editor: Jill Varley business events news 8th June 2012 ... · Galileo & Groups experience...

business events news8th June 2012business events news

8th June 2012

editor: Jill Varleyinfo@businesseventsnews.com.auwww.businesseventsnews.com.au

1300 799 220

business events news Page 1

Perth’s ‘Crowning’achievement CROWN is promising more thanjust a name change whenBurswood EntertainmentComplex re-brands to CrownPerth in September, after thecompletion of a $750 millionrefurbishment. Setting a new benchmark forfive-star accommodation andworld-class leisure facilities in theWest Australian capital, thecomplex has upgraded andexpanded its facilities, In line with the re-brand,InterContinental Perth Burswoodhotel will be known as CrownMetropol Perth from 27 June andHoliday Inn Perth Burswood hotelis to become Crown PromenadePerth on 20 June.

Something for the bucket list YALLAyalla - theseArabic words literally mean “letsgo” and are the words that drivethe post conference tour of some115 international buyers andmedia who are travelling throughthis remarkable biblical land ofJordan. The Kings Highway which we arecurrently driving along from Petrato Aqaba, is an ancient caravanroute that has been used since800BC by Christian and Moslempilgrims, the Romans, Greeks,Syrians and Turks, and now ourcaravan of buses. There will be more on theoutstanding incentive productthat this country offers such asthe 4WD through Wadi Rum andthe sound and light dinner weattended in Little Petra last night,driven there under police escort,so outstanding it left usspeechless. Next week I will be heading offto MEETINGS in New Zealand sokeep reading BEN for all thelatest news and excitementhappening in the MICE market. ALSO if you want to ask BenCarnegie from inPlaceRecruitment a question about jobswithin the MICE market emailinfo@businesseventsnews.com.auand I will send your questions onto him. Have a great long weekend - Jill.

Jordan’s first Aussie Roadshow MARK your diaries, because adecision has been made by theJordan Tourism Board to bring atourism roadshow to Australia inmid October. This willbe a firstfor thehistoriccountryand is part of Jordan’s nationaltourism strategy for 2012 - 2015. “We want to get away from ourtraditional inbound markets tosource those which might bemore beneficial to our tourismdevelopment, and Australia waschosen as one of those newmarkets,” explained JordanTourism Board’s Sami Harfoushi,at a magical dinner last night inLittle Petra attended by a touringparty of 115 internationaldelegates from the country’s firstinternational tourism conferencein Dead Sea Jordan.

MICE called to Mackay CONVENTIONS “are invariablymore successful when staged inan interesting region” says theMackay Convention Bureau. The region located betweenBrisbane and Cairns along theQueensland coast can offer avariety of accommodation - inexcess of 2,100 rooms - fromseaside hotels to centrally locatedmotels, beachside resorts andholiday units and an array oftourist parks with ensuite cabins. The Mackay Convention Bureauis again promoting its MICEfacilities on page 4.

Auckland races ahead JUMPING from 45th place in2010 to 19th in 2011, Aucklandhas made its mark in theInternational Congress andConvention Association (ICCA)rankings for the Asia Pacific andMiddle East region for 2011. The sizeable increase of 22 int’lmeetings hosted, up from eightmeetings in 2010 in the ICCArankings for the Asia Pacific andMiddle East region for 2011. The ICCA rankings show thenumber of meetings held incountries and cities right acrossthe globe. Auckland Convention Bureaumanager Anna Hayward says theresults reflect the growth Aucklandhas achieved in the meetings,conference and incentives market.

The planned eight dayroadshow targeting both the FITand MICE markets will presenttheir diverse marketing plan toattract business to this Hasamite

Kingdom. The plan is to complement thecountry’s: history & culture,leisure & wellness, fun &adventure, eco & nature, religion& faith and meetings, incentives,conferences & events.

Melbourne upgrade FRASERS Hospitality hasofficially relaunched its FraserPlace Melbourne property, after amajor overhaul including a newlobby area, lounge and cafe. There’s also been a totalmakeover of the guest suites,with the property offering 112studio apartments which nowfeature spacious desks and adining area with kitchenette. There’s also 24 hour reception,concierge service and a gym. More on 03 9669 6888.

SIA lifts London SINGAPORE Airlines hasannounced the introduction of afourth daily flight betweenSingapore and London -expanding its existing thrice dailyA380 operation effective Oct. The additional flight will have alate-night departure forSingapore and will utilise a 777-300ER which features thecarrier’s latest cabin productsincluding luxurious lie-flatbusiness class seating.

Monaco for meetings THE convention bureau in thetiny European Principality ofMonaco has set an ambitioustarget of 230,000 overnightbusiness stays by the end of2015. Last year business tourismcomprised around 20% ofvisitation to the country, or157,000 overnights. Sandrine Camia was recentlyappointed head of the MonacoConvention Bureau, and said akey driver was the offers availableat www.monacomeetings.com.

business events news8th June 2012

business events news Page 2

An intimate dinner with DavidAdvertising in BEN:Advertising in BEN:Advertising in BEN:Advertising in BEN:Advertising in BEN:• cost-effective • targeted • easyFor details call us today

1300 799 2201300 799 2201300 799 2201300 799 2201300 799 220

During the months of May and June, Business Events News is givingone lucky reader the chance a win an amazing holiday for two peopleto Vanuatu, courtesy of Air Vanuatu and the Grand Hotel and Casino.

