AIME Daily Day 2

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OfficialAIMEDaily 21st Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre • Wednesday • 27 February 2013

Day 2 Wednesday, February 27, 2013 8.00-9.45 AIME Knowledge seminar What is the bureau?

8.45-9.45 AIME Knowledge seminar The spirit of entrepreneurship 10.00 Day two opens 10.00-17.00 Future Events Experience

Photo: Kevin Abosch Productions.

10.30-11.30 AIME Knowledge seminar Incentive travel – 1 part logistics, 2 parts behavioural understanding

LinkedIn co-founder and Presdo chief executive Eric Ly.

Facing the future “We have identified a thirst for professional development and a desire to understand how to better leverage the potential of new technology in the meetings and incentives industry,” says AIME event director Sally de Swart.

“I have never thought that social media would replace face-to-face,” Ly says. “We will always be human, and face-to-face will forever be the most valuable way to interact. If anything, social media greatly enhances faceto-face by creating new ways for people to meet.”

AIME’s new technology zone, the Future Events Experience, showcases the latest concepts and innovations for the business events industry and provides an interactive experience for attendees looking to stay at the forefront of technological developments.

Ly is confident that new companies, such as Presdo, will leverage off the “social” element at their core. “The revolution is only beginning,” he says.

In partnership with Newtonstrand and Eventskills, the Future Events Experience features live demonstrations of the latest pioneering technology, presentations about innovation to address industry trends and challenges, as well as other networking and education opportunities.

Newtonstrand is also hosting Chance2Speak sessions as part of the experience, giving exhibitors the opportunity to make 10-15 minute presentations about future industry trends and innovations.

One of the highlights of the Future Events Experience was LinkedIn co-founder and Presdo chief executive Eric Ly, who Skyped into the “Face-to-face will never be the same with social media” session yesterday.

Presdo, which produces an event networking product that enables attendees, exhibitors and sponsors to connect at conferences and trade shows, has partnered with Info Salons Group to create the “final link” between social media and face-to-face events.

“Many technologies are now converging to make it possible to access information and services in any part of our lives and to have a seamless digital existence across multiple devices. In the consumer area, connecting with others and accessing digital services will reach an astounding level of sophistication we can only barely imagine. In the business world, consumerisation of applications will continue to make them easier and more productive than ever before.”

When not starting up successful businesses at the cutting edge of technology, Ly likes to help others realise their business dreams in his role at Munich-based Wellington Partners, an early stage venture capital firm.

“I like to invest in entrepreneurs who have a passion for creating something meaningful, even if on day one, their ideas may not be right on or they lack experience for their intended business,” he says. “If they keep at it and I can see that they have the wits to adapt, eventually they will succeed. Don’t necessarily bet on the idea; definitely bet on the people.”

10.30-11.30 AIME Knowledge seminar Potentiability and a life of fulfillment 11.45-12.45 AIME Knowledge seminar Negotiation skills – for business and life 11.45-12.45 AIME Knowledge seminar Outsourcing 15.15-17.15 AIME Knowledge seminar Association events in context 17.00 AIME 2013 closes

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AIME • Melbourne, Australia

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AIME kicks off with a bang

Melbourne’s South Wharf Promenade came alive on Monday night for this year’s official Melbourne LIVE! Welcome Reception. Hosted by the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and staged at the Showtime Events Centre, the evening saw more than 2000 guests enjoy a series

of iconic Melbourne experiences, including the city’s laneway dining culture, pop up bars and urban chic gastro pubs, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over the Yarra River.

Rocking the crowd was Australian music icon Jon Stevens who performed a high energy acoustic

set on top of pop up bar CargoBar, with additional entertainment provided throughout the site by acts including Spanish guitar and dance duo Fiesta Flamenco, rhythm and blues quartet Soul Nation, singer Vinja Prtenjaca, and emcee Tim Campbell.

Fast facts

Food stations set up around the site offered food to suit all tastes, including dry aged porterhouse steak, lamb loin and pork belly, fresh from the grill; freshly shucked oysters and prawns; Spanish street food; and authentic Italian pizza. Trays of roving desserts including mini lime and coconut tartlets; apricot rum babas; salted caramel chocolate tart; and mini gelato cones, ensured no one went home hungry.

