BEN for Mon 01 Dec 2014 - Industry backs govt plan, Accor signs two, InterContinental in Perth, Face

1st December 2014 Editor: Jill Varley

business events news Where Eagles dared

COMPANIES who have held their conferences, team building events and retreats at Eaglereach Wilderness Resort in Vacy in the Upper Hunter Valley and stayed on to holiday there will be sorry to learn that the Mileys, Paul and Carmen, are selling up, owing to Carmen’s illness, for which we send our very best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

This unique wilderness retreat, with more than 40 resort style houses and accommodation cabins, is set high on a magnificent mountaintop with panoramic views. It features more than 405 hectares from mountaintop to rainforest and caters to large groups, families and conferences.

In addition to the Corroboree Meeting Place function centre, there is also a massage and facial centre.

If you feel a lifestyle change is in the offing you can check it out at: resortbrokers.com.au MEANWHILE in the broken wing department, we wish MEA’s ceo Linda Gaunt a quick recovery after breaking her arm – wait for it - jet skiing!

Where eagles dare, indeed.

Jill

Christchurch for CINZ CHRISTCHURCH will host the 2015 Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) annual conference, held from 29 to 30 Sep. Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau manager Caroline Blanchfield said the next step was a return to the Australian market.

business events news

Industry backs govt plan TOURISM and business events sector groups have backed the government’s initiative to grow the international business events market in Australia.

Announced on Friday (BEN 28 Nov), the initiative offered government support for the bidding and event delivery process, with the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux as the first point of contact.

Business Events Australia gm Penny Lion said the initiative did not involve any new funding but gave an overview and better understanding of the relevant government sector’s roles and support available when it came to bidding for international business events.

The move showed government saw business events as a critically important sector, Lion said.

Business Events Council of Australia chairman Matt Hingerty said the Council welcomed the initiative, with Minister Andrew Robb having “produced the goods” in terms of the Fair Trade Agreements made with China and

info@businesseventsnews.com.au www.businesseventsnews.com.au 1300 799 220

Japan.

The initiative was the first step in the architecture needed to be put in place to take advantage of these and other international agreements, Hingerty said.

Tourism Accommodation Australia ceo Carol Giuseppi said the move recognised the “substantial” potential value of major conferences and events for the tourism industry and wider economy.

“Greater co-operation and coordination by Government can significantly enhance the business events sector’s ability to win major bids for Australian cities.”

Tourism and Transport Forum ceo Margy Osmond said the initiative was vital to the growth of the business events sector.

“This announcement will help the business events sector contribute even more to the Australian economy, and sees all levels of government recognising the true value and potential of business events.”

To read more about the initiative, CLICK HERE.

Advertising, Production & Sales Coordinator - Epping, NSW • Leading online B2B publications • Influential role • Competitive salary The Travel Daily Group is looking for the service of a proactive Advertising, Production & Sales Coordinator to work in their close knit team in Epping, NSW. You will be responsible for client liaison, managing enquiries, and coordinating advertising behind leading titles Cruise Weekly, Pharmacy Daily and Business Events News while supporting the production, and assisting with sales strategies for these publications.

If you have two to three years’ experience in advertising and desktop publishing and want to be a part of a growing organisation, this could be your next long term role.

To apply, email your confidential CV with Cover Letter to jobs@traveldaily.com.au before Friday 5th December 2014.

DoubleTree Flinders St opens

HILTON Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton have announced the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne - Flinders Street.

The 180-room hotel was previously the Citigate Melbourne and re-opened following a multimillion dollar refurbishment, Hilton said.

The hotel, owned by M&L Hospitality and managed by Hilton, has two meeting rooms.

Events Calendar BEN’s calendar details events at various venues across Australia.

If you have an upcoming event you’d like us to feature, email info@businesseventsnews.com.au.

1 DEC-2 DEC PCO Association 2014 Conference; National Convention Centre Canberra; www.conference.pco.asn.au 7-12 DEC Royal Australian Chemical Institute National Congress; Adelaide Convention Centre; www.racicongress.com 8-9 DEC ACTE Global Corporate Travel & Meeting/Events Education Conference – Sydney; Sheraton on the Park; www.acte.org 6 FEB Perth Convention Bureau’s (PCB) 2015 Aspire Awards workshop luncheon; Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre; enquiries email aspire@pcb.com.au 16 MAR Ni hao WA 2015; Aravina Estate, Yallingup; www.tourism.wa.gov.au 4 MAR NT Muster; Ivy Ballroom, Sydney; enquiries email trade.tourismnt@nt.gov.au 5 MAR NT Muster; Park Hyatt Melbourne Ballroom; enquiries email trade.tourismnt@nt.gov.au

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FACE : FACE Stephanie Buckland business events news

business events news

CEO Tourism Western Australia

1st December 2014

crumbs!

