CIM July 2014 Issue by Creative Head Media Pty Ltd

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JULY 2014

Christchurch reinvents itself Brisbane pulls together for the G20 Fresh perspective on coastal destinations

New horizon Pan Pacific Hotels Group

10 years, 6,500 events, 1,000,000 guests

“The secret to our success lies in our team of professionals who share a commonality of passion and dedication, thrive on challenges, and are not afraid of the unknown. We are so proud to have been a part of New Zealand’s most memorable moments for the last 10 years. We cannot wait for what’s next to come...”

Gillian Officer Director of Sales Conventions & Out catering Gillian.officer@skycity.co.nz / 09 363 6358 / 021 893567

TEN YEARS STRONG

CONTENTS

On the cover

Pan Pacific Hotels Group is forging ahead with expansion plans for its Parkroyal and Pan Pacific brands in the Asia Pacific region including a new hotel in Melbourne.

REGULARS

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JUNE 2014

04 Publisher’s note 06 News 08 New Zealand news

10 International news 14 Q&A Shiane Lovell, Native Title Research Unit 34 Venue update

FEATURES

36 Profile Sue Sullivan, Conventions and

12 Cover story Pan Pacific Hotels Group

Incentives New Zealand

16 Brisbane Looking ahead to the G20

37 Meeting people 38 PCO Association

20 Incentives A winning event

Sporting venues winning fans Alice Springs inspiring events TNQ all about collaboration CIM0614.indd 1

Big ideas National Convention Centre Canberra 5/06/2014 12:44 pm

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Don’t miss

22 Coastal conferencing Time to hit refresh 26 Christchurch Reinventing itself for a new era 30 CIBTM The only way is up 32 Event report This is Gold Coast Business Exchange

Look out for these topical news-based video stories on our website, www.cimmagazine.com, and in the CIM iPad app, to delve deeper into the issues behind the print stories.

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 3

PUBLISHER’S WORD

A bridge too far W

e receive a lot of letters and emails here at CIM every month, but one email stood out for me this month:

I've just finished reading the May 2014 issue of CIM (I'm a bit behind, but I do save them to read!) and I was a bit dismayed by the last sentence in your Publisher's Word. The "Word" itself was great, but that final note, bagging the previous carpet at Royal Pines, really bothered me. Was it really necessary? It left a bad enough taste with me that I'm writing to you. As a side note, I quite liked the old carpet – I first saw it in 2006 and it seemed quite bold and daring. But yes, things do get dated, and also, everyone's taste is not the same. However, my point is not whether I liked it and you didn't – it's this: why insert a negative note, a criticism (of both the venue's carpet and Ken Done, seemingly!), at all in a piece that was otherwise positive and intriguing? It's alienating, both to those who may have liked the thing you don't, and in its tone as well. To me, it took away from a really upbeat, creative editorial. As another example, if you left CIM and the magazine got a new publisher, I would expect the magazine could welcome the new person without saying anything along the lines of "And we never liked Alexandra anyway!" Regards, Ann Byrne, Events Coordinator, Commission for Mission of the Uniting Church in Australia – Synod of Victoria and Tasmania Having reread my column I have to admit Ann is right. My comment at the end of the column referring to the old carpet negatively at Royal Pines was unnecessary. I was trying to make a humorous point and took it too far. I was very taken with the marketing strategy the team employed around replacing the carpet and set about writing my column in the same humorous manner, however I could have easily made my point without the final stab at the old carpet being unattractive. If I am being honest, I have to admit I insisted on Ken Done curtains in my bedroom when I was a teenager. So I don’t have an issue with the designer as such and I am quite sure there are many people out there who don’t agree with my style or fashion sense but manage to politely refrain from commenting. I went for the cheap laugh and for that I apologise. I also want to thank Ann for sending in her thoughts as I am sure there are more people out there who felt the same way she did.

Published in Australia by Creative Head Media Pty Ltd Suite 202, 80-84 Chandos Street, St Leonards 2065 P.O. Box 189, St Leonards 1590 ACN 147 436 280 ISSN 1039-1029 Website: www.cimmagazine.com

PUBLISHER Alexandra Yeomans MANAGING EDITOR Ylla Watkins JOURNALIST Sheridan Randall SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Jo Robinson ACCOUNT MANAGER Michelle Cullen DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Bin Zhou PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Anne Esteban ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT Kate Wilcox

HEAD OFFICE – SYDNEY +61 2 9438 2300 Creative Head Media Pty Ltd Fax: +61 2 9438 5962 Email: enquiries@creativehead.com.au

THIS MONTH’S TOP STORY

4 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

Nielsen Media Research July 2004 Readership 57,936 monthly Exclusive official publication for the PCO Association

AMAA, CAB Total Distribution Audit 16,541 March 2014 nce Organise rs fere A on

PCO

Inc. ation oci ss

While much of Christchurch still has to be rebuilt after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, the city is very much open for business and excited about its future. Find out more on page 26.

Opinions expressed by the contributors in this magazine are not the opinion of CIM. Letters to the editor are subject to editing.

Professio na lC

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INDUSTRY NEWS NEWS BRIEFS MCEC applauded for digital infrastructure Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) recently came second in the 2014 INCON Digital Infrastructure Award out of 20 international centres. MCEC’s director of technology operations, Michael Walsh, said the achievement was “a real credit to our in-house team who keep abreast of emerging technologies”.

Construction begins on ICC Sydney Construction has begun on the new International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney. Planning approval has also been given for a new luxury 616 room hotel to be built on the site, with Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner saying it “will be a spectacular addition to the new ICC Sydney precinct”.

BESydney honoured at IMEX Frankfurt Business Events Sydney was the inaugural recipient of the Destination Marketing Association International’s Humanitarian Award, presented at the IMEX Academy Awards in Frankfurt, Germany. Gold Coast Tourism chief executive Martin Winter (pictured left) was also recognised for his commitment as a director of the International Congress & Convention Association.

MEA conference heads to Hamilton Island Meetings & Events Australia will hold its 2015 Annual National Conference on Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island also hosted the conference in 2002. Hamilton Island business events manager, Julie Ford, said they are “looking forward to showcasing our island to the industry”.

Melbourne wins public health event Melbourne has secured the right to host the 15th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH), to be held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, in 2017. The congress is expected to attract over 2000 public health researchers, academics, scientists, educators and policy makers.

Gold Coast to host ICCA workshop The Gold Coast has won the right to host the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia-Pacific Client/ Supplier Business Workshop, to be held on September 24-26, 2014. Gold Coast Business Events (GCBE) collaborated with the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) to develop the winning bid, which will bring 15 ICCA members and their association clients to the Gold Coast for business sessions across three days. ICCA regional director Asia Pacific Noor Ahmad Hamid said the Gold Coast bid “stood out in terms of creativity”. “The Gold Coast enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a leading destination of business events,” he said. “Heavy emphasis was also placed on the fact of the city’s participation, which was a strong factor in the decision making process. It’s clear Gold Coast’s attendance

6 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

in the last three workshops has equipped the city with valuable insight on how the workshop should be organised. “It was therefore clear that the engagement and tremendous support of the GCBE and GCCEC is crucial to win the hosting right of this annual event.” Gold Coast business events director Anna Case said that win demonstrates the commitment that GCBE and GCCEC have made to bringing more international events to the city. “As a relatively young destination as far as international conference bidding is concerned, it is critical that we participate in activities such as this, to continue to elevate the city’s profile,” she said. “The win is a testament from the global meetings community that the Gold Coast delivers the professional services, infrastructure and range of product to exceed the requirements international events.”

BECA board sets agenda A major research project will be the cornerstone of the Business Events Council of Australia’s (BECA) policy development through 2014/15, according to BECA chairman Matthew Hingerty. The research, being conducted by EY, is co-funded by the Federal Government’s TQUAL program. “We are very excited by this project, which will give us the foundation for our conversation with the Federal and State Governments, our members and investors,” Hingerty said. “The research will comprehensively define

the industry and measure its impact across the Australian economy for the first time since the 2005 National Business and Events Study. “Too often business events are statistically lumped with major events (sports, shows and cultural events) or leisure tourism. This sells us short as business events have the valued-add of not only the visitation activities but the products and services bought and sold, contracts written and business contacts made. “Indeed 2014/15 promises to be an outstanding year for the business events

sector, with the many G20 meetings, the development of the Korean and Japanese Free Trade Agreements, the progress around the redevelopment of the Sydney convention and exhibition facilities and a number of highprofile health related conferences.” Hingerty appealed to the industry to support the BECA study, despite the time and effort involved. “We understand that there are a number of data sets to which the industry is asked to contribute. However this is about our future and I would ask that everyone gets behind it,” he said.

Australia Forum convention centre project on track The ACT Government remains committed to the Australia Forum convention centre project despite not securing development funding from the Federal Government.

As well as providing jobs during construction, the project will become “an ongoing driver of economic benefit to the city over the long term.”

Funding committed by the ACT Government will contribute to the proposal being progressed to investment ready status by 2016.

“Conference delegates come from around Australia and the world and inject significant export income directly into the economy on an ongoing basis,” she said.

“It is important to progress the functional brief, reference design, traffic management and governance arrangements for the development, particularly now the site (in the South East quadrant of London Circuit facing the City Hill Park) has been selected,” said Robyn Hendry, CEO of Canberra Convention Bureau.

“And the good news is that, provided we have the required facilities, the conference market that Canberra attracts is not subject to the vagaries of political and local economic cycles. These events are about professional development which is an ongoing need and often written into the constitution of national and international associations, and the status of Canberra as the national capital also makes it the natural choice for high level government meetings.”

“Having the project at investment ready status will be the best way to work towards attracting both private sector and Federal Government funding in the future.”

Hunter Region launches new marketing campaign The Hunter region in New South Wales has launched a new business tourism marketing campaign, “Altogether Perfect”, that aims to attract major conferences and meetings to the region to increase midweek occupancy and visitation. The $270,000 campaign was announced by Visitor Economy Hunter chairman Will Creedon, who said the campaign was the product of a collaboration between Destination NSW and regional partners, Destination Port Stephens, Newcastle Convention Bureau and the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association. “Altogether Perfect is the first dedicated business tourism campaign the region has seen in several years,” Creedon said. “The industry has supported the initiative with an investment of $135,000 and Destination NSW has matched it. “Our region has the capacity to service niche markets within specific destinations such as the association market into Newcastle, the corporate market into the Hunter Valley and the incentive market into Port Stephens. This campaign will allow for cross promotion between the different markets and areas as well as added pre and post touring opportunities.”

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 7

NZ NEWS

Queenstown convention centre plans firm up Remarkables Park in Queenstown has announced details of its multi-million-dollar 2700sqm convention centre, scheduled to open in the second half of 2016.

“The emphasis has been on developing a functional design to provide a very flexible-use format following months of behind the scenes research, consultation and hard work.”

Plans for Stage One of the centre, which will be capable of providing for up to 900 conference delegates, were reviewed by a joint Queenstown Lakes District Council and Remarkables Park Design Review Board last month.

Stage One of the centre will have two adjoining conference spaces, breakout rooms, an exhibition and pre-function foyer. Two new hotels, new retail stores, cafés and bars, all part of a new High Street to the north of the convention centre development, are also planned.

“It’s exciting news for Queenstown that we’re underway with this much soughtafter facility and we’re really pleased to now be able to show people what we’ve

been working on,” said Remarkables Park chief executive and director Alastair Porter.

