NEWSLETTER    Vol 20, 02/2005
   
Hello,

It's hard to believe that it is February already; we have had a busy start to 2005 with a lot happening.

During January I had the opportunity to host some international and local members of the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) who participated on a 5-day study tour of Australian regional and CBD IACC member venues in both Sydney and Melbourne. All enjoyed the intensive tour, which looked at venues from the operational perspective. (See item in Happenings below)

Much can be learnt from attending exhibitions and trade shows and I have listed in this newsletter ones of relevance you might like to attend. We will of course have members of our team attending these events, which assist us in staying up to date with all the happenings on the conference and meeting scene throughout Australia and New Zealand .

On the educational front we continue to schedule visits to conference and meeting venues with Cairns on the list for February. You will read all about it in our April newsletter.

Unfortunately I haven't had much time to hit the water and enjoy the sailing over the silly season but I am looking forward to next Wednesday for our first race in 2005. I think we might be a bit rusty but I'll let you know how we get on.

Regards,

Jim Conway

P.S. On behalf of the team at Key Conference Solutions our thanks go to all our clients for your support in 2004.


 
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Now Open at Byron Bay

Set in tropical rainforest and only moments from the unspoilt Tallow Beach, Byron at Byron offers 60 beautifully appointed one bedroom suites with 92 rooms planned to be available in July 2005.

The resort offers delegates purpose built conference facilities and a well equipped business centre. Byron at Byron is a environmentally sensitive development offering exclusive use for small to medium groups including luxurious spa with Vichy shower, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, steam room, relaxation area, massage and beauty therapy using the finest Coral Moon products.

Timber boardwalks lead through the rainforest to the shores of the pristine Tallow Beach . The resort offers pool, gym, and tennis court while nearby is Byron Bay Golf Club. Other local attractions include surfing lessons, kayaking, hang gliding and horse riding.

To find out more call Lisa Moloney +613 9870 4611


"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."

- Anonymous


Day Meetings in Melbourne

Located on the western fringe of Melbourne's central business district, the William Angliss Conference Centre overlooks the Docklands precinct and picturesque Flagstaff Gardens.

The centre, ideal for day use, features five conference rooms that can accommodate between 5-320 people. Perfect for a range of small to medium events including exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, training workshops, corporate meetings and seminars.

The contemporary design allows natural light to fill each room creating the right ambience for any occasion. The reception foyer and balcony area offers expansive views of Melbourne and provide a perfect pre-function area for your guests.

To find our more call Pam Conway on +613 9870 4611


“Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there.”

- Josh Billings


Macedon Ranges Executive Retreat

Built in 1907 as a private country retreat for William Baillieu, Sefton Conference Centre is today a modern rural conference retreat set in extensive English- style gardens that add much to it's year round beauty.

Located only a short drive from Melbourne airport in Mt Macedon, Sefton offers exclusive use with privacy assured. The main conference room offers state-of-the art audio visual equipment, computer link up facilities, intelligent control systems that manage sound, overhead and slide projection and open air access to the manicured gardens and terrace area.

Sefton's 17 bedrooms are decorated in their own individual style each, with a tasteful combination of period antiques and soft furnishings. On site recreation includes a relaxing four hole golf course, tennis courts, in ground pool or you can stay indoors and take in the library or wind down over billiards. Sefton Conference Centre is a country retreat of exceptional standard and offers delegates unsurpassed luxury and service.

To find out more call Pam Conway +613 9870 4611


Conference Tips

Printable versions of our Conference Tips are available in PDF format at our online resource centre at

www.conferencesolutions.com.au/downloads.html



SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE

Our ongoing schedule of briefing sessions and venue inspections ensures our product knowledge is extensive and current which allows us to offer you, professional, authorative and independent advice on the conference and meeting venue scene Australia-wide.

OUT AND ABOUT

On a regular basis our team members are out and about sampling first hand conference and meeting venues throughout Australia and New Zealand and recently have included Fenix, Campaspe House, The Bentinck Country House, Glen Erin Vineyard Retreat, The Grange at Cleveland Winery, Lancemore Hill, Marylands Country House, The Cumberland Marysville, Stonelea Country Estate, Aitken Hill, Melbourne Business School- Carlton, Eden on the Park, Rydges Melbourne, Waterview Function Centre, Stonnington Mansion and Sheraton on the Park, Sydney.

