CIM Magazine May Issue

Print Post Approved PP231335/00018

05 13 MAY

Attention seeker Tasmania in the spotlight

Work in progress

Geelong means business

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

Island magic Official Australian publication for the PCO Association

CAB Audited Circulation 16,663 September 2012 – Readership 58,320 monthly Nielsen Media Research

c&i briefing Resort will be developed in stages, and will ultimately feature 30km of tracks suitable for all levels of riders and a new bike trail linking the resort with Gibbston Valley Winery. The winery is home to New Zealand’s largest wine cave, available for wine tours, private functions and special occasions, and the Barrel Room, available for business events.

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has debuted arguably the largest artwork on display in Australia in its Plaza Ballroom. The painting, “Sandhills”, by highly regarded Aboriginal artist Dorothy Napangardi was purchased by the Centre for the purpose of recreating it on the ballroom’s 2000sqm carpet, giving delegates the opportunity to experience the spiritual beauty of Central Desert art. The Centre’s director of operations, Geoff Hanrahan (pictured) worked with local designer Carly Perkins to create the carpet art piece.

Tourism Portfolio recently hosted a group of senior executives from Asian Trails, one of the region’s leading destination management companies. Launched in 1999, Asian Trails provides a broad range of destination services throughout South East Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. While in Australia the executives travelled to Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne in order to update key meeting, event, conference and incentive organisers on new developments.

Australian Jason Palermo from Sydney’s MGSM Executive Hotel & Conference Centre, has come third in the International Association of Conference Centers “Copper Skillet” Conference Centre Chef of the Year award. Palermo was narrowly beaten by chef Pascal Marcin of Dolce LaHulpe in Belgium, and silver medal winner Shane Brassel of Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center in the US. Queensland’s Fireworx, known for their corporate firework displays, have been invited to compete in next month’s L’International des Feux Loto-Québec (Montreal Fireworks Competition), considered to be the “Olympics” of the pyrotechnical world. They are only the fifth Australian company to have been invited since its inception in 1985. The company will pay tribute to the great movie music composers with their theme “Magic of the Movies”.

Around 270 Rotary delegates from New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific and beyond converged on Norfolk Island for the Rotary District 9910 2013 Annual Conference last month.

Rotary District governor 2012-2013, Lindsay Ford, a former resident of Norfolk Island, said the selection

panel was sold on its attractions, as well as the unique and special experiences that the “jawdroppingly beautiful, historic and ever-so-slightly-quirky” destination offered to the Rotary delegates.

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is celebrating a record number of wins at this year’s Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) NSW Awards event, taking home five categories in the awards.

The Centre was named winner of the Meeting Venue – 500 delegates or more, In-house AV Services and Banqueting and Catering categories, as well as collecting the corporate social responsibility award in recognition of the work of its Ecowise and C-connect committees. Event manager Emma Rutledge was also named Event Manager of the Year.

Thailand’s Amari hospitality group has launched a Dancing with the Stars-themed meetings package at their properties in Bangkok and Pattaya. All breaks and meals will follow the theme of a different style of dance with appropriate music and performances; teams can be expected to bond over dance steps during break-out sessions; and a gala dinner will allow delegates to truly embrace the theme through dressing up and learning to jive.

Meeting planners and attendees can now take advantage of the Sands Meetings Conference App to plan and coordinate their Cotai Strip Macao meetings and events. The first meeting venue provider in Macao to launch this type of conference app, it aims to provide meeting planners with an easy and efficient way to communicate event details and features with their attendees.

Work has started on the $12 million revitalisation of Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Tropical

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North Queensland. Park chief executive Geoff Olson said careful planning had gone into staging the redevelopment so Tjapukai could remain open during the upgrade and continue to offer cultural experiences to guests. “This first stage will involve revitalising Tjapukai’s Cultural Village where guests are given hands-on experiences with the likes of bush tucker, didgeridoos and basket weaving,” he said. The Dance Theatre will reopen in May with a new show.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has continued to expand its event portfolio by securing five new exhibitions for 2013. The Centre already hosts 100 annually recurring exhibitions, 11 of which are the largest of their kind in the world. “We offer powerful incentives to attract new events and encourage continued growth of recurrent exhibitions,” said managing director Monica Lee-Müller.

The Historic Houses Trust of NSW (HHT) has launched a new brand for its collection of houses and museums. In launching the new name, Sydney Living Museums, HHT is also “dropping the red ropes” at its 12 museums and houses, inviting greater access to Sydney’s living history with new experiences. “Whether you love architecture, interiors or Australian history, or simply like beautiful things and those personal stories about how people lived, each of our places enables you to experience a whole other life,” said HHT director Kate Clark.

Popular venue Gibbston Valley Winery in Queenstown is working with local bike tour operator Around the Basin to create a dedicated bike resort on Gibbston Valley Station. Rabbit Ridge Bike

Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau’s 2013-2014 edition of the Tokyo Meeting Planner’s Guide has been redesigned to become a comprehensive business events planning tool for Tokyo; it features eight convention venues, 39 hotels, 25 unique venues, attractions, experience programs, and more.

The Guide is available on the Bureau’s website.

Wonderful Copenhagen Convention Bureau and Visit Denmark have launched the world’s first meeting planner guide for iPads to make it easier to find out what Copenhagen has to offer for events.

“The Copenhagen Meeting Planner Guide app is not just another e-book, but a tool which enables you to choose suppliers based on a number of criteria,” said Steen Jakobsen, convention director at Wonderful Copenhagen. “Apart from ‘capacity’ and ‘location’ you can also search for other factors such as eco-certifications, free wi-fi, in-house meeting designers, and so on. The app can also supply short facts and texts about why Copenhagen is the right choice for you.”

A group of PCOs recently enjoyed an interactive cooking class with chef and television personality Ben O’Donoghue as part of the first group famil hosted at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort since it joined the InterContinental Hotels Group in December 2012.

One of the resort’s InterContinental Meetings’ Insider Collection activities, the alfresco cooking experience commenced with a visit to Sanctuary Cove’s marina, where O’Donoghue and the group selected freshly-caught prawns and Morton Bay bugs from a local fishing trawler. The chef then shared his tips on how to shell and cook the seafood, which featured in a gourmet lunch served on the resort’s Lagoon Pool lawns.

ACC diversification strategy pays off The decision by the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) to diversify its revenue streams by creating its own events – the Cellar Door Wine Festival Adelaide and The Big Slapple Fringe precinct – has paid dividends, attracting more than 15,000 visitors.

The Cellar Door Wine Festival – Adelaide is a three day event which brings together more than 150 South Australian wineries from 13 iconic regions and local boutique food producers, while the Big Slapple draws its inspiration from the mood of the New York club scene with a blend of funky Fringe Festival venues.

ACC chief executive Alec Gilbert said the diversification strategy allows the Centre to

maximise revenue and employment during a period that is usually slow for the Australian conferencing industry.

“We recognise that modern convention centres need to adapt and be more flexible in the types of events they host,” he said.

The government is partnering with the Darling Harbour Live! (DHL) consortium, consisting of AEG Ogden, Lend Lease, HostPlus, Capella Capital and Spotless, to redevelop the 20-hectare site which takes in the existing Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, due to close at the end of the year.

“The development is the biggest and most exciting transformation of Darling Harbour in 25 years, and will deliver an estimated $5 billion in economic benmefit for NSW,” Stoner said.

“In that sense, this project is a once-in-ageneration opportunity for the people of NSW

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Industry news

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New Zealand news

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International news

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Cover story — InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

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In the air

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Technology

“They also need to increase engagement with the local community and give them more reasons to visit.”

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As it happened: Auckland

The Centre also aims to create more activity on the Riverbank as the precinct is developed into Adelaide’s future business, entertainment and sporting hub.

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Geelong

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Cultural experiences

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Tasmania

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Hunter region

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Canberra

34

Venue update

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PCO Association notes

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Meeting people

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Calendar

Sydney redevelopment ‘one step closer’ The NSW Government’s vision to transform Darling Harbour into an international convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct is one step closer with the recent release of development planning applications, according to Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner.

contents

to create one of the world’s best places to live, meet and be entertained.”

Darling Harbour Live! was announced as the Government’s preferred partner last December, when the NSW Government released the preferred master plan for the precinct following a tender process.

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The plan includes Australia’s largest fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities; a new hotel of up to 900 rooms; and the development of Haymarket into a cosmopolitan neighbourhood with a mix of shops, cafes and high-tech industry and startup businesses. The event facilities and hotel are expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

Watch the video in the CIM iPad app.

Geelong

Introducing CIM TV T

Photo: Verve Portraits.

here’s no doubt that technology is changing at a faster pace than ever before, with more and more ways of consuming information emerging. Nowhere is this more felt than in the media, an industry which is undergoing many structural and procedural changes at the moment.

Publisher’s word

on our website, www.cimmagazine.com, and in our free monthly iPad app edition, and delve into the stories behind our print stories.

It’s been an exciting time for us over the last few months getting CIM TV off the ground. Hopefully you’ll be as excited as we are.

Here at CIM we are embracing that change to ensure we keep delivering the credible, up-to-date content you expect from us. A new addition in recent months to our stable of print and digital editions, iPad app, website and email newsletters is CIM TV. These topical news-based video stories can be found

Alexandra Yeomans, Publisher

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 3

industry news other Asian countries, this chapter has great potential to grow in the coming years,” said chief executive Mark Cooper.

IACC now has three chapters, IACC-Americas, IACC-Europe, and IACC-Australia Asia Pacific.

The IACC-Australia Asia Pacific board of directors is headed up

by Julian Clark, chief executive of The Lancemore Group in South Melbourne.

Cairns secures ATE 2014

Gone cruisin’: meetings at sea on the rise A new report has confirmed that Australia’s cruise industry growth continues to lead the world, with passenger numbers surging 11 per cent last year to hit a record high of 694,062.

For the second consecutive year, the growth of the Australian cruise passenger market has surpassed other major cruise markets, with last year’s 11 per cent increase equalled only by Germany. By comparison, North American passenger numbers grew by 2 per cent in 2012 and the UK remained steady.

The 2012 Australian Cruise Industry Report also shows that the local industry now has the second highest population penetration rate in the world, with the equivalent of 3 per cent of Australians taking a cruise last year. Only the longestablished North American cruise market had a higher penetration rate at 3.3 per cent.

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia general manager Brett Jardine the number of meetings being held at sea is also on the rise.

“As the local cruise industry continues to expand we know that meetings at sea are also growing,” he said.

“The increase in Australianbased ships means that there are more options than ever before for incentive and meetings groups on cruises from Australia, so the industry has seen strong interest from local organisers.

“Meanwhile the growing number of international ships and the strong Australian dollar means there are some wonderful cruise options offshore, particularly for smaller incentive meetings.”

With accommodation, transport and food all included in the price, cruising offers good value for money for groups, with the mixture of days at sea and port visits offering “the perfect environment to create a great blend of meeting and leisure time for delegates”, according to Jardine.

“We are looking forward to more growth from the meetings sector over the years ahead,” he said.

The most popular destination for Australian passengers is the South Pacific which accounted for 36.4 per cent of the market in 2012.

Call to boost regional business events Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW (TAA NSW) has asked the NSW Government to contribute $400,000 in annual funding to help attract business events to regional areas within one to three hours of Sydney such as the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Illawarra and the Hunter.

The need for regional business events funding was identified as a strategic priority in the Visitor Economy Taskforce Report, endorsed by the NSW Government in late 2012.

“Currently mid-week occupancies in regional NSW average less than 50 per cent,” said TAA NSW director Carol Giuseppi.

“To attract investment to regional areas and ensure accommodation providers have a sustainable business long-term with important flow-on benefits to the local economy, it is vital we boost midweek business opportunities.

“Everyone benefits – employment

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is higher as is the visitor-spend in surrounding operations like restaurants, cafes and entertainment. Ultimately, this provides increased economic security for associated businesses and workers.”

Giuseppi said the hotel accommodation industry is prepared to meet the funding dollar for dollar ensuring $800,000 would be available annually to boost business event sales activities in regional areas.

Cairns has become the first regional area to secure the rights to host the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE).

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Rob Giason said the region’s popularity as a leisure destination and strong track record in the international events market helped Cairns win the bid to host the Southern Hemisphere’s largest international tourism trade show in May 2014.

“Cairns has an established reputation as an international contender in the events market having hosted the Pacific Islands Forum and ATEC Meeting Place as well as being selected to host the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting in 2014,” he said.

“Improved aviation access to China, Japan and New Zealand and good domestic connectivity has also helped reinforce the convention capability of our region.

“A viable business events sector in regional NSW will contribute significantly to improving the profitability and thus sustainability of accommodation hotels and serve to encourage reinvestment in local businesses,” she said.

“Behind the scenes, the willingness by industry members involved in the bid to collaborate to ensure the event could happen played an enormous role in giving Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland confidence that Cairns would deliver ATE effectively.”

“It will also enhance the economic, national and international profile of regional NSW.”

Giason said the bid was made with the assistance of the State Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

New IACC-Australia Asia Pacific chapter

“It is one of the largest trade shows our city has seen, providing a significant economic boost for the region during our shoulder season and giving international buyers increased destination and product knowledge of our region,” he added.

President of the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), Peter Stewart, has announced the formation of an IACC-Australia Asia Pacific chapter to support the association’s growing membership in Australia and Japan, as well as to capitalise on the considerable opportunity for growth in Asia. The association currently has 22 members in Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

“With our emphasis on the meeting experience and the significant number of corporate and university conference centres in Australia as well as the increasing development of the conference centre concept throughout China, Korea, India and

Dockside group launches new business events strategy Dockside Group, the management company behind several venues in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, has launched a strategy to help protect the business interests of the Darling Harbour community during the precinct’s re-development.