The prize includes Air Vanuatu return airfares from Syd/Bne or Mel toPort Vila, and five nights accommodation in a Harbour Deluxe Roomincluding continental breakfast daily at the Grand Hotel and Casino.

Air Vanuatu offers daily flights from Australia, just over 3 hours away.Complimentary inflight service and the friendliest smiles in the Pacific!

Grand Hotel and Casino offers a relaxing yet sophisticated Frenchstyle setting, in a prime waterfront location in the heart of theshopping, business and entertainment district. 74 rooms with floor toceiling windows, own private balcony, Internet access in all roomsand 24 hour room service. We also cater for conferences sizesbetween 10 - 80 delegates and for groups up to 130 people.

Hint: vanuatu.travelEmail your answers to: Vanuatu@businesseventsnews.com.au

WIN A TRIP FOR TWO TO VANUATU

Q.12: Does the drive from the Airport to PortVila take about 10 minutes?

Click here for terms & conditions

Hutt, hutt, hutt JORDAN’S film industry isundergoing a resurgence withnew films, both local andinternational being filmed in theHasamite Kingdom, including theOscar award winning ‘Hurt Locker.’ This year ‘Lawrence of Arabia’also filmed in Jordan, celebrates50 years since its release, withSony re-releasing it on Blu-Ray, inSeptember. Currently, a film about OsamaBin Laden is being filmed in thecapital, Amman and is due forrelease in 2013.

Link in for a cure ACCOR told us Wednesday’sarticle on their Fiji Cure for Kidsinitiative will put a huge smile onthe faces of the Cure for Kidsteam and reminded readers thatthe link to the team fundraisingpage is fundraiseonline.co.nz/TheMelBURNians/.

AFTER one million conferencesand 18 years since it first openedin 1977, Brisbane’s CentralBardon Conference Centre willpermanently close its doors on 30November. Owned by Central Venues, partof Pradella Property Ventures,they purchased the Centre in1994, and renamed it ‘CentralBardon Conference Venue’. Phil Goodman, ceo of PradellaProperty Ventures said “over onemillion conference delegates andguests have enjoyed the uniquebushland setting and the broadrange of meeting facilities offeredby the Venue since we becameinvolved.” “I look forward to many of

Barton Centre to close

those guests coming back thisyear to visit this iconic propertybefore it moves to the next phasein its life,” Goodman said. Despite the closure, Centralcontinues to offer two Brisbaneinner city venues, Central EagleStreet and Central Dockside, bothideally placed overlookingBrisbane River, which cater formeetings, seminars, andcorporate training.

JUMEIRAH Himalayas HotelShanghai has become the firsthotel in China to launch acomplimentary Lobby Art Touropen to the public. Anyone can approach theConcierge/Guest Relations Desk& borrow an iPod Nano with pre-loaded English & Mandarinrecordings of the art on display inthe lobby of the luxury propertyin Shanghai. A complimentary brochure

Jumeirah’s Lobby art toursabout the items on display as wellas the Feng Shui elements of thehotel will be included in theLobby Art Tour. “This is a self-curating tour thatis based in our STAY DIFFERENTphilosophy and is culturallyconnected and is the biggestprivate art collection in Chinafrom Mr Dai Zhi Kang, Chairmanof the Zendai Group and MrZhang Zhenyu,” Jumeirah said. The art will be rotated regularly.

ABEE speakers US BASED technology expertCorbin Ball has been announcedas one of two internationalkeynote speakers at the seminarprogram which is part of thisyear’s Australian Business EventsExpo (ABEE). Ball has extensive businessevents experience, having workedwith budgets exceeding $6 millionand catering to 14,000 attendees. ABEE will feature a master classpresented by Ball titled‘Technology trends transformingthe industry’ which will cover themost significant changes inevents, exhibitions and society. Ticket sales for the session willopen in July and will be strictlylimited, with interested partiesstrongly encouraged to registerfor the ABEE now atwww.abeexpo.com.au. It’s also possible to keep upwith ticket launch dates and thelatest news on the ABEE Facebookpage at facebook.com/ABEExpo. Jodie Richmond, ceo ofExhibitions & Trade Fairs, says:“Our research confirms that oneof the reasons event buyers andorganisers come to the Expo is tohave access to good educationalopportunities across the broadspectrum of events”.

business events news8th June 2012

business events news Page 3

TEMP JOBEvents Travel Manager

Sydney Eastern Suburbs

Galileo & Groups experience

Assignment 4 - 19 July

The company is a creative, conference, incentive and event

management agency. The assignment is to cover the holidays

of the Senior Travel Manager. Work in a vibrant and dynamic

company and help support some exciting events programs.

Located in Sydney near Moore Park, great hourly rates!

For more details call or email ben@inplacerecruitment.com.au.

