,000 people, while The Staargazer Lawn – a gently sloping, elevated paarkland our views offers an open lawn area and harbo for up to 3,500, (combined with Waalumil Lawns, he 349 that capacity stretches to 5,000). Th room Crown Sydney Hotel Resort iss on track for opening in 2021. It’s an integrateed hotel resort and casino and will be Sydney’s firstt six–star resort, with conditionals recently grranted.

PERTH

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel The Towers Perth at Elizabeth Quay due to open Octo ober 2019, will feature 204 luxury hotel suites accompanied by a wide range of evvent

venues and recreational amenities.

The podium rooftop bar will be accessible to the general public and will have a prime vantage point overlooking the quayside.

QT Perth has opened a new 184 room, 18-storey hotel featuring seven conference rooms capable of accommodating up to 315 guests, a signature bar and grill restaurant, rooftop bar and café. The rooftop bar has views across the Swan River, Perth Hills and Perth Stadium.

Crown Perth offers conferencing facilities and three hotels, including the newly-opened 500 room Crown Towers, the award-winning Crown Metropol (with 397 rooms) and Crown Promenade (with 291 rooms). Located on the Swan River, the resort offers multiple dining outlets, a signature Crown Spa and a 2,300seat theatre. Crown has six dedicated meeting and events venues, including three separate ballrooms holding a maximum capacity for 1500 guestts, as welll as The Greatt Lawn, 1800 square ongside the metre of alfresco space located alo Crown Towers resort pool and with h a backdrop of the Swan River and city skyline.

The Optus Stadium in Perth, witth 18 specially p to 2,000 designed event spaces can host up guests, whilst the stadium itself seaats 60,000.

Near Crown Perth on the Swan River, the oftop venues Stadium’s event spaces include roo with views of the river as well as prrime spaces from which to take in events on thee field.

GOLD COAST

The Darling, Gold Coast is part of The Star Gold Coast’s AUD2 billion redevelopmen nt, which will add 3,000 new hotel rooms to the region once completed. The Darling features 56 6 suites, dining options including Nineteen at The Star, multiple event spaces and onsite spa.

ADELAIDE

Adelaide is another city in transformation.

Barangaroo is Sydney’s newest waterfront development. Credit: Barangaroo Delivery Authority.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS Melbourne has also increased its capacity with the recently expanded Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The new space grows MCEC’s total size to more than 70,000 square metres – the largest convention and exhibition centre in Australia. The expansion includes a 9,000 square metre multi–purpose event space with a retractable 1,000 seat theatre, new exhibition halls, meeting rooms both large and small, an outdoor terrace, ballroom and banquet space. The expansion is part of a larger South Wharf project that includes a new 347–room Novotel Melbourne South Wharf – with direct access to the MCEC. The Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust has announced d a seriies off reffurb bish hed d venues across its world-class events precinct located on the edge off Melbourne’s vibrant CBD.

Its changing landscape, including a rejuvenated Riverbank Precinct and a series of new growth industries has injected fresh energyy into the city and seen it emerge as a leading desstination for business events. That vitality is best illustrated in the city’s growing hotel landscape. A raft ose by Sofitel of five–star properties, including tho and Crowne Plaza are on the horizon – all located just a short distance from the Conveention Centre.

Marriott International is set to open The Westin Adelaide, a brand new 15–storey luxxury property in Adelaide’s city centre by 2022. Th he 285 room Westin Adelaide will be housed with hin the city’s historic General Post Office Building g and will feature more than 310 square metrees of meeting and event space.

18 The Business – Sponsored Content

Friday, March 1, 2019 In association with

BUSINESS EVENTS BOOMING IN THE SUNSHINE STATE

Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves.

Queensland’s business event offerings a hit with Kiwi corporate planners.

QUEENSLAND Queensland: white–sand beaches, coral reefs, rain forests and a laidback tropical lifestyle from boomtown Brisbane to the surf and nightlife of the Gold Coast, from the undersea carnival of the Great Barrier Reef to the relaxing islands of the Whitsundays.

But for the New Zealand corporates and incentive guests, there’s a huge range of experiences amongst the sun, sand and hinterland. And with the advantage of it being cheaper to fly to Australia than other international destinations, it means event planners can put more money towards incorporating these experiences into the ground component of the programme.

As well as an increased number of trans-Tasman flights to more destinations, the Sunshine State’s investment in megaevents and infrastructure are also adding to the attraction.

Penny Lion, Executive General Manager Events at Tourism Australia, says the growing infrastructure offers more choice for New Zealand incentive guests and event planners.

While New Zealand incentive groups may be familiar with Australia, she says our neighbour still has the ability to surprise and impress.