BEEN IN TO SEE US INCLUDE

Emma Parker & Susan Twigden - Langham Hotel Melbourne, Ian McDonald – Pinnacle Valley Resort, Angela Drake – Hotel Watermark Gold Coast, Sue Magi – Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Tish Black & Adrian Jarockyj – Cumberland Lorne Resort, Clare Mayhew & Bree Robinson – Novotel St Kilda, Rhonda Norman – Peppers Hotels & Resorts, Robyn Kent & Michael Hoogkamer Hemisphere Conference Centre, Kathy Preston & Theresa Head - Lancemore Group, Lisa Dove – Stonelea Country Estate, Carl Leahy – Four Points by Sheraton Geelong, Sara Bonnici – Ramada Melbourne & Waterview Function Centre, Lynda Stuchbree Rydges on Bell Preston and Sophie van Woerkom - The BentinckCountry House.

 
HAPPENINGS

IACC Study Tour


I had the privilege to host the Melbourne leg of a 5-day tour of regional and CBD conference centres in New South Wales and Victoria in January 2005.
 

Members of the International Association of Conference Centres - IACC from across the globe enjoyed a hectic schedule that took in over 12 specialist conference and meeting venues. Represented on the tour were Hayley Conference Centres – UK, Ashridge – UK, Babson Executive Conference Center – USA, Summit Executive Centre – USA, Grange Group of Conference Centres - Australia, Deakin Management Centre - Australia, Macquarie Graduate School of Management - Australia and Equinox Hotels – Australia.

For more information on IACC visit www.iacconline.org

Conference & Meeting Industry Exhibitions 2005
As part of our commitment to keep up to date with all the industry news, members of our team we will be attending the following exhibitions in 2005.

The 13th AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo at Melbourne Exhibition Centre Australia , 22 & 23 February 2005 . At AIME 2005, with 800 exhibitors from 45 countries including 162 new exhibitors, you'll find lots of information for your next incentive, conference or special event. Find out more at the AIME website at www.aime.com.au.

Mark in your diary Sydney on Sale 2005, July 14 & 15 at Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour . You can see more than 400 leading suppliers from Sydney and regional New South Wales showcase their venues, products and services. For more information visit www.scvb.com.au

In Melbourne - Meeting Mart is scheduled for September 22, 2005 at Melbourne Park Function Centre. We'll have more information for you about all the happenings at Meeting Mart as we get closer to the event. For more information visit www.conferenceworks.net.au/mm2005

Second Melbourne Hotel for Vibe
The Savoy Park Plaza has changed hands and the hotel has been relaunched as the Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne. The hotel has 163 guest rooms, restaurant, fitness centre, business centre and flexible meeting and conference space and will be managed by Toga Hospitality Group.

Peppers Hotel du Vin, North Island New Zealand Launches 3 New Meeting Rooms
Situated just 45 minutes from Auckland , in the heart of Firstland Vineyards, Peppers Hotel du Vin is an ideal venue for your New Zealand conference. The hotel has recently completed a renovation to accommodate 3 new meeting rooms all with natural light and views over the vineyards and gardens.

Bellinzona Grange Country Retreat
After a fire in November 2003 which destroyed Bellinzona Grange in Hepburn Springs, the Grange Group of Conference Centres has announced the property will be re-opening it's doors in April 2005. The all new property will have 43 fully en suite bedrooms, 2 large fully equipped conference rooms many new recreation facilities including an indoor heated pool .

Call Pam Conway for help in finding the right venue for your conference and meetings in 2005 on +613 9870 4611


 
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CONTACT US:

Phone: +613 9870 4611 - Fax: +613 9870 4622

Sue Wall: Sales Consultant
swall@conferencesolutions.com.au

Lou David: Sales Consultant
ldavid@conferencesolutions.com.au

Pam Conway: Industry Consultant
pconway@conferencesolutions.com.au

Lisa Moloney: National Business Development Manager
lmoloney@conferencesolutions.com.au


  
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