People. Integrity. Energy.inplacerecruitment.com.au

02 9278 5100

Ben Carnegie

This week, Business Events Newsis giving readers the chance to winone night accommodation in astandard room for two adults plusfull buffet breakfast courtesy ofNovotel Brisbane Airport.

Novotel Brisbane Airport isperfectly positioned as the onlyhotel located within the BrisbaneAirport precinct and featuring 157contemporary rooms, restaurantand bar, rooftop heated swimmingpool, and state of the artconference centre ideal formeetings, conferences and events. To win be the first to answer:comp@businesseventsnews.com.au

What is the maximum capacityof the largest meeting room at

Novotel Brisbane Airport?

Stay at Novotel Brisbane Airport

Hint: novotelbrisbaneairport.com.auClick here for terms and conditions

crumbs!crumbs!crumbs!crumbs!crumbs!

CLASSIC American cars are oneof Cuba’s more arresting sights,but not for much longer, as thecommunist government, whichonly allowed vehicles built before1959 (the year of the CubanRevolution) relaxes the rules toallow more private enterprise,and for cars to be bought on theopen market.

WHAT do you call someone whospeaks three languages? Trilingual, of course. What do you call a someonewho speaks two languages?Bilingual, naturally. What do you call someone whospeaks one language?Monolingual? No......Australian!

CONTACT US:CONTACT US:CONTACT US:CONTACT US:CONTACT US:

PublisherPublisherPublisherPublisherPublisher EditorEditorEditorEditorEditorBruce Piper Jill VarleyContributorsContributorsContributorsContributorsContributorsBruce Piper, Chantel LongAdvertising:Advertising:Advertising:Advertising:Advertising: advertising@businesseventsnews.com.au

P:P:P:P:P: 1300 799 220 F: F: F: F: F: 1300 799 221

PO Box 1010 Epping, NSW, 1710Business Events NewsBusiness Events NewsBusiness Events NewsBusiness Events NewsBusiness Events News is part of the Travel Daily group of publications

Adventure Oman A SELF-tailored itinerary hasbeen created in partnership withOman Tourism and creativeagency, The Other Dimension. Sidetripofalifetime.com.au is aninteractive digital platform thatoffers users the chance toexperience Oman viadocumentary style footage. Built into the functionality is theability to ‘Choose your ownAdventure.’ Tourism Oman country managerMona Tannous says, “It isabsolutely captivating to see thisconcept come to life. “Not only does it paint a vividmoving picture of what it’s like totravel through Oman; it alsogenerates intrigue & excitementbecause of its interactive nature. “Set to a soundtrack of exoticArabian rhythms, the videos onthe website offer the closest thingto a real Omani adventure as ispossible in an online environment.” The Other Dimension’s AndrewWilson says, “Instead of readingabout things you might want todo, you can watch the first-person experiential videos ofactual places, adventure activitiesand the hotels you’re considering,building your itinerary throughexperience.”

Etihad’s partnership ETIHAD Airways has acquired a4.99% stake in Virgin AustraliaHoldings that has been built overrecent weeks, through purchaseson the open market. It is an equity investment inVirgin Australia’s domesticoperations that Etihad Airwaysbelieves will “significantlystrengthen the 10-year strategicpartnership forged by the twocarriers in August 2010 and willenrich the commercial benefitswhich the alliance alreadyprovides as well as increasing thebenefits to Australian consumersand visitors to Australia.” Etihad Airways (21) and VAustralia (3) operate 24 flights aweek between Abu Dhabi & Austand Etihad is believed to betargeting up to 10% of Virgin.

MCI - creating value A SUSTAINABILITY report,entitled “Creating Value” hasbeen launched by global eventsspecialist MCI. The third sustainability reportdetails the company’s strategiesand performance to createenhanced value for itsstakeholders including inspiringstories, video and interactiveelements. MCI’s president Asia Pacific,Robin Lokerman will be visitingAustralia this month and will bepresenting on these sustainabilityinitiatives at MCI Australia’scorporate launch in Sydney. Highlights from the reportdemonstrating MCI’s sustainableperformance in 2011 include suchthings as improving operationalsustainability performance,engaging the supply chain with 67key international partners,engaging MCI talent, giving backto the community, organising andconsulting to over 89 of theworld’s leading events focused onenergy and sustainabledevelopment, and promotingchange in the meetings industry. Sebastien Tondeur, ceo of MCI,comments: “We are proud of ourachievements and pleased to see

how our CSR program has evolvedand continues to innovate to takeour business into a better future. “We know that we still have along way to go and that long termprofitable growth can beenhanced with responsibility andsustainability at the heart of whatwe do,” he said.

Hilton’s Flexibility HILTON Worldwide has createdan in-line tool that will makesearching, planning and bookingevents and meetings easier. Event planners looking atlocations in Australia, NewZealand, Fiji and French Polynesiaare also being offered a newpromotion called ‘FlexibleMeetings, Flexible Offer’ at selecthotels. The promotion will allow theplanner to choose from twocomplimentary add ons - 15%discount off the daily delegaterate; double Hilton HHonorsevent bonus points; free room forevent planner during event;welcome drinks reception orthemed coffee breaks - when theevent is confirmed within 21 daysof enquiring.