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The new building, which is set to be completed early 2014, will lie adjacent to the Dome and Halls and will interface with the existing Southee Complex, requiring the removal of the Badgery Pavilion, and is set to provide approximately 8500sqm of useable exhibition and event space dividable into two separate facilities.

The Dockside Group’s venue Dockside.

The strategy will involve a twopronged approach; first, the repositioning of the Dockside Group venues L’Aqua, Dockside and Star Room, with an emphasis on corporate and business events, and second, to further support the entire business community via its work with key stakeholders.

Managing director Chris Drivas believes Dockside Group’s strategy will be an important factor in ensuring Darling Harbour remains a vibrant and active precinct during the three-year development phase of the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct, due to commence in December 2013.

“Our venues are an important part of the energy and activity of Darling Harbour,” he said. “We believe

a determined focus on corporate and business events will help support businesses of the precinct to maintain their operations during this time.”

Expansion for Sydney Showground Sydney Showground is to construct a new, purpose built exhibition pavilion in the coming months to cater for an expected increase in demand in Sydney at the end of 2013, following the closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The announcement was made by general manager Peter Thorpe and follows last year’s $64 million upgrade of Sydney Showground Stadium.

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The Star Event Centre.

Thorpe said that “demand for space will be at a premium from the end of 2013”.

“We currently already hold some of Sydney’s major exhibitions such as AIMEX, AusPack and Home & Giving to name just a few, with a number of other exciting expos coming on board from 2014… [and] need to ensure that our planning is robust and future focussed and that our infrastructure is therefore capable of taking on any challenge that organisers and promoters throw at us,” he said.

Exhibition industry body the Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia has welcomed the announcement, with general manager Joyce DiMascio, saying “the significant investment in infrastructure for exhibitions and events is a very positive sign for the continued expansion of the industry”.

The Star and Crown go head to head The owner of The Star in Sydney, Echo Entertainment Group, has moved to prevent James Packer’s $1 billion Crown casino and hotel complex at Barangaroo going ahead, asking the NSW Government to extend Echo’s exclusive gambling license beyond 2019.

According to Premier Barry O’Farrell, the proposal has undergone an initial assessment and has been approved for consideration under stage two of the unsolicited proposal process.

Both proposals will now be comprehensively assessed, however because Crown’s

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6 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

proposal is dependent on Echo Entertainment’s exclusivity arrangement expiring in November 2019, only one proposal will proceed to stage three of the process.

O’Farrell said that part of Echo’s proposal is for “additional investment in and around The Star to develop a globally competitive integrated resort at Pyrmont, including investment in local transport initiatives”.

Echo’s proposal argues that NSW will be a stronger competitor in the international market with one large integrated resort, instead of two.

Assessment reports are expected to be submitted to the government by the end of this month.

EEAA reveals industry caution The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia’s (EEAA) latest Market Monitor report, which tracks key facts and trends about the health of the exhibition industry, reveals a relatively optimistic outlook for the industry but warns of emerging levels of caution particularly among exhibition and event organisers.

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According to the report, which covers the period of July to December 2012 with consolidated results for the 2012 calendar year, EEAA members are concerned about impacts on their businesses from building and construction at venues, decreasing exhibitor budgets and the domestic economy.

In other findings, the report also shows that 52 per cent of trade shows and 10 per cent of consumer events included a paid conference component, which EEAA general manager Joyce DiMascio believes reveals a growing trend for exhibitions to deliver content and engagement through conferences and seminars associated with the exhibition.

“The stimulatory impact of exhibitions on the conference market is very significant and should not be overlooked by convention bureaux around the country and governments that invest in event procurement mostly in the meetings and conference sector,” she said.

“This data is of enormous value as it helps to paint a fuller and richer story about the importance of trade and consumer exhibitions and events.”

MCB expands Melbourne Values You program The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has expanded its Melbourne Values You program, which now includes more than 100 offers from premium hotels, venues and service providers throughout Victoria.

Launched at the 2013 Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo in February, the program presents a number of special offers for incentive and corporate travel reward planners designed to make booking and planning an event in Melbourne not only easy but cost effective.

Since the program’s launch, MCB has increased member participation from 30 to more than 40 business events suppliers from across the state, including Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf,

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto and Crowne Plaza, who join founding partners such as Crown (pictured above).

MCB chief executive Karen Bolinger said that the eagerness of members to be involved in the program “really shows their commitment to going above and beyond to make their client’s stay in Melbourne unforgettable”.

To make the program more accessible to Asian markets, the campaign’s brochure has also been translated into Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai, Bahasa Indonesian and Vietnamese.

“The majority of our incentive and corporate travel business is derived from Asia so to have the campaign brochure available in more than six languages is fantastic and will be a very important tool for our staff in China and Singapore,” said Bolinger.

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www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 7

nz n ew s

New funding for NZ tourism a ‘game changer’ An increase in government investment for tourism is a game changer for New Zealand that will see significant value delivered to the country’s economy, according to Tourism New Zealand’s chief executive Kevin Bowler.

Prime Minister John Key released details of the new tourism funding at a press conference last month ahead of the New Zealand tourism industry’s largest annual trade event, TRENZ. Tourism New Zealand will receive an additional NZ$29.5m in the 2014-15 year commencing July 1, taking its total budget to NZ$113m.

Bowler says the extra NZ$29.5m funding will be committed across four key areas of Tourism New Zealand’s business: international business events, emerging markets, high-value premium travel and the up-scaling of specific activity in core markets.

“By delivering in these areas, the focus is firmly on generating value for the industry now but also investing for the industry’s future.

“This coming year will see Tourism New Zealand focus more closely on the international business events sector as a means of attracting higher-value visitors,” he said.

“This will involve promotion of what New Zealand can currently offer as well as preparing for the expected delivery of new conference facilities in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown.

“We now have sufficient funding to establish a significant presence in the emerging markets of India, Indonesia and Latin America, where effort and investment is required now to capture future growth and secure a strong future position for the New Zealand tourism industry.

“There are also enhanced plans in place for targeting high end, high value visitors. We will work with premium tourism operators to ensure this niche is developed to its full potential leveraging New Zealand’s fantastic high end accommodation, transport providers and attractions.

“Finally, this increase in funding will also enable us to upgrade our existing activity in core markets by investing in specific initiatives which have been identified as having the greatest potential for delivering extra value.”

Meetings to showcase NZ’s diversity

Qualmark tick for Ellerslie Event Centre Auckland Racing Club’s Ellerslie Event Centre has been awarded a 4-Star Plus Qualmark rating.

Qualmark is New Zealand Tourism’s official quality agency and its ratings out of five sets a benchmark for businesses to measure themselves.

Ellerslie Event Centre director Craig Fenwick said the Centre was “proud and delighted” to receive the Qualmark rating.

“It recognises our commitment and attention to detail while providing our customers with a fully-serviced, quality experience,” he said.

This year’s Meetings expo, which will be held at Skycity Auckland Convention Centre on June 26 and 27, will showcase the diversity of New Zealand as a destination, according to Meetings’ event manager Jeanette Stanton.

“Buyers are going to get a really good feel of just how much New Zealand has to offer both in terms of destinations, and products and services,” she said.

Amongst the companies debuting at the show is Art Adventures, a new tourism business which takes guests into the landscapes of Central Otago to sketch and paint.

who would like to do something different from the actionpacked adventure on offer. Our art experiences leave them entertained, stimulated, educated and immersed in the landscape.’’

Also exhibiting for the first time at Meetings is Auckland’s Alexandra Park Function Centre.

This multi-purpose venue is home to the Auckland Trotting Club and features eight function rooms across four floors with capacities for up to 1000 guests.

“Alexandra Park is a hidden secret as a venue option in the C&I industry. We want to start telling everyone about how diverse, unique and flexible our spaces are,” says Alexandra Park’s sales manager, Kim Algie.

Christchurch hotel re-opens for business The Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch has reopened following an extended closure for repairs caused by the February 2011 earthquake.

“The hotel is looking fantastic and we’re thrilled to be in a position to re-open and again provide high quality accommodation within the city centre for people visiting either for business or for leisure,” said general manager Brad Watts.

Rendezvous Hospitality Group chief executive Eric Teng added “Christchurch is on track to be one of the best small cities in the world and we are pleased to be part of that”.

Convention Centres on agenda for NZ hotels Convention centres and their importance as a key tourism driver will under discussion at the 2013 New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference, to be held on May 30 at Pullman Auckland.

“Convention centres are recognised as an effective way to fill hotel rooms year round, especially in the low and shoulder seasons,” said Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) chief executive Martin Snedden.

Art Adventures owner Alice Blakely says she is looking forward to showing buyers at Meetings there is more to Queenstown than adrenalin pumping adventure.

“The hotel sector is taking a keen interest in the progress of the proposed New Zealand international convention centre in Auckland, as well as the development of smaller convention facilities being planned in areas like Christchurch and Queenstown.”

“We specialise in partner programs,” says Alice Blakely.

“There are a lot of partners

As part of the conference program Snedden will lead a discussion around the development of a

8 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

National Tourism Plan, including the importance to the hotel and tourism industry of world class infrastructure like convention centres.

Trans-Tasman Talk

One, two, three, go!

I know that rugby is more like a religion than a sport in New Zealand and my understanding is that in Australia, whilst not as important perhaps as rugby league and AFL, rugby is still a very popular sport. Anybody who is a passionate rugby supporter and has any knowledge at all about the game knows that the tight three that front the scrum are the platform upon which success is built. Numbers one, two and three, being the two props and the hooker, are absolutely pivotal to possession, and dominance up front is the key to winning. You can have the flashiest, quickest backs in the world but if the front three and the rest of the scrum are not pushing forward there will be no ball to run and the game will be lost.

The convention industry has similarities with rugby in that the “tight three” really consists of a national tourism office, the national airline and the industry itself.

New Zealand is blessed that the tight three consisting of Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and CINZ have come together over the last few years in a very positive and seamless way and worked effectively together for good of the greater industry. With the proposed proliferation of new convention infrastructure in New Zealand the performance of this tight three will be even more important.

I must admit to being very surprised recently at the public fallout between Qantas and Tourism Australia in regards to some issues around the chairman of Tourism Australia, also a former chief executive of Qantas. I sincerely hope that this problem gets solved as it really doesn’t auger well for the Australian industry in terms of the connectivity between these three vitally important elements of business tourism.

By Alan Trotter, CEO of Conventions and Incentives New Zealand.

international news

Thai industry targets carbon footprint Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has announced that it will join forces with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) to develop a stringent guideline on carbon footprint assessment for the exhibition industry.

“This cooperation will assist operators in the exhibition industry to evaluate the impact of carbon emissions from each exhibition and manage each exhibition in a way that actually reduces the destruction of the environment, which includes saving energy, reduction of raw materials, and proper recycling,” said Thongchai Sridama, on behalf of the president of TCEB.

Bean there, done that The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) is offering an innovative alternative to the usual theatre or boardroom set up for meetings – the TenOnCall Beanie Experience.

Participants in the TenOnCall Beanie Experience can snuggle up in generously-sized bean bags in various set-up configurations such as a circle, half-moon or straight rows, “making this the ideal solution for clients wanting to give a slight innovation to their meeting format”, according to Angeline Lue, the centre’s director of sales and marketing.

“It’s particularly ideal for training, brainstorming, teambuilding and creative networking…to get the creative juices flowing,” she said.

The Centre’s TenOnCall Beanie Experience can also be enhanced with complimentary “Beanovation” value-adds such as energy bars, slippers and a stress ball.

Obama visits centre The Jerusalem International Convention Center has played host to US President Barak Obama, as part of his recent visit to the Middle East.

During his visit Obama delivered his main speech to the Israeli public in the Centre’s auditorium.

The high security event was produced by the venue’s team, in cooperation with the White House and the American Embassy in Israel.

Organised on a very tight schedule, challenges included adjustments required at the structure and facilities level, design of the hall and the stage, strict security requirements, and the running of a

media centre which included dozens of communications and media units from all over the world.

KL to host ‘Women Deliver’ event Malaysia will be the first Asian country to host the global Women Deliver (WD) conference, when the 2013 event is held in Kuala Lumpur from May 28-30.

Organised by the advocacy organisation Women Deliver and supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, the conference will be attended by about 5000 healthcare professionals, policymakers and government leaders.

The overall themes of the conference highlight and stress the importance of investing in women’s health, education, empowerment and rights.

“WD 2013 will highlight the tremendous progress that Malaysia and other participating countries have made on the issue of women’s health and rights, as well as the challenges that remain,” said Dr Raj Abdul Karim, Women Deliver Asia regional director.

CIC Hall of Fame inductees announced The US-based Convention Industry Council (CIC) has announced the five influential leaders it will induct into its CIC Hall of Leaders during the 2013 Hall of Leaders Gala event to be held on October 13 in Las Vegas.

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The nominees to be inducted are Jorge Castex, honorary member and past president of International Association of Professional Congress Organisers; meetings and travel industry professional Eduardo Chaillo; Peggy Daidakis, executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center; Liz Erikson, executive director, meetings and incentives of the Fairmont-RafflesSwissotel; and Stephen Powell, senior vice president, worldwide sales of the Intercontinental Hotels Group.

“There is tremendous talent in our industry, and the 2013 class of Hall of Leaders clearly meets the criteria for this award; all have shown remarkable leadership and whose prolific work continues to advance the field,” said Karen Kotowski, CIC chief executive.

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cover sto r y

Island magic Fiji is renowned for the warmth of its hospitality, but at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa delegates can experience something more – an insight into Fijian culture and an array of activities that ensure they leave rejuvenated and inspired.

Event organisers know that the success of any conference or event depends on more than what goes on in the meeting room.

Real success comes with the experiences that delegates enjoy beyond the meeting room walls.