“We know there’s that feeling of over–familiarity with Australia, generally because of travel for business or to have a holiday.

“No one who has been on an Australian incentive programme where – to name one experience, you can organise yacht transfers from your Sydney accommodation to a secret harbour

Brisbane’s new W Hotel.

beach set up as a private club, with everything taken care of – would call Australia anything but impressive and unique.

“And with so much new product coming online, it’s easy to experience something different on multiple visits – even to the same destination.”

Lion says businesses benefit when they provide top performers with these sort of trips. “There’s all manner of research into the benefits of incentive programmes, and time and again they confirm that travel delivers the highest return on investment for companies.

“The ability to share experiences together, to build personal connections and shared memories beats out financial incentives for creating team culture, inspiring loyalty and re–energising teams.”

BRISBANE Few world cities are transforming themselves as dramatically – or as rapidly – as Queensland’s capital. Several major projects are delivering already, and it’s fair to say that as others come on line over the next few years, you won’t recognise the place.

The best address in the city has to be 5 Boundary St: it’s right underneath iconic Story Bridge and at the end (or the start) of the city’s riverside boardwalk. Here a once– derelict collection of wharves and warehouses has been transformed into Brisbane’s hottest new precinct, Howard Smith Wharves.

Built in the 1930s to provide work during the depression and largely abandoned

Friday, March 1, 2019

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In association with

since the 1960s, the makeover began in 2017. From late last year a stream of restaurants, bars and event spaces have opened.

CEO Luke Fraser gave Venue a guided tour of the $A200 million development, which is about to welcome Art Series Hotels’ flagship property, the 166–suite, five–star Fantauzzo.

As well as its numerous entertainment and dining spaces, Fraser is particularly proud of the dozen or so “cutting–edge event spaces”, which range from heritage buildings to outdoor spaces nestled under the cliffs and green landscapes for pop–ups.

The gem is Howard’s Hall, a new build with uninterrupted views of the river, bridge and city skyline. With retractable glass windows, rooftop terraces and designed to be broken into different spaces, the main hall caters for 864 seated and 1005 theatre–style.

Another versatile event space, the Rivershed is a heritage wharf building with exposed timber beams; unique features include a bakery and coffee roaster.

Promising to “change the face of downtown Brisbane forever”, the $A3.6 billion, 27ha Queens Wharf redevelopment includes a casino, hotels, restaurants, bars, outdoor public spaces and foreshore including a new pedestrian bridge to South Bank.

Most of the project is taking shape on the site of former government buildings between the city’s CBD and riverbank, reframing many heritage buildings and butting up to the riverside expressway.

Scheduled for completion in 2022, the development will feature five hotels including Ritz–Carlton, bringing over 1600 premium hotel rooms to the city centre.

They will join several new upscale hotels with event facilities – nearby, the funky W Hotel, a 305–room six–star operation with 960 sq m of meeting space including the 500 sq m Great Room; glamorous Emporium at South Bank, with three boardrooms and the grand, pillarless Frangipani Ballroom

“The ability to share experiences together, to build personal connections and shared memories beats out financial incentives for creating team culture”

Daydream Full Island looking East to Molle Islands

and its pristine islands.

The good news for 2019 is that several of the Whitsundays’ premier properties are about to reopen for business after extensive refurbishments – most running into the millions of dollars.

Hamilton Island is perhaps the most well-known estate. The Oatley family bought the cherished resort almost 15 years ago and has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into it. It’s now a major hotspot for travellers, especially yachties (this is the Wild Oats sailing dynasty).

Its conference centre is the largest in the Whitsundays and has undergone multimillion–dollar refurbishment.

The refreshed space can host up to 700 guests.

Daydream Island Resort is also preparing

Penny Lion, Tourism Australia

(250 sit–down capacity); and resort–style Calile on James St, Fortitude Valley, now the city’s go–to precinct to eat, drink and party, with 175 rooms and event catering up to 500 guests.

WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS Kiwis have long enjoyed the opportunity to take in Queensland’s most spectacular playground – The Great Barrier Reef

to open its doors after an extensive two–year, multimillion–dollar overhaul.

It will welcome guests from April, offering restaurants, bars and even an underwater observatory called Living Reef.

The 4.5–star resort will be available for exclusive hire with 277 north–facing rooms and conference facilities for up to 250. Over 20 activities are available every day including beach dinners, rainforest walks, reef cruises and scenic flights.

Similarly, the rebranded InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is expected to open in July after a $A100 million upgrade.

It will boast 166 rooms, eateries and bars, pools and a health and wellness spa.

The entertainment centre has capacity for 300 guests and outdoor spaces can host events for 10 to 320 guests.