Plans for a separate council-funded convention centre in Queenstown’s CBD are also under discussion.

Opportunity for growth New Zealand’s reputation as a business events destination is at an all-time high ranking 51st in this year’s International Conference and Convention Association's annual country and city rankings.

costs and accommodation. We are perceived as a safe destination and visa friendly, which helps to position New Zealand as an attractive destination in the international market.

New Zealand's ranking is up four places on the previous year and sits just outside the world's top 50.

We are also working hard on profiling those sectors that New Zealand can deliver expertise and leadership to the rest of the world in – which include marine, aviation, agribusiness, health science, high value foods and earth sciences.

This is an encouraging result for a country of our size and a real testament to the country’s investment in and commitment to developing the business events sector over the past years. While this is a positive result, it also highlights that challenges to business events in New Zealand still remain. Primarily the perception the country is too far away or too small to host significant events, and the strong competition New Zealand faces from international destinations including the practice of subvention. New Zealand needs to play to its strengths – which far outweigh these challenges. Our accessibility within the Pacific Rim from Asia, North America and Australia is excellent, with many direct air connections putting us in the heart of the world’s growth region. On a global scale New Zealand’s prices are very competitive – both on event

New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and unique experiences also provide significant opportunities to promote pre and post conference travel for delegates and their friends and family – adding to our attractiveness as a conference destination. Our capability as a destination is set to improve with the announcement of four new convention centres planned for the country in the near future, which will significantly increase our capacity to host large international events. The future is looking bright for business events in New Zealand – and there is clearly opportunity for growth. Bjoern Spreitzer is international business events manager for Tourism New Zealand.

Air New Zealand launches Conference Support Programme Air New Zealand has launched a programme to attract more international conferences to New Zealand. The Air New Zealand Conference Support Programme aims to grow the number of conference bids won for New Zealand by working in partnership with conference organisers. Under the programme, Air New Zealand will support travel to New Zealand for preevent site inspections and offer discounted travel rates to New Zealand for conference delegates and their companions. “Air New Zealand has been the principal sponsor of the annual Meetings event for several years and this year we have worked with Tourism New Zealand and CINZ (Conventions and Incentives New Zealand) to fly in and host more than 120 international buyers from Australia, USA, China, Hong Kong and Japan for this event,” said Air New Zealand chief commercial and sales officer Cam Wallace. “The Air New Zealand Conference Support Programme takes this industry collaboration to the next level.” Applications open from July 1, 2014.

8 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

TNZ taps into AuSAE database Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) has announced a marketing agreement with the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE), aimed at growing the number of Australian business events in New Zealand. AuSAE represents more than 10,000 people working in not-for-profit organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand. The two-year agreement formalises a commitment from AuSAE to promote New Zealand to their members as a business events destination and improve the capability of New Zealand associations to host an international conference.

Auckland strategy pays off Auckland Convention Bureau’s increased focus on international business events is paying dividends, according to Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) manager Anna Hayward. Speaking at the launch of last month’s Meetings 2014 in Auckland, Hayward said that ACB bid for 36 international conventions in the last 11 months compared to 29 in the last financial year. The city has won 12 of those bids, with a potential economic value to Auckland of NZ$10.1 million; the results of another

13 bids, which have a combined potential value of NZ$17.2 million to Auckland, are still pending. Site visits and famils from the Australian market are also on the rise, with Auckland now front of mind for more and more Australian business event organisers. “Now more than ever, we are really getting a sense that Auckland is the cool kid on the block when it comes to hot conference and events destinations in Australasia,” said Hayward.

Speaking at the Meetings 2014 tradeshow last month, TNZ’s director of trade, PR and major events, Justin Watson, said the partnership is a great step toward growing the value of business events out of Australia. “Australia is an important market for the business events sector in New Zealand and we are excited to be working collaboratively with AuSAE to promote the benefits of holding events in New Zealand,” he said. TNZ and AuSAE have committed to a programme of activity which will include New Zealand workshops and events in Australia, and educational visits for Australian AuSAE members to showcase the range of venues and facilities on offer. A conference bidding program will also be held in New Zealand to improve the quality of bids for international events.

A F O CA L P O I N T F O R E XC E L L E N C E Creating a successful event requires more than providing conference delegates a world-class venue in an attractive city. The standout value for our clients is in the opportunities, connections and ideas generated at every single event . Contact us now to discuss your next opportunity. Phone +64 (9) 363 6070, visit skycityconventions.co.nz or email enquiries@skycityconventions.co.nz.

CREATING CONNECTIONS

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 9

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Help at hand for international Associations New York-based business development consultants the Global Industry Development Network (GIDN) has announced the launch of a Grants Database as a part of its Association Incubation Program, aimed at assisting International Associations to raise up to US$250,000 towards their conferences. The database will be used to identify grants and sources of funding for up to 300 international associations and their conferences each year.

BestCities welcomes Tokyo Global alliance BestCities has welcomed the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB) as the Alliance’s first partner from North East Asia and the first to go through the new Regional Affiliate Member (RAM) programme. The RAM programme was introduced to aid BestCities’ expansion into new markets and to assist those bureaux that either want to take the membership process in stages or don’t necessarily have the same levels of resources to be dedicated to BestCities’ membership in the early months of being a partner. As BestCities’ first RAM partner, the TCVB will be mentored as they embark on a three-stage, three-year process through the membership stages, with tiered benefits until they achieve full partner status. “Although Tokyo is Japan’s most successful convention city, there are many advantages to embarking on the RAM programme, including the opportunity to be affiliated with an established group of

leading bureaux, acquiring best practices in the industry and obtaining recognition for our quality standards,” said Kiyofumi Kamijo, chairman of TCVB. “Becoming a BestCities partner will also give us the additional endorsement to help us further our development into the international association market.” Currently ranked equal 26th in the world according to the International Congress and Convention Association rankings and a major global financial centre, Tokyo boasts more than 96,000 accommodation rooms in central Tokyo alone, and a wide variety of multi-purpose meeting venues including a 5000-seat convention centre. BestCities Board chair Karen Bolinger said: “For BestCities, our aim is to continually influence and raise the level of bureaux professionalism – a BestCities signature – around the world and we are very excited to have expanded our portfolio to include Tokyo.”

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According to organisers, this new program works by aligning an Association’s discipline with the economic or social development needs of countries around the world. By selecting the right country that has a particular need or interest, grants can be shortlisted and funding can more easily be obtained for the conference, through direct contributions, for delegates from that country to attend the conference, or for joint projects to be developed between international Associations and their members, where the conference is used to kick-off the project. “Our goal is to use this grants database to raise up to $250,000 for each conference within the program,” said Scott Campbell, executive director of GIDN. “We also want to see this funding used to increase the tangible outcomes and projects from conferences”.

Marina Bay Sands bans shark fin Marina Bay Sands has confirmed it will no longer serve shark fin in restaurants it owns and operates, or at events held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre. This initiative, which was piloted in October 2013, is aligned to the integrated resort’s sustainability strategy, Sands ECO360°, which promotes responsible business operations in the areas of green buildings, environmentally responsible operations, green meetings and sustainability education

and outreach. “Removing shark fin from the menus across our different business units is a bold testament to our commitment to reducing our environmental impact,” said Kevin Teng, director of sustainability at Marina Bay Sands. “Marina Bay Sands is a leader in the hospitality and MICE industry – we have the unique opportunity to inspire and influence our customers and partners to adopt sustainable practices.”

IMEX joint statement promotes global collaboration Better industry cooperation was on the agenda at this year’s IMEX’s Politician’s Forum in Frankfurt, with the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) joining with the World Tourism Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council to issue a joint statement.

industry growth and stability”, said JMIC president Philippe Fournier.

The joint statement recognised key values associated with the meetings industry and identified three focal points for future collaboration – communications and advocacy, research and sustainable development.

The agreement was the product of a series of discussions in which areas of common interest were identified. Of particular concern was the importance of recognising and incorporating the values associated with the meetings industry relative to the role it plays in facilitating global business, professional and academic outcomes, and more effectively incorporating these values in the ongoing conversation with governments and the business community.

“We believe this is an important achievement for the meetings industry as it opens the door for more effective communications and interactions between our three organisations in areas where we have a common interest and a stake in future

Destination marketing organisation Brand USA has launched a culinary initiative aimed at promoting gastro-tourism and showcasing the US as a top culinary destination following the release of Discover America: Great American Food Stories culinary guide.

“At the same time, it will enable us all to speak more consistently and with greater credibility to our respective audiences and constituencies, many of which we share.”

B E

Brand USA launches culinary campaign

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COVER STORY Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney. Cover image: The lobby at Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Since the reintroduction of its Parkroyal brand in Australia four years ago, Pan Pacific Hotels Group has cemented its reputation as one of the leading hotel companies in Australia with its four hotels – Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport, Parkroyal Parramatta and Pan Pacific Perth. Building on that success, the Group is also scheduled to launch eight more Pan Pacific and Parkroyal hotels in Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, China and Indonesia by 2017, including a second Parkroyal in Melbourne at the new $12 billion Melbourne Docklands development. Located within Melbourne Docklands’ Digital

New horizon Pan Pacific Hotels Group is forging ahead with expansion plans for its Parkroyal and Pan Pacific brands in the Asia Pacific region including an upcoming hotel in Melbourne.

For more information visit www.parkroyalhotels.com www.panpacific.com www.pphg.com

Harbour Precinct, Parkroyal Melbourne will span the first 18 floors of the 37-storey The Altus complex and feature 281 rooms, a restaurant and lounge, gymnasium, lap pool and meeting spaces. “Australia holds great significance for us as the home of the Parkroyal brand and as an important growth market for the Group,” said Craig Bond, area general manager – Oceania, Pan Pacific Hotels Group. “The opening of Parkroyal Melbourne builds on the success of our Parkroyal hotels in steadily winning over guests and customers since the brand was reintroduced to Australia in 2010. We are focused on bringing both our Pan Pacific and Parkroyal brands to more customers in key cities like Brisbane, Perth and Auckland.” The new Melbourne hotel complements the 276-room award-winning Parkroyal Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine. Voted “Best Airport Hotel in Australia/Pacific” in the World Airport Awards for 2012 and 2013, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport features an entire floor dedicated to conferences, meetings and events for up to 300 people, and a well-equipped business centre. A sky bridge connecting the airport directly to the hotel’s lobby offers busy travellers

12 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

seamless connectivity, allowing them to make the most of their time in Melbourne. Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney also had cause for celebration in June with the opening of its standalone Abode bistro and bar, which complements the hotel’s Barkers Restaurant on level one. Under the guiding hand of head chef Ryan Hong, Abode’s menu focuses on seasonal produce paired with craft beers, specialty wines and “his and hers” cocktails. The 340-room Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney also offers eight flexible meeting and event spaces that cater for up to 500 standing. Sydney’s west is also well catered for meetings with the 196-room Parkroyal Parramatta offering eight versatile event spaces that can accommodate up to 500 guests theatre-style. Further west, the 486-room Pan Pacific Perth offers the largest convention floor in the Perth CBD at 2474sqm, making it the most comprehensive meetings and events venue in Western Australia’s capital. Pan Pacific Hotels Group’s properties in Australia partner with leading audio-visual company Staging Connections to make planning an event even easier. The Group’s recent developments are not limited to Australia, with the Group on track to open its fifth property in China – Pan Pacific Hotel and Serviced Suites Tianjin – later this year, and the recent signing of a new Parkroyal in Langkawi, one of Malaysia’s best-known and most popular beach destinations. The fourth Parkroyal in Malaysia, Parkroyal Langkawi Resort is scheduled to open in 2017 and will feature 253 rooms and nine villas, on a prime beachfront location at Pantai Tengah Beach, the longest and most popular stretch of beach in Langkawi. To mark its expansion, Pan Pacific Hotels Group is offering two special offers at its Australian hotels – the Parkroyal “Picky & Choosy”, which allows event organisers the opportunity to pick and choose the bonus benefits that suit them at any of the three Parkroyal hotels in Sydney and Melbourne, while another offer rewards organisers with a range of discounts at Pan Pacific Perth.

