NEWSLETTER    Vol 22, 06/2005
   
Hello,

The office has been very busy with lots of work flowing through as we find the right venues for your meetings and conferences with a record month - 67 conference bookings made in April 2005 – our thanks for your continued support. High demand months ahead in 2005 include October and November where availability of venues is getting tight.

Some of our team have been participating in destination and venue familiarisation visits. Pam and I recently spent some time on the Gold Coast. Pam, Lisa and I have been in Sydney as well. Lisa has just returned from Rotorua in New Zealand (see brief update below.) While I write this Stephanie is enjoying the hospitality and warmer climate that Cairns and Port Douglas offers and you can read all about that trip in our next newsletter. All this hard work assists in keeping our product knowledge up to date.

In other developments Key Conference Solutions have commissioned a new internet based product supplier hotel/venue database that will enable us to resource and research much more efficiently improving our service to you. At the same time we have run out of space in the office and by our next newsletter will have moved, not far just up one level.

We Wednesday sailors have been enjoying the unseasonal run of warm weather and have found our winning ways with 3 wins from our last 4 starts. Our run is surely over with the handicapper penalising us 6 minutes – 2 for each win. Now there is a chill in the air and afternoons on the water are definitely invigorating. Welcome to winter.

Regards,

Jim Conway

P.S. Our thanks go to all those readers who have provided their comments and suggestions on our newsletter. We do appreciate your feedback.

 
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Melbourne Business School

Melbourne Business School is recognised as a premium management education centre in the Asia Pacific region. The School is located in cosmopolitan Carlton , close to Melbourne University and Lygon Street precinct. Just a short walk from the city centre, the quiet, leafy surrounds provide an environment conducive to business conferences, training seminars and other management retreats with 55 single bedrooms and 4 suites

The School offers a wide range of fully equipped theatres and meeting rooms, complemented by first class dining and comfortable accommodation facilities of 55 single bedrooms and 4 suites.

Theatre capacities range from 20 to 150 and are fully equipped with modern audiovisual equipment to support the effective and professional delivery of your presentation material. Technical staff are on hand to provide support and assistance if required. Syndicate rooms are available to complement the theatre facilities.

A full range of comtemporary catering is available to meet your conference or function requirements from simple morning and afternoon teas through to full a la carte meals in the private dining facilities. The Gadsden dining room has the capacity to seat 70 comfortably while the A T Kearney Boardroom offers a more intimate option for up to 35.

To find out more call Pam Conway +613 9870 4611


" You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth "

- Evan Esar

An Australian Icon Returns

The Hilton Sydney will open for business on July 15 with a new face, a luxurious interior and numerous attractions for the business traveller seeking a home away from home.

Transforming the former 1970’s building with a 1980’s interior into a contemporary, modern space has been a huge undertaking. What makes this Hilton so unique is its attention to detail and state-of-the-art conference and convention facilities.



It will be Australia’s largest hotel convention and meeting space outside an exhibition centre or casino. The new facilities have a capacity for 3000 delegates. Its four dedicated levels of conference and convention space feature 23 meeting rooms and 4000 square metres of space and can cater from modest gatherings to major conventions with infinite ease.

Unique additions to the Hilton Sydney include a restaurant designed by New York-based designer Tony Chi and a lobby that proudly displays Australian sculptor Bronwyn Oliver’s aluminium masterpiece.

Guests are welcomed into the spacious atrium-style lobby dominated by the spectacular suspended sculpture which spirals through four levels. The sense of drama is further reinforced by a water feature and its complementing vertical porte-cochere garden.

The fully refurbished rooms include bathrooms with frosted glass and a sliding partition that creates a light-box effect, as well as furnishings that deliver both comfort and individuality. Small touches such as the custom-designed chaise longue in place of a conventional sofa arrangement invite guests to put their feet up.

To find out more contact Pam Conway +613 9870 4611


“No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut. ”
- Sam Rayburn


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

In Sydney and New South Wales Byron at Byron, Newport Mirage, The Observatory Hotel, Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley, The Retreat at Wisemans, Novotel Brighton Beach, Swiss Grand Hotel Bondi, MGSM Executive Hotel and Conference Centre and The Shangri La Hotel Sydney.

In Queensland Palazzo Versace, Royal Pines Resort, Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa and The Out Rigger Hotel at Salt.

In Melbourne The Plaza Ballroom, Chapter House, The Town Hall, The Westin Melbourne, The Observatory and The Park Hyatt.