• 9750 canapés on arrival

• More than 2000 guests, including more than 500 Hosted Buyers and more than 60 local and international media • Four unique venues • 8000 hand held mini serves • 4000 freshly shucked oysters and prawns • 2000 serves of paella • 2200 mini gelato cones • 4500 glasses of champagne • 3000 apple mojitos • 200 glasses of sangria • 7350 beers

OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013 3

AIME • Melbourne, Australia

www.cimmagazine.com

Inspirational start The Saxton Ultimate Event Experience returned to AIME for a fourth consecutive year, with a packed auditorium treated to a whirlwind two hour session featuring top local and international speakers and performers, including The Voice Australia’s Darren Percival and mind-reader Anthony Laye, held together with the irreverent comedic musical trio Tripod.

The audience was eased into the morning with jazz legend James Morrison on trumpet and his two young apprentices. In between his set Morrison reminded everyone just how important it is to always aim high and wait for the world to catch up.

Next up was Net-A-Porter co-founder Megan Quinn, who emphasised the value in going beyond the numbers to reach the emotional needs of your clients and customers, no matter

who they are.

Surfing legend Layne Beachley’s story of her chance encounter with actor Matt Damon highlighted her belief that everything happens for a reason and to go with the flow no matter what the challenges are.

Marathon rowing champion Rob Hamill’s heartfelt tribute to the tragedy in his family’s life and how that was a key motivating factor in his pursuit of his life’s goals, was an emotional highlight for the audience.

Productivity coach Ian Stephens pulled no punches in his tale of bouncing back from adversity, while leading futurist and founder of Cool NRG, Nic Frances, gave an impassioned plea for the power of hope as a catalyst for making real changes for the better.

The Celebrity Apprentice host and businessman

Mark Bouris’ powerful speech on the importance of setting challenges, both on a personal and a business level, was the perfect way to begin Day One of AIME.

Vox pops Tania Goodacre, events manager, Australian Trucking Association

Fon Sia, head meetings and events, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Singapore

Lauren Hayward, event manager, Forum Group Events

“The official Welcome Reception is a great way to showcase what Melbourne’s got and isn’t that what AIME’s about?”

“I find that the suppliers at AIME are of a great quality and I find a new supplier each time I come.”

“It’s my first AIME and being here and seeing it for myself it has exceeded expectations.

It’s been really fun.”

Anne Last, director marketing, Perth Convention Bureau

Paresh Pant, regional director Australia, Tourism Fiji

Karen Hanna, business development manager events, Higher Ed Services

“AIME gives us a great presence and it’s a great way for everyone to find out what’s new in Western Australia.”

4 OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013

“AIME is the cornerstone in presenting conferences and incentive facilities in Fiji, not only to PCOs in Australia but from every corner of the world.”

“I last came to AIME 10 years ago, and it’s so much bigger and better and more creative.”

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AIME • Melbourne, Australia

Local talent, global reach As head of the meetings and events portfolio for Reed Travel Exhibitions, Craig Moyes knows more than most about what creates a successful trade exhibition. Here he shares his thoughts on the seven global Incentive Business Travel and Meetings (IBTM) exhibitions and what common threads bind them.

To follow your passions may be the best advice to give anyone, and luckily for Moyes, a decision to follow his when fresh out of university has paid dividends.

Despite graduating in environmental planning and ignoring advice from his father to pursue engineering, Moyes, who was passionate about sailing, decided instead to accept a job at a yacht building company.

It was this job that gave Moyes his first experience of the exhibition world and eventually to business to business events. Joining Reed Travel Exhibitions in 2007 as event director for World Travel Market, Moyes now finds himself heading the meetings and events portfolio for Reed Travel Exhibitions, with seven shows on five continents under his watch.

“The key brand values for all of the IBTM global events is to provide the best business opportunities, best networking and best education all underpinned by a world-class Hosted Buyer program, which is a core element supporting successful delivery of business opportunities and return on investment for all those attending the shows,” says Moyes.