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Q&A

Coming together The 2014 National Native Title Conference brought together delegates from all over Australia to debate topics specific to Indigenous people’s interests. Shiane Lovell, conference manager at the Native Title Research Unit, talks about the aims and the challenges of the conference. Q: What is the National Native Title Conference?

Q: Did the diversity of the delegates pose any challenges?

A: The National Native Title Conference is recognised as the leading Indigenous policy conference in Australia. The 2014 Conference was co-convened by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), and NTSCORP Limited [Native Title Service Provider for Aboriginal Traditional Owners in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory], and hosted by the Gumbayngirr people, the traditional owners of the Coffs Harbour region.

A: The main challenges were to ensure the conference program offered presentations and activities to cover the broad audience, to ensure delegates were engaged with the presentations being given, and to create an environment where delegates felt comfortable participating in the conversations going on. The Indigenous talking circles developed as a result of the diversity. These forums are for Indigenous delegates only and provide a cultural safe space for Indigenous people to speak and engage with each other, sometimes on sensitive issues. There is also an added benefit to the talking circles, in that we have seen a few delegates progressively develop their confidence through these sessions to then speak in the public forum

Q: What was the program structure? A: The conference program consisted of one day of closed workshops for Indigenous people and their native title representative bodies and service providers followed by two days of the public program which included keynote speeches, panel discussions Indigenous talking circles, women’s and men’s forums, and workshops.

Q: How did you pick the keynote speakers? A: This year Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion was invited to attend the conference to reflect on the current changes in native title as a part of the closed forum on the first day.

Q: What was its aim? A: The 2014 National Native Title Conference “Living with Native Title, from the Bush to the Sea” welcomed delegates from all over Australia to engage in debate about native title and Indigenous people’s interest in land and water; foster knowledge acquisition in this dynamic area of agreement making, natural resource management and economic development; and provides an opportunity for native title parties to share information and experience and to broaden policy intent. Q: What types of delegates were expected? A: Held at Novotel Coffs Harbour Pacific Bay Resort, it attracted around 600 native title holders and claimants, traditional owners, native title representative bodies and service agencies, the Federal Court, National Native Title Tribunal, Commonwealth and State Government agencies, Ministers, Judges, academics, consultants, industry representatives, Indigenous peoples and those interested in native title. Q: With delegates coming from across the country, were their logistical challenges? A: The commitment from some of our delegates is significant, with some travelling for a number of days, for example from the Kimberley, up to almost a week from remote parts of Australia (such as the central desert) to get to the conference.

We have a limited number of keynote speakers because an important aspect of the conference is the cultural program. Each plenary session begins with a cultural performance and traditional welcome or cultural introduction. This really sets the scene and the mood for the day. Q: What was the highlight of the event? A: Personally, the main highlight of the conference was the diverse range of speakers from different areas throughout the native title sector and from across Australia, including Indigenous and nonIndigenous speakers. The cultural program was another highlight. NTSCORP did an amazing job organising the cultural program which brought traditional owners, artists, dancers, singers and performers to the conference to share their own culture to delegates over the three days. Q: How did you measure the success of the event? A: The positive feedback I received from delegates during and after the conference was fantastic. But in a more measurable sense, delegates were asked to complete a participant feedback form. The overall rating was 85 per cent positive which we think is a fantastic result.

14 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

Advertorial

EX Factor for business events

Sydney’s Inspire EX offers much to help those who organise business events Inspire EX, organiser of Sydney’s largest trade shows for the business and special events industry, has announced a number of new exhibitors and partnerships for their upcoming show, at Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island on August 18 and 19. Appetite for innovation and fresh ideas for business events has driven visitor demand for new exhibitors and Inspire EX is set to deliver. The partnerships are designed to raise the profile of each company’s commitment to various show elements, including the importance of utilising technology in events, professional development, forming new business relationships and sourcing quality event destinations, venues and services. As well as highlighting venues and destinations, Inspire EX will feature entertainers, cuisine and elements that make events sparkle. It is a chance to learn from top event professionals, compare the latest event innovations, and network with peers and suppliers. More than 6000 buyers from the corporate and special events world are expected to attend the event, and the VIP Buyer Program connects exhibitors and attendees who have solid buying potential. VIP buyers manage an average of 30 events a year with budgets of at least $400,000. A wide range of presentations will be offered at the show with such speakers as international special events design guru John Daly. His presentation is

supported by the “No matter what the budget, show’s official I believe imagination can go international a long way” airline partner Delta Air Lines. Drawing on his experiences producing events for Top 50 Fortune 500 companies and such celebrities as Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey, he will talk about innovative ways to create events. “I have worked with event budgets from zero to several million dollars, but no matter what the budget, I believe imagination can go a long way,” he says. “My clients demand perfection, and it is very important—especially in Hollywood—to set boundaries from the beginning. “I feel privileged to have worked with exclusive brands and celebrities, but I would have nothing today if I hadn’t worked with the utmost respect and dedication to their vision. After all, it is their event.” Registration to attend is free at inspireex.com.au. Tickets to the Inspire EX seminar program are now available, and applications are being taken for the VIP Buyer Program.

18 & 19 August 2014 | Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island

Inspire EX hosts the best from the business and special event industry: •

seminar presentations from the industry’s best

•

VIP Buyer Program

•

unique experiences

•

networking events

•

interactive zones

•

diverse array of suppliers

inspiring creativity

BRISBANE

Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland.

All together now Watch the video in the CIM iPad app.

With the eyes of the world set to be on Brisbane when the G20 Leaders Summit comes to town in November, the city is banding together to ensure the event is a sucess, writes Ylla Watkins. With less than six months to go until the G20 Leaders Summit in November, Brisbane is stepping up city-wide preparations for the event, which will attract 7000 delegates, including world leaders and international media. The campaign, led by Brisbane City Council and economic development board Brisbane Marketing, includes “a welcoming strategy aimed at engaging the business events industry at all visitation touch points”, according to Brisbane Convention Bureau director Annabel Sullivan.

thereafter as an important G20-driven legacy.” The Brisbane Welcomes the World program, which was launched by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk in May, will see around 2000 Brisbane hospitality workers including concierges, taxi drivers, retailers and volunteers participate

incredibly strong point of competitive difference. “The aim is to give visitors a personal connection with our city, our culture and our events that we hope they will share with their friends and relatives.

“One of Brisbane’s great assets is our friendly, caring community and despite the city’s growth and rapid change of pace, that hasn’t changed.”

“As the host city of the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit Brisbane [wants to] build its reputation as one of the friendliest cities in the world through a series of initiatives designed to help visitors easily find their way around including a city-wide welcoming strategy and a new integrated wi-fi system,” she says. “These initiatives include the roll out of a user-friendly wayfinding initiative which will add a new dimension to visiting Brisbane for G20 delegates, future delegates and tourists as a whole. “A ‘Brisbane Welcomes the World’ strategy will also ensure the city’s service and transport industry staff and volunteers have the tools and information to make visitors feel welcome and informed for the G20 visit and

in training sessions to ensure the city is remembered as the “friendly G20 host city”. “Hosting a G20 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and our local businesses will play a vital role in the event’s success,” Quirk said, speaking at the program's launch.

“This program will continue beyond G20, to ensure we are giving visitors the warmest welcome.”

Other initiatives to be launched in the lead-up to the G20 include the “Brisbane Global Café”, which will see leading thinkers and innovators from around the world start a virtual conversation in the months leading up to the Summit, a three-week Cultural Celebrations program of events, and a civic pride campaign, which will celebrate the accomplishments of Brisbane and its people.

“One of Brisbane’s great assets is our friendly, caring community and despite the city’s growth and rapid change of pace, that hasn’t changed.

At the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, which will host the G20 Leaders Summit, the countdown for the event is on in earnest, according to centre general manager Bob O’Keeffe.

“This fun, interactive and engaging program will encourage participants to think about what makes Brisbane special and how they can share that with our visitors.

“Planning for the event has intensified with well over 100 advance visits to date from participating countries and organisations,” he said.

“Being a competent and welcoming destination provides us all with an

“The accreditation process has commenced and staff are now very involved in the

16 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

Exhibitions on the rise for Brisbane Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is attracting strong interest from the exhibition industry, hosting nine new exhibitions this year. A mix of trade and consumer shows, they cover a diverse range of topics from food and health to holidays, travel and entertainment. Amongst the new exhibitions is Convene Queensland, a new business events expo putting the state’s industry under the spotlight; AWISA 2014 (Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association), a first time event for Brisbane; and the Queensland Police Expo, which is celebrating 150 years of police service in Queensland. BCEC general manager and board member of the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia, Bob O’Keeffe, said the recent increase in exhibition events is evidence of a healthy capacity for innovation and development within the industry. The Brisbane Truck Show is back again in 2015.

preparation and planning stages, as they would be for any large scale event.” Although currently in a very busy period, “working on the 400 or so other events including 54 conventions in the leadup to the G20”, O’Keeffe says staff at the Centre “are looking forward to the challenges and logistics of such a high profile international event and excitement and many opportunities it will bring to both Brisbane and the Centre into the future”. With the city as a whole “excited about the

“The value of exhibitions cannot be underestimated, with benefits extending to all areas of the economy,” he says. “For exhibitors and organisations involved they present a powerful face to face sales and marketing force.”

opportunity the summit represents”, interest in Brisbane is also starting to build around the globe, adds Sullivan. “Stories about Brisbane are starting to appear in international media ahead of the summit,” she says. “Brisbane Marketing has already hosted journalists from China, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the UK and the United States who have been eager to find out more about the city. The level of interest in Brisbane is expected to grow exponentially as the summit draws closer.”

Additionally, the Bureau has secured 18 conference bids since January alone, generating almost $8 million in economic value for the city via an expected 5000 delegates and 14,000 room nights for the city’s hotel operators. “The 2014 G20 Leaders Summit is just one of many recent conference successes for Brisbane, demonstrating the city’s emergence as a diverse and energised global city and a leading destination for conferences,” Sullivan says.

Australia’s newest convention centre •

Stunning heritage inspired boutique style venue

•

Committed to offering memorable experiences

T +61 7 3253 3900

E enquiries@royalicc.com.au

W www.royalicc.com.au

Scan to read Factsheet

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 17

Event snapshot

Scenes from the 32nd World Congress of Audiology.