Meetings are a breeze at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa’s Watercourt Conference Centre which includes an airconditioned pillarless ballroom seating up to 450 delegates banquet-style, three separate 125 delegate capacity theatre-style meeting rooms and a range of pre-function spaces for breakouts, displays or trade exhibitions. But the true worth of any meeting is the memories that delegates take back home with them – and at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa those memories are bound to

last a lifetime.

For golf fanatics and beginners alike, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa’s 18 hole par 72 championship golf course is set against a backdrop of coral reefs and the Pacific Ocean on 15 out of the 18 holes. The par 72 championship golf course offers up to five tee positions on each hole, providing an enjoyable challenge for players of all skill levels.

Styled in traditional South Pacific architecture the Golf Clubhouse is the ultimate space for private events up to 95 people, with its breathtaking views across the golf course and rolling surf breaks.

With the Pacific Ocean on the resort’s doorstep water activities are abundant – everything from surfing and paddle boarding to snorkelling and sport fishing is

10 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

available. A dedicated dive training pool and qualified dive personnel are on hand, so the resort is the ideal place for beginners to take an introductory dive session, or more experienced divers to undertake a certification program or enjoy a reef safari with a professional guide.

For those that prefer their water activities a little more subdued, Spa InterContinental offers a wide range of spa experiences across its nine luxurious treatment rooms and two beachside cabanas. Fijian for water, the Wai Zone’s pre and post treatment area offers aquatherapy with water in all three states – gas, liquid and solid. Enjoy the steam room, hydrotherapy jacuzzi and Fiji’s first ice room, or be pampered by the professionally trained Spa Therapists who combine Asian,

Eastern and Western treatment methods and fresh local indigenous herbs and plants to bring balance to mind, body and soul.

Delegates can also enjoy cultural experiences such as basket and hand weaving and a nightly fire-lighting ceremony at the resort or for those who want to experience a true sense of the Fijian way of life then a tour of Sanasana Village, Malomalo Primary School or Navo Island Cave are the perfect introduction.

With so much on offer across a wide range of cultural, spa and sporting activities, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is set to leave every delegate inspired long after their stay has ended.

View the video and slideshow in the CIM iPad app.

in th e a ir

New Qantas uniform unveiled regional Western Australia, as they will now be able to connect through to international services in one convenient location.

Asia’s air travel market booming Seven out of the top 10 world’s busiest air travel routes are in Asia, with 75 per cent of routes served by three or more airlines and 27 per cent by five or more airlines, making it the world’s most competitive aviation market, according to research by Amadeus Air Traffic Travel Intelligence.

Watch the video in the CIM iPad app.

Qantas has unveiled its new uniform to be worn by 12,600 uniformed employees from early 2014. The work of Australian designer Martin Grant, the new uniforms feature French navy suiting and white shirting, variations of the Qantas red, with ruby red and fuchsia pink, featured in diagonal stripes, recreating the idea of the Qantas triangle, across tops and dresses for women and on ties for men.

“After an extensive selection and design process, Martin Grant has created a uniform that is fresh, modern and bold – a uniform that our employees are going to enjoy wearing,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.

Perth Airport gets new domestic terminal

Air travel globally in 2012 was 5 per cent higher than 2011 with Asia recording the highest growth of 9 per cent and Latin America at 6 per cent. The Middle East is also a rapidly growing hub, according to the report, with traffic volume between Europe and Asia, routed via the Middle East, growing by approximately 20 per cent between 2011 and 2012.

New Sydney to Cairns service Tiger Airways Australia has launched its inaugural service between Sydney and Cairns.

The current four-weekly return services between Sydney and Cairns will increase to seven by June 2013, delivering up to 2520 additional visitor seats through Cairns Airport weekly.

“Increasing airline capacity is the only way the Cairns region can increase visitors from markets like Sydney because people fly rather than drive those distances,” said Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Rob Giason.

Perth Airport has opened its new $120 million Domestic Terminal (Terminal 2).

Plans for Wellington domestic terminal

Perth Airport said the location of Terminal 2 next to the current International Terminal (Terminal 1) will improve the travel experience for people in

Wellington Airport has released new concept drawings for a $40 million domestic terminal project that would expand the terminal by one-third. Work is expected to

start late this year and be completed by 2015.

The plans include larger gate lounges to help speed up the movement of passengers and aircraft turnaround times and the installation of a fourth baggage carousel.

Garuda launches Australian website Garuda Indonesia has launched a dedicated Australian website providing Australian passengers with quick access to localised travel information and the carrier’s online booking facilities.

The website has been designed for ease of use and offers customers a range of great new features and useful information about Garuda Indonesia’s service offerings such as Immigration on-board.

“Our new website has been designed from the ground up and allows our Australian passengers to feel ‘The Garuda Indonesia Experience’ long before they step on board,” said Bagus Y Siregar, vice president Australia at Garuda Indonesia.

Greater access to china Qantas has announced a significant expansion of its codeshare agreement with China Eastern Airlines, giving its customers better access to major cities in China and meeting strong demand from the business market.

From May 1, 2013, Qantas will codeshare on China Eastern’s daily Melbourne-Shanghai services as well as its Sydney-Nanjing-Beijing services, which operate three times per week.

Qantas will also begin codesharing on China Eastern’s domestic Shanghai-Nanjing flights.

“We said we would expand Qantas’ Asian network through our airline partnerships and we’re now delivering on that promise,” said Qantas International, manager China, Andrew Hogg.

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te chn olo gy

Hybrid meetings increase ‘real life’ attendance Far from fearing hybrid meetings, the meetings industry should be embracing them, according to US-based Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) chief operating officer, Sherrif Karamat.

“In North America we don’t really use the term hybrid anymore because we believe that virtual extensions are [just] a part of meetings,” he says. “It’s how you’re going to engage audiences that can’t make your face-to-face meeting; it’s how you try to extend your brand; and how you capture new revenue streams. It’s all part of the bigger mix.”

At the PCMA’s last annual Convening Leaders meeting, approximately 4000 people attended and 843 participated virtually. Almost 83 per cent said they would consider attending the next face-to-face meeting, according to Karamat.

“Last year at San Diego we had Watch the video in the CIM iPad app.

a 10 per cent increase in our attendance specifically related to the fact that they saw our hybrid extension the year before, so it’s definitely not something to fear,” he said.

Said launches event apps and exhibitor portal Event technology company Said has released an integrated event platform which will streamline processes for Said users, increasing productivity for managers, and enhancing attendance and participation.

With event apps becoming essential in audience engagement, Said has designed a native application software, built for both Android and Apple, that synchronises through cloud technology to Said’s registration and event management software.

“We want to continue to expand our affordable end-to-end management software, providing valuable event tools all in one place to benefit our

clients,” said Lauren Hall, chief executive of Said.

New teleconferencing space launched

Features of the new app include lead tracking for exhibitors and attendees, push alerts for delegates, location maps and floor plans, customisable header, searchable speaker and exhibitor lists, conference schedule, and social media integration and messaging with Twitter.

Fraser Suites Sydney has introduced a new high tech video teleconferencing system to complement their existing range of available meeting services.

The new Exhibitor Portal has been designed to make participation at an exhibition as easy as possible, making it “easier for Said clients to sell and manage exhibition space”, said Hall.

Exhibitors can book and pay online for their booth, manage their online profile, and access important exhibitor information to help them prepare for a show. Conference or exhibition managers can fully integrate exhibition data including contact lists for emailing, payment reports, and customise forms to collect specific content.

The new conferencing system combines high quality audio with an immersive, high definition video experience that is powerful, flexible and easy to use. The system is available in the Boardroom (pictured right), which offers seating for up to 12 attendees, making it ideal for intimate business affairs or group meetings. The Boardroom comes complete with additional premium audio-visual equipment including a Pioneer mechanised screen and a Polycom Creston camera.

“At Fraser Suites, we are always looking for ways to innovate and improve our services by implementing smart and sophisticated business solutions,” said Matthew Rubie, Frasers Hospitality general manager Australia.

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the world. Having been at the ‘bleeding edge’, we’re now poised to reap the rewards.”

Spicers Hidden Vale upgrades free wi-fi Boutique retreat Spicers Hidden Vale in Grandchester, less than an hour’s drive from Brisbane, has upgraded its wi-fi to provide faster and more reliable access for conferencing guests.

“The new technology means that our business guests can now save time and money by communicating more effectively – locally, interstate and even internationally.”

ShowGizmo celebrates third birthday The event smartphone app of choice at more than 160 events around the world, ShowGizmo has recently celebrated its third anniversary.

Created by New Zealand-based SmartShow in 2010 to leverage the smartphone revolution, ShowGizmo has since become one of the international market leading event apps.

“Three years doesn’t seem much in the overall scheme of things,” says SmartShow chief executive MarieClaire Andrews.

“But in the fast-moving and dogeat-dog world of mobile apps and event technology, it’s a major achievement and we’re in a great position to take on our competition around the world.”

The market-leading event app in New Zealand, Andrew says the company is “gunning for the top spot in Australasia, something that will be delivered by the investment we’ve put into our technology which is already swinging the balance in our favour over our competitors in our back yard”.

Already operating in Australia, the Middle East and the UK, the plan is to build the ShowGizmo brand in these markets and expand into at least one other this year.

“The biggest change in three years is that ‘app culture’ is now a factor in all our markets,” says Andrews. “In the UK they talk about smartphone addiction!

When we started in 2010, the question was, ‘what’s an app?’. Now it’s ‘what can your app do?’. We’re proud of our role as trailblazers, educators and innovators in the events industry and to see the changes technologies like ShowGizmo are ringing in for event goers around

“We have installed two 4G aerials, a new modem and cabling to ensure our guests receive fast and reliable internet service throughout their stay,” said group sales manager Kylie Stever.

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“High speed wireless internet connection is now at the top of the list for many guests and this significant upgrade will ensure our conferencing delegates in particular will have all their IT needs met during their important events.”

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Samsung partners with Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House and Samsung Electronics Australia have announced a collaboration that will transform the Opera House experience. The multimillion dollar, three-year partnership is both the largest ever for the Opera House and the largest arts sponsorship ever for Samsung.

The two brands will work together to create a richer, more sophisticated and interactive Opera House experience for the 8.2 million people who visit the precinct each year through interactive digital display screens and mobile technologies; create live sites so that people can enjoy free, outdoor experiences across the precinct; and further strengthen the Opera House’s commitment to access and education. A long-term goal of the partnership is that Samsung will collaborate with the Opera House on a Multimedia Education Facility: a space on site where patrons can explore the art created at the Opera House in new ways and learn creatively.

Minister for tourism, major events and the arts George Souris has congratulated the Sydney Opera House and Samsung, saying that both parties would benefit from this important partnership.

“The introduction of Samsung’s technological expertise to one of the world’s most recognised and celebrated buildings will greatly enhance the visitor experience to the Sydney Opera House with the innovation of live sites,” he said.

“This will take functionality of the Sydney Opera House to another level.”

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as it happened

The art of seduction The many colours of Auckland were showcased to a group of international event organisers, who came under the spell of the “maiden with 100 lovers”, writes Sheridan Randall.

When the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo offered international tours in their programme for the first time this year, Auckland Convention Bureau knew it would have its work cut out showcasing “The Colours of Auckland” to a small group of selected international event organisers. This was no group of naïve tourists – these were all experienced event organisers with enough international frequent flier points to get to the moon and back and a truly global perspective.

The pressure was on – what would Auckland have to offer that would entice these organisers back for more?

A helicopter pickup at the airport was a good start. Jumping aboard the sleek French-made choppers from Heli Me made for an instant “wow factor”, and the brief trip gave a wonderful glimpse of the city the group was about to get to know firsthand. Hosted across

three hotels – SkyCity Grand Hotel, Rendezvous Grand Hotel Auckland and The Langham Auckland – the group whet their appetites with cocktails at the Crowne Plaza Auckland before getting to know each other over dinner at SkyCity’s The Grill, a restaurant that has won over locals and visitors alike who can’t get enough of head chef Sean Connolly’s perfectly cooked steaks and duck fat fried chips.

There is no better way to start the morning than with champagne, unless it is slicing off the top of a champagne bottle with a sabre.

The group was given hands-on tutelage in the art of sabrage at the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, with more than one bottle sacrificed over breakfast. Making the most of its harbour setting, the strikingly modern hotel makes the most of its light filled building, with views over the marina.

After such a luxuriant start to the day, it was fortunate that the next

mode of transport was docked literally outside the door. The group boarded Pacific Mermaid Cruises’ 70ft Activa luxury motor yacht for a leisurely cruise across Waitemata Harbour to Waiheke Island. Only 30 minutes away from the CBD by fast ferry, Waiheke Island feels a world away, and with its own temperate climate pattern, which is consistently a few degrees higher than the mainland, the island has long been a sanctuary for those looking to get away from it all.

Ecozip Adventures is a new destination on Waiheke Island that offers the thrills of ziplining over the treetop canopy on three tandem flying foxes. Back on terra firma, the group had a leisurely guided walk back through the native forest, which gave everyone a deeper appreciation of the local flora and fauna they had just enjoyed from above.

Lunch at boutique hotel Delamore

Lodge offered spectacular views of the many vineyards and hidden coves across the island, with owner Roselyn Storey’s globetrotting lifestyle evident across this stunning but understated property.

Shuttled by driver Nigel (Ananda Tours), a local with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the island, next stop was a wine tasting session at Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant.

This property is testament to the passion of the owners who built it from scratch two decades ago.

Now a highly successful boutique winery and restaurant, the group sampled its wares, learning along the way that this season’s cabernet is set to be a stand out due to this year’s dry, hot summer.