BEEN IN TO SEE US INCLUDE

Belinda Lee - Ascott International, Kum Rahadian -Stamford Hotels and Resorts, Lynda Stuchbree & Emma Ciavarella - Rydges on Bell Preston, Deborah Richardson - Laguna Whitsundays, Sue Magi - Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Tania Taylor - Royal Pines Resort, Kate Ritchie - Hyatt Regency Coolum, Maxine Tod - Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, Andrew Oster - Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, Kristy Baker - Hyatt Regency Perth, Scott Lovett - Telstra Dome, Joan Logan & Jason Chia - The Grange Group of Conference Centres, Lorraine MacGregor – Clarion Hotel on Canterbury and Comfort Inn Dandenong, Mary-Jane Zacchei - Fusion Marketing, Naomi Smith - Le Meridien at Rialto, Rachael O'Neil - The Westin Melbourne, Catherine Comino - Starwood Hotels Sydney, Angela Hughes - The Westin Sydney, Judith Burton - Sheraton Perth Hotel, Andrew Fairbairn - Sheraton Noosa Spa & Resort, Tim Burley - Couran Cove Island Resort.

 

POSTCARDS

Rotorua

Our Lisa Moloney has just returned from a quick trip across the Tasman to Rotorua in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. Rotorua is the cultural and artistic centre of New Zealand’s first settlers - the Maori. It is also a world-renowned thermal region offering the spectacle of erupting geysers, boiling mud pools and other volcanic activity matched by few places on earth.

Rotorua’s reputation as a natural spa destination dates back 160 years. After a day spent sightseeing or adventuring the traditional mineral pools are still firm favourites with today’s delegates seeking relaxation, revitalisation and rejuvenation.. They offer a wide range of health, beauty and spa treatments based on local mineral and geothermal resources.....the perfect pick-me-up for those who have undertaken any of the abundance of more active pursuits such as cruising, kayaking, water-skiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, 4WD Bush Safaris, sailing, rafting or trout fishing.

Included in the trip were visits to Royal Lakeside Novotel, Millennium Hotel, Clearwater Charters, Government Garden Tour – Event Venues Rotorua, Te Runanga Tea House, The Rotorua Museum, Tour around Sulphur Point, The Rotorua Convention Centre, The Energy Events Centre, Polynesian Spa and Okeraka Lakehouse.

To find out more about New Zealand call Lisa Moloney +613 9870 4611









" If you scatter thorns, don't go barefoot. "

- Italian Proverb

HAPPENINGS

Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Friday the 1st of July will see the Grand Hyatt Melbourne open its fully refurbished banquet and meeting/conference area. The spectacular renovation includes extensive remodelling of the hotel's two ballrooms and all the smaller function rooms. The hotel expects the integrated technology of this state-of-the-art facility will set new standards for meetings conferences and exhibits.

Four Points by Sheraton celebrates 5 years at Darling Harbour

In 2005, Four Points by Sheraton celebrates five years at Darling Harbour. This vibrant precinct is 'a must see' for visitors to Sydney and delegates will enjoy being conveniently located close to all the action with direct access to attractions including Sydney Convention Exhibition Centre, the Sydney Aquarium and The Australian Maritime Museum. Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour is Australia 's largest hotel with 630 rooms including 45 suites. The hotel also offers an extensive range of meeting facilities including 13 versatile meeting and function rooms and a fully equipped business centre.

More ways to get to the Whitsundays

There is now more flexibility and options for conference delegates flying to the Whitsundays with Qantas recently announcing it will operate three return flights a week on the Brisbane-Hamilton Island route on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In addition to Jetstar's daily A320 services Virgin Blue has also launched direct daily flights between Brisbane and the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island.

Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove

Well underway is the guestroom “Refresh” program for 2005. All guestrooms will undergo rejuvenation to include new vanities, tiling, repainting, furniture & flooring finishes. Other enhancements already in place are the latest digital in-house movie system and high-speed cable connections with wireless hotspots throughout the hotel and conference facilities.


"Truth, like surgery, may hurt, but it cures. "

- Han Suyi

YOUR SAY

“Key Conference Solutions has been a wonderful time saver for us, highly professional & responsive – they just do it for you! Thanks a million”.
Emma Sylvester

“Our venue requests are always last minute, with minimal lead-time. Every time a more than appropriate venue has been found. Key Conference Solutions suggestions are always within our requirement guidelines - location, facilities, and budget. Love the lateral thinking recommendations sometimes required - they're usually the answer.”
Jane Bolding

“Using Key Conference Solutions saved me so much time- and at such short notice you were able to provide me with a selection of fantastic venues to choose from.”
Tricia Gailans


“To find a fault is easy; to do better may be difficult”

- Plutarch


JOIN AUSTRALIA’S LEADING COMPANIES

Join Australia's leading companies that are taking advantage of the free venue-finding service Key Conference Solutions offers.

AE Smith, ANZ, Australia Post, Bendigo Bank, Blackwell Publishing, Boston Consulting, Coles Myer, Commonwealth Bank, Energizer, Ford, GlaxoSmithKline, Wesfarmers, Transfield Services, Toll Group, Simplot, Pilkington, Orica Australia, NAB, Microsoft and Medibank Private are just some of the companies who have chosen Key Conference Solutions to source venues throughout Australia, New Zealand and overseas for their business events.


"Promises that you make to yourself are often like the Japanese plum tree - they bear no fruit."

- Francis Marion


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

  
Click here to visit the Key Conference Solutions website


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