The IBTM portfolio attracts over 6000 top level buyers each year, which delivers business opportunities to all participating exhibitors.

“Of course, another unique selling proposition is the fact that Reed Travel Exhibitions is the only industry organiser of such a global portfolio, with each event tailored for the markets they serve,” he says. “This provides global reach for anyone

targeting meetings and business or organising meetings, events or business travel. It also allows us to use our resources to provide global products such as research and insight.”

The challenge for Reed Travel Exhibitions is to maintain the same brand values across its portfolio whilst accepting the core cultural differences in each location.

“Each event is tailored for the market it serves in terms of the mix of Hosted Buyers, the look and feel of the event and the education programs,” he says.

“We believe that each of these events must have its own local team, who are not only part of the industry in their respective country but who also know what that market needs from our shows.

With the support of our corporate headquarters we help these teams to ensure that whilst the brand values are maintained, there is a local feel to the event and cultural differences are respected and acknowledged.

“Australians are known for being laid back and relaxed in the way they do business and this cultural characteristic can be seen in the way AIME is executed. While meetings on the show floor are a key part of the program we also put a lot of emphasis on other networking opportunities that offer more relaxed and casual settings.”

Moyes says that the quality of Hosted Buyers is “imperative to the success of our events”, with all those who register to attend the program going through a strict qualification process.

“Our recruitment process is focused on inviting the best quality buyers and new contacts for exhibitors each year – ones that organise, influence or make budgetary decisions. We are also committed to sourcing buyers that are dedicated to locking in their events at AIME because creating a show where real business is conducted is very important to our team and the

MCEC opens its doors

exhibitors we attract to the show,” he says.

“However, we also have to make the experience beneficial for Hosted Buyers which means creating tailored programs for corporate, association, agency and business travel buyers and providing a mixture of business opportunities, education and networking to ensure that they get value from their time out of the office.”

IBTM India is set to make its debut in Mumbai in September this year, making it the most recent addition to the IBTM event portfolio following the 2006 launch of CIBTM in Beijing and 2011 launch of AIBTM, which alternates between Baltimore and Chicago.

“CIBTM was established to create opportunities for companies looking to do business with China and to establish it as the gateway to the region’s meetings industry,” he says. “Last year [2012] CIBTM was the biggest event of its kind in Asia and the largest since its launch.”

Last year’s CIBTM had a record number of Chinese Hosted Buyers including new representatives from Shenzen, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Qingdao.

In so far as naming his favourite shows, Moyes remains diplomatic.

“Each event is different, it would be impossible to find a favourite as each location and atmosphere of the show has something special,” he says. “How can I compare Beijing to Abu Dhabi, Melbourne to Barcelona, Chicago to London – impossible!”

As part of this week’s Business Events Week, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is opening its doors to the public with a free event, Open Space, on Thursday February 28 from 11am to 2pm.

AIME visitors are invited to attend an engaging plenary session led

by Simon Hammond, world leading expert on brand excellence and customer engagement, with a presentation that will rock the plenary stage. The session will also offer up a panel of influential business leaders including AusBiotech chief operations officer, Glenn Cross; AFL chief executive, Andrew Demetriou; MCEC chief executive, Peter King; VECCI chief executive, Mark Stone; and Les Williamson, vice president, Cisco Asia Pacific area.

In the main foyer a pop up installation of hawker-style food markets will offer a complimentary taste of MCEC’s award-winning produce and a range of Victorian suppliers.

Although this is a free event, tickets are required for entry. To book, visit openspace.mcec.com.au.

6 OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013

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AIME • Melbourne, Australia

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AIME for greater knowledge AIME’s education program, AIME Knowledge, is once again proving popular with visitors to the show, many of whom took time out yesterday to attend sessions.

Amongst the highlights in yesterday’s program was a session on “PCO business models – the real cost of events”, presented in association with the Professional Conference Organisers Association, which saw Barry Neame, director of Consec – Conference Management; Francis Child, managing director of Conference Action; and Paula Leishman, managing director of Leishman Associates, discuss the various business models used by PCOs in calculating and presenting management fees.