Alcohol and weapons may not seem to be an obvious choice, but they apparently go hand in hand on Waiheke, with archery and laser clay pigeon shooting at Wild On Waiheke bringing out the hunter in everyone. Tutored

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From left: Wild On Waiheke; Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tãmaki; The Pavillion; Corporate Explore’s America’s Cup racing yachts; Ecozip Adventures; Stonyridge Vineyard.

by Amazonian instructor Kelly, the group’s sharpshooters soon made themselves apparent, but winners and losers alike all celebrated after with a taste of the venue’s boutique beers and ciders. The group’s island farewell was at Stonyridge Vineyard for some more wine education, which included tasting the much celebrated Stonyridge Larose cabernet merlot, which is considered one of the best available in New Zealand and Australia.

you’re in head butt territory. Both intimate and potentially dangerous – how very Kiwi.

It was time to head to the skies again for an unforgettable helicopter trip, passing across the harbour and rugged beauty of the volcanic island Rangitoto to the west coast for what was to be, we were to learn later, a gamble by the bureau team – dinner at a local family’s house.

Being dropped off in a residential street in the suburb of Kohimarama early the next morning, it looked as if meeting the locals was to be a running theme. However, a secluded driveway led to The Pavillion, an intimate venue under the management of Adrenalin Group, hidden away within the beautifully manicured terraced garden of a lavish bayside home.

Fortified by a delicious breakfast by catering firm Austin’s it was time for the group to earn its keep, and what better way to do it, in what is known as “The City of Sails”, than on the harbour.

Landing in a neighbour’s paddock, the group was whisked off by Pavlovich Coachlines to Toby and Moana’s house perched high above the surging surf and black beaches made famous in the movie The Piano. This wasn’t just lamb chops on the barbeque and a slice of pavlova. This was a traditional Maori ceremony, in which our group was welcomed by song, with the spirits of the host’s ancestors called upon to keep everyone safe.

The catch was one of the group had to sing as well. This is where the gamble could fail – spectacularly.

Stage fright or an out of tune rendition of Britney Spears’ “Oops I did it again” could have ended the night before it had begun. But having a trained opera singer from China in the group unexpectedly paid dividends, and we were all moved by the act of two people from different cultures singing in native tongues and communicating for everyone.

With the formal welcome complete it was time for a more intimate greeting. John, the erstwhile facilitator of the evening, went in for a traditional greeting with one of the male members of the group, who puckered up for a kiss. “I’m not bloody French,” John replied.

It was hongi time. The greeting consists of gently touching noses and foreheads. Go in too fast and

After a delicious meal, or hangi, by chef Eru, otherwise known as the Maori Native Chef, all the guests were invited to listen to Moana sing. A well respected singer in the Maori language both at home and overseas, she entranced all with her songs that celebrated that we are all connected to the present through our past.

With the wind up, the group was welcomed aboard two of Corporate Explore’s America’s Cup racing yachts. It was all champagne flutes and canapés until the race was called and then the tone on the boat took a more serious turn. Apparently the sails don’t hoist themselves. Someone has to do it and that is when the team was split into pairs to station the grinders. No longer passengers, the group was part of the crew now and expected to put their backs into it.

The heady mix of sea air and competition put the wind in everyone’s sails and it seemed only fitting that the next stop for drinks was at The Wharf, a harbourside venue with unmatched views of Waitemata Harbour and the bridge that spans it. Little were the group aware that in a short while they would be appreciating the majestic structure of Auckland Harbour Bridge from a closer vantage point – on top of it.

The roar of Harley Davidsons outside was a clarion call to mount

up for a two-wheeled tour of the city to ensure adrenalin levels didn’t drop before lunch. Sushi at Rendezvous Grand Hotel Auckland provided the energy needed to don matching jumpsuits and hardhats and walk the bridge thanks to AJ Hackett Bungy. Being New Zealand, there is also the option to jump off it, if so inclined. The group paid one last farewell to the harbour that had been so integral to the adventures over the last two days, before cocktails in the elegant surrounds of The Langham Auckland completed what had been a picture perfect afternoon.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tãmaki was the perfect venue to host the group’s final meal together. Gallery director Chris Saines gave the

group a whistle stop tour of the Gallery, which perfectly blends the new with the old. Again the theme of the past continuously colouring the present was evident, with the sumptuous dinner prepared by Urban Gourmet served in one of the old gallery wings dating from 1887, showcasing a collection of evocative paintings of artists long gone.

New Zealand’s indigenous Maori called the Auckland region “Tamaki Makau Rau”, a maiden with 100 lovers. A land so diverse and beautiful that it attracted many suitors. What better way to describe Auckland. It hasn’t changed a bit.

Sheridan Randall was hosted by the Auckland Convention Bureau.

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geelon g The Avalon Airshow in full swing.

Work in progress Victoria’s largest regional city, Geelong is a bustling, cosmopolitan hub that offers a viable alternative to capital city conferencing and it means business, writes Ylla Wright.

When the program for this year’s inaugural Business Events Week (BEW), held in Melbourne from February 25 to March 1, was announced back in January, the inclusion of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition (Avalon Airshow) surprised many people.

Best known for its awe-inspiring displays of aerial acrobatics, which attracted almost 168,000 visitors over the course of this year’s event, the airshow also features a comprehensive line up of international conferences, symposia and forums for the aviation and aerospace industries, taking advantage of the presence of the large number of industry leaders who descend on the Geelong region from around the globe every two years. The conference program, which attracted more than 1100 participants, included

topics ranging from the impact of the booming “fly-in, fly-out” market to crisis management in the aviation industry. An accompanying exhibition attracted 600 exhibitors and about 38,000 trade visitors.

With an estimated economic value to the Victorian economy of $120 million, and direct economic impact to the Geelong region

16 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

of $20 million, Avalon Airshow chief executive Ian Honnery said the event is “one of the most significant aviation events in the Southern Hemisphere”. “‘Avalon Means Business’ is a phrase we have adopted – and that’s about providing opportunities for industry to engage with their peers and

their customers, whether they be government, defence, commercial or civil,” he said.

According to Karen Bolinger, chief executive of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), the Avalon Airshow is a perfect example of what BEW was trying to achieve.

The Pier Geelong.

“Business Events Week is not just for the business events industry; it’s about highlighting the benefits of hosting business events to decision makers in industries ranging from science and medicine to engineering and education,” she said.

has a public component.

“In addition to generating economic wealth for the city, state and country, business events provide the opportunity to exchange ideas, access new technology and establish valuable business and professional networks to name just a few.

In a similar vein the Bureau is currently working with the organisers of the upcoming 2013 Australian Masters Games, which will be held in Geelong from October 5-12, to develop an educational Sports Forum which will run in conjunction with the Games and leverage off the fact that many key state and national sporting administrators will be in attendance.

“The Avalon Airshow is one of the Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious aviation, aerospace and defence events, and is a prime example of how to showcase the latest in innovation and technology to both a trade and public audience in order to achieve business objectives.”

Business with pleasure Terry Hickey, convention bureau manager for Business Events Geelong, which represents the business events industry in not only Geelong but also the Bellarine region and along the Great Ocean Road, said the airshow should be regarded as a business event that

“The main reason for the airshow is not the displays,” he said. “It’s a business to business event for trade. Billions of dollars of commerce actually happens at the airshow. That is something we would like to see more of.”

The games are expected to attract more than 9000 participants from across Australia, with athletes competing in more than 50 different sporting disciplines while enjoying the hospitality and experiences the Geelong region has to offer.

“If you have an aggregation of the major thinkers or key decision makers in an industry, attending an event, it makes good business sense to leverage off that,” said Hickey.

“There is going to close to 60 events from different sporting disciplines held during the games,

Anna Jordan, Terry Hickey and Sharon McDowell from Business Events Geelong launch the bureau’s new website at this year’s AIME.

with many of the executives of those sports in the region, so whilst we have that many people in that area, we’re looking at creating an educational context around that.

“It’s an education program but also an opportunity for those sporting heads to get together to have a discussion about what’s working well about each of the sporting disciplines on the administration side.

“This will probably be something

that becomes transportable with the games as they move around the country. If we’re able to get a model that looks close to right, then it may be something that people start to put into their calendar.”

Other major upcoming events for the region include the 2014 Country Women’s Association state conference, set to attract 900 delegates (Hickey jokingly said “all of the bakers will be on notice to make sure the cakes are the right size”), and science

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www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 17

Scenes from the recent Avalon Airshow.

conference Workshop on Infrared Spectroscopy and Microscopy with Accelerator-Based Sources (WIRMS), which will take place in Lorne in November.

“One of our key messages is that regional doesn’t mean small,” said Hickey “Geelong is a metropolis that is both cosmopolitan and capable of managing an event of any scale, within reason, that is just slightly south of a better known ‘brand’.

need to evolve their marketing and brand positioning to stay ahead of the competition.

fall behind. I believe we need to identify that things are changing and try to lead that change instead of waiting for things to happen and jumping onboard.”

“This organisation has had a history of being something of a leader in our field, particularly in a Victorian context, and in a national context, we back up pretty well for a small region,” he said.

As part of an overhaul the Bureau recently launched a new website at the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, which allows prospective meeting planners to identify and filter the properties and

“If we continue with business as usual then I think we’ll probably

experiences that can deliver their intended event, as well as a request for proposal process.

“We make no apologies that it’s not a really pretty site,” said Hickey.

“It’s not there to act as a motivator; it’s there as a facilitator. We’re finding that our request for proposal tool has been very well accepted.

It allows users to filter out areas or venues that can’t hold a specific

“The WIRMS conference is an interesting one because it tends to go to regional areas within Europe or the US, such as Trieste in Italy and Lake Tahoe, not necessarily the larger mainstream cities. To my knowledge, this is the first time that the conference is to be hosted in the southern hemisphere.”

New way of thinking While Hickey said that the region has performed “pretty well in a difficult climate” over the last 12 months – anecdotally, the region hosted business events of shorter duration, with delegate numbers remaining reasonably consistent year-on-year – he’s conscious of the

The trade component of the airshow attracted around 38,000 visitors.

B2B highlights of Avalon Airshow • 600 companies from 21 countries exhibited.

• 609 aircraft ranging from helicopters to fighter jets and heavy-lifting equipment carriers participated.

• Around 38,000 trade visitors including 75 senior military and commercial delegations and Air Force leaders from 25 countries attended.

• 18 conferences, seminars, symposia and meeting held over three days, attracting 1129 participants.

• Major industry announcements included AgustaWestland signing a contract for its VIP-transport configured AW169 light intermediate helicopter; Trimcast Products announcing a three-year standing offer contract to supply the defence forces with trunk lockers; the awarding of a contract to CAE from the Australian Government to provide maintenance and engineering support services for the RAAF’s AP-3C advanced flight simulator (AFS); the launch of Russian Helicopters’s Global Helicopter Firefighting Initiative; and the renewal of Hawker Pacific’s Dealer Agreement with Beechcraft.

18 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

event or conference.”

Since its launch, the site has already driven more than 20 pieces of live business to the region, according to Hickey, who believes events organisers make their initial decisions about where to hold an event on a destinational level, looking at things such as accessibility to transport and experiences available, and then drill down to specific venues.

With venues as diverse as Geelong’s largest conference and event space The Pier Geelong (meeting capacity: 1000), Deakin Management Centre (meeting capacity: 180), Peppers The Sands Resort – Torquay (meeting capacity: 550), and Mantra Erskine Beach Resort in Lorne (meeting capacity: 600), the region has plenty of options to offer for business events of all sizes.

Opening in June will be the RACV

available for cocktail or dinner functions for up to 150, and South Bay Eco Adventures, based out of Queenscliff, which runs tours of some of the most pristine places on Port Philip Bay, highlighting the history, landscape and abundant wildlife of the region.

Torquay, set on an expansive 18-hole golf course, which will offer conferences and banquet facilities with seating for up to 340.

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cultural experiences

Positive relationships Indigenous culture is not just a thing of the past, it is a thriving culture that is finding new ways to integrate into business events and turn delegates into active participants rather than passive spectators, writes Sheridan Randall.

Indigenous culture is set to receive a major boost with news that Sydney is to host a new festival, Corroboree, which will be the largest annual, national Indigenous arts and cultural festival in Australia’s history. It will be held over 11 days, from November 14-24, 2013, and is being put together by nine of Sydney’s major arts and cultural institutions which have strong Indigenous programs.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello says the new annual event will “demonstrate and celebrate the diversity and strength of Indigenous art and culture to the people of Sydney, NSW and beyond”.

“Art and culture is a crucial part of the social fabric of Aboriginal people and communities throughout Australia,” he says.

“This event will help provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their important and vibrant cultures with all Australians as well as visitors from overseas.”

Front r ow:

D

ancer fr row: Sh But for many event organisers, om Bor ellie M rolo orris (e Bush (e Indigenous cultural activities ntertain ola Songwom ntertain en, Ali er), He e r ), Tricia len Coli Mills (t and experiences have long Durran raditio n, Carly t na , T Adler, racey L been a part of business events, Chris C l owner); Seco owe, E regan, nd rica Za whether as an incentive activity Consta rins; Ba ntina ck: Jas or a Welcome to Country ceremony, on Tho mas. with new activities being introduced on a regular basis A not-for-profit organisation has across the country. recently started new tours of Aboriginal sacred sites in the theatre 25 years ago as a Hunter Valley, in New South vehicle for bringing Aboriginal Wales, available to incentive culture – and Tjapukai culture in and conference groups. Ngurra particular – into the national and Bu offers Dreamtime tours that international spotlight. begin in Wollombi with a traditional “We are also educating people that smoking ceremony, within easy there is more to Tjapukai than just access of the main conference rainforest people,” he says. “People hotels in Pokolbin. The tour then have this stereotype that if you heads to the “creator cave” at come to Australia you have to go to Broke or to view rock art the Mount Uluru to experience culture. But I’m Yengo National Park. from the northeast coast, which is

“Indigenous product was the one gap that we had in our product offering and complements the many other activity options we have,” says Hunter Valley Convention Bureau marketing manager Nora McWilliam.

extraordinary legacy The NT Convention Bureau believes passionately in the value of Corporate Social Responsibility and the opportunity it provides the business events sector to leave a lasting legacy, connect with the land and our community.

