Hi,

Winter has arrived - I'm just getting over a bad bout of the flu which I picked up while taking a short break in France and Italy (shorts and t-shirt). Most interesting was having to call on the doctor - my Italian non existent and his English very limited, but still managed a thorough consultation (he didn't charge me). Then a visit to the chemist for some drugs to get me on the plane home. Next year I must get that flu shot!

It appears that rising operating costs for hoteliers are being passed on to consumers with rates increasing by 8.7% for the first quarter of the year according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics survey of tourist accommodation for March. Hotel and venue operators are all expressing concern about rising costs especially in power and food, which will no doubt lead to more rate increases in the coming months.

If you haven't yet found the place for your end of 2008 function now would be a good time to start getting organised as prime dates in December are booking out quickly. We have been booking many end of year functions and I'm sure we can help you - call Mardi Peters on +613 9870 4611.

Hope your footy tipping is going better than mine – I have a long way to catch up in our office tipping competition, at least the Hawks are still delivering wins. At last some snow but more would be good for the skiers to enjoy some time on the slopes. I'll be well rugged up for our Wednesday afternoon sailing as no doubt it will be cold out on the water.

Regards,

Jim Conway

P.S. I invite you take a look at our easy to use and resource rich web site. Back issues of our newsletter are available along with some downloadable Conference Tips.

IN THIS ISSUE

• IMMERSE in the YARRA VALLEY
• PULLMAN HOTEL at SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
• Happenings
• Sharing the knowledge
• Out & About
• Join Australia's Top Companies
• Your Say
• Contact Us

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

• Venue Finding Service
• Business Event Management

 

JULY'S FEATURED VENUES

Immerse in the Yarra Valley

Immerse with its recently expanded accommodation, provides the opportunity for your delegates to focus on the 'work and life' balance. While delegates are conferencing, mix business and pleasure with a wine tutorial or pampering at the onsite Spa Retreat. Located 45 minutes drive from the Melbourne International Airport and a 70 minute drive from Melbourne CBD you can enjoy all the Yarra Valley offers at Immerse.

Read more detailed information about Immerse in the Yarra Valley or contact Sue Wall +613 9870 4611

Pullman Hotel

The newest hotel in Greater Sydney, the magnificent 16 storey Pullman Hotel at Sydney Olympic Park offers 212 rooms and suites that exude contemporary design and style. Featuring 3 modern meeting rooms and a private boardroom, the hotel is suitable for small to medium scale meetings and conferences for up to 220 delegates.

Read more detailed information about Pullman Hotel or contact Rachel Buck +613 9870 4611

HAPPENINGS

Meet Mardi

Mardi joined the Key Conference Solutions team in June having previously worked in Public Relations and Events for over 5 years. After studying Communications & Public Relations at RMIT University, Mardi pursued a successful career in the Motor Racing Industry providing Sponsorship, PR and Event Management services to a high profile Motorsport Team. In recent years Mardi has focused on Relationship Management & Sales; combining her knowledge of the corporate events industry and her genuine personality has allowed Mardi to excel at building long term, mutually beneficial relationships. Mardi's involvement from an operational aspect has allowed her to gain a valuable inside view of venues. We welcome Mardi to the Key Conference Solutions team.

Accor's addition to the Marlborough

Accor has announced the addition of the four-star Monaco Hotel & Resort to its portfolio. Located in the heart of New Zealand's south island Marlborough wine region, the hotel and resort will offer guests hotel accommodation and self-contained cottages situated among picturesque gardens. This property will officially be a part of the Accor group as of July 1, 2008 and will be re-branded as the Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Apartments.

World Travel Awards winner

Queenstown's Blanket Bay has been voted New Zealand's leading luxury resort at this year's World Travel Awards. For Blanket Bay general manager Philip Jenkin, this award is the latest in a string of honours for the lodge which he says is a result of striving to set a new standard of comfort and service. The World Travel Awards are considered to be one of the world's most comprehensive travel trade polls.

Australian Events Expo and RSVP to co-locate in 2009

Exhibitors and business event tradeshow visitors will be celebrating with news today that the Australian Events Expo (AEE) and RSVP's Sydney event will be held side-by-side in 2009. With many buyers finding it increasingly hard to attend two separate events, co-locating RSVP and AEE will deliver real benefits to all stakeholders.

Each event will retain its individual branding and have separate entry points, however, visitors will be able to visit both shows through connecting aisles.

Meeting Mart

Meeting Mart is a must attend tradeshow for everyone who organises meetings, events, exhibitions, conferences, incentives, rewards and buys corporate gifts. Now in its sixth year, Meeting Mart has proven itself as the leading Victorian focused MICE industry tradeshow so put this date in your diary - Tuesday 28 October 2008 for Meeting Mart.

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 throughout Australia and overseas.

Been in to see us and update us on their venues include

Leeann Cole - Off Site Connections	Katrina Reynolds - Immerse in the Yarra Valley
Gil Wong - Accor Hospitality	Teressa Bricknell - Hotel Ibis Melbourne
Belinda Thomson - Accor Greater Sydney Hotels	Ann Neeley - Punt Hill Apartment Hotels
Julie Jolley - Crowne Plaza Queenstown	Julie Proft - Dreamworld
Regina White - Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove	Deanna Cannon – Mirvac Hotels & Resorts
Di Coffey – Sofitel Brisbane	Steve Shave – Radisson Resort Gold Coast
Katie Ogle – One Four Nelson	Renee Shandley – Crowne Plaza Torquay
Maisi Ahuja, Nicole Spurr and Julie Anderson - InterContinental Hotels Group	Tim O'Shea – Silverwater Resort Phillip Island

Members of our team have been out and about personally visiting...

Crown Towers	Crown Promenade
Sofitel Melbourne	Hilton on the Park Melbourne
The Hotel Windsor	Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Vic Harbour Kitchen & Bar	Silverwater Resort Phillip Island
Telstra Dome	The Country Place Retreat
The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley	Marylands Country House
Yarra Valley Conference Centre	Immerse in the Yarra Valley
The Cumberland Marysville & Villa Day Spa	Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa Yarra Valley

JOIN AUSTRALIA'S LEADING COMPANIES

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

Coles Group Limited	Phillip Morris Ltd	Higgins Coatings Pty Ltd
Origin Energy	Foster's Group Limited	Department of Primary Ind.
Genesys Laboratories Aust	Computershare Ltd	Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd
Reed Construction Data	IBM Australia Ltd	REA Group
The Nous Group	Loscam Limited	Equipsuper

...are just some of the organisations who have chosen Key Conference Solutions to source venues throughout Australia, New Zealand and overseas for their upcoming business meetings and conferences.

Your Say

"Very happy with your excellent service and will use again"
- Michelle Davidge

"Every time I have used Key Conference Solutions, Sue and the team have provided excellent service & information saving me so much time"
- Jacki O'Sullivan

"Very happy with your service. Lisa Maree is a great help and always gets things to me by the promised time"
- Rachael Tomkins