Hearing experts meet in Brisbane Around 1600 of the world’s leading hearing scientists, audiologists, physicians, speech pathologists, educators and consumer advocates met at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in May for the 32nd World Congress of Audiology. Hosted by the International Society of Audiology (ISA), Audiology Australia and the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre, the program covered a range of topics around current issues including the high rates of hearing loss in developing countries, an increasing use of internet-based audiological service protocols, and the perils of living in our ever increasing noisy world and the future of hearing healthcare. For the first time the event also incorporated a “Hear for the Future” Expo enabling professionals and the public to see new services and initiatives for managing hearing healthcare. To find out more about the event, CIM caught up with Congress manager Barry Neame, director of Consec Conference Management. Q: Why was Brisbane chosen for this event? A: The event was originally scheduled to be in Sydney but when the demolition [of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre] came along, Brisbane was a natural move for the organisation. They’d already had the Congress in Melbourne in 2002 and Brisbane is quite a leading centre for

hearing research. We were particularly attracted to the BCEC because of the existing infrastructure; hearing loops for people who were hard of hearing, for example. All of the major sessions were captioned, and for some sessions we also had Auslan signing as well. As a conference organiser we also like to ensure that we create the right group dynamic by keeping delegates together and not letting them spread out all over the place, and the space here allows for that. Q: How many people did the Congress attract? A: We had about 1600 people from all over the world, including 800-900 Australian audiologists. The last event was in Russia and had 440 delegates. The Australian society was very active. Q: What was the goal of the Congress? A: The goal of the Congress was to share scientific knowledge between audiologists; it’s very specific around that. They had two days of pre Congress workshops and instructional courses which were more orientated towards professional development in specific areas, before three days of scientific presentations and papers from audiologists from all over the world. Q: Was there a theme for the Congress? A: I don’t think they came up with a particular theme because the constituency is so diverse. There are audiologists that work

18 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

specifically in hearing aids, and others that are involved in very complicated research around hearing and brain stem implants, so to target one theme would potentially leave others out. Q: The program for the event included an open day for the public. How was that received? A: We had a public day on Sunday, which included a public hearing expo, where people could come along and be evaluated. We didn’t measure how many people came through to door but we had maybe 400 to 500 people that came along and engaged with the exhibitors. A lot of the cochlear implant community that are here in Brisbane came along because Graham Clark, who was the inventor of the cochlear implant [an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear] spoke. It’s very typical for surgeons and other groups to have their own scientific meetings but there is increasingly a greater push to reach out to the community and engage with them. Q: What were some of the other highlights of the program? A: We had a large Indigenous opening ceremony and smoking ceremony which really went down well. A lot of delegates went backstage to have photos taken with them. Our Indigenous culture is quite unique in a global sense.

Royal audience Since opening just over 12 months ago, the Royal International Convention Centre (Royal ICC) has been going from strength to strength. CIM spoke with new general manager of venue, sales and marketing, Sally Pullford, about how the venue is going. Q: What are your priorities for the year ahead?

the venue and team in our infancy.

A: Our focus for the year ahead will be to further streamline and perfect our event experience for clients. We also will be continuing to promote our stunning heritage designed venue to those in the marketplace yet to book a function.

A: Obviously revenue is an important measure of success however it is certainly not our only marker. We place great importance on retaining business and our aim is to provide superior service and experience to all who walk through the front doors; the best measure for success in this regard is our repeat booking rate.

Q: It’s been just over 12 months since the Royal ICC opened. How has it performed? A: We have held more than 250 events since opening in April 2013 including major international conferences and national events. Our customer feedback has been very positive and we are very proud of our performance to date. A large number of first year events are returning and securing dates for future years, which is testament to the great performance of

THE

Q: How do you measure success?

Q: What sets the Royal ICC apart from other venues? A: Our stunning heritage design, flexible boutique nature and layout are unique. We can also accommodate a national conference with exhibition, plenary, breakouts and social functions all on the one level. The feedback we have received from association and

2014

G20

corporate clients is that they love the fact that they can solely occupy the space and minimise making their delegates walk long distances between sessions. We also pride ourselves on offering a service that is very personal, accommodating and flexible. Q: What does 2014-2015 hold for the Centre? A: We are looking forward to a very busy year and are excited to welcome new and existing clients and have them experience the amazing space and service we offer. We are also excited about construction of an on-site hotel planned to commence later this year as part of our Brisbane Showgrounds regeneration project. The project will see the precinct transformed into a lifestyle and cultural hub for the community to access all year round.

HOST CITY

The world’s most significant business event is coming to Brisbane in 2014. Let the Brisbane Convention Bureau show you why. MEETINBRISBANE.COM.AU

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 19

INCENTIVES

ncers entertain Traditional Mayan da Gathering 2013. l participants at Globa

The Gala Awards Night featured the energetic and crowd pleasing Pitbull.

Global success story

When the Flight Centre Travel Group wanted to reward its top 10 per cent of employees, it looked towards cievents for help. The result was an award-winning success, writes Ylla Watkins. A highlight of this year’s Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) 2014 National Conference in Kuala Lumpur was the announcement of the annual MEA Awards. Taking out this year’s Incentive Reward of the Year award was cievents, for its work on the Flight Centre Travel Group’s Global Gathering 2013, which saw 3300 of the international company’s employees travel to Cancun in Mexico for a weekend to remember. The win was cievents third in the category, having also won for its work on the Flight Centre Global Gathering Paris 2011 and Flight Centre Global Gathering Las Vegas 2010, with the company graduating to the MEA Hall of Fame as a result. It was a win which Kris Dalton, cievents’ director of production, and 11 year veteran of working on the event, says was “humbling”. “We were incredibly proud,” she says. “Our whole business loves doing this event. The fact that we get it year after year means that the challenge is how do you make it better? How do you make it different? There are a quorum of people that come year after year, because they are the company’s high achievers, so we want to make it fresh and surprising and really worthwhile for them.” With a goal of publically recognising and rewarding Flight Centre Travel Group’s best

performing employees world-wide, cievents’ brief for the event is to find a spectacular venue for the Global Gathering. Must haves include a warm location (preferably a beach) where all attendees could be in the same hotel or very close to each other, in the same standard of accommodation.

updates, a gala awards nights, networking opportunities and team building.

“Because Flight Centre is a travel company we try to spread it around the world,” she says. “And funnily enough it’s not as easy as it sounds to try and find a place to host between 3000 and 4000 people. There are several events across the weekend and everyone attends all of those events. In the past we’ve been to Dublin, Paris and Barcelona and Singapore.

“We took over a logistics warehouse which had never done an event before; we had to train them to understand what this event needed. During that period the venue was also sold so we had to relook at it all again with the new owners. They didn’t even have fire plans in place for venue. I had to deliver that to the English speaking crew in rehearsal and someone else standing next to me had to deliver it in several other languages.”

“Flight Centre also uses it as an opportunity for their sales people to get experience of a destination, so there’s always an educational element to what we do.” In 2013 cievents recommended Cancun, where participants could be accommodated across three beachfront resorts, The Marriot, The Casa Magna and The Sandoz, which are next to each other and within easy walking access. With the destination decided upon, the emphasis was to produce a world class event that motivated and engaged participants. The program for the three-day event included inspirational guest speakers, product

20 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

“It had its challenges,” Dalton says. “I think for us in Australia, in that pre production time, you always face the tyranny of distance. At one stage they were something like 14 hours behind.

With the fine tuning of the program underway, a global pre and post communication plan brought the event campaign to life for Flight Centre staff. Employees were engaged via print and digital teasers, games, sponsor based competitions, a smart phone app, video blog, e-newsletters, a countdown clock on intranets, facebook updates and tweets, posters and merchandise. Highlights of the Gathering’s program included a colourful welcome night Mexican Fiesta party around the pool at the Marriott with special guest DJ Roger Sanchez, and

d the aroun y t r a p t. Resor Fiesta xican tt Cancun e M t e nigh gna Marrio elcom a A performance by special gu The w he Casa M est DJ Roger t t w as the perfect a l Sanchez o po start to the th ree day event.

a keynote address from Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman who explained having talent is not enough – the balance of the physical training and mental preparation is what gets you to your winning goal. A purpose written soap opera called “Hospital Cancun” featured the top sponsors in an entertaining series of video breakers, while a Mexican film festival was set up for the afternoon so delegates could be educated on the tourism hot spots of Mexico. “The weekend starts with a welcome evening, which is very sponsor driven and a chance for the sponsors to get amongst the delegates,” Dalton says. “The next day

mpic ationally renowned Oly Keynote speaker, intern wman. Bo b Bo ch coa his d s, an swimmer Michael Phelp

there is a five and a half hour conference. In the afternoon they go out and destination training, which was basically a race around Cancun type piece which was put together by Tourism Cancun. In the evening there is a very large awards night; we do about 80 awards on a centre stage.”

cievents says the event achieved its goal of creating overwhelming brand engagement and excitement about Flight Centre’s future. According to the company, Flight Centre business leaders have seen the Global Gathering breathe new life into their teams for the year ahead.

At the end of the awards evening a surprise reveal was achieved through a false wall in the venue which saw delegates walk through a digitally mapped pyramid into an after party featuring the energetic and crowd pleasing band Pitbull.

“This is a very strategic piece of business for us,” says Dalton. “We really build the strategy up – what does it mean for the business? What are the take home messages? What do we want people to take back and share with their team? We start with that premise and all the fun bits get wrapped around it.”

With feedback from participants overwhelmingly positive, the team at

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 21

COASTAL CONFERENCING

Hit refresh When it comes to blowing off the cobwebs there is no better option than heading down to the beach, and with so much beach to choose from in Australia event organisers are spoilt for choice, writes Sheridan Randall.

Following its successful annual conference this year in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur, Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) recently announced that it will hold its 2015 Annual National Conference on Hamilton Island, in the Whitsundays. And what better way to refresh its delegates than with a conference at one of Australia’s most scenic coastal locations. Speaking shortly after the announcement, Julie Ford, Hamilton Island business events manager, said that the destination is “looking forward to showcasing its extensive conference facilities” for the meeting’s business sessions, including its conference centre, the yacht club and the newly refurbished beachside endeavour room.

One&Only experience will bring more Australians and international guests alike to the Great Barrier Reef”. “The combination of this incredible private island in the Great Barrier Reef, the significant investment of $80 million made by our fantastic partners, Mulpha Australia and our own One&Only team dedicated to providing guests with amazing experiences through our unique brand of service, represents an exciting addition to the luxury Australian travel market,” he says. The Whitsundays has also seen the addition of a new Airlie Beach conference venue at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. The Palm House caters for up to 200 delegates and features botanic-like gardens and water features. The venue’s large airconditioned space has partitions to create more intimate spaces and sliding doors opening to the outdoor area, as well as a full bar and commercial kitchen.

“With the relaxed environment it made the delegates feel the same way and all seemed to enjoy and love the experience of being on the coast.”

“Once the business sessions are done there will be some exciting outdoor tropical venues to do what we do best, network,” she added. “From poolside to beaches we’re working with the MEA team to create great events under the stars.”

Qantas has also this month relaunched its direct service between Sydney and Hamilton Island, which coincides with the opening of new luxury resort One&Only Hayman Island. Offering three flights a week on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday during peak season (July and September through to January) and bi-weekly services on Wednesday and Sunday off peak, it has been almost 10 years since Qantas served the route. The move complements Jetstar’s existing flights, and is set to add more than 10,000 additional visitors a year to Hamilton Island. Watch the video in the CIM iPad app.