Visit our website for inspiration, or drop us a line for further information.

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20 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

“For so many years, tourists have had to travel to Uluru or Far North Queensland to have an authentic Indigenous experience. It is great to now be able to offer that so close to Sydney.”

In Tropical North Queensland, the long established Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park has begun a $12 million redevelopment. Long seen as “a cultural park, where people come and experience performers on stage”, Tjapukai’s redevelopmet is set to “open it up to different markets”, according to David Hudson, Tjapukai’s general manager.

Hudson co-founded what was Australia’s first Aboriginal dance

nowhere near the desert.”

“We have a day product with more interaction so you can throw spears and boomerangs and a night show where we can do more of a contemporary dinner with a ‘wow’ factor show,” he says. “There is room to move and invite other cultural groups to perform here.”

As with any culture Indigenous culture is constantly evolving. The Chooky Dancers from the Northern Territory attracted a huge amount of attention both here in Australia and internationally when they uploaded a video on YouTube of their version of Zorba the Greek in a traditional Aboriginal style. The group has been used many times for business events by Darwinbased event management company Agentur.

Agentur’s managing director Britta Decker says that “positive relationships” are integral to “getting things right”. Decker and her partner Marijana Joerder

have built extensive connections with Indigenous performers in the Territory after many years working with the likes of the band Yothu Yindi Band and producing events such as the Indigenous Music Awards and NT Music Festival.

“Aboriginal tribes are all interlinked and through relationships you get to know other people,” Decker says. “In each community there are key people and knowing them and how to contact them is very important.”

For Decker, artistic expression – music, dance and visual arts – are a really strong part of [Aboriginal] life “and not separate”.

“We always aim to create an activity that reflects this and shows the magic of the culture,” she says. “What works really well are the different performances from different language groups and tribes. They all come together and enjoy each other’s performance, so there is a really happy vibe – this is natural, this is what we do. To create that environment is kind of our strength.”

Agentur staged a welcome event for a recent famil group from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with the Welcome to Country

A welcome event with Larrakia singers at Darwin’s old Town Hall.

provided by Larrakia woman Ali Mills, who also performed her signature tune “Arafura Pearl”.

This was followed by two songs from award-winning indigenous singer/songwriter Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen. To finish off, well-known NT Indigenous drag queen Constantina Bush performed, with the singers combining to sing an impromptu

rendition of “Waltzing Matilda”.

Scott Lovett, director of Business Events for the Northern Territory Convention Bureau, says performances such as this “highlight the many ways in which culture can be woven into a business event held in the Northern Territory”.

“We feel that culture should

be something experienced and not just be limited to a passive perspective,” he says.

“By the time their event is over, these conference or incentive groups feel that they have really connected with the NT and often the cultural aspects and associated interaction provide some of their most outstanding memories.”

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tasma n i a

Hot spot It is Tasmania’s time in the sun, with a string of accolades both domestic and international making the island state top of the “bucket list” for event organisers and delegates alike, writes Sheridan Randall.

We all want to be liked – it’s a part of our collective DNA. To be the popular one that everyone talks about, the one that has friends in high places and that throws the best parties.

In essence we all want to be like Tasmania.

Australia’s only island state used to be thought of as the poor cousin to its better off mainland neighbours – oh how things have changed.

Now everyone is claiming that they were hip to Tassie long before it was on every global trend spotting list and before Hobart’s prodigal son David Walsh decided to build a shed for all his bits and pieces.

“Tasmania still has strong appeal as a destination,” says Stuart Nettlefold, chief executive of Business Events Tasmania. Hobart, in Tasmania’s south, was voted as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in The Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2013 Guide, while TripAdvisor’s web users recognised Hobart

as one of the world’s top 10 “Destinations on the Rise”, citing its active arts scene, vibrant nightlife and blend of historic and contemporary sites.

“I think that the Tasmanian brand, particularly as a destination, has a lot of strength at the moment and is becoming both nationally and internationally recognised, and that works well from a sales and marketing point of view in the business events sector,” says Nettlefold. “We certainly use that to our advantage”.

Nettlefold cites the recent spate of investment in Hobart’s venues and accommodation as a clear indication of its growing significance on the business event landscape nationally. Describing the opening of the new $7 million cruise ship terminal on Hobart’s waterfront, Macquarie

Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

22 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

Wharf No. 2 Shed, as an “exciting addition” to the established Wharf No. 1 Shed, the new Wharf can cater for up to 1100 for dining events and features a waterside wharf apron extending the length of the building which can be used as an additional events space to accompany the venue. The terminal is also set to become “a prime gateway to Antarctica and assist the state to continue to market the port as an international base for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research vessels and logistics operations”, according to Tasports chairman Dr Dan Norton, with crucial flow on effects for attracting scientific-related conferences to the state.

Another exciting addition to Hobart’s maritime tradition is the Museum of Old and New Art’s (MONA) new luxury motor launch. As expected from MONA’s eccentric owner Walsh, this is no ordinary ship – decked out in camouflage and capable of seating 250 across three bars and separate lounge – MONA Roma 1 is all about “the experience of MONA starting from the waterfront”, says John Roche, co-owner of the ferry’s operators Navigators.

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has recently completed a $30 million redevelopment which includes a suite of new and revitalised function and event hire spaces such as its historic courtyard which caters for up to 400 cocktail-style, central gallery with a capacity for 200 standing and 200sqm Bond Store gallery.

“Things like that keep the market fresh and excited and Tasmania has had a lot going on in that space,” says Nettlefold.

Andrew Best, director of sales at Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, says that “the popularity of

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MONA is something that can’t be ignored”.

“Conference organisers want to give delegates a unique experience that gets tongues wagging and MONA certainly provides this,” he says.

However, for Best the key factor in Hobart’s continuing success has more to do with the continuing investment in infrastructure.

“There is no doubt that Hobart is a popular destination at the moment but has this caused more business events? Not sure,” Best says. “I think the exposure that we are getting is a contributing factor however it’s more likely that investment in infrastructure, refurbishment of hotels and flight volume increases are the major driving forces.”

Best cites the refurbishment of the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart and new additions to the accommodation sector such the 125-room Grand Mercure Hobart Central Apartments and the Salamanca Wharf Hotel, a 22-room hotel providing a mix of self-contained 5-star apartments and a 50-seat restaurant, which offer delegates greater choice and improved accommodation standards. He also says the redevelopment of Princes Wharf Shed No. 1 and the newly opened Macquarie Wharf Shed No. 2 “have really filled a gap in offsite function facilities” and complement other recent venues such as the purpose built C3 Convention Centre, which caters for events up to 1000 people.

“For a very long time Hobart lacked that one venue for larger conferences to host their gala dinner,” he says. “Conference sessions and exhibitions could be held at the Hotel

Hobart’s waterfront.

Grand Chancellor Hobart or Wrest Point but we would then be shy of a major venue to host the dinner,” he says. “These two new developments have filled this gap and they are right in the heart of the city.”

Hobart has also recently welcomed a new Travelodge, with the former Leisure Inn Hobart Macquarie rebranded Travelodge Hotel Hobart.

The 131-room hotel is newly refurbished and features a 24-hour reception, a breakfast lounge, room service and complimentary parking.

“Hobart has traditionally been an association destination whilst areas like the east and west coast would benefit from smaller corporate incentives,” Best says. “For the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart in particular, this has shifted.

Associations still dominate the market but we are

24 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

now seeing more corporate conferences coming to Hobart. I put this down to the refurbishment of our facilities in that now the hotel is of a standard that suits the corporate market better.

“We have seen increased interest from the banking and finance sectors, pharmaceutical, insurance, IT and retail sectors. I am also seeing more PCOs bring an event to Hobart and then immediately after request a proposal for another of their clients. What this tells me is that PCOs and event managers are more confident in the destination as a whole to deliver a first class event.”

Bucket list Tasmania has just recently finished hosting Australia’s only state-wide arts festival, Ten

The newly redeveloped Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

Launceston’s waterfront.

Days on the Island, a biannual celebration of global and island culture, with international arts experiences spread from Hobart and Launceston to St Helens and Queenstown.

“It’s good for the overall brand building of the destination, and if a conference is held around that time it’s an opportunity to incorporate it as part of the program or for pre and post touring,” says Nettlefold.

will stay another two to three days in the state and it is not unusual for delegates to fly into Hobart and fly out of Launceston as they experience the best of both the south and the north of the island.”

With Hobart receiving “a very substantial portion of the business”, Business Events Tasmania is nonetheless “very proactive about selling the whole state”.

It also showcases just how easy it is to put a number of destinations on a pre or post tour itinerary due to the Tasmania’s diverse landscape and compact size.

“Launceston sits well in the 300-400 delegate range as a business events destination,” says Nettlefold. “Everything is in walking distance and there is lovely heritage architecture.”

“Tasmania is on most people’s ‘to do’ list,” says Best. “Attending a conference becomes the perfect excuse to tick that box and this is why pre and post touring is popular. Most delegates

Launceston was also voted the most family friendly city in Australia in a recent Suncorp Bank survey, which for Nettlefold is part and parcel of “creating a good buzz”.

The Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston is currently half way through a refurbishment of its accommodation rooms. The hotel’s business development manager, Christine Pritchard, says that Hobart’s current popularity “has had a small flow on effect in pre and post touring” as far as Launceston.

“MONA gives people an awareness [of Tasmania] they didn’t have before,” she says.

“There may be flow on effects with people who haven’t been to Tasmania coming to Hobart one year and then trying Launceston the next.”

Describing every region as “different to the other”, and with “four very distinct seasons” Tasmania has a year round appeal, according to Pritchard.

“If they have a few extra days they can easily

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 25

explore the island, and with great air access they can fly in one end and out the other,” she says.

Gourmet trail With Hobart’s Garagistes and Launceston’s Stillwater Restaurant generating a lot of favourable press both domestically and internationally for their gourmet offering, the food and wine scene is “a major draw card”, according to Best.

“People now want the finest artisan produce and they want to know the story behind it,” he says. “We can provide that. Our island has so many small operators who can come to your conference with a bag full of their wares and tell their story with passion. This is what people want and it’s unique to Tasmania.”

Two restaurants at Peppers resorts in Tasmania have this year received their first Australian Good Food Guide Chef’s Hat Awards – Cove Bar & Restaurant at Peppers York Cove George Town and Mud Bar & Restaurant located within Peppers Seaport Launceston.

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge also hosts two gourmet food and wine events in April and June. The boutique Lodge’s “Tasmania Food Trail Celebration” event in April is part of the Peppers Gourmet Food Trail, a program of events and packages at Peppers’ collection of resorts and retreats which celebrate the finest food and wine producing regions in Australia and New Zealand.

The Lodge will host “Tastings at the Top” in June, which celebrates the best in Tasmanian produce with a banquet of dining experiences from degustation dinners to cooking demonstrations and fresh produce markets to wine and cheese tastings. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge general manager Leigh Reid says that MasterChef’s featuring of Tasmania last year has boosted the island’s reputation as a food and wine destination.

“I’ve been in Tasmania for six years and I believe it is still a hidden gem – it’s just magical here,” he says. “The Tasmanian brand is certainly getting stronger – it’s got everything the mainland has, except the desert, on one island.

Because the brand is growing more people are coming to our property with a lot of return guests, which is always a positive sign.”

Reid says the Lodge is focusing more on the business events and incentive market especially

MONA’s new luxury motor launch, MONA Roma 1.

bring them here,” says Nettlefold.

over winter, with pre and post tours from both Launceston and Hobart popular.

“Winter here lends itself to open fires, nice wines and good food,” he says. “The winter period is our quieter one particularly mid-week and that is something we are actively targeting.”

Increased access Nettlefold says that increased air access “is critical for an island state”, with the major airlines “putting in near record access over the last six months which is really positive”.

In what was a huge tick of confidence in the state, Qantas late last year added 1700 additional seats per week to its services between Melbourne and Tasmania, helping event organisers bring larger groups to the state.

This was in addition to the increase of 28 return services per week to Hobart and Launceston by Jetstar 12 months ago.

“Business events of up to 1100 people can enjoy Tasmania and now there is an additional flight per day between Melbourne and Hobart, additional flights into Launceston and upgraded aircraft flying into Devonport with Qantas to

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Virgin Australia increased the number of flights between the mainland and Tasmania last year, with a new Virgin lounge for Hobart Airport slated for 2014. Tiger Airways also recently announced that it will return to Hobart in November this year after last year’s grounding because of safety concerns. Tiger will run two daily services, boosting the state’s travel capacity by 7500 seats a week, a move which is expected to lead to increased completion and lower fares.

To help event organisers capitalise on this increased awareness of the state, Business Events Tasmania has launched The Accessories Pack – a new resource provided to all event planners when they confirm their event for Tasmania.

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The Museum of Old and New Art.

the destination and confirmation of the host destination,” says Nettlefold.

“The Accessories Pack is an electronic document updated regularly with the most up-to-date information of products and services and available resources. With new product coming on-line all the time, this ensures that event planners don’t miss a thing.

“We are committed to enhancing this level of service wherever we can. We identified the Accessories Pack an additional product that we can offer event planners free of charge to make organising an event in Tasmania even easier.”

Another initiative that is delivering considerable success, both in the domestic and international market, is Business Events Tasmania’s Catalyst program, which is similar to other states ambassador programs. An ambassador is appointed for each key industry, who work with “about 30-40 local champions” to attract more conferences to the state.

