NEWSLETTER    Vol 17, 8/2004
   

Hi,

Welcome to a special “postcards” edition of our newsletter. Our team has travelled far and wide over the last two months to keep abreast of the all the happenings in conference and meeting venues throughout Australia and New Zealand.

This “postcards” edition will give you a glimpse of a selection of the many venues we have recently visited. If you'd like to find out more about any of these venues please call us. Our regular conference tips section will return in the next edition.

Recently I've been visiting venues throughout Australia that are members of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). To become a member of IACC these dedicated conference venues have to meet strict criteria in terms of their conference and meeting environment such as ergonomic chairs, meeting rooms available on a 24 hour basis, lighting levels designed for conferences, walls suitable for posting butchers paper and work desks in bedrooms. IACC Australia currently has in excess of 20 members predominantly situated in regional Victoria and New South Wales.

I haven't had much of a chance to sail over the last month or so with members of the crew taking time off on trips out of town. Probably just as well as the weather hasn't been too flash for sailing, but OK for the skiers'. As for the footy, there is always next year!

Regards,

Jim Conway

 
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VENUE REVIEWS

Sydney's Northern Beaches

This private, purpose- designed conference centre located just 35 minutes from Sydney CBD is just a 2-minute stroll from the beach. Mona Vale Conference Centre provides personal courteous service for small to medium residential and day conferences. The main conference rooms are fully fitted with the full suite of conference equipment, enjoying lots of natural light with 5 syndicate rooms nearby.

The 40 guest bedrooms are air -conditioned, bright and comfortable with TV and data points. Excellent leisure facilities on-site include tennis court, heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, mini gym, bikes and the beach is just at the end of the street. The restaurant, bar and intimate lounge areas with open fireplace for these cool winter nights complete the picture.

An ideal environment for training and development programs, workshops and think tanks Mona Vale Conference Centre is the ideal get away that's not too far from Sydney.

To find our more contact Pam Conway +613 9870 4611

In the House

Dreamworld is the official home of Big Brother and your delegates are invited to become a housemate!

For a truly extraordinary event you and your 'house mates' can party hard with Big Brother himself! Whether it's over dinner, a cocktail party or breakfast, you will enjoy being challenged by the infamous Big Brother tasks and be guaranteed of a laugh. This is an exclusive and rare opportunity to enjoy the set of a national icon. 

Contact Lisa Moloney for further information on the Big Brother experience on +613 9870 4611   

Amongst the Vines

Glen Erin Vineyard Retreat is perfectly positioned in the stunning Macedon Ranges 35 minutes from Melbourne airport and 50 minutes from CBD. It is ideally designed for small to medium size conferences with 3 separate meeting rooms, flexible and separate dining rooms.

In addition to the purpose built conference facilities, Glen Erin also provides a retreat within the retreat for facilitators or senior management of the meeting. The circa 1860 Homestead has been meticulously renovated to boast 3 individually styled, ensuited bedrooms with its own lounge and games room with a bar area and a work station. Each room has the same facilities as the 24 suite resort but also provides privacy in several areas in and around the Homestead.

Wide decking and French doors provide each room with its own private, sun drenched sitting area. The original Master Bedroom overlooks the garden and vineyard beyond with king bed and huge bathroom with spa and separate shower.

To find out more contact Sue Wall +613 9870 4611

“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they cannot find them, make them.”
- George Bernard Shaw

Overlooking the working Port

Amongst the historical maritime buildings of the developing Honeysuckle Precinct, Crowne Plaza Newcastle has been built directly on the Newcastle foreshore reflecting the harbour's excitement. Most guest suites overlook the fascinating activity of ferries, trawlers, rowers and fishing boats.

Ideal for boardroom style meetings, the Harbour and Breakwater Boardrooms are located on the ground floor with windows looking across to Newcastle 's working port. The Crowne Plaza Ballroom accommodates up to 160 guests and can be divided into 3 smaller rooms. The 175 one bedroom suites contain a separate living area, dual modem connection and breakfast bar.

Directly in front of the hotel is the foreshore promenade leading past Nobby's Lighthouse, restaurants and bars and 6km of waterside walking paths. For culture buffs, the Civic Theatre and Newcastle Region Art Gallery are 300 metres away. On Sundays, the produce and crafts of the Honeysuckle markets are just around the corner.

For more information contact Pam Conway on +613 9870 4611

Printable versions of our Conference Tips are available in PDF format at our online resource centre 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 in turn allows us to offer you, our valued clients, professional, authorative and independent advice on the conference and meeting venue scene Australia-wide.

BEEN IN TO SEE US

Ian Solomon The Vines Resort & Country Club; Tristelle Hosking Quest Serviced Apartments; Michelle Carter & Kelly Morrison Accor Hotels; Jessica Brett Radisson Resort Gold Coast; Lewis Bloom Bloom & Associates; Nicole Woolfe and Alison Tovey The Sebel Lodge Yarra Valley; Kate Meathrel, Paul Fidock and Jane Strangman Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast; Emma Parker Sheraton Towers; Tim O'Shea The Marque; Justin Burt Shangri La Sydney; Emma Cook Rydges Carlton; Meagan Greet Constellation Hotel Group; Paul McMurray & Nason Aymler Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts.
“Man cannot discover new oceans until he has the courage to lose sight of the shore”
- Anon.

We're eager to hear what you think of this newsletter.
Feel free to offer comments and suggestions when you e-mail me. Please forward this newsletter to a friend or colleague who may be interested in receiving our newsletter.

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POSTCARDS

On a regular basis our team members are out and about sampling first hand conference and meeting venues throughout Australia and last month in New Zealand.

Sue Currie was up on the Gold Coast visiting Sheraton Mirage. Lisa Moloney recently spent a week in New Zealand attending New Zealand Meetings 2004 in Christchurch . In the same week Stephanie Conyers visited Albury/Wodonga, the Hunter Valley and Newcastle . I was in Sydney for Sydney on Sale , a conference & meeting exhibition over 2 days at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, as well as fitting in some site inspections around the harbour side city.


Site inspections in Albury included Lake Hume Resort, Albury Convention & Performing Arts Centre, Quality Hotel on Olive, Commercial Club Albury, Sundowner Hovell Tree Inn, Paddlesteamer Cumberoona, Butter Factory Theatre, Three Monkeys Tavern, All Saints Estate, Wonga Wetlands, Country Comfort and Hume Country Golf Club Motor Inn.


Rafferty's Resort Lake Macquarie.


Sand Safaris Active Adventure Tours
Site inspections in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region included Cypress Lakes Resort, Hunter Valley Gardens & “Tallawanta” Lodge