Alan Leibman, the chief executive of the resort’s parent group Kerzner International, says it is “confident that the new

22 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

For those wanting to get as close to the water as possible, Cruise Whitsundays have launched “Great Barrier Reef Events” at their pontoon at Hardy Reef, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Located beside a spectacular wall of coral and surrounded by hundreds of species of fish, the Reefworld II pontoon is available for corporate functions up to 300 delegates. MEA is not the only organisation wanting to feel the sand between its toes, with the 2014 National Native Title Conference, “Living with Native Title, from the Bush to the Sea”, seeing around 600 delegates from all over Australia descend on Novotel Coffs Harbour

Top gear Release your inner revhead on one of the best drives in NSW. Cliff to Coast Sports Car Drives offer tours from the turquoise waters of the Sea Cliff Bridge to the cliffs and green fields of the Southern Highlands. Iconic names such as Mt Kembla, Macquarie Pass, Barren Grounds, Jamberoo Valley, the Royal National Park and the Seacliff Bridge will set most drivers’ nerves tingling in anticipation.

Opposite page: Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. Left: The Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Company at the 2014 National Native Title Conference.

Pacific Bay Resort, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, to engage in debate about native title and Indigenous people’s interest in land and water. (Read more on page 14.)

many from remote areas of Western Australia and Northern Territory and they all flew into Coffs Harbour.

raised with us the question of ‘if the gala dinner would grow to 800 people how would we deal with that?’” she says.

Jodie Evans, executive assistant manager and director of sales and marketing at the resort, says the conference decided to head to the coast following the last year’s conference which was held inland.

“I think the relaxed beach and rainforest feel of the resort was a welcome change to many. With the relaxed environment it made the delegates feel the same way and all seemed to enjoy and love the experience of being on the coast.”

“The resort offered them the diversity they needed to accommodate the delegates and their conference programme,” she says.

With an expectation that the delegate numbers could increase, plans were put in place to deal with any expansion.

“Every state had representation including

“[During] the initial site inspections they

“We suggested a marquee and arranged for the local supplier to come onsite within the next couple of hours to provide them with all of the information first hand and walk over the proposed site for the marquee. They ended up using the marquee for the plenary sessions in the morning and then the conference centre became the break out rooms for the remainder of each day for the workshops. It all worked seamlessly.”

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 23

Hello sailor Time to dust off your boat shoes, with The Whitsundays welcoming two new charter companies – Papillon Luxury Yacht Charters and Pacific Blitz – to its waters. Papillon Luxury Yacht Charters offers sailing in and around the Whitsundays on board two custom-built luxury yachts. Pacific Blitz offers crewed private charters to overnight sailing adventures or day sailing.

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has also been sold on Australia’s combination of world class conferencing venues and beaches, with its ICCA Asia-Pacific Client/Supplier Business Workshop 2014 being held on the Gold Coast in September. Fifteen ICCA members and their association clients will head to the Gold Coast, putting the global spotlight on one of Queensland’s favourite conferencing destinations. (Read more on page 6.)

and restaurant cafes that have opened over the last 18 months.

may have opted to take their conference and group business to other regional areas”.

The city has also welcomed a new 42-room Mantra Wollongong with conferencing space for up to 40 delegates added to the Group’s portfolio.

The 204-room hotel currently has the capacity to host 600 delegates across numerous function spaces, many of which overlook the beach directly opposite.

North Wollongong’s 4-star Novotel Northbeach has recently been acquired by the Oscars Hotels group, with the new owners saying they plan to target more business from conferences.

Wollongong, on the NSW’s South Coast, is also seeing somewhat of a renaissance, with the $200 million expansion of Wollongong Central on track, adding a host of new retail and dining options to the city centre in addition to the 22 boutique bars, art galleries

Oscars spokesman Damien Cameron is quoted in the Illawarra Mercury as saying the new owners “are keen to update the accommodation and lobby area of the hotel: we see a great deal of potential for the site to bring back a number of large groups who

In Queensland, Mantra Group has also signed an agreement to open up a new 181-room Mantra Townsville in 2016. Being developed as part of the leisure precinct planned for the city’s CBD, Mantra Townsville will offer conferencing facilities for up to 700 delegates. Townsville is also set to welcome a new Quest Townsville on Eyre at the end of the year, featuring 85 serviced apartments and meetings facilities.

24 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

Oaks Oasis, Caloundra, on the Sunshine

Water thrills The Sunshine Coast has seen the launch of the Mooloolaba Jet Boat, one of only three ocean-going jet boats operating in Australia. Mooloolaba Jet Boat Experience offers the thrill of wave jumping, 360 degree spins, figure eights and wave diving all from the comfort and safety of a fully enclosed, air-conditioned cabin fitted with racing car-style seats. Left: A pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef.

Coast has embarked on the third and final stage of its $9.7 million refurbishment program that will see a complete property re-launch by September 2014. The final phase will see Oaks Oasis’ Sunset accommodation wing completely transformed over an intensive two-month period, including all studios and one and two bedroom apartments. The 180-room resort, just metres from Golden Beach, has already completed significant refurbishments to its common areas, Reflections Restaurant & Bar, conferencing and event venues – with all five spaces now boasting state-of-the-art facilities. Most recently, it unveiled the newlook Boomerang accommodation wing and

new onsite water play park. “Once completed, both leisure and business travellers will benefit from the refreshed product and enjoy an unrivalled level of quality, self-contained, coastal-inspired accommodation paired with an impressive selection of onsite leisure and conferencing facilities set against a picturesque Sunshine Coast backdrop,” says Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ chief executive, Brett Pointon. In the Top End, Hilton Darwin has just completed a $5 million major renovation project, which included a complete redesign of its executive rooms, revitalisation of the guest room bathrooms and entrance ways, as well as the introduction of a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Overlooking Darwin Harbour,

Hilton Darwin offers 236 accommodation rooms, five meeting rooms, high-end seafood restaurant – Mitchell’s Bar & Grill and Darwin’s only Executive Lounge. “This refurbishment will be a fantastic boost to our existing offering and considerably enhance the guest experience and add another level of sophistication to the Darwin market,” said Martin Kendall, Hilton’s area general manager, Northern Territory. The natural beauty of Australia’s coast will always act as a magnate for visitors, both leisure and business, and with the continued investment across the many properties and venues in all the states and territories, is well positioned to capitalise on that well into the future.

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oakshotelsresorts.com www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 25

CHRISTCHURCH

Watch the video in the CIM iPad app.

Forward thinking While much of Christchurch still has to be rebuilt after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, the city is very much open for business and excited about its future, writes Ylla Watkins. When major earthquakes hit Christchurch in September 2010 and again in February 2011, little did the survivors realise that out of the devastation would come an unprecedented opportunity for urban renewal on a grand scale. While much of the city has yet to be rebuilt, there are now more buildings going up than are coming down, and locals are keen for the challenge. When the Christchurch City Council asked for ideas on how

to rebuild the city, they received more 106,000 submissions. Central to the city-wide Christchurch Central Recovery Plan is the construction of a new NZ$284 million state-of-the-art convention centre precinct in a prime central location near the Avon river. Covering 24,000sqm the convention centre will be able to cater for up to 2000 delegates and will be configured so that as many as three events can be run simultaneously. It will also include two hotels and

26 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

retail space on the ground floor. While an announcement on the operator is imminent, the development is still on track for completion in mid 2017. Temporary projects such as the city’s pop-up Re:Start shopping mall made from shipping containers have already attracted the attention of the world, with Lonely Planet singling the city out for its “energy and inventiveness" in 2013, and the New York Times including it in its list of 52

Business to be done The Christchurch and Canterbury team were delighted at the positive response they received from buyers at Meetings 2014, including a group of eight who travelled to the region for a pre-tour, according to Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB) manager Caroline Blanchfield. “They were impressed by what they saw and heard from us,” she said. “There is a positive attitude from the Australians we saw emerging last year. “This year it has stepped up a gear and there is real business to secure. “We will work closely with Tourism New Zealand Business Events to ensure all the business leads from Meetings are converted into conferences for Christchurch. “Due to their size and exhibition requirements, some of these conferences will need the facilities of the new Convention Centre. The lead times on these larger events are within the standard three to five years rotation, so if we have a confirmed Convention Centre operator to work with soon we should be able to get most of these bids across the line.”

From opposite page to right: A Christchurch tram in Cathedral Junction; Punting on the Avon River; Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau's stand at the Meetings 2014 tradeshow.

places to go in 2014, saying it is experiencing a rebirth with creativity and wit. Another of the city’s more innovative initiatives is the Gap Filler project, which aims to temporarily activate vacant sites awaiting redevelopment as a result of the earthquakes with temporary communityorientated projects to make the city landscape more interesting. One of the first to spring up was the Think Differently Book Exchange, a 24-hour, seven days a week public book exchange located inside a recycled fridge where people can drop off their used books and select new ones. Other projects include the Dance-O-Mat, a coin operated dance floor powered by an ex-laundromat washing machine, and a handmade, woodfired pizza oven available for community groups to use. The city’s Big Walls project, part of the Rise street art festival held earlier this year, saw 15 blank walls cross the city’s CBD

The bureau, which showcased a new stand, was joined by nine of its regional partners at the expo.

transformed into canvases. Quickly becoming one of Christchurch’s most iconic new venues is the city’s Transitional

or conflict. Building materials include shipping containers and the cardboard tubes that form the roof structure. The windows

“Central to the city-wide Christchurch Central Recovery Plan is the construction of a new NZ$284 million state-of-the-art convention centre precinct.” “Cardboard” Cathedral. Opened in August 2013 as a temporary replacement for the city's Anglican Cathedral, the Transitional Cathedral was designed by architect Shigeru Ban, who is best known for his “disaster relief architecture”, temporary buildings made from unconventional building materials which can be easily sourced and transported in the aftermath of natural disaster

are modelled on the stained glass windows that they used to have in the original cathedral. Although a consecrated cathedral, the building is available for events ranging from intimate dinners to cocktail-functions, awards ceremonies and gala dinners for up to around 700 people. Christchurch’s newest venue is ilex, operated by venue management company Vbase, which Vbase chairman Jamie

Gough believes will “become a jewel in Christchurch’s crown”. Located in the heart of Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens, the $16.4 million Botanic Gardens Centre features white embossed concrete with clean glass panels and plant cell motifs to create a visually striking building that sits easily within its surroundings. The Centre’s function room can seat up to 160 people and its riverside location provides indoor and outdoor entertaining opportunities. In addition to the function room there is also a cafe with seating for a further 60. The centre also combines a working nursery, a botanical research herbarium and a permanent exhibition telling the story of Christchurch through its plants and gardens. Vbase also manages events at the Air Force Museum located at Wigram Air Force Base, which has been the city’s default convention centre since the

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 27

Above: Ilex is Christchurch's newest venue. Right: An artist impression of the proposed Avon River Precinct.

completion of its extension in February 2013. The venue includes 1500sqm of versatile space, offering a blank canvas for trade exhibitions, conferences, gala dinners and functions for around 1200 standing guests or 900 seated guests. Numerous break-out areas and standalone rooms provide venues for smaller gatherings. The many historic aircraft on display make

a popular backdrop for events of all sizes. With many of the city’s hotels damaged in the quakes, there is still some way to go until the city is able to match the number of rooms available pre-earthquake, however there are currently 20 hotels with 1870 rooms available. Several including the newly built Rydges Latimer Hotel, which has

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136 rooms, and the reopened Novotel Christchurch, which has 54 rooms, also have dedicated conference facilities. Other hotels which have reopened since the quakes include the landmark Heritage Christchurch, located in the 100-year-old Old Government Building on Cathedral Square, and the Quest Apartments and Hotel. This year will see the new 5-star 27-room Hotel Montreal

open on the previous Chateau Blanc Suites site, and the All Seasons Hotel, Cashel Street, reopen with 270 rooms. A NZ$20 million extension of the Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport will be completed in mid-2015. All of the city’s main tourist attractions including the historic Christchurch Tram, Christchurch Gondola, which

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whisks you nearly a kilometre up to the collapsed rim of an extinct volcano, and double decker Discover Christchurch bus tours are now operating, offering a number of different sightseeing options for groups. An afternoon spent relaxing on velvet cushions while punting on the Avon River is perhaps the most relaxing way to view the changing face of the city centre, including work on its revitalised river precinct. Nearby Victoria Street offers a plethora of supercool restaurants and bars for casual dining. Christchurch is also the gateway to the greater Canterbury region, offering groups easy access to semirural destinations such as the Lincoln Event Centre in Selwyn and Hotel Ashburton, about an hour and a quarter’s drive (or 30 minute helicopter flight courtesy of Garden City Helicopters) from Christchurch. Further afield and for a complete change of pace, the alpine village of Hanmer

Springs offers smaller corporate meetings and incentive groups an array of boutique facilities and access to the renowned Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. The geo thermal park is available for exclusive hire after hours, with groups able to have dinner before having a soak, or arrive after eating elsewhere. Accommodation options include the landmark Heritage Hanmer Springs, which also features meetings spaces that can accommodate up to 120. With plenty of options available for groups, and more facilities and accommodation options set to come online in the next few years, the overwhelming mood of Christchurch’s business events community is optimism. The earthquakes may have become part of the city’s history but if the people that live and work there have a say, they won’t define its future. Ylla Watkins was a guest of Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau.