“We work very closely with areas such as Antarctic [research], where we have had some good success, and the Australian Maritime College,” he says. “We are also looking at sectors such as medicine and agriculture to bring in international conferences.

“We are also looking towards working with other bureaus nationally to maybe having satellite meetings or study tours as part of international conferences – as bureaus we could be doing more work in that area.”

Tasmania exceeds expectations The 2013 Australian Institute of Conveyancers (AIC) national conference was recently held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart and attracted a record attendance of 270 delegates, a 25 per cent increase on the predicted attendance. Entertainment at the conference included a “Puttin’ on the Ritz” gala dinner featuring a 1930s style musical and theatrical performance with a brass band and tap dancers, and a finale concert by renowned performer Wendy Matthews at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

AIC national secretary Rosemary Cotton says her phone did not stop ringing after the success of the Tasmanian conference.

“We visited MONA 18 months ago on a stunning day and thought ‘wow’ wouldn’t it be amazing to have someone there performing for us on that bandstand,” she says.

Within Tasmania Nettlefold says he has seen “really good industry collaboration and cohesiveness” during his three years in the role as chief executive.

“Our sponsorship strategy was formed around offering whole entertainment events that the sponsor could ‘own’, branding the event from start to finish.”

“I think there is better recognition of our sector and the benefits it brings to the overall economy, and that encompasses the Beyond Tourism’s broader benefits,” he says.

The sponsor for the concert, Trust Online, was “enthusiastic” about using MONA, while Wendy Matthews was also a personal favourite of the sponsor, “so combining the two allowed Trust Online to truly own the event”, Cotton says.

“The feedback we get is good from industry but we can’t take that for granted and we have got to focus on keeping our foot on the accelerator because it is a very competitive market and everyone is vying for the business.”

“It is great to see sponsors doing something out of the ordinary – thinking outside the square

and working with us to create an experience that talks to their brand identity rather than a logo on a screen,” she says.

Delegates also enjoyed a sunset cruise to Peppermint Bay; a barbeque on the edge of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and a key note address from Australia’s most in-demand female speaker, Tasmanian Robyn Moore. It was the first time Tasmania hosted the event, with Cotton saying that “the depth of talent in Tasmania is incredible – I don’t think fireworks could have topped it off”.

“We had a lot of people staying on after the conference and people who haven’t been to the state before so we wanted to let them truly indulge in the destination.”

Business Events Tasmania CEO Stuart Nettlefold says the conference is a “brilliant example of how industry and Business Events Tasmania can work together to bring a nationally significant event to the state”.

“Event planners are hearing a lot about Hobart at the moment and so too are their potential delegates,” he says.

“There is a buzz about this place that is well deserved. The great news for event planners is that this does translate to a buzz about events held here.”

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h u n ter regi o n The vineyards of the Hunter Valley.

Three dimensions Newcastle, in New South Wales, is fast becoming a hub for both domestic and international events, and is working with regional partners in the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens to take their business events offering to the next level, writes Sheridan Randall.

Late last year, Newcastle was selected by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) as 2012 World Festival and Event City in the cities under 500,000 population category, in Crown Plaza Hunter Valley.

recognition of the city’s push over recent years to become a leading regional destination for events and festivals.

“I’m hearing from people that that sort of thing is quite important to people who recognise that there is a global view on what we do and that we can do it well,” says Jan Ross, City of Newcastle’s manager tourism and economic development.

“Working together to secure and maintain an enviable range of events and festivals for the city and its visitors ensures our reputation as a great place to hold an event.

We will continue to grow that.”

Sydney is NSW’s “main attraction at the international level” but Ross says that Newcastle is “stepping up” and playing at both a regional and international level. The city has secured more than $10 million worth of business in the past 10 months, however, Ross concedes that it has also had to turn away $11 million worth.

“Newcastle has its limitations

28 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

as we don’t have the convention and exhibition facilities of a size that can take a lot of the business that wants to come to us at the moment,” she says.

Venues such as Newcastle City Hall and the Newcastle Civic Theatre and a number of smaller “very good convention and meetings venues”, mean the city can comfortably cope with events around the 500-600 mark, but Ross concedes that it is “bursting at the seams”.

“The city is becoming a hub across a range of sectors including education, medical and innovation through to lifestyle and mining,” she says. “The CSIRO, Energy Group, the expansion of the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute bring a lot of meetings activity to the city.

“It’s a nice place to be in but we really do need to get our act together and get on with it. Our jumping off point at the moment is to secure a proper convention and exhibition facility to take the larger

events 600 to 1000 people. I am very hopeful we will get a facility in the next few years.”

The current urban renewal plan for Newcastle overseen by the NSW Government is set to see a lot of investment in both residential and new tourism infrastructure, according to Ross.

“Part and parcel of that is a push for an exhibition space by the waterfront, which would take us to the next level,” she says. “We are missing out on between $14 million and $32 million worth of potential business at the moment, which is an additional 11,000 delegate days. The message we are getting from PCOs is ‘build it and we will come’.”

Despite about 300-400 beds in the pipeline, accommodation is another “pinch point” with Newcastle needing to look at more investment in new hotels, she says.

“We have seen growing numbers in tourism visitation, with the business events sector rising from 18 per cent to 21 per cent over the

last three years,” Ross says.

“The major hotels within the Newcastle area are doing extremely well and sitting around 78 per cent occupancy across the year on average. But what we do with these events is work with the other regions, with the Hunter Valley picking up a lot of our accommodation.

“When we get global recognition such as the [IFEA] award, it means that we can do it. But we also know that we need the region, so we work very closely with our neighbours at Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley wine country to ensure that these things have the broader ability to be brought together.”

Vintage partnership Hunter Valley Convention Bureau marketing manager Nora McWilliam agrees, saying that “all three regions see the benefit of working together as we have very complementary activities, and provide business with a broader offering”.

“We have worked with Port Stephens in the leisure sector for years very successfully,” McWilliam says. “But people don’t necessarily associate Newcastle with the Hunter Valley. When people think Hunter Valley they think vineyards, so that is a perception we need to overcome.”

With the opening of the Hunter Expressway later this year “the link

The sand dunes of Port Stephens are the perfect spot for group activities.

between Newcastle and the Hunter Valley is going to be a lot closer”, with about 20 minutes shaved off the current one hour drive time.

such old rock carvings,” she says.

“They are based in Wollombi which is only 20 minutes from the heart of the vineyards.”

“A 1000 seat convention centre at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley has just been approved with the latest T-Qual funding from Tourism Australia which is fantastic news for the region,” she says.

Hunter Valley winery Wyndham Estate has also recently been included in a partnership with Tourism Australia to raise the profile of Australia as one of the world’s leading wine tourism destinations. The “Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia” is a consortium of high-end, award winning wineries offering unique wine experiences including barrel, private and structured tastings, food-wine matching, wine education and gastronomy to build the reputation of Australian tourism at home and abroad.

Another addition to the activities on offer to business events groups is a tour of Aboriginal sacred sites in the Hunter Valley and Mount Yengo National Park

by Indigenous not-for-profit organisation Ngurra Bu. “It’s a great product and even I didn’t know that you didn’t have to go to the Northern Territory to see

“Wyndham Estate being included in the Tourism Australia campaign shows the quality of our product, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg as there are other products out there of equal quality,”

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Dolphin watching is a popular activity at Port Stephens.

achieve,” says MICE Port Stephens manager Rebecca Morley.

“We have had a few hero properties that have been responsible for bringing in MICE business but now we have a little bit more control and can suggest what people do for team building and that sort of thing,” Morley says.

“Organisers with enquiries now have the option to collaborate with Destination Port Stevens to formalise the bid process or if they do have some information about a property or activity they can actually nominate those individually and those properties will get back to them straight away.

“The commitment from the industry is really propelling us forward and off the back of that we are getting some really good enquiries coming through.”

McWilliam says.

Fresh start A new body – MICE Port Stephens – has been launched to promote the area as a “fresh air” destination for conferences

and events, under the auspices of Destination Port Stephens. The new organisation, backed by 22 tourism operators in Port Stephens, has embarked on a campaign to promote the region, already a favourite with leisure tourists, to

30 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

the business event market.

The group formed as a voluntary organisation about 12 months ago, but having been officially ratified it now “means we now have a budget, a direction and a number of goals of what we are trying to

Shoal Bay Resort and Spa is one of the area’s “bigger players”, with a capacity for around 300 theatrestyle, while a new resort at Birubi Beach is also due to come online in December of this year catering up to 500 delegates.

“It’s situated on the sand dunes at Port Stephens, so there will be the option to stay and play,”

Morley says.

“Another new option is one of our schools, St Philip’s Christian College, who built possibly the best theatre I have ever seen, and can seat up to 320 people. It has up to date audio-visual technology so we have had some enquiries about video conferencing which we have not seen in our area before.”

Port Stephens is “very well known” for its water activities, with dolphin watching in the summer and whale watching in the winter popular options.

“We have developed a number of two and three-day suggested itineraries which allow people to get out on the water but we also have a myriad of national parks in our area,” she says. “People can do early morning walks up to the top of Mount Tomaree or yoga on the beach, or take advantage of the sand dunes and get out and do sand boarding, quad biking or just learn about their history.”

and offering water transfers to waterside restaurants, which is something different to just jumping on a coach,” she says. “‘Fresh air – fresh perspective’ is the message we are trying to get through. At the end of the day a room is a room, but what you want is a productive conference whereby you can take your delegates away so they are not distracted by everyday distractions and have the ability to get that clarity of thought to be able to put back into the conference. That’s becoming quite attractive to a number of people that we speak to. It’s moving away from ‘it’s all about the dollars’ and is more about the quality of the MICE experience.”

Morley says that the corporate market is currently generating a higher number of enquiries than the government and association markets.

Newcastle is a major drawcard for sporting events and will host the inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games this December.

standing relation with association business and are offering pre and post packages for them.

New operators that didn’t feel they were relevant to the business event market are also coming on board, according to Morley.

“The real point of difference is the incentive business for companies that want to reward their employees and really challenge them as well, and we find our destination offers a really nice fit,” she says.

With Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens currently preparing a famil for later this year under the theme “Three Dimensions”, the three areas are seeing the strength in working much more collaboratively in the future.

“Some of our cruise operators are thinking outside the box

“We also work really closely with Newcastle which has a long

“We now find ourselves selling our product as a triangle for the

Sydney market,” Morley says.

“For Port Stephens to get the word out that we are a really popular MICE destination as well as a leisure one is really being helped by that partnership with the other two regions.

“We used to wait for the enquiry to come to us. But now we are knocking on doors in a sales capacity and letting people know what we have got.”

There’s a lot to like about Selected by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) as 2012 World Festival and Event City in the cities under 500,000 population category, Newcastle is proud to have a proven and successful track record of hosting international, national and state conferences and events.

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www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 31

ca n berra

Forward looking With the Australian Capital Territory Government recently announcing a blueprint for Canberra, the city’s business events industry is also looking to the future, writes Ylla Wright.

As Canberra celebrates its 100th anniversary with a packed yearlong Centenary of Canberra program, Australia’s capital city is looking firmly towards the future with a number of proposed and existing infrastructure projects, exciting redevelopments and new accommodation projects.

involve identifying new lakeside residential, business and leisure opportunities, improving access between the city and the lake, and securing potential sites for a 30,000-plus seat sports stadium, regional aquatic facility and convention centre as a way of “future proofing” the city.

Chief among these are two projects, announced in late March by ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, that have the potential to transform the city centre and lakeside area.

“As we celebrate our first 100 years, and look towards our next century, it is appropriate to talk about the role of our city centre, and how it can become a more dynamic, vibrant and sustainable place,” Gallagher said.

While The City Plan is intended to “provide a blueprint for future infrastructure development, land release and incentives for redevelopment right across the city”, according to Gallagher, the City to the Lake initiative will

“As the City grows to a population of 500,000 and beyond we have to plan for key infrastructure, major recreation and cultural facilities in order to future proof our city.”

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While the City to the Lake project will take place over approximately 15 to 25 years, a key part of the city’s plan for growth so far has been the $450 million “AirVolution” of Canberra Airport’s terminal and surrounding infrastructure, including the introduction of customs, quarantine and immigration facilities making it ready for the introduction of international flights.

The new terminal, which opened on March 13, covers more than 55,000sqm (up from 12,000sqm) and now has the capacity to handle an extra 3.5 million passengers a year.

Other significant projects include the National Arboretum Canberra, home to rare, endangered and significant trees from over 100 nations and a new events venue, the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, as well as a $32 million redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial’s First World War galleries ahead of the centenary of the start of WWI in 2015.

According to Brendan Nelson, director of the Australian War Memorial, the new galleries “will draw on a range of new interactive technologies that will take the Memorial far beyond the centenary”.

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The National Zoo and Aquarium, renowned for it’s behind the scenes tours and interactive animal encounter experience, is also undergoing a make-over as the zoo adds an “open range” section that will see it triple in size within two years. The new development will feature “Animals of the African Savannah” such as cheetah, giraffes, zebras and rhinos, rounding out the property’s exciting blend of aquarium, metropolitan zoo and open range zoo in a single venue.

The zoo is also developing a number of accommodation options within its grounds, including Giraffe Tree Houses from which guests will be able to feed giraffes from their balcony or lounge room; Jungle Bungalows situated alongside some of the zoos most popular animals including lions, tigers and bears; and the Savannah Lodge, which will feature huge

African suites with giraffes, zebras and antelope at the front balcony and white lions across a moat outside the rear balcony.

While the development isn’t due for completion until early 2014, the zoo’s management is looking into packages tailored to business groups.

Accommodation providers across Canberra are also rising to the challenge, with a number of hotels including the Rydges Capital Hill, the Pavilion on Northbourne and the Clifton Suites on Northbourne recently undergoing refurbishment.