Also drawing a crowd was a session on “Projecting value: a media perspective”, facilitated by Alex Yeomans, publisher of CIM Magazine, and featuring Martin Lewis, managing editor of Europe’s CAT Publications; Martin Sirk, chief executive of the International Congress and Convention Association; and Stu Freeman, publishing editor of New Zealand’s MeetingNewz Magazine. The panel revealed best practices to maximise communication strategies, including how to boost brand awareness, stimulate response, launch new initiatives, crisis management and effective integration of social media and technology in PR and marketing activities.

With another great line-up of sessions scheduled for today, the AIME Daily put a couple of presenters in the hot seat to preview their sessions.

Spotlight on… Sue Jackson Sue Jackson, executive chairman of performance improvement company Solterbeck, will share her insights into the incentive travel market in a session on “Incentive travel – one part logistics, two parts behavioural understanding” at 10.30am.

AIME: How can incentivising staff with the promise of travel lead to companies achieving their business goals?

Sue Jackson: The reward in any incentive must be a motivator to drive behaviours that improve outcomes, for example, sell more, buy more. Travel remains a highly desired reward.

Once the reward is earned, the experience of the reward must parallel the effort it took to earn it. Well designed and implemented travel programs do this.

AIME: What’s the secret to

Spotlight on… John Peacock John Peacock, general manager of the Associations Forum, is one of a panel of association event managers sharing their knowledge and experience in the “Association events in context” session at 1.45pm.

AIME: Overall, how is the associations market holding up in Australia?

John Peacock: As associations must provide services to their members, the economic downturn in recent years has not necessarily affected association meetings. A corporate client, which is understandably driven by the need to make a surplus for business owners, may cut back on events and meetings in a downturn, but meetings are at the core of what most associations do.

AIME: What are the key differences between the corporate and associations market?

JP: Association meetings are based upon technical content and knowledge. Members of an association need to learn from their peers, and the role of the association is to see that this knowledge transfer is done in the most educationally appropriate and effective way.

Corporations will also use meetings to share knowledge, but they can also be fun-filled activities designed to motivate staff.

AIME: How important are conferences and other events to associations in communicating with their members?

JP: Association conferences and events are primarily about education, with communication and networking being subsidiary outcomes. In professional associations that are self-regulating, set standards and have ongoing education requirements, conferences are often the flagship event for the association. In addition, national conferences and world congresses should also

putting together a successful incentive program?

SJ: There are many secrets, but one is recognising that an incentive travel program is not a trip; it’s a business strategy. Creating a once in a lifetime experience is essential because this is a reward for high performance, but as importantly, the business objectives of the sponsoring company must be met. Participants must walk away believing more in the brand, the products, the executives and the company. And every year, the incentive program should motivate and drive more middle performers to be high performers.

AIME: How does the mindset of incentive travel participants differ from other group delegates?

SJ: Those who earn an incentive travel reward are a collective of high performing individuals. They

8 OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013

be profit generating activities.

AIME: Is there room for improvement in how event organisers deal with associations?

JP: Event organisers and suppliers need to understand that associations vary in many ways, and exist for many different purposes. As an example, some associations are run by volunteers, whereas other associations employ professionals to manage them. Some associations make swift decisions, whereas others have a long decisionmaking process. The key point here is to get to know the association, to ask questions, to build relationships and sometimes to be patient!

AIME: How important is technology and social media to the way associations run their events?

JP: Technology and social media are important new players in association meetings. Delegates expect to be able to register online, have free wi-fi access and for presentations to utilise the latest in technology. Social media will play an increasing role in spreading the message that an event is coming up and generating conversation during the event. However, the good news is that face-to-face meetings will not diminish in their importance to associations.

They will just have new technologies to support this learning.

are not an homogeneous group – and should not be treated as such. There is a distinct difference in the management and liaison with an incentive audience – it is intimate and personal, with a high interest and care factor for the individual, as well as the group.