Conference win boosts confidence Christchurch has secured the right to host the 20th Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) Congress in May 2016, going up against strong international competition to win the event. The New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyor worked with Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau, Tourism New Zealand and the Conference Assistance Programme on putting together the bid for the congress. It was presented at the PAQS conference in Hong Kong in early June. “This is a timely win for Christchurch as we get back onto the world stage as an inspiring international conference destination,’’ said bureau manager Caroline Blanchfield. The congress will see 400 quantity surveyors from all over the Asia-Pacific region descend on Christchurch for two days of plenary meetings. Many of the conference delegates are expected to bring their partners and families with them and take the opportunity to explore the South Island either before or after the congress, which will provide a boost for the local tourism industry during the off-peak winter season. “We are delighted to be able to host delegates from this confederation of national quantity surveying associations from the Asia-Pacific region and to be able to show them what we are doing in Christchurch,” Blanchfield said. “We’ve got a great story to tell and a wealth of experience to share.

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CIBTM

Gateway to China Following last year’s record attendance, business events expo CIBTM 2014 is looking set to offer even more opportunities to tap into China’s growing business events market, with an increased range of first time exhibitors including key domestic regions from China, new hotel brands and new international destinations on show, writes Sheridan Randall. The China Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM 2014), which takes place at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing in September, is set to be even bigger than last year, which was the largest-ever CIBTM, attracting close to 4000 industry professionals from 30 countries around the world, 484 regional and international exhibitors, as well as 374 regional and international Hosted Buyers. Beijing is China’s fastest growing city and is home to 44 of the world’s 500 largest companies, second only to Tokyo, offering Hosted Buyers and suppliers the chance to tap into one of the fastest and largest growing markets in the world.

The IBTM Meetings Industry Report highlights that the 294 Chinese business events buyers who attended last year’s CIBTM invested US$230 million in the previous year on hotels as meetings venues. The research also identified that the overall combined annual budget of the accredited global Hosted Buyers – from the corporate sector, associations and other agencies – was US$32.6 billion – giving an average annual budget of US$28.7 million for each Hosted Buyer. “It is great to see from our post-show research that buyers attending CIBTM are increasingly seeking new hotel venues, presenting a unique prospect for international

hotel exhibitors looking to increase their customer base from China,” says Jacqui Timmins, exhibition director for CIBTM. “CIBTM creates a platform for international hotels to showcase their properties to buyers and visitors from China, and from the rest of the world. “The in-depth research also highlights that Asian economies continue to demonstrate much higher investment figures than those from elsewhere in the world and outlines the growth of the MICE industry in Asia, and China in particular.” For Hosted Buyers, the expanding show presents an opportunity to further their knowledge on key domestic regions from

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30 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

On the show floor at CIBTM 2013.

China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an Qujiang, Suzhou and Ningbo, as well as Guilin and Guangzhou which will be first time exhibitors at CIBTM 2014.

the future,” says Timmins.

“We have also seen a substantial increase in regional and international meetings suppliers who have signed up which is reflective of the confidence the industry has in CIBTM and the awareness of its potential as a platform which allows all of our suppliers to break out into new international markets,” adds Timmins.

“CIBTM’s education programme [CIBTM Knowledge] is key to the Chinese association sector and there are many sessions available to help build knowledge and career advancement,” she says.

First time international exhibitors include the Bolshoi, Russia, Jeju Convention Bureau, Visit Berlin, Cirque du Soleil, Guidebook Inc. and Run Yang International Hotel Management Company. “Furthermore, many associations are keen to expand their memberships in China, to ensure a collaborative approach in bidding for more international association meetings in

In 2013, 16.3 per cent of the Hosted Buyers attending CIBTM came from associations with that figure expected to increase this year.

“This year ASAE [American Society of Association Executives] is introducing the CPAM (Certificate Program in Association Management). Being held as a ‘taster’ to show the Chinese association buyer the advantages of the certification programme, the afternoon session will provide an insight into how the five-day course is designed to assist association professionals in building the competencies they need to manage associations effectively.”

Adding to the content of CIBTM Knowledge will be the launch of the IBTM Global Meetings Industry Research China and Asia 2013 Focus, which will offer insights on the trends and issues facing suppliers and buyers in China and Asia, and across the world. “The education programme for CIBTM is one of the key components of the show and its popularity has grown exponentially over the years proving how valuable the event is to the growing MICE industry in China,” says Timmins. CIBTM 2014 is also about forging new relationships and strengthening existing ones. “Networking is also an integral part of CIBTM and there are many functions, which provide attendees with the perfect opportunity to meet with new contacts as well as strengthen existing relationships,” she adds.

sydneyexhibitioncentre.com.au

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 31

EVENT REPORT This is Gold Coast Business Exchange, June 19-21, 2014

oast.

Gold C

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The We

at QT ception

Left: The team at Gold Coast Business Events.

View slideshow in the CIM iPad app.

Getting serious The Gold Coast has long been Australia’s favourite destination to mix business with pleasure but the inaugural This is Gold Coast Business Exchange marks a turning point, with the Gold Coast stepping up to become a leading player in the major events sector, writes Sheridan Randall. Call it providence, but the timing for the This is Gold Coast Business Exchange couldn’t have been planned better, with the $1.2 billion light rail system only weeks away from going live, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) marking its 10th anniversary and the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships a month away. And then there is the Commonwealth Games, which although not arriving until 2018, is already having an impact on both the infrastructure and the mindset of everyone on the Gold Coast. Organised by Gold Coast Business Events, 36 buyers arrived on the Gold Coast for the Business Exchange, to meet and network with 35 suppliers at the GCCEC. Kicking off in style at QT Gold Coast, the buyers and suppliers soaked up QT’s signature hip hospitality while Gold Coast Tourism chief executive Martin Winter talked up the destination. “We believe we are on the cusp of really exciting times on the Gold Coast,” he said. “The Commonwealth Games is under four years away, and we know that it will be the single biggest event in Australia over this decade. There is the $1.2 billion dollar light rail system which will link all of the major destinations along the seafront. Add to that we also have some fabulous new properties.” With a plethora of new infrastructure in the pipeline and many existing hotels and venues such as Jupiters, Watermark Hotel & Spa and RACV Royal Pines Resort throwing big money at refurbishments, these are “exciting times” for the Gold Coast, according to Winter. “Apart from the 300 days of sunshine a year we have and the 17km of beaches and other natural assets, we also have a great inventory

of accommodation that offers the best value in Australia,” he said. “We also have a fantastic industry that is highly professional and that can deliver the service that you want. There is no better time to come the Gold Coast.” The Welcome Lunch at GCCEC gave the buyers a chance to sample the region’s freshest produce, while Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey spoke about the bright future that lay ahead for the Gold Coast. Describing the destination as “coming of age”, Stuckey noted the significance of being in the GCCEC as it marked a decade in operation as “one of those moments to actually reflect on what we have and see how far we have come”. “It is always terrific to be at a first of something as you are part of something new and exciting, and the Gold Coast Business Exchange gives you an opportunity to do just that,” she said. “We [the Government] understand the importance of doing business and we want to do everything we can to attract business events to the Gold Coast. That is why a part of this event has been funded by us and we are very proud to be a partner.” In the 2013-2014 financial year business events to the Gold Coast increased by 28 percent compared with the previous year – from 1231 to 1584 – which amounts to a 37 per cent share of all business events coming to Queensland. “We really do have it all on the Gold Coast,” she added. “We know we are spoilt here but we don’t take it for granted. It’s all about building relationships and delivering experiences that people will take away

32 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

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Minister for M ajor Events Ja nn Stuckey.

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with them long after they leave. “We are growing up and becoming more sophisticated and sometimes I don’t think we are aware of our own capacity and capabilities. We already run iconic events such as the [36th] Gold Coast Airport Marathon, with 27,000 competitors from countries around the world. “So the Gold Coast is already making a name for itself as a superior sporting event destination. However, I think that with business events the sky’s the limit as there is such a variety of choices.” The giddy heights of SkyPoint offering 360º views over the Gold Coast made the perfect setting for the Gala Dinner which capped off the inaugural event. For Anna Case, Gold Coast Business Events’ director, the night was the culmination of many months of hard work by her team, and a chance to capitalise on the fact that the destination was already a favourite for delegates. “The new light rail means that if you have an event at the GCCEC you now have access all the way down to Surfers Paradise, which opens up many more options for hotels and apartments,” she said. The newly refurbished RACV Royal Pines Resort was the scene for the Farewell Lunch, with the buyers throwing themselves into the myriad of interactive activities on offer egged on by a Segway riding emcee. “It’s like we [the Gold Coast] are growing up,” Case said. “We are famous for fun and are the number one leisure destination but we are also a very serious business events destination.”

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Sheridan Randall was a guest of Gold Coast Business Events. www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 33

VENUE UPDATE

Heritage adds to Collection The Lake Resort Cromwell, located in Lake Dunstan on New Zealand’s South Island, is the newest addition to the Heritage Boutique Collection. The 5-star property with purpose-built marina will include a soon to be completed conference facility catering for up to 120 people

for a banquet. The conference room offers lake views and can also be divided into two smaller spaces if required. An exclusive hire option is available at the resort for conference groups, while the site also offers The Mooring restaurant and bar.

News in brief Pullman hits Central Coast Pullman Hotels and Resorts has expanded to include Magenta Shores, the first Pullman on NSW’s Central Coast. Magenta Shores has completed a refurbishment of its 59 guest rooms to be closely followed by a refresh of the resort’s bar and restaurant under the guidance of culinary ambassador Justin North. The hotel can host up to 400 in its eight conference rooms featuring terraces and views over the golf course.

Hilton Phuket adds conference facilities Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa has unveiled the new Andaman Room, bringing the total number of meeting and event spaces at the hotel to 16. The Andaman Room spans 180sqm and can accommodate 130 people in theatre-style seating. It can be divided into two rooms and has access to an adjoining 66sqm sheltered outdoor area that can be used for reception or refreshment breaks.