The heritage Hotel Kurrajong will also undergo a refurbishment in coming months, following its acquisition by Toga Hotels in conjunction with NRMA. Once upgraded the hotel will be known as the Travelodge Kurrajong.

Scheduled to opening in Spring 2013, Hotel Hotel is a new hotel concept occupying three floors of the new Nishi residential building, based on the ideas of sustainability, community, diversity and lifestyle. Designed by architectural firm Fender Katsalidis, who also designed the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, the hotel features 68 hotel rooms and 31 hotel apartments, of which no two rooms are exactly alike. The hotel will also feature

New NCCC manager Stephen Wood with former manager Cindy Young and ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

“Something that I see as an advantage for Canberra is that while its big enough to be well equipped with great facilities, the full gamut of accommodation, transport networks and infrastructure, its small enough that everyone recognises the value of working collaboratively in delivering events,” he said. “There’s a unique opportunity for Canberra to offer a co-ordinated approach and seamless event experience.”

Centre, is in the enviable role of steering the NCCC into Canberra’s next century.

six meeting rooms, catering from eight to 260 cocktail-style.

With so much change underway in Canberra, it is perhaps fitting that respected National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC) manager Cindy Young recently handed over the reins of the Centre to Stephen Wood, “passing the baton” at a gala event coinciding with Gallagher’s blueprint announcement in March.

Admitting he “has big shoes to fill” replacing Young, Wood says his main priority is to “make sure that the continued progression and growth of our business is very much in line with the overall vision for Canberra”.

Wood, who was until recently the director of operations at the Sydney Convention Centre and Exhibition

In the more immediate future, Wood will focus on coming to terms with the specifics of Canberra’s events industry and the role the Centre plays within that.

As the Centre’s manager it’s likely that Wood will be called upon to provide input into Canberra’s future infrastructure growth from a business events perspective, as Young was in developing The City Plan.

“Something that’s really impressed me so far is the level of connection and support for [the Centre] from government, as well as the access to people I’ve been afforded, and the interest they’ve demonstrated in our opinions and what we can do to add to Canberra,” he said. “That access to government is one of the key points of difference for Canberra and a really significant thing, particularly for our industry, where it’s all about making connections.”

Hailed as “a major step forward for Canberra as a destination for both

domestic and international visitors”

by Gallagher, Wood believes that airport’s redevelopment may well be a “game changer” for the city’s business events industry, opening up opportunities for Canberra to win international association business the city has previously missed out on due to transport concerns. Airport management and the ACT Government are believed to currently be in negotiation to secure direct flights to New Zealand, with Singapore next in their sights.

“That obviously opens up that Asia-Pacific associations market, giving them greater access,” he said. “It removes one of the barriers to bringing in those events, and the government’s new vision for growth for Canberra will also add elements that will attract that kind of business.”

As for the timing of all this change, Wood believes “the Centenary of Canberra celebrations have provided a catalyst”.

“In some respects they have become a marking line in the sand where Canberra said ‘we’ve got to this point over 100 years, now it’s time to go forward into the next 100 years’,” he said.

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ve nu e u pd a te equipped with the latest facilities, two medium-sized banquet halls and five smaller banquet halls.

Mercure Brisbane completes refurb The 4-star Mercure Brisbane is set to complete its multi-million dollar rejuvenation this month.

Bar Eleven at Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour.

New heritage meetings Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour has unveiled four new heritage meeting spaces. The spaces, known as The Heritage Meeting Rooms, will add an additional 300sqm of new meeting space. Following the introduction of these new rooms the hotel now has 21 event spaces with a combined total of approximately 2000sqm.

The Heritage Rooms encompass the restored features and sandstone of the historical Corn Exchange Warehouse built in 1887, making it the oldest surviving market building in Sydney. The hotel has also opened its new rooftop venue, Bar Eleven located on level 11, which has panoramic views of Darling Harbour.

Early opening for Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island opened on April 10, three weeks ahead of schedule. The 138-room property is

set over 29 floors and offers a rooftop Skybar and eight-seat Boardroom equipped with high speed internet, LED television and Blu-Ray. “What really sets the hotel apart is the grass roots engagement we have with our intriguing and culturally rich neighbourhood of Wan Chai, where you can visit many of the city’s newest art galleries, restaurants and shopping destinations,” said general manager Bryan Gabriel.

Silversea launches Silver Galapagos Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea is introducing the newest member of its fleet, the 100-guest Silver Galapagos, in September 2013.

The all-suite vessel is available for small group bookings or full ship charter and is ideal for companies seeking a corporate and incentive experience for their staff or clients.

Silversea’s year-round schedule of seven-day expedition voyages aboard Silver Galapagos will take in the highlights of the untouched Galápagos Islands, featuring two round-trip itineraries from Baltra Island.

For full ship charters, a range of meeting facilities including the main lounge are available onboard, and Silversea’s corporate and incentive experts will work with organisers to personalise special events and experiences throughout the voyage.

Tokyo Marriott to open in December Gotenyama Garden Hotel Laforet Tokyo, located in the Shinagawa area, will be rebranded as Tokyo Marriott Hotel in December 2013.

The new 250-room property will include an open atrium of 600sqm, a dividable 900sqm grand ballroom

The accommodation rooms reflect the area’s local character, with emblazoned black and white imagery of the Brisbane River on the bed heads, while the new bathrooms have walk-in showers, large hand basins and LED mirror lights. New lighting, digital LCD televisions, glass fronted fridges, internet access, room safes and clock radios with iPod docks have also been installed.

More rooms at Metro Hotel Perth Metro Hotel Perth will add 46 accommodation rooms to its existing 94 rooms to meet the increased demand for accommodation in Perth.

The redevelopment will also include major renovations to the lobby, pool, restaurant and car park. Building will commence in mid-2013, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2013. The hotel also has seven conference rooms with a seating capacity for 200 people.

“We believe the hotel industry in Perth will remain buoyant over the next five years as there continues to be capacity constraints due to few major hotel developments being built in Perth,” said Metro Hospitality Group’s chief operating officer, George Bedwani.

Under the bridge The Sebel Pier One Sydney has unveiled seven new over-water suites with unhindered views of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks including Luna Park, the Sydney

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Artist impression: ‘Theatre of the Horse’

The new suites at Sebel Pier One Sydney.

“We recognise the need to stay abreast of what our consumers want and with the growing prevalence of social media it was a natural progression for us,” said Phillipa Harrison, Hamilton Island’s general manager sales.

Wi-fi for IHG loyalty

Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

The hotel’s seven new suites include four Harbour View Balcony Suites which have direct access to private balconies with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour. The largest balcony measures 40sqm and is ideal for private alfresco dining or sunset drinks. All the balcony suites have designer day beds and arm chairs which are positioned to maximise the panoramic views. Designed for open-plan living, the new suites all have floor-to-ceiling wrap around windows and glass sliding doors.

As well as the seven new suites, The Sebel Pier One Sydney has also finished renovating 22 new Waterside King and Heritage King rooms which now takes the hotel’s total room count to 189.

New Mantra for Noosa Mantra French Quarter Noosa has opened on Hastings Street following an extensive $5 million refurbishment. Formerly the BreakFree French Quarter, a series of improvements has been carried out on the resort as part of the rebranding process including building a new Hastings Street reception and lobby.

Over $3 million has been spent on 68 one- and two-bedroom apartments to upgrade them to deluxe status with improvements such as a full internal refit to maximise floor space, new kitchens

and appliances, flat screen televisions and all new furniture and fittings.

Holiday Inn Express heads to Oz InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will introduce one of the world’s fastest growing hotel brands to Australia, with the signing of the Holiday Inn Express hotel for the Perth CBD. As a Holiday Inn Express hotel, it will offer uncomplicated guest rooms, intimate meeting spaces, self-service facilities including laundry, and complimentary wi-fi.

Perth-based developer Sunfire Asset has engaged IHG to manage a new-build 224-room Holiday Inn Express hotel, to be located at 257 Adelaide Terrace, overlooking the Swan River. The new $35 million development will incorporate a 20-floor hotel and a circa 1888 heritage house, with construction expected to commence in mid-2013 and the opening slated for early 2015.

Free wi-fi at Hamilton Island Hamilton Island is now offering free wi-fi access to guests staying on the Whitsundays’ Island resort. Guests staying at the Reef View Hotel and Palm Bungalows will now receive a complimentary 400MB broadband package upon arrival, which can be used both in-room and around the Island.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced it will be providing free internet to all of its 71 million loyalty program members worldwide. The announcement comes as IHG revealed the results of a global online survey by YouGov which showed 43 per cent would choose not to stay in a hotel that charged for internet.

features a range of function and event spaces, including three rooftop spaces with views of the international runway, surrounding area and city skyline.

The 4.5 star, 318-room hotel is Sydney’s first on-site airport hotel and offers 11 flexible conference rooms, which hold from 10 to 190 people, equipped with audio-visual equipment, video conferencing facilities, broadband and wi-fi access. A Quick Meets package will also be available for anyone needing a space to meet for a few hours. The flat rate includes the use of conference facilities for up to four hours and catering throughout the session for up to 10 people.

IHG is the first hotel group to offer free internet in all hotels to all loyalty program members globally – whether they stay the night or come in for a coffee or an impromptu meeting – starting from July 2013 for Elite members and extending to all members in 2014.

“In today’s fast-paced world, we know travellers need to stay connected, and free internet access is increasingly important,” said IHG’s chief executive, Richard Solomons.

Royce Hotel expands meeting space Melbourne’s The Royce Hotel is set to expand its meeting space by adding two new boardrooms seating up to 14 people. This expansion is expected to begin in January 2014 and will be completed by March 2014.

“Guests are seeking a more unique, warm, personalised experience,” said the hotel’s general manager, Bryan Dixon. “This is certainly reflected in the conferences and events we deliver our clients here at the Royce.”

Sky’s the limit with Airport Hotel

Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel opens this month at the international terminal and

Wildman Wilderness Lodge opens for 2013 Just two hours’ drive from Darwin in the Mary River Wetlands, the Wildman Wilderness Lodge has re-opened following the wet season.

The Lodge offers two accommodation options – 10 eco style cabins and 15 luxury en-suited safari tents. The cabins are free-standing, fully air conditioned structures with all the amenities expected in a luxury lodge including premium quality furnishings, king size beds and ensuite bathrooms.

The Lodge will be open until November 30 this year and close for the wet season.

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www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 35

p co a sso c i a ti o n

Does marketing matter?

Finding the right marketing strategy for your business is all about building and maintaining relationships, writes Ric Willmot.

As a professional conference organiser (PCO) you can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on marketing but until someone has to create an event, they’re won’t be engaging you. You can advertise in every available medium, and unless someone wishes to host a large-scale event that requires additional resources than they have, you’re not getting the business. No matter how good a PCO you are, your expertise needs to be in demand by somebody for you to get hired.

PCOs need to be remembered and easily contactable at the precise time a buyer perceives the need. Your marketing, therefore, must be frequent, recent and put you front of mind. So, marketing does matter. It needs to create a situation where you are the preferred option for your prospects at exactly the point they recognise they have a need.

While other professional services struggle to plan their business development with confidence, PCOs don’t. For example, while hotels, resorts and speakers’ bureaus attempt to cope with unpredictable competition and fickle customers, PCOs have clear boundaries in which to operate.

Your quandary is to decide whether your marketing will focus on price or whether you should build a strategy on relationship and loyalty.

Contrary to the cliché, absence does not make the heart grow fonder; it instead makes it easier for people to forget. Politicians still do shopping centre meet-and-greets because they know that to influence people you have to “press the flesh”.

If you decide you will establish a marketing strategy focusing on relationships, and not price, you must engage in personal contact.

Here are some tips to growing your business: • Today’s clients are your foundation for building future worth in increasingly competitive markets and economies. The big boys have already started cold calling and direct mailing.

Examine your work with each client frequently to assure yourself that you are satisfactorily meeting their current needs.

Do you understand the client’s industry as well as their business? Pay strict attention to the quality of your own work.

• You’re not in the PCO business; you’re in the relationship business.

Your purpose is to grow strong relationships that guarantee you are remembered and respected. The greater the respect and the more deliberate the relationship, the more likely it is that your clients will contact you when competitors pitch for their business, giving you an opportunity to retain their business.

• Marketing your firm is not the same as marketing a commodity. Just like the politicians, PCOs must acquire marketing skills and become comfortable with their “constituents”. Considering marketing a discretionary function is no longer an option because of the improved and aggressive way your competitors are going about theirs.

Proactively and intelligently seek and secure referrals, recommendations and repeat business from existing clients.

• Strive for a culture of creativity, ownership, challenge and successful failure. Be a dynamic firm that attracts enthusiastic, vibrant and intelligent people. Innovation, challenge and fun are characteristics that are appealing to people even in the smallest businesses.

Demand these attributes of your staff and

PCO CONFERENCE

2013

provide them with the resources to deliver and contribute to the success of your business. Hire for attitude and educate for skill. In all of my consulting work, I’ve never been witness to an organisation with disgruntled, demotivated staff and happy, satisfied clients.

• Continuing education in skills – technical, professional, and soft – should be undertaken by everyone within your organisation. It’s a necessity, not a luxury.

Your PCO firm doesn’t have to be seven times better than your competition. However your existing and potential clients have to be able to recognise an incremental advantage to using you over your competition that relates to a clear benefit for them.

Overall, you need to have a better understanding of your market and its needs; build more visibility in places where your clients hang out, and finally, be more active in promoting yourself, sharing your knowledge and growing your repute. ● Ric Willmot is a professional speaker and consultant with Executive Wisdom, and a consultant to the PCO Association.

