VENUE REVIEWS

Melbourne CBD

Built in 1913 as the Commercial Traveller's Club, the heritage-listed building combines all the character and elegance of the early 20 th century, with the first class comforts of today.

Located in the heart of the CBD, with public transport located outside the front door. The Duxton Hotel Melbourne is a 4.5 star hotel.

The conference and banqueting facilities are able to accommodate from 10 to 300 guests and is an impressive area for presentation and training sessions, breakfasts, cocktail functions, grand dinners, awards nights and conferences.

All Deluxe, Club Rooms and Suites feature multi-channel satellite television, movies on demand, fax and data ports, in room safe, ironing facilities, personal bar, tea and coffee making facilities and voice mail message system.

Guests are able to enjoy a meal ‘The Grill' restaurant, a drink in the ‘Club Lounge', or have the convenience of 24-hour room service.

Boasting an absolute beachfront location, Quay West Resort Bunker Bay is a brand new 5 star resort is just a 3-hour drive, or a thirty-minute flight from Perth and only minutes from the Margaret River wine region.

Nestled alongside beautiful Bunker Bay , this perfect north facing resort covers 35 acres of magnificent landscaped gardens and offers a choice of 153 studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom luxuriously appointed contemporary villas. Each with a living/dining area, bedroom/s, kitchen and a choice of either ocean, lake or garden views.

Flexible event space features two column free conference rooms and 3 board/breakout rooms, catering for up to 300 delegates. Most rooms feature natural light and either an outdoor deck or courtyard area – perfect for pre and post meeting breaks. A dedicated banqueting team ensures a perfect outcome to any event.

With a choice of alfresco or indoor dining, the ‘Other Side of the Moon' Restaurant has superb views across the Indian Ocean and modern Australian cuisine underpinned by soft Mediterranean influences. Other food and beverage options include a cosy bar with central wine feature, a casual beach café, and poolside bar and kiosk.

To find out more call Lisa Moloney +613 9870 4611

John Harris, from The Country Place in The Dandenongs, has just returned from an industry conference in Dallas , Texas . One observation John made, was the resurgence of Team Building activities in conferences. This trend has also been reflected here in Australia.

Organisations are looking to identify comfort zones, discover an individual's strengths and weaknesses, promote risk taking and develop group dynamics through team building activities.

The Country Place in conjunction with Corporate Outdoor Training are in the process of building an exciting new ropes course facility, at Kalorama, just like the one pictured.

New and unique designs incorporated into the equipment allow for up to 18 people at one time to be actively involved in the activity. The “Multivine” and “Leap of Faith” activities will be ready for groups by the beginning of July.

To find out more call Pam Conway +613 9870 4611.

CONFERENCE TIPS

I have chosen just a few to test your knowledge…

A440
Designated international pitch to which pianos are tuned.

Andragogy
The art and science of helping adults learn as opposed to pedagogy, which is the science of helping children learn

Amenity
Complimentary items in sleeping rooms such as writing supplies, bathrobes, fruit baskets, shower caps, shampoo and shoe shine mitt provided by facility for guests.

Attrition
The difference between the actual number of sleeping rooms picked-up (or food-and-beverage covers or revenue projections) and the number or formulas agreed to in the terms of the facility's contract. Usually there is an allowable shortfall before penalties are applied.

Attrition Clause
Contract wording that outlines potential penalties or fees that a party may be required to pay in the event that it does not fulfil minimum commitments in the contract.

Back of the House
A term used in hotels to refer to areas for staff only, as opposed to the front of the house.

Banquet Event Order - BEO
A form most often used by hotels to provide details to personnel concerned with a specific food and beverage function or event room set-up.

Blocked Space
Sleeping rooms, exhibit, event, or other function space reserved for future use by an individual or organization.

Bluetooth
The process for the wireless convergence of cell phones, computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), etc.

Cash Bar
Private room bar set up where guests pay for drinks individually.

Complimentary Room
A sleeping room or function room provided to an individual or organisation at no cost.

Connecting Rooms
Two or more guestrooms with private connecting doors permitting access between rooms without having to go into the corridor.

EFX
Special Effects.

F&B
Food and Beverage

Fork Food
Food at a reception that requires only a fork and not a knife

Group Booking
Reservation for a block of sleeping rooms specifically for a group.

Group Rate
Confirmed rate extended to attendees booking their sleeping room accommodations as part of a group room block.

MEET FRED STEWART Fred has been in professional practice since 1986, having previously held senior Human Resources Management roles in the service, manufacturing and retail sectors. During his corporate and consulting career he has developed expertise across a wide range of human resource management issues. The planning and facilitation of conferences and workshops is a strong focus for Fred and he has extensive experience in this area. He has a strong view that the selection of an appropriate venue is a critical element in the success of the event. “The venue has to be right for the client group and create the environment where the desired outcomes can be achieved. Very simply, it can make or break a conference, the right fit between client group and venue is, if not paramount, close to it.” Fred Stewart is Principal of APS Consulting Pty Ltd and works with many of Australia 's leading companies. You can contact Fred at +613 9690 2989 or by email apscons@bigpond.net.au

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