34 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

Mantra’s CBD expansion The CBD expansion continues for the Mantra Group, having completed the rebranding of their two new hotel acquisitions. Mantra St Kilda Road Melbourne offers 159 spacious, full serviced apartments and sustainable conference facilities for 120 people, while Mantra on the Quay Brisbane River offers 185 apartments.

Novotel Sydney refurb Novotel Sydney Central has completed the final phase of its refurbishment with the main conference centre upgraded to a contemporary look that still complements the heritage-listed original features of the hotel. The hotel offers 12 purpose-built meeting rooms over three levels. All conference rooms have access to the “SeeMe Now” electronic concierge tablet interface which allows ease of communication with the hotel events team and on-site AV professionals.

Rydges launches Fire and Ice Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns has launched a new indoor-outdoor venue, the Fire and Ice Terrace. The space is the result of a six-month building and refurbishment phase designed to refresh the swimming pool surrounds while integrating an alfresco terrace with timber trellises. The event space is spacious enough to hold functions for 450 guests standing or 180 banquet style.

Mercure’s lobby upgrade Mercure has commenced the roll out of its new interactive lobby concept in Australia, launching its first new-look reception space at the Mercure Brisbane. The free-form host pod which replaces the traditional front desk allows for a more seamless interplay between staff and guests.

Four Points set for Docklands Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands is set to open in January 2017. The new-build hotel will be located in the Digital Harbour and will feature 269 guest rooms, flexible meeting and function space totalling 530sqm, and three food and beverage venues including a signature restaurant and outdoor deck area.

Twin Towns makeover Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts on the border of Queensland and New South Wales has announced a $7 million upgrade of its conference and events facilities. Five new meeting rooms have been built; the Bay, River, Horizons, Border and Wharf rooms. The additions bring Twin Towns’ total number of event venues to 12, with room capacities to cater for 10 to 1000 delegates.

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 35

PROFILE

Fresh thinking The new boss of Conventions and Incentives New Zealand, Sue Sullivan, is looking towards the future, discovers Ylla Watkins. Recently appointed to the role of chief executive of Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ), following the departure of retiring CEO Alan Trotter, Sue Sullivan had been in the job for just two weeks when she presided over the recent Meetings tradeshow in Auckland, CINZ’s annual industry showcase. Coming from the tourism industry, Sullivan joins CINZ at an interesting time for the organisation, which has to rethink its role following Tourism New Zealand’s increased focus on destination marketing in the business events sector. In August last year the two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding which outlines a strategy for working collaboratively to promote New Zealand to international business events. “Our role is changing without a doubt,” Sullivan says. “I’ve come in with a fresh

set of eyes to understand what needs to be done. I am an educator from way back – education is a passion of mine – so I see that as an opportunity. “I think over the next few months we’ll start to plot our way. The memorandum of understanding with Tourism New Zealand lays out some specific areas where we work and areas where they work and we’ll work through that.” Above all Sullivan believes that New Zealand’s business events industry needs to work collaboratively if it is to successfully compete on the international stage. “We’re operating in a highly competitive, innovative market and if we want to punch above our weight we need to work together and, where necessary, pool

36 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

resources,” she says. “The new convention centres planned for the country will open up new opportunities for our industry and we need to be ready to respond in a co-ordinated, strategic way. “It is important that Conventions and Incentives New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand work together strategically to promote New Zealand and that we also put resources into the industry to ensure it is performing at optimum levels.” Sullivan says up-skilling the industry is a key part of that, which is why CINZ recently set up a mentoring programme aimed at professional conference organisers. “What we want to do is grow the skills of our conference and event managers and strengthen the networks within our industry so that everyone is at the top of their game,” she says. With announcements regarding the new international conference centre in Auckland, and potential centres in Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown imminent, Sullivan says “the mood in the industry is confident”. “We see significant opportunities for growth,” she says.

MEETING PEOPLE

Hudson Mitchell has joined InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the new director of sales. Hudson has a wealth of experience having spent 14 years in the hotel industry and joins the resort from his role of director of sales at Namale Resort & Spa in Savusavu.

The Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) has appointed Brett Jeffery as general manager New Zealand. Jeffery is a long-term AuSAE member and has served on the AuSAE board for the past five years, as well as having over 20 years’ industry experience. His most recent role was sales and marketing manager at Rotorua Events and Venues.

John Gerrard has been appointed as area general manager Australia and general manager of Outrigger Surfers Paradise. Properties under his direction include Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort and Spa, Noosa, Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, Coolangatta and Boathouse Apartments by Outrigger at Airlie Beach.

Pier One Sydney Harbour has appointed Kim Mahaffy to the position of general manager. Mahaffy brings extensive industry experience across Australia and South East Asia. She has previously held positions with JW Marriott, Renaissance and Autograph Hotel properties.

Park Hyatt Sydney has announced Marc von Arnim as its new general manager. Von Arnim's career with Hyatt spans 22 years, including time spent as general manager of Park Hyatt Goa in India, preopening general manager of Park Hyatt Busan in Korea and executive assistant manager – rooms at Park Hyatt Sydney.

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney has welcomed back Michael Cottan as vice president and general manager. Cottan was previously general manager from 2003 to 2008. Prior to his appointment, Cottan held the position of executive vice president for Southeast Asia and Oceania, overseeing the 27 Shangri-La hotels and resorts located in the region.

AVPartners has appointed Richard Oborn as partner. He will be based in Queensland and work with clients in the Whitsundays. Oborn brings extensive experience in technology and management having previously worked as the director for audiovisual services at several resort properties in North America.

Wendy Shen has been appointed sales manager of Crown Melbourne, with a focus on the business events market, functions and events. Fluent in English, Chinese and the dialects of Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese, Shen has a diverse background of managing and coordinating packages for the Asian market.

The Star has appointed Richard Howarth as general manager, sales, marketing and entertainment across accommodation, venues and casino. Howarth has held senior roles at companies including Sportingbet Group Australia, Telstra and The Coca Cola Company.

Claire Hector-Taylor joins the Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau team to take up the role of convention bureau executive. Hector-Taylor previously held the role of Aoraki Mt Cook Mackenzie district marketing coordinator at Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism.

Heritage Queenstown has appointed Jaco Uys as the new conference and events manager. Originally from South Africa, Uys has held positions in the UK in events and corporate sales for a number of established hotel companies, including director of sales for the Millennium Knightsbridge and the Copthorne Tara Hotel.

Palazzo Versace has announced the appointment of Kel Constantine as marketing manager and Renay Logan as director of sales – MICE. Constantine was at MasterCard, Microsoft and Gold Coast Turf Club, and Logan was at Accor Group as director of sales and marketing.

The Royal International Convention Centre (RICC) has named Sally Pulford as the new general manager of venue, sales and marketing. Pulford was an original member of the pre-opening team for the RICC.

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 37

PCO ASSOCIATION

You are what you think

Fifteen years ago I was a mess. I was totally burnt out, emotionally exhausted, stressed out to the max. Something had to give and it was nearly me. The scary thing was though (and being a typical Aussie bloke) I didn’t know it at the time. I was totally ignorant of the fact and it almost killed me. I just soldiered on thinking I could handle everything as I had done for my previous 43 years. I was keeping it all in, bottling it up and not telling anybody. I was blaming everybody and everything else for my stress. Being unaware and with a “she’ll be right” attitude, I ended up having a “near death” experience that shook me to the core. I was in a cabin by myself on a retreat and had all the symptoms of a heart attack in the middle of the night. I was so frozen with fear that I couldn’t move and literally gave up. I was lying on the bed thinking this was it. My whole life flashed before me and the last thought I had before passing out thinking that I’d died was this must have been what my father went through

Photo by Alex Bramwell.

Learning to become more ‘mindful’ of yourself is the key to achieving greater focus and resilience, writes Peter Bliss.

when he died of a heart attack aged 57. I didn’t die obviously. I came around eventually, called for help and spent two nights in The John Flynn Hospital on the Gold Coast. It was lying in the hospital bed that I came to a few realisations. The first one was that it’s not what happens to me that matters, it’s how I perceive and react to what is happening that matters, and the second one was that I was doing this myself – I am what I think! That night was the catalyst that forced me to wake up I’ve spent the 15 years since researching, studying and practicing many different holistic and alternate techniques to cope with my own stress. The one key skill I have learnt is mindfulness. The main benefit of having the ability to be mindful is that I am not constantly distracted (by either my thoughts or external distractions). I stay focused for longer at work. I am able to be more present and engaging with family and friends. Mindfulness is both the result of doing what I love and being

“on purpose” and of having a regular meditative practice. I have a daily routine of meditation, yoga, Qigong and breathing. So whether I’m at home in Sydney or in a hotel room or park when I travel I have the tools and techniques for at least a 15 minute session every day.

5. Learn to control your breathing. The key to mastering your mind is to master your breathing and your emotions

Through my practicing, research, teachings and studies over the last 15 years I’ve found that the seven keys to being mindful are these:

7. Learn to take responsibility for everything that happens to you.

1. Lighten up – don’t take things so seriously. Laugh and smile more often. The medical benefits include lowering blood pressure, reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and helping build the immune system 2. Let go of bad habits, bad attitudes, criticism, guilt, resentment, fears, 24/7 technology… the list goes on. Anything that’s not serving your highest values 3. Loosen up – physically, mentally and emotionally 4. Learn to control your thoughts. There are many ways to do this but the best is a regular meditation practice

38 Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

6. Learn to be present. Mastering steps four and five are the major factors in this as well as having the appropriate intention

Follow these seven steps and set a daily intention and you will get more out of each day and be more effective. I still have stress in my life like everyone – that’s life. My big sister Diana Bliss took her own life a few years ago after a struggle with severe depression and anxiety. This was a tough time for the whole family but I know my daily practice made me more resilient and able to cope so I can still function under immense pressure. I’ve learnt that I have a choice. I can be a victim of my history or a master of my destiny. Peter Bliss is the owner of Business Is Bliss and a consultant to the PCO Association.

Getting the most out of your hashtag Hashtagging information is one of the smartest ways to organise and share information when hosting an event or conference. Deirdre Brannick shares her five top tips and tricks to get you hashtagging like a pro.

Be unique

With millions of hashtags in use across multiple platforms (including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Google+) it’s important to choose one that’s unique to your event. When you’re choosing a hashtag, check it against existing hashtags using a directory such as www. hashtags.org. It’s best to check before you allocate a hashtag to a particular event. You don’t want your hashtag to be associated with an unrelated event or group not aligned with your core values.

Short is best

Considering Twitter has a limit of 140 characters, it’s best to opt for a short hashtag. With shorter hashtags you can avoid using too many tweet characters and stay on message. Our rule of thumb

is to use no more than 10 characters per hashtag. Use acronyms and dates, for example, #eGPS2014.

Say no to spaces

A hashtag will not become a live tag (a searchable hashtag that links to other tweets and posts listed under that topic) unless it contains absolutely no spaces or punctuation. Adding a space or a comma to a hashtag, for example, #eGPS 2014 breaks the hashtag, rendering it virtually useless. It is possible to use an underscore – #eGPS_2014.

Promote your hashtag

In the event lead-up, be sure to promote your unique hashtag across a wide social media audience. Use topic hashtags and link back to the event website. You’ll create interest in the conference theme and drive traffic back to the website

where attendees can register. Some examples might be: “#eGPS2014 is just around the corner” or “We’ll be talking #healthcare & #socialmedia Event program & registration www.crowdcomms.com.au”.