AIME: How do you measure the ROI of incentive travel?

SJ: The ROI should be measured on the incentive program, not the reward (which is the travel). One can certainly measure the success of the trip – using measures such as participant research and budget control – however, the ultimate success of the program is based on a financial analysis of the cost of the investment versus the value of the return to the company.

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AIME • Melbourne, Australia

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Sydney ‘open for business’ Sydney’s Darling Harbour will become Australia’s newest destination for contemporary business events following the redevelopment of the site into a new international convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct that will be home to the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), as well as 900 new hotel rooms.

Opening in late 2016, ICC Sydney will be characterised by a modern design, cutting-edge technology and flexible and versatile event spaces able to host simultaneous events. Facilities will include 40,000sqm of exhibition space, 8000sqm of meeting room space, plenary space to accommodate 12,000 people over four different areas, Sydney’s largest ballroom, and outdoor event space for 25,000 people.

Visitors to AIME are invited to check out the development model on the ICC Sydney stand, number 1522.

Business Events Sydney will also be promoting the 25,000sqm interim exhibition facility which will open at Glebe Island in late 2013, as well as the many other venues that are coming together like never before to provide collaborative multivenue meetings solutions to ensure Sydney remains open for business throughout the redevelopment period.

• Business Events Sydney, stand 1522

BCEC Live app launched Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has launched a new venue app for delegates and conference organisers which it will showcase to visitors at AIME.

Activities on the floor Sofitel (stand 2732) Win a seven-night trip to Tahiti and earn double points with the LeClub Accor Hotels Meeting Planner card.

Hamilton Island and Cruise Whitsundays (stand 2214) Win a three-night stay at Hamilton Island including a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef for two people. Special exclusive AIME offers are also available.

An artist’s representation of the ICC Sydney.

The venue-specific application, BCEC Live, is the key element in a suite of new Centre collateral including a refreshed and updated website, updated brochure and new Centre video entirely produced by BCEC’s in-house highly skilled Audio Visual specialists.

According to the app’s developer, Adam Penberthy from The APP Network, BCEC Live is the most intuitive and easy to use application on the market today, enabling visitors to have a better experience while at BCEC. With his agency already working on stage two of the BCEC App, Penberthy says the updated version will incorporate a number of innovative and cutting edge features including a venue-specific “way finding” feature to help users navigate their way around the building, along with conference and exhibition functionality for BCEC event organisers, providing their delegates with a world class experience.

Townsville Enterprise general manager tourism & events, Patricia O’Callaghan, said the bureau encourages professional conference organisers, media and event coordinators to experience the diversity of region first hand.

“The Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau Famils are fully hosted for qualified event organisers and give attendees a real insight into all that Townsville has to offer the meetings, incentives, conferences and events market,” she said.

“Townsville has the capacity to cater for up to 2000 delegates with a majority of the accommodation and venue properties located in

Christie Conference Centres (stand 2430) Book your next meeting or event at the Christie Conference Centres stand and receive a special discount as well as the chance to win a six-night stay for two at Camp Eden on the Gold Coast.

Royce Hotel Melbourne (stand 3008) Win a 5-star overnight stay in an executive room including a full buffet breakfast in the hotel’s award winning restaurant.

“The Townsville Region offers a diverse range of pre and post touring experiences from the spectacular beach fronts and Great Barrier Reef, to World Heritage Wet Tropics rainforest and the dirt and dust of the Australian Outback.

Townsville has it all.”

Experience Townsville first hand

10 OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013

Townsville Enterprise (stand 2426) Taste award-winning Townsville Bitter from Townsville Brewery, now open for behindthe-scenes tours.

the city centre. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, why not consider one of Townsville’s various outdoor spaces for your next event?

• Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, stand 1714

In May 2013 the Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau will host its annual Buyer Familiarisation Tour of the Townsville Region.

Business Events Tasmania (stand 2232) Sample some of Tasmania’s finest wines and cheese, and find out how to win a six-day Tasmanian island getaway.

The Buyer Familiarisation Tour will be held from May 15-18, 2013.

Visit the Townsville Stand for more information.

