29th April 2013 Editor: Jill Varley
business events news In response to Mr Gray
info@businesseventsnews.com.au www.businesseventsnews.com.au 1300 799 220
MCB adds even more value
THe Melbourne Peter Gray’s, Convention Bureau this ‘Grays Say’ morning announced a column (BEN significant expansion of 17 April the new Melbourne Values Surprise, Surprise) and his You program which was criticism of an article in a UK launched just two months online newsletter that stated ago at AIME (BEN 25 Feb). “sales staff at many hotels in the MCB ceo Karen Bolinger Asia Pacific region are ‘startlingly announced today at the deficient’ when it comes to the Australian Tourism Exchange most basic elements of dealing that the program now with enquiries” for meetings and presents more than 100 offers for merchandise, allowing planners incentive travel rewards,” elicited the international conference and to easily create experiences “with a response from Lynda Canning, incentive travel reward market a uniquely Australian touch”. groups manager at Iririki Resort Partners now include the from premium hotels, venues and in Vanuatu. Melbourne Convention and service providers in Victoria. Thanks so much for Peter Gray’s Exhibition Centre, the Hilton “We are thrilled that we have article responding to a recent Melbourne South Wharf, been able to partner with so survey of Asian properties and many of our members to provide Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, their responses to RFP’s. InterContinental Melbourne incentive and corporate groups As one from the ‘other side’ Rialto and Crowne Plaza. the best products and services I can add that it is sometimes frustrating to follow up for Bolinger cited one example of Melbourne and regional Victoria additional information to find that the program, an MCEC meetings has to offer with exceptional ‘PCO’ (and in some cases I use rnetheConvention Bureau (MCB) deal for just $98 per person value,” Bolingerhas said. already significantly the term loosely, as this does not including venue hire, a choice The expansion has seen the w presenting more than 100 offers from premium reflect on the many professionals of four menus, pre-installed program diversify its offering to Victoria, Executive Officer Karen I deal with onChief a regular basis) technology and free wi-fi. include deals on souvenirs andBolinger has no idea of the demographics, “Our members’ eagerness to interests or profile of the group or be involved in the program really $8m aquarium splash delegates, nor any idea of budget shows their commitment to for the program; they themselves The Melbourne Aquarium above and beyond to make the 2013 Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetingsgoing Expo seem to know little more than is being taken to a whole their clients’ stay in Melbourne pecial for incentive corporate datesoffers and room numbers. newand world-class level as the travel reward unforgettable,” she added. I really appreciated Peter’s take Merlin Entertainments Group g an event in Melbourne not only seamless, but cost The campaign brochure has on ‘rubbish in, rubbish out’. commences an $8 million, fivebeen translated into Korean, Thai, Thanks to everyone who month refurbishment and its first Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese responds to our stories, we really since opening in 2000. plus Simplified and Traditional appreciate the comments so keep The revitalised attraction will Chinese, to make it more member participation from 30 to more than 40 premier them coming in at fly the world famous, global SEA accessible to the fast-growing jill@businesseventsnews.com.au ncluding Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre LIFE banner and join 44 SEA LIFE Asian incentive market. Today’s issue is packed the centres across the world when Melbourne the tel Melbourne onwith Collins, InterContinental “The majority of our incentive latest industry news, as well as the refurbishment is completed in and corporate travel business some of the many photos taken September. is derived from Asia so to have during my recent Alice Springs The merge with SEA LIFE will see the campaign brochure available famil on page four. Enjoy! Jill brand new activities and exhibits. in more than six languages ering to include deals on souvenirs and merchandise, “As one of the most iconic is fantastic and will be a very Saudi Crowne thNew a uniquely Australiantourist touch. destinations in Australia, important tool for our staff in THE new 506-room Crowne we are delighted to be able to China and Singapore,” Bolinger Plaza Madinah in Saudi Arabia is further enhance the attraction’s concluded. e program there has never been a better time for ideally located, just steps away world class reputation and from Masjid Nabawi, the second continue to grow its global entive travel destination. Tourism Fiji website holiest site in Islam and one of marine conservation efforts the biggest mosques in the world. while providing a truly interactive tourism Fiji has relaunched its It offersso state-of-the-art and educational experience with www.fiji.travel now er with many of our members to provide website, incentive facilities for meetings, events and for visitors” said Edward Fuller, including the ability for travellers vices Melbourne and regional Victoria has totooffer with conferences and is also ideal for divisional director, Merlin obtain quotes and make religious travellers. Entertainments Group. bookings.
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alues You
business events news
Training with AEA The Australian Events Academy (AEA) a specialist industry training body for the events industry and the Registered Training Organisation of Meetings and Events Australia, has a range of short courses and qualifications delivered by industry for industry, to assist companies with gaining a competitive edge. Current courses on offer include one day options such as Making the most of your exhibition space on 23 May, Innovative event concepts on 30 May, and Obtain and manage sponsorship which will take place on 20 June. There are also Event Management Programs including Fast track to professional event management on 20 May, Advanced diploma of venues & events on 24 June and Diploma of venues and Events on 16 July. For more information, prices and registration details log onto australianeventsacademy.edu.au.
Get wet and go wild!
Western Sydney is to get a new attraction, Wet’n’Wild on a 25 hectare site between the M4 motorway and Prospect Reservoir, not so far from where Australia’s Wonderland once stood, until it closed in 2004 after 19 years of operation. At the time Wonderland was said to be the largest theme park in the southern hemisphere, similarly, Wet’n’Wild, scheduled to open in December, is mooted as the world’s largest water park. It will feature 42 slides and attractions including the biggest, and as the blurb says, the ‘best wave pool with a huge sandy beach and an awesome surfable wave. It will also include the world’s first combination of a 4 loop and 8 lane racer and the world’s tallest Double SkyCoaster.
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