BUSINESS EVENTS: NEW WORLD MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 28TH – 30TH NOVEMBER 2013 PULLMAN MELBOURNE, ALBERT PARK

VISIT THE CONFERENCE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.pco.asn.au T 07 5502 2068 E conference@pco.asn.au

36 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

Risk management for PCOs Risk management is not one of those things that someone else has to worry about, says Paul Chivers from riskfacilitator.

Risk management is everyone’s responsibility; be it intuitive such as putting on a seatbelt on the way to work, or a more planned approach such as putting together a safe work method statement (SWMS) or risk management plan for an event.

AS/NZS ISO 31000: 2009 Risk Management Process

The majority of people assume risk is about safety or the potential for negative outcomes.

In fact, the definition of risk has a much broader and dynamic meaning incorporating both positive and negative outcomes.

Remember, we don’t go into business because we think we might fail. We go into business because we think we will succeed. Good risk management provides a level of certainty in the pursuit of success.

All activities of Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) involve risk, from planning to running an event. A PCO should manage risk by anticipating, understanding and deciding whether to modify the associated risks. The international best practice standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 suggests that organisations should communicate and consult with stakeholders (this includes contractors) and monitor and review the risk and the controls that are modifying the risk.

The management of risk enables all PCOs to: • increase the likelihood of achieving objectives • encourage proactive management • be aware of the need to identify and treat risk throughout the conference or event • improve the identification of opportunities and threats

Figure 1

Diagram courtesy of riskfacilitator.com.

• achieve compatible risk management practices between other PCOs • comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and international norms • improve financial reporting • improve governance • improve stakeholder confidence and trust • establish a reliable basis for decision making and planning • improve controls • effectively allocate and use resources for risk treatment • improve operational effectiveness and efficiency • enhance health and safety performance as well as environmental protection • improve loss prevention and incident management

processes of the organisation. (See figure 1.)

This process is recommended as a best practice standard to adopt, especially for those PCOs that operate internationally, however you must be aware that you have a duty to understand the intent of work health and safety (WHS) legislation, regulation and codes of practice in terms of conference and event organising.

In terms of WHS, effective risk management starts with a commitment to health and safety from those who operate and manage the business or undertaking (i.e. the PCO). A PCO also needs the involvement and cooperation of their workers, and if you show your workers that you are serious about health and safety they are more likely to follow your lead.

• improve organisational resilience

To demonstrate your commitment, a PCO should get involved in health and safety issues, invest time and money in health and safety, and ensure health and safety responsibilities are clearly understood.

The risk management standard prescribes seven activities to be followed in the management of risk that should be an integral part of conference or event management, embedded in the culture and practices, and tailored to the business

A safe and healthy workplace does not happen by chance or guesswork. You have to think about what could go wrong at your workplace and what the consequences could be. Then you must do whatever you can (in other words, whatever

• minimise losses • improve organisational learning

is “reasonably practicable”) to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks arising from your business or undertaking.

The WHS code of practice prescribes four steps: 1. Identify hazards: find out what could cause harm.

2. Assess risks if necessary: understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening.

3. Control risks: implement the most effective control measure that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.

4. Review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

Remember, risk management is a about the journey (the methods, techniques and processes you use) not the destination (the SMWS or risk management plan). Demonstrate intent, process and practice throughout the lifespan of a conference or event and you will find that you will provide your clients with greater confidence and enhance your chances of a successful outcome. ● Paul

Chivers is chief risk advisor at riskfacilitator and a consultant to the PCO Association.

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 37

meeting people Corporate Travel Management has appointed Liz Glanville to their event management team as operations manager.

She brings more than 15 years experience in the industry. Most recently she was project manager and national manager of meetings, groups and events at a global corporate travel management company.

Event Planet has recently expanded its event management team with the appointment of Lauren Freedman as senior event producer. Prior to this role she was head of commercial rights at Peer Group Media where she gained experience in commercial and live events.

David Perry has been appointed chief executive officer of The Windsor Hotel in Melbourne.

He returns to the hotel after a year as general manager for Melia Hotels International where he oversaw a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the property. Prior to this he was chief executive officer and general manager of The Windsor from 2006 to 2011.

EECW has made two new appointments to its team.

Event manager Kylie Skinner brings 10 years of industry experience to the role. She has previously managed association, not-for-profit and corporate events at various PCOs in Sydney. Audra Young (pictured) has been appointed business development manager.

Her experience includes managing Perth’s second largest convention centre. Prior to this role she was event manager for a major Western Australian association.

Simon Jinks has joined Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa as general

manager, replacing Adam Lake who is the new general manger of Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila.

He brings 19 years of hospitality experience to the role, many of which were spent in Asia. His previous positions include general manager for Novotel Chiang Mai in Thailand and the Headland Hotel Hong Kong, and director of rooms and residential manger for the Sofitel Silom Bangkok.

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre has appointed Neil Mather as its new food and beverage manager. He recently moved to Perth from Melbourne where he worked for Epicure as assistant director of food and beverage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Melbourne Convention Bureau has made two new appointments for its Asia offices.

Edward Kwek (pictured) will take on the role of regional sales director South Asia in Singapore. He brings extensive experience in the hospitality and tourism industries to the role. Jessica Chang is the new regional sales director North Asia in Shanghai. She has held roles in destination marketing and travel companies throughout Asia and Europe. Most recently she was director, MICE project office at the Bureau of Foreign Trade in Taiwan.

Bronwen Harris has recently been appointed business development manager at the InterContinental Hotel Adelaide.

Prior to this she spent three years as business development manager for MCI South Australia where she built a strong knowledge of the business events industry.

Perth Convention Bureau has recently appointed Sue Stepatschuck as director of marketing to replace Anne Last.

Stepatschuck was previously senior manager of business development. She brings 22 years

38 Convention & Incentive Marketing, May 2013 www.cimmagazine.com

of experience in marketing and sales across a range of industries to the role.

Laura Rodgers has recently joined Victors Foods as business development manager where she will focus on developing the company’s relationship with key accounts and seeking new business opportunities. She brings to the role more than 10 years experience in sales and marketing in the corporate and events sector. Most recently she was business development manager for Workshop Events.

Luna Park Sydney has appointed James Granter as the new general manager of sales. In this new role he will be responsible for the continued growth of Luna Park’s corporate events business. He brings more than 10 years of experience in sales across the travel, technology and professional service industries.

Heritage Hotel Management has announced the appointment of Donna Stewart to the role of general manager of Heritage Queenstown. For the past seven years she has been general manager for Peppers Beacon Queenstown.

She has 25 years experience in the industry during which she has held a number of management positions with hotel brands in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Neeraj Chadna, general manager for Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa, has been promoted to multi property vice president Australia. He has 20 years experience in the industry both nationally and internationally. His

previous positions include regional general manger India Hilton Worldwide and manager of Goa Marriott resort as well as working for brands Starwood and Radisson.

Moreton Hire has made two new appointments to its business development team. Livia de Vos has joined as business development manager Queensland. Her previous positions include account manager at CI Events and event manager.

Monique Cribb (pictured) is the new business development manager Victoria. She has more than 10 years experience in the events industry including sales and operations roles at Accor.

Justin McConnell has recently joined Emporium Hotel as executive assistant manager. He has 17 years experience in the industry which includes an international career with Hyatt Hotel Group.

Accor Australia has appointed Duncan Mars as general manager of Mercure Portsea Resort & Golf Course, which will open in June. He has been with Accor for nearly 10 years and was previously executive assistant manager, acting general manager and director of sales and marketing for Mercure Hadley’s Hobart Hotel.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has appointed Paul Van Deventer as president and chief executive officer. Most recently, he was vice president in the Health and Wellness Division at Walgreens in the US. He spent 22 years working for American Express where he gained experience in the business travel sector and meeting and events. In his new role he will be responsible for managing MPI’s budget, overseeing all membership programs and guiding MPI’s industry growth.

Meetings NZ 2013 will be held at Skycity Auckland Convention Centre next month.

25-28 Craft and Quilt Fair, NE, Melbourne; www.craftfair.com.au 29-31 Aust. Grains Industry Conference, NC, Melbourne; www.ausgrainsconf.com August 2013

LE, Sunshine Coast; www.qldgardenexpo.com.au 5-7 Travel and Tourism Fair, IE, India; www.ttfotm.com 6 European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Congress, IC, Dublin; www.wtg.ie 7-10 Australian Conference of Economists, NC, Perth; www.ace2013.org.au 12-14 Building & Home Improvement Expo, NE, MEC, Melbourne; www.buildexpo.com.au 14-18 World Renewable Energy Conference, IC, Perth; www.promaco.com.au/events/ WREC_2013/ 15-17 WineTech, NE, SCEC, Sydney; www.winetechexpo.com.au 16-17 Associations Forum National Conference, NC, SCEC, Sydney; www.associations.net.au 17-19 Ticket Summit, IB, Las Vegas; www.ticketsummit.org 18-21 Furnitex, NE, MEC, Melbourne; www.furnitex.com.au 19-20 Good Food and Wine Show, NE, PCEC, Perth; www.goodfoodshow.com.au 22-23 Tourism and Events Excellence Conference, NC, Melbourne; www.teeconference.com 23-25 Entech, NE 4500, SCEC, Sydney; www.entechshow.com.au 24-25 Digital Security Summit, NC, Canberra; www.acevents.com.au 24-26 Security Expo, NE, SCEC, Sydney; www.securityexpo.com.au

1-5 Sydney Int. Boat Show, IE, SCEC, Sydney; www.sydneyboatshow.com.au 3-6 Home & Giving Fair, LE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.homeandgiving.com 3-7 Australian Gift and Homeware Association, IE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.agha.com.au 7-9 Marketing & Advertising Global Forum, IC, Sydney; www.admaforum.com.au 8-10 Asia Pacific Autism Conference, IC, Adelaide; www.apac13.org.au 10-11 Spa & Pool Show, LE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.spasashow.com.au 12-13 Lunch Show, LE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.lunchshow.com.au 12-14 Iron Ore, NC, Perth; www.ausimm.com.au 13-16 Stormwater Industry Assoc. of QLD, LC, Townsville; www. gemsevents.com.au/siaq2013 14-15 Australian Business Events Expo, NE, SCEC, Sydney; www.abeexpo.com.au 15-18 Herald Sun Home Show, LE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.melbournehomeshow.com.au 15-19 Hong Kong Food Expo, IE, Hong Kong; www.hktdc.com 20-23 Asia Pacific Int. Mining Exhibition, IE, Sydney; www.aimex.com.au 21-23 Aust. & NZ Spinal Cord Society, IC, SCEC, Sydney; www. dcconferences.com.au/anzscos2013 24-25 QLD Education Resources Expo, LC, BCEC, Brisbane; www.quedrex.com.au 24-29 Int. Congress of Pediatrics, IC, Melbourne; www2.kenes.com 25-26 Spa & Beauty Expo, IE, SCEC, Sydney; www.internationalbeautyexpo.com.au 25-27 Bags & Accessories, NE, Melbourne; www.bagsaccessories.com.au 25-27 Fashion Exposed, NE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.fashionexposed.com 25-28 Int. Council on Alcohol, Drugs & Traffic Safety, IC, Brisbane; www.t2013.com 30-Sept 1 Franchising Expo, LE, Melbourne; www.franchisingexpo.com.au

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June 2013 2-4 Foodservice Australia, NE, Melbourne; www.foodserviceaustralia.com.au 3-6 Int. Luxury Travel Market, IE, Shanghai; www.iltm.net 4-6 Renewable Energy World, IB, Vienna; www. renewableenergyworld-europe.com 4-6 Top Wine China, IE 7295, Beijing; www.topwinechina.com 4-7 European Congress, IC, Dublin; www.itsineurope.com 5-6 Total Facilities, NB, SCEC, Sydney; www.totalfacilities.com.au 5-6 ARCS Australia Conference, NC, SCEC, Sydney; www.arcsconferences.com 5-6 Water Industry Operations, NC, Gold Coast; www.wioa.org.au 7-10 Good Food and Wine Show, NE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.goodfoodshow.com.au 7-10 Mind Body Spirit Show, NE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.mbsfestival.com.au 8-10 Hair Expo, NE, SCEC, Sydney; www.hairexpoaustralia.com 11-13 AIBTM Incentives, Business, Travel & Meeting Expo, IE, Chicago; www.aibtm.com 12-15 Int. Liver Transplant Society, IC, SCEC, Sydney; www.2013.ilts.org 18-20 Int. Trade Show & Conference for Theatre, Film & Event, IB, Berlin; www.showtech.de 19-20 Happiness and its Causes,

IC, Melbourne; www.happinessanditscauses.com.au 21-23 NSW Pharmacy Convention, BC, SCEC, Sydney; www. guildpharmacyacademy-nce.com.au 24-25 Lunch Show, LE, Sydney; www.lunchshow.com.au 24-26 British International Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IC, ACC Liverpool, Liverpool; www.rcog.org.uk 26-27 Smart Conference, NB, SCEC, Sydney; www.smartconference.com.au 26-27 Meetings NZ, NE, Auckland; www.meetings.co.nz 28-30 Good Food and Wine Show, NE, SCEC, Sydney; www.goodfoodshow.com.au 28-30 Mind Body Spirit Show, NE, Brisbane; www.mbsfestival.com.au 29-Jul 2 European Cytogenetics Conference, IC, Dublin; www.e-c-a.eu 28-Jul 7 Australian International Motor Show, IE, MCEC, Melbourne; www.motorshow.com.au July 2013 3-4 Materials Handling and Logistics, NE, Auckland; www.mhlshow.co.nz 3-4 National Safety Show, NE, Auckland; www.safetyshow.co.nz 3-5 Clean Energy Expo China, IE, Beijing; www.cleanenergyexpochina.com 5-7 Queensland Garden Expo,

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