The Townsville Brewery.

• Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau, stand 2426

AIME • Melbourne, Australia Ask a local One of AIME’s longest standing exhibitors, Destination Marketing Services (DMS), will be directly connecting visitors with representatives for destinations such as Mexico (Tropical Incentives), Cuba (Iberoservice Incoming Services), Netherlands (Performance Travel) and Croatia and Montenegro (DT Croatia), who’ve jetted in for the event.

DMC partner Pacific World Asia will also be present with representatives from China, Hong Kong, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Plus, for the first time ever this year, DMS will be giving away some amazing prizes including an iPad Mini; two night’s accommodation at One&Only Royal Mirage Dubai including return transfers, a Dubai City Tour and Dinner Cruise; and two nights in Singapore staying at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa followed by a three night stay on Bintan Island at Nirwana Gardens Resort including return ferry transfers and breakfast.

• Destination Marketing Services, Stand 3522

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa launches new venue Western Australia’s Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa will be showcasing its newest outdoor events space at this year’s AIME. The new Okari Deck enhances the portfolio of premium facilities on offer at the resort, making it an ideal destination for conference and incentive groups to capture the

truly unique Kimberley experience, “where the ocean meets the outback”.

Located next to the famous Sunset Bar and Grill, the Okari Deck boasts stunning views over the Indian Ocean and iconic Cable Beach, and accommodates up to 70 guests for a sunset cocktail reception.

To showcase the new venue, the resort is offering a special incentive for visitors to AIME 2013; book a conference or incentive at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa before June 30 to receive a complimentary Okari Deck sunset welcome reception. The sunset experience includes one hour of standard beer, wine and soft drinks, chef’s selection of canapés and venue hire.

• Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, stand 2008

New campaign from Accor Meeting planners who book an Accor Hotels residential conference before July 31, 2013, have the opportunity to win an exclusive trip to Accor’s newest luxury Pullman resort in Thailand, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, set to open in April.

Launched yesterday at AIME, Accor’s latest business events campaign enables meeting planners to double their Le Club Accorhotels rewards points on every dollar spent, plus go into the draw to win the major prize of seven nights at Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach in an Ocean View Room for two people.

The prize, valued at over $23,000, includes two return Business Class airfares courtesy of Qantas to Bangkok and two return Economy

The Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach.

Class airfares to Phuket courtesy of Bangkok Airways.

Perched on the headland overlooking the Andaman Sea, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Resort offers direct beach access and state-of-theart meeting and events facilities.

“We’re really pleased to be launching our campaign during AIME and are delighted to reward our loyal members,” said Accor’s director of sales business events, Jenifer Dwyer-Slee.

With more than 70 Australian and New Zealand hotels participating in the campaign, and brands including Pullman, MGallery, Quay West, Sebel, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, Citigate and Ibis, Accor provides an extensive array of meetings product, catering for all budgets and requirements from economy to luxury.

• Accor Hotels, stand 2614

Racing to the finish With the Australian Turf Club (ATC) nearing the completion of the $150 million redevelopment of Royal Randwick, the business has shifted

its focus to its other events centre, Rosehill Gardens, committing to further venue upgrades in 2014 to their Greater Sydney showpiece.

With the impending closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, both venues will offer unique events spaces suitable for conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, gala dinners, corporate family days and product launches.

The centrepiece of the new Royal Randwick is a world-class five level grandstand and an outdoor tiered amphitheatre known as the “Theatre of the Horse”. The facility will feature over 15 unique indoor/outdoor event areas, state of the art technology with full wi-fi connectivity throughout. It is set to open for events in August 2013.

ATC’s general manager – sales, commercial, Darwyn Jolly, says the redevelopment will see Royal Randwick become “Australia’s leading racecourse” however “the racing industry is not the only one to benefit”.

“The Australian Turf Club Sales Team has been inundated throughout the redevelopment period with enquiries from both existing and potential clients who want to be among the first to make Royal Randwick their event destination,” he said.