CAIRNS

The Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort will open soon after a $100 million upgrade.

The Art Series Hotels’ five star Fantauzzo hotel in Brisbane.

Cairns’ new Riley hotel by the Crystalbrook Collection.

Long known as Australia’s Adventure Capital, Cairns’ skyline is being transformed with the arrival of three new five–star resorts in the next 18 months.

They’re the creation of the Crystalbrook Collection, which has made significant investments in Tropical North Queensland’s tourism and events sector.

As well as its three “sibling hotels”, the company has bought and is redeveloping Port Douglas’ superyacht marina.

It is building another resort there, and owns a 35,000ha cattle station 215km west of Cairns, which houses Crystalbrook Lodge luxury retreat.

Its first Cairns property, the striking Riley by the Crystalbrook Collection, opened in November. Built around a 1000 sq m lagoon–style swimming pool, Riley offers 311 rooms and suites, three restaurants and a rooftop bar. It has six event spaces which can hold up to 440 guests cocktail– style or 280 seated.

The other Cairns properties will be Bailey and Flynn, opening in 2019 and 2020.

Says its marketing director, Katie Malone: “Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is a fantastic destination for New Zealand events, conventions and incentive groups.

We believe Crystalbrook Collection’s properties will provide a greatly expanded offering for New Zealand.

“While all three hotels are five–star, each has a different personality and position in the market, enabling clients to select the hotel that best suits the individual group.

“All of the properties are centrally located, making it easy to stroll the Esplanade and city, taking in the sights and sounds while also providing a perfect location to access the Reef, Daintree Rainforest and to experience some of the region’s rich Aboriginal culture.”

discover a place as extraordinary as your team THERE’S NOTHING LIKE AUSTRALIA FOR YOUR NEXT BUSINESS EVENT. PLAN NOW, VISIT AUSTRALIA.COM/BUSINESSEVENTS

Friday, May 3, 2019

Sponsored Content – The Business 17

MEETINGS • INCENTIVES • CONVENTIONS • EVENTS

Inside the Cube The d’Arenberg Cube specialises in business events with a difference Australia has long been a leader in hosting oneof-a-kind business events and organisations can now add South Australia’s d’Arenberg Cube to the list. The avant-garde concrete and steel structure looks like a giant unsolved Rubik’s Cube towering above the grape-vines, and offers a very different cellar door experience.

From the moment visitors enter through mirrored stainless steel doors that fold back origami-style they’re plunged into a colourful, alternate reality.

It’s the brainchild of artist and fourth generation wine-maker Chester Osborn who was inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking when he created the building. Since its opening in 2017, the playful structure has attracted up to half a million visitors annually.

“The d’Arenberg Cube is a surreal and flexible space,” says Rachael Whitrow, Cellar Door and Tourism Manager at the Cube.

“You can work closely with the d’Arenberg events team to create a truly unique function. It could range from intimate dining at the Chef’s Table to a Gala Dinner with varied themes on each of the five stories of the Cube.”

She says there are mulltiplle spaces avaiilab ble for use; groups of up to 100 can enjoy a wine tasting experience, groups of up to 60 can enjoy exclusive degustation dining, while groups of up to 12 can enjoy a private dining experience.

Bespoke multiday itineraries – including glamping, a bike tour through the vineyards and other team activities - can also be arranged.

Sensory experience Each of the Cube’s five levels has been designed to entice and excite the senses, with a wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, a 360 degree video room, and other tactile experiences.

The Sensory Room, for example, has 44 wine flagons mounted on bicycle handlebars, each connected to a bike horn with rubber puffer.

Beep the horn and inhale the aromas of some of d’Arenberg’s award-winning wines.

The top floor is a magnificent all glass tasting room – four glass bars made up of 115 televisions featuring opaque video projections and floor to ceiling windows on all sides.

Groups of up to six can explore the d’Arenberg Cube and its original cellars in a private Day of Decadence tour and tasting followed by a degustation at the fine dining d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant.

Husband and wife team Brendan Wessels and Lindsay Dürr offer a seasonally changing menu, with an extensive wine list.

The decor keeps to the cube’s playful theme - dining chairs explode with colour, tables are craffted d from olld oakk barrells, and d ecllecttic art pieces are on display; it’s also the only restaurant in Australia to create dishes using a 3D printer. Head Chef Brendan Wessels says the printer enables him to inject more theatre, entertainment and fun into the presentation – like topping a signature dessert with a 3D-printed Italian meringue.

Event versatility “We tailor all events to our clients’ needs,” says Whitrow.

“We have a series of special additions that can be included or amended to suit the concept.