Who’s #meeting for #coffee in the #garden #cafe today? #ilovecoffee #LOL”). Apart from appearing unprofessional, a tweet with too many hashtags is unlikely to get retweeted. Keep it simple.

Try to keep it to 132 characters. At 132 characters, the tweet leaves space for eight valuable characters. Enough room for someone to retweet (RT) your tweet, extending the reach of that tweet to a wider audience. Even better, mention a group with an interest in your area by using the @ symbol and their Twitter handle. For example “@ hcsmanz coming to #eGPS2014? Topics include #healthcare #socialmedia #hcsm Event program & registration www. crowdcomms.com.au” (#hcsm = healthcare social media; a popular hashtag).

Best practice is to add your unique event hashtag to every tweet associated with that event. You can add one or two additional topic hashtags and a mention to increase your searchability and RT potential. For example “Great crowd gathered today at #eGPS2014 talking #media & #health. Thanks @eGPSolutions for a top session on #hcsm.”

Don’t go #crazy

Avoid spattering your tweet with unnecessary or irrelevant hashtags (such as “#eGPS2014

Getting the most out of your hashtag is easy when you know how. Using our top tips and tricks will help you to promote your conference or event, expand your audience and share your key messages across social media. Deirdre Brannick is co founder of Crowdcomms and a consultant to the PCO Association.

PCO ASSOCIATION NEWS New councillor for New Zealand

PCO Conference update

The PCO Association has announced that Janet Matheson, chairman of the CINZ Group, has been appointed to the role of New Zealand councillor for the association.

Following the success of the PCO Conference’s Exhibition in Melbourne last year, this year’s conference, to be held in Canberra from November 30 – December 2, 2014, will focus on maintaining quality face-to-face time for exhibitors and delegates.

Matheson is also the managing-director of Conferences & Events, where she spends much of her time mentoring and supporting staff, nurturing clients and representing the company. She spent her formative years in London and has been involved in the theatre, both on the stage and behind the scenes.

This year’s Welcome Function will be held in the Trade Area as will the closing drinks on the final day. A two hour lunch break in the Exhibition area will also be included again this year, to help facilitate business appointments. The exhibition has sold out at each of the PCO conferences, with administration and accreditation manager Jillian Masters saying, "booths are being allocated on a first in basis". For enquiries, contact Jillian Masters on 0435 374 476.

www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 39

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Make a Splash... www.centralcoastmice.com.au Advertorial

Ready to be rediscovered The New South Wales Central Coast has long been a favourite holiday destination with its network of beaches, lakes, National Parks and State Forests. Now, new hotels, meetings venues and a focus on quality service make this natural wonderland a perfect fit for business events as well.

Beach access at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort. Just over an hour north of Sydney, the Central Coast’s natural attractions have been luring families and holiday makers for decades. From Broken Bay at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River to south of Newcastle, the Central Coast offers a mix of majestic bays and inlets, pristine beaches, lakes, lush hinterland and unspoilt National Parks and State Forests.

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Recently though, new luxury international hotel brands such as Pullman have been added to the growing list of accommodation providers and venue operators following the re-branding of Quay West Resort Magenta Shores to the 5-star Pullman Magenta Shores Resort. Nestled between the pristine waters of Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific Ocean, Magenta Shores

is the first Pullman on New South Wales’ Central Coast and has completed a refurbishment of its 59 guest rooms and villas to be in line with global Pullman standards. The Resort is renovating its Bar and Terrace in the coming months, which will expand upon its current capacities and offer a variety of contemporary seating options either inside the

spacious bar or alfresco on the terrace. An additional feature will be an outdoor kitchen with pizza oven. With the ability to host meetings from four to 400 delegates in its eight conference rooms, Pullman Magenta Shores is also a natural choice for small meetings and large scale conferences with many of its function rooms offering natural light and terraces

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High times Treetop Adventure Park offers groups up to 200 day and night eco-friendly adventure activities for all levels of fitness. With its network of suspension bridges, flying foxes, trapezes and ropes stretching through the canopy up to 20 metres above the forest floor, participants can go at their own pace with each course designed for different levels of difficulty.

with impressive views over its 18-hole championship golf course. Kadifa Ridgway, Director of Sales and Marketing at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, says that the rebranding can be taken as a sign of parent group Accor’s “support and commitment to not only the Resort and its surrounds but also to the Central Coast itself”. “We find that organisers tend to look for the right fit and we can meet their objectives. Whether it is to provide an atmosphere through our natural surroundings that allows delegates to focus without any urban distractions or one where they can run their entire program on-site and keep everyone together and entertained, it’s a winwin situation,” she says.

The Resort often partners with Pinnacle Team Events for team building activities. In addition to its 18-hole championship golf course, the Resort offers an expansive outdoor recreation area ideal for activities such as bootcamps, archery, giant Jenga, laser clay shooting and corporate drumming. “The Resort itself is perfectly laid out to run an Amazing Race or Wine Olympics and the beachfront is a stunning spot to kickstart the day with a morning yoga or tai chi session,” adds Ridgway. The Resort also offers an onsite tennis court, indoor 20m heated lap pool, lagoon style swimming pool and a fully equipped gymnasium, as well as the new Vie Spa experience which was

Above: Mercure Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort.

launched throughout the Pullman network last year. “Apart from games of golf or spa treatments at the Resort, quad biking, kayaking and horse riding at Glenworth Valley or ziplining at Treetops Adventure Park seem to be the most popular activities for pre and post meetings,” “Other groups prefer to enjoy behind the scenes tours of Distillery Botanica, Six Strings Brewery or the Australian Reptile Park. There are also chocolate making classes at Luka Chocolates or exploring the artwork of the Ken Duncan Gallery nearby.” Mercure Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort, in Wyong, provides a peaceful escape with easy access to Sydney’s CBD. The multi-award winning 4.5

Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014 www.cimmagazine.com

star Resort is surrounded by natural wetlands and native flora making it ideal for conferences looking to get away without the distractions. With six spacious meeting rooms all with natural light, including the Kooindah Ballroom (which offers vehicle access), the venue can cater for up to 400 delegates. Mark Wilson, Director of Sales and Marketing at Mercure Kooindah Waters Resort, says that the Resort offers an oasis of tranquillity only 90 minutes from Sydney. “A lot of companies are looking for somewhere to get away where there are no distractions,” he says. “Being quite secluded and hidden, Kooindah Waters is a really good venue to

Cooking with Julie Brush up on your culinary skills with Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin at her newly launched cooking school. Julie’s Place is a state-of-the-art interactive kitchen with live cooking stations, a breakout area, and a wide array of activities on offer from cooking classes through to full-on competitive team challenges.

Go wild Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures offer groups from four to 550 a great way to let off some steam with horse riding, quad biking, kayaking and abseiling among the range of unique team building activities available across its 1214 hectares of unspoilt wilderness.

get away, network and strengthen those alliances with team members.” The majority of the Resort’s conferences coming from Sydney stay between one and two nights, and with 90 per cent of the meetings held from Monday to Friday, clients “feel they are primarily the exclusive guests”. “We are always coming up with unique ideas for conference groups, whether it is for dining or team building, such as movie nights on the golf course or outdoor noodle markets with lanterns,” he says. “We have a variety of activities and are always looking for new ideas to keep things interesting for the client, things they hopefully haven’t experienced before.” For larger conferences Mercure Kooindah Waters often partners with sister property Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, which is only a 20 minute drive away. “A large focus for us is our dining and team building options,” Wilson says. “The Resort has an onsite restaurant and wine bar which we can keep open if a client requests. We are very flexible with dining options and in the warmer months we try and get clients outside as much as we can.

For example down by the pool we can have buffets or cocktail evenings, we just try and mix it up.” The 18-hole championship golf course is a big drawcard for many, but with time limited during meetings, the Resort often comes up with alternatives to completing the full course, which can take half a day.

“Attendees can further unwind with cocktails on our pool deck with views to the beach or inside the recently renovated Lord Ashley Lounge or Seasalt Atrium.” The Central Coast’s proximity to Sydney results in the hotel often hosting one-day meetings and conferences for city-siders

seeking an escape, and for local clientele looking for a change of scene. “The Central Coast offers a range of activities for pre-and-post meeting enjoyment, ranging from art galleries, boutique distilleries and beach walks to well-known attractions,” she says.

“We offer team building events such as putting and chipping competitions,” he says. “A great option is to include a lesson or tuition with a golf pro. The golf course is set amongst beautiful scenery with lakes and local bird life, making it a beautiful backdrop for any event.” The Central Coast is well known for its stunning beaches, with Crowne Plaza Terrigal taking full advantage of its coastal location. “Our tranquil beachside setting also allows meeting attendees to focus and be inspired,” says Rhonda Siu, Marketing Communications Manager at Crowne Plaza Terrigal. “When you look out over the golden sands of Terrigal Beach and across the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean from your balcony, there are few other places you would rather be. www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, July 2014

Local Encounters Get up close and personal with some of Australia’s scaliest creatures at The Australian Reptile Park. Kissing an alligator, being draped in a giant Burmese python and venomous snake and funnel web spider milkings are just some of the unique activities guaranteed to leave an impression on any group. The Park’s Lost World hosts exclusive dinners for up to 35 where guests can meet and greet with a range of mammals and reptiles.

Above: Mingara Event Centre.

“For divers, there is the wreck of Ex-HMAS Adelaide Reserve just off the coast from Terrigal which was created as a dive site, and other water sports such as snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding are offered, particularly in the spring and summer months. “One of the favourite pastimes on the Central

Coast is chilling out across from the beach with a refreshing drink or warming coffee at one of the many cafes and restaurants. Sometimes that is all the activity our conferencing guests need to recharge.” For organisers looking for dedicated event space, Mingara Event Centre is the largest event venue on the

Central Coast offering a range of versatile function, meeting rooms and outdoor spaces “a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city”. Angela Lanser, Destination Marketing Manager at Mingara Event Centre, says that the organisers are “only limited by their imagination” when it comes to the type of events that can be held at the venue. “Mingara Event Centre is one of the largest and most versatile on the Central Coast, with flexible rooms to accommodate small meetings through to 600 seated theatre-style in our Showroom,” she adds. “In addition we have multiple outdoor spaces capable of holding the largest of expos and regularly host large exhibitions, concerts and gatherings with traffic in excess of 20,000 visitors.” Mingara Event Centre has a range of dining options onsite with great coffee, caféstyle food and house baked breads at The Roasted Berry Café, a modern Australian menu in a relaxed coastal environment at Indigo – Eats, Treats & Bar and tasty Asian meals at Ming Dragon and Fortune Cookie Noodle Bar. The Wellness café and burger bar is also great for quick bites. Mingara Event Centre

also offers a great range of lifestyle facilities making it ideal for team building activities. “You can have some fun with barefoot bowls, or perhaps fuel some creativity with a fitness or pool session at Mingara One, our fitness and aquatics centre, boxing, yoga, tai chi, or even a tailored boot camp or group training session held indoors or out,” she says. “We also offer a number of unique corporate games and activities on site which are arranged by our event coordinators through our local business partners.” The Central Coast’s appeal as a holiday destination is well established, but with so much choice of accommodation providers, venues and activities, the region is becoming a favourite with event organisers. Robyne Abernethy, Central Coast Tourism’s Chief Executive Officer, invites you to rediscover the Central Coast. “When were you last here – a year ago, five years ago, maybe longer?” she asks. “Some things don’t change, like our local charm and the natural environment. But some things do change – new activities are developed, iconic attractions evolve and venues adapt to meet market demands.”