Rosehill Gardens also provides a wide selection of versatile indoor and outdoor areas for events including 3300sqm of floor space for trade exhibitions with capacity for 160 booths, and 3000sqm of pillarless floor space with flexible room configurations suitable for events from 150 to 2000 guests

The new Okari Deck at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa.

12 OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013

“The Club’s multi-purpose indoor and outdoor event spaces are the reason the venue has hosted major and significant events such as the Western Sydney Business Connection State of the Region

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Address by NSW Premier The Hon Barry O’Farrell and annual consumer recreational and lifestyle shows such as the Caravan, Camping, RV Holiday Supershow and Pool and Spa Expo,” said Jolly.

• Australian Turf Club, stand 1522

Peppers launches dedicated meetings website Leading accommodation and venue provider, Peppers, has launched a dedicated conferencing website, www.peppersconferences.com, for its network of 26 retreats and resorts, providing conference organisers with a “one stop shop” for boutique regional conferencing options across Australia and New Zealand.

The website focuses on exceptional conferencing experiences at 19 properties across Australia’s East Coast and seven properties in New Zealand’s North and South islands, under the banner “Where can I...?”. In answer to this question are a variety of conferencing experiences, from walking in the footsteps of famous

golfers, to swimming with sea turtles or sailing the high seas – all where Peppers properties are located.

“Traditionally conferencing has been about location, but more and more we encountered conference organisers seeking an experience, hence the reason to focus the website on not only highlighting our fantastic regional venues, but also what we can offer once you get there,” said Mantra Group director of MICE, Paul Wilson.

Options for meetings planners range from coastal resorts in Port Douglas and Magnetic Island in North Queensland; to exceptional gourmet experiences in Kingscliff Northern NSW; boutique retreats in the Hunter Valley, Southern Highlands and Daylesford; and wilderness escapes in Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. Across the Tasman, New Zealand properties offer exceptional “meetings of minds and wines” in Martinborough, an unforgettable eco experience in Abel Tasman National Park and a golfer’s dream in Christchurch.

Parent company Mantra Group will be showcasing its Peppers, Mantra

AT TREASURE ISLAND

Peppers Dunmore Brisbane.

event space.

and BreakFree hotels and resorts at AIME, as well as offering meeting planners who confirm an event (to be held between May 19 and December 13, 2013) at any participating Mantra property before April 26, 2013, the chance to win tennis legend Pat Rafter as a guest speaker.

New clients to the hotel will receive 10 per cent off the total event bill when they book a conference, meeting or event at the hotel during 2013. Plus, they will also receive a further 10 per cent of the event value credited towards their second vent in 2013. Terms and conditions apply.

• Mantra Group, stand 2814

The property’s meeting facilities include six dedicated rooms with a capacity of up to 120 delegates theatre-style, and purpose-built executive boardroom ideal for fly in, fly out meetings.

Double the reason to book Brisbane’s only airport hotel, Novotel Brisbane Airport, has launched a special offer designed to attract new clients to the hotel and experience their state-of-the-art

AT BELLAGIO

• Novotel Brisbane Airport, stand 1714

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OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013 13

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AIME • Melbourne, Australia

chance to show friends, families and co-workers back in the office what you’re up to.

Good (and bad) news for industry salaries

Get snap happy with Business Events Australia Put yourself in the picture at some of Australia’s most popular business events destinations with Business Events Australia’s Photo Booth.

The photo booth, supplied by Polite in Public, offers a choice of 10 iconic backdrops and a range of fun props to capture the spirit of each destination.

Everyone who stops for a snap will receive a high quality printout and all photos are immediately sharable via social media, giving you the

Over the last 18 months to two years salaries have slowly been increasing for operational and middle management roles such as event sales and event management, according to Ben Carnegie, business manager for industry recruitment specialists inPlace Recruitment.

“Salaries have regained 10-15 per cent bringing them almost back to pre-GFC levels of 2008,” he said.

“With demand increasing for skilled candidates at this level across the MICE industry we expect salaries to continue to rise in the battle to secure the best talent.”

However the flatter senior management structure which has emerged since the global financial crises has reduced both the number of senior positions available and salaries offered. Salaries for senior positions are still 10-15 per cent, lower than previous levels.