“It may be a scenic helicopter flight across the McLaren Vale to the coast, meeting the owner for a glass of wine or touring the kitchen with the Head Chef. Each event is unique and we relish the challenge of completing the impossible.”

She says that the degustation dining for up to six guests at the Chef’s Table is popular. The experience offers an extended tasting menu, a dedicated sommelier and exclusive views into the dynamic, state-of-the-art kitchen.

Another option is the Dead Arm Shiraz Masterclass where guests explore six vintages of d’Arenberg’s flagship wine paired with a cheese plate. Since its release in 1993, The Dead Arm Shiraz has received hundreds of accolades from wine critics and judges all over the world.

The masterclass offers exclusive access to the museum stocks of one of Australia’s most collected wines and at the conclusion of the eventt each h guestt receiives a currentt viinttage bottle of The Dead Arm Shiraz, presented in a gift box and signed by the winemaker.

Arrive by helicopter If a more luxurious experience is required one of d’Arenberg’s Ultimate Experiences will suit smaller incentive groups. Guests arrive at the

The d’Arenberg Cube was inspired by the complexities of winemaking.

Cube via a private helicopter transfer, from either McLaren Vale or Adelaide Airport - and can blend and bottle their own wine.

“It’s a hands-on, interactive experience where you play winemaker,” says Whitrow.

“You can work closely with the d’Arenberg events team to create a truly unique function” “As a team building exercise we recommend working in small groups, or pairs, to create the perfect blend, decide on the wine name and story and present your new product for a tasting competition.”

Afterwards enjoy an eight course food and wine degustation at d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant which offers sit down dinners for up to 50 and cocktail functions for up to 70, with sweeping views over the rolling hills of McLaren Vale.

GETTING THERE The d’Arenberg Cube is just a 45 minute drive south of Adelaide. Australia is a direct flight from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin or Queenstown with convenient connecting flights to regional areas.

18 The Business – Sponsored Content

Friday, May 3, 2019

AUSTRALIA THE HOT TICKET FOR BUSINESS EVENTS

Vivid Sydney is more impressive every year.

New and innovative event spaces and a surfeit of one-of-akind attractions are a drawcard for business event visitors

If you build it, they will come: that was the promise in Kevin Costner’s 1989 baseball movie, Field of Dreams. Bolstering its reputation as the home of some of the world’s most inspirational business events destinations and ‘can’t be bought’ experiences, Australia’s meetings, incentives and conventions industry is proving that idea works in the real world, too.

While new infrastructure, such as convention centres or stadiums, are certainly playing their part across the country, experience is showing that hosting major events or adding new opportunities to an existing destination are successful ways of attracting and entertaining business events visitors.

Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan says Australia’s calendar of festivals and events is constantly evolving.

“With many of our destinations attracting unique events each year, there is always something new on offer that groups can tap into.”

Take the Vivid Sydney Festival of Music and Light. Created to attract visitors and business event groups to the city during winter, the celebration of light shows, music, arts and ideas is now in its 11th year.

“The festival has certainly reinforced Sydney’s position as the creative services hub of the Asia-Pacific region and it has done wonders for what was traditionally a quieter winter period,” says Destination NSW and Vivid Sydney executive producer Sandra Chipchase.

She says it is now the largest event in Australia.

“Vivid Sydney attendees have grown from 225,000 in 2009 to 2.25 million in 2018. Over this period we’ve expanded the event footprint and ensured we’ve

new W Hotel.

Harry PotterBrisbane’s and the Cursed Child is playing in Melbourne.

presented a programme that is at the cutting edge of innovation, original thinking, art and new technology.

Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney, which is responsible for attracting global meetings to the city, says her organisation has found Vivid is a major drawcard for clients. She cites a Jeunesse incentive meeting that brought over 6400 Asiabased delegates to Sydney during the festival in 2018.

“Becoming more impressive every year, Vivid Sydney is a great way to refresh the experience for these groups and offer new ways for them to see our incredible city in a different light.”

This year’s event will take place from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June.

Highlights include Oscar-winning director Spike Lee discussing films, politics and race;

Pixar Studios projections marking 30 years of computer-generated movie animation; and Samsung using the latest technology to light up First Fleet Park.

Groups can choose from hundreds of activities including the BridgeClimb’s Vivid Climb, where you become part of festival as you climb the bridge in a flashing vest.

After taking in the views of Vivid from above you can then dance the night away on a special 70’s-inspired light-up dancefloor. Alternativley organise a private charter for your group to enjoy the festival from the water, or dine at one of the many restaurants that overlook the harbour.

While Vivid has established itself as an annual drawcard, Melbourne has come under the spell of the blockbuster musical, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Victoria’s capital is only the third city in the

Friday, May 3, 2019

The Business – Sponsored Content 19

world to host the on-stage exploits of the boy wizard, after London and New York.

Playing into next year, it’s the hottest ticket in town and Kiwi business groups have the opportunity to use it as the jumping-off point for a broader itinerary.

Think of it as a destination with benefits: groups can take time to explore the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula wineries and golf courses during the day and enjoy the city’s exceptional restaurants and the show at night.

But Australia’s attractions are not confined to the major cities: the unique landscapes of its vast interior are an enticement for incentive groups.

As darkness falls over Uluru, British artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light begins to play against the iconic backdrop. The desert becomes a fantasy garden, the size of nine football fields, of 50,000 breathing and swaying solar-powered spindles of light in myriad colours.

Due to its success, the exhibition has been extended until the end of next year.

There are a number of ways to experience the magical Field of Light at Uluru these include riding in on a camel or helicopter, watching as the sunrises or enjoying a special dinner under the night sky. A great place to stay is the Ayers Rock Resort which includes five hotels within walking distance of each other.

For business events groups, the resort also offers a range of unique experiences including the chance to connect with Australia’s ancient culture through Indigenous workshops and tours, biking

or seqwaying around Uluru and an award winning feast under the starry desert sky.

Uluru Meeting Place is the resort’s new conference complex, with two large ballrooms that fit 300 and 420 guests, an outdoor amphitheatre for 350, exhibition and breakout spaces hosting 25 to 300+ guests. Other poolside and dune-top sites offer views of Uluru.

In South Australia, the recently opened d’Arenberg Cube has been created as an utterly contemporary experience, drawing visitors to its premium food and wine offerings, as well as its focus on modern art – see accompanying feature.

It’s a Kiwi tradition to mix business with football, and time that transtasman trip to coincide with a Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney or Melbourne. This year, there’s extra incentive to cross the ditch.

Because it’s Rugby World Cup year, there’s only one match in Australia in 2019; and for the first time, it’ll be played in Perth, at the new Optus Stadium, on Saturday 10 August.

The 60,000-seat state of the art stadium has been conceived with events in mind.

On the picturesque Swan River, it has 18 specially designed spaces that can host from two to 2000 guests including rooftop venues.

Aside from traditional function rooms, the Locker Room (340 guests) at the edge of the playing surface has views of the team warm-up facilities and ground-level views of the game.

The Coaches’ Room is a dining space flanked by the coaches’ boxes and

Hobart’s MONA Gallery.

“Australia has truly recognised the benefit of appealing to the business events market, whether they are targeting a large conference or high-end incentive” Diana McIlwrick, Dinamics Event Management overlooking the pitch. The most exciting venue: the Field of Play. Yes, you can hire the ground for an unforgettable, large-scale event.

They built it, and thousands are coming.

Perth will be buzzing in the days and nights around the match. While the game

is the hottest ticket in town, with corporate hospitality packages sold out, there’s plenty for a group to see and do around Perth, consistently rated as one of the world’s most livable cities.

Following a major transformation, the city is host to an array of new hotels, bars, restaurants and public spaces. Within an hour of the CBD are pristine Rottnest Island, the Swan Valley and Perth Hills wine regions, and the lively port city of Fremantle.

PERFECT FOR KIWIS

Bruce Munro’s spectacular Field of Light.

Perth’s new Optus Stadium

Vivid Sydney lights up Luna Park

For New Zealand organisations, there’s never been a better time to stage a business event in Australia.

Diana McIlwrick is a director of Dinamics Event Management, a Queenstown-based company specialising in conference services, incentives and retreats, and teambuilding for more than 25 years.

Her company has taken corporate groups to the US, Tahiti, Egypt and Europe, but she says with new hotels, experiences and venues coming online constantly, Australia is really proving to be a force to reckon with. .

“Australia has truly recognised the benefit of appealing to the business events market, whether they are targeting a large conference or high-end incentive.

“It never ceases to amaze me how we ccan design such a wide range of unique programmes for our clients, whatever ttheir budget.”

She likes that no matter the time of the year, there are a wide range of destinations for groups to choose from.

“There are always new or different events to wrap your incentive or conference around - our clients have loved Vivid Sydney, Polo by the Sea on the Gold Coast and Field of Light in Uluru.

“We also love discovering new venues that we can share with our clients. MONA in Hobart is a favourite and we cannot wait to take clients to the d’Arenberg Cube later this year.”

The short hop across the Tasman is another bonus. With direct flights from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin or Queenstown and connecting flights to regional areas in both countries, there’s no long-haul travel.