THE news that Nelson Bay is to hold a Nudi Festival at Port Stephens from 13 to 14 Dec is sure to delight some and cause shock and alarm to others.

Certainly it could be seen as a good opportunity to organise that Port Stephens weekend retreat or meeting and the fact that it’s all in the name of scientific research gives it added credence.

Sorry, as a bit of a spoiler, but nonetheless of great interest, Nudi’s are actually Nudibranchs, shell-less, soft-bodied sea molluscs or slugs, which live on seabeds and are particularly abundant in shallow waters.

More than 200 species have been spotted in Port Stephens’ waters and the creatures’ vibrant hues and intricate patterns regularly draw divers from throughout the country and overseas to here.

The scientifically named ‘nudibranchia’ means ‘naked gills’, named for the feathery gills found on the creatures’ backs.

World-renowned nudibranch expert Dr Richard Willan, curator of molluscs at the Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory, will give public lectures at the event while touch tanks will be set up at D’Albora Marinas where divers can vie for the title of the best nudi spotter for the full 24 hours of the Saturday.

The upcoming event will also celebrate the anniversary of the sea slug initiative.

InterContinental in Perth

INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with UNIR Hotels Pty Ltd to redevelop the Rydges Hotel into the InterContinental Perth in a multimillion dollar refurbishment.

The 240-room hotel would open in early 2017 close to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, IHG said.

The hotel would feature a boardroom and a number of meeting spaces, IHG said.

Accor signs two ACCOR has signed two new management contracts for NSW and Victorian hotels from today.

The former Four Points by Sheraton Geelong will be re-branded to the Novotel Geelong (pictured) while Chifley Hotel Penrith will be rebranded to Mercure Penrith.

Accor Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath said these areas had been targeted for major infrastructure projects that would attract business travel and larger local populations, including the construction of an international convention and exhibition centre in Geelong.

Mercure Penrith offered 223 rooms and a meetings and events facility with capacity for up to 1,500 delegates while Novotel Geelong had 109 rooms and five function rooms, Accor said.

Business Events News is Australia’s newest online publication dedicated to the vibrant meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector.

Sign up for a free subscription at www.businesseventsnews.com.au.

Postal address: PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710 Australia Street address: 4/41 Rawson St, Epping NSW 2121 Australia P: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760) F: 1300 799 221 (+61 2 8007 6769) Part of the Travel Daily group of publications.

Business Events News recently caught up with Stephanie Buckland, ceo of Tourism Western Australia, the state government agency responsible for promoting WA as an extraordinary holiday, events and business events destination, where she has worked since 2008.

What analogy best describes being ceo of Tourism WA and why?

I think “jack-of-all-trades” is a good description. Tourism is a diverse and exciting industry that is vital to the Western Australian economy and the ceo needs to be across all the issues and opportunities it presents.

What’s your favourite part of WA, and what attraction do you think would surprise domestic visitors about the state?

I love that WA offers so many diverse, extraordinary experiences. Not many people realise that the world’s largest fringing reef, Ningaloo Reef, is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with the world’s largest fish, the gentle whale shark. You can also just wade into the water from the shore to reach the reef, without having to go on a boat.

How important is the business events sector to tourism in Western Australia?

Business events are important as they attract high spending delegates and expose our state to audiences who may return for a holiday or become advocates for WA. What do WA business events operators do well? What could they do better?

There is a growing trend for ‘bleisure’ trips where people combine their business trip with some leisure time. There is an

opportunity for us to capitalise on this trend by offering pre and post tours to showcase our extraordinary State.

What’s the strangest event you’ve ever attended?

One of the most unique, rather than strangest, events I have attended was the opening of the 2012 Perth International Arts Festival – Place des Anges. The aerial spectacle saw around two tonnes of white feathers fall from the sky, entertaining thousands of people in the Perth CBD. What one change in the industry would make your job easier?

Some of the things we have on offer in regional WA from a natural perspective are spectacular and unequal in the world. I’d like to see those natural wonders matched up with private sector tourism infrastructure so people can take advantage of them.

Will robots ever take over tourism?

I hope not – as the tourism is very much reliant on fantastic customer service and interaction with people.

What’s a guilty pleasure song you’re listening to at the moment?

I don’t listen to music all that much – but I like Katie Perry’s Roar.

What would be your dream tourist attraction to visit?

I absolutely love great food and wine – and luckily in WA we have so many fantastic places that offer this.

Publisher: Bruce Piper Editor: Jill Varley info@businesseventsnews.com.au Deputy Editor: Alex Walls Advertising and Marketing: Sean Harrigan and Katrina Ford advertising@businesseventsnews.com.au Business Manager: Jenny Piper accounts@businesseventsnews.com.au business events news

Business Events News is a publication of Business Events News Pty Ltd ABN 80 153 775 449. All content is fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in preparation of the newsletter no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. BEN takes no responsibility for the opinions of its contributors/columnists. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.

business events news

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