“As companies reassessed following the GFC, their senior recruitment has focused on people with the personality and drive to fit their new direction,” said Carnegie.

“With a high supply of senior candidates the job market is very competitive and salaries reflect this.

A regional director of sales position once commanded $120,000 plus bonuses, you would now be looking at around $105,000 plus bonuses.”

InPlace Recruitment will offer recruitment and career advice throughout AIME. • inPlace Recruitment, stand 1906

Daydream Island records dream growth Daydream Island Resort and Spa has just recorded massive growth in its conferencing and incentives business and is looking forward to further growth in 2013.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa chief executive Phil Casey said that the resort had recorded a more than 200 per cent increase in room nights from this market in 2012, and held signature events on the island by

high profile companies such as Fuji Xerox Australia, BHP Billiton and Reckitt Benckiser.

“We made a decision three years ago to increase our resources in the MICE sector and it’s now paying off handsomely,” said Casey.

“We’ve been encouraged by the desire of corporates and leisure guests to put the Whitsundays at the top of their wish list.

“Across our business we seem to have been bucking the trend and have recorded very strong occupancy rates and are forecasting further growth in 2013.”

Karen Maher, Daydream Island’s business development manager, said that Daydream’s profile, stunning location and the ability to be flexible and provide a personalised intimate service had resonated with event organisers and company executives.

• Daydream Island Resort & Spa, stand 2214

Arinex MD honoured Roslyn McLeod, managing director of Arinex, has been acknowledged

Team building. More fun in the

facebook.com/itsmorefuninthephilippines

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14 OfficialAIMEDaily • Wednesday • 27 February 2013

www.cimmagazine.com

Hosts, and as managing director of the company now branded Arinex, she remains a key player in the industry,” said Moyes.

for her industry contribution, winning this year’s AIME Industry Person of the Year Award.

Craig Moyes, portfolio director for Reed Travel Exhibitions, and Karen Bolinger, chief executive officer of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, presented McLeod with the award at the AIME CEO Summit yesterday.

While presenting the award, Moyes acknowledged McLeod’s position as an international leader in the field of business events and praised her contribution to the industry in Australia.

“Throughout her long career Roslyn has consistently committed her time to activities that boost Australia’s position as one of the best business destinations in the world. Through her involvement in a number of bureau-led bids she has contributed to millions of dollars’ worth of event business being won for Australia.”

Auckland venues join leading portfolio Auckland Conventions Venues & Events has expanded its portfolio of landmark venues to include Auckland Zoo, Auckland Art Gallery and Mt Smart Stadium. The company also currently manages events spaces at the Viaduct Events Centre, Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall and The Civic.

Auckland Zoo is home to the largest collection of native and exotic “Roslyn McLeod was one of Australia’s animals in New Zealand and has FA_KLCC_AIME_AIME D_ad02 man_270213.ai 17/12/12 first professional conference a range of event10:11:58 spacesG52 spread across 17 hectares of parkland, organisers when she established Tour

catering to small events for 20 to over 1000. Options include a gala dinner overlooking the lions, hiring the entire zoo for a corporate family day, and a guided Night Safari Walk.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tãmaki is the home of the visual arts in New Zealand, boasting a collection of more than 15,000 artworks. Seven event spaces within the venue accommodate a range of events from board meetings to gala dinners.

Located in Auckland Regional Park in Penrose, Mt Smart Stadium offers five versatile function spaces with the largest holding up to 1000 for cocktails, 700 in theatre style and 650 for gala dinners.

“Our growing portfolio, not only offers clients a greater choice of venues but also the convenience of a centralised point of contact,” says Mohamed Mansour, director of Auckland Conventions.

“Our team can help clients narrow down their options for suitable spaces and pull together a customised package of services to match their specific requirements.”

• Auckland Conventions Venues & Events, stand 2828

Official AIME Daily Publisher Alexandra Yeomans Managing Editor Ylla Wright Sales & Marketing Manager Jo Robinson Design/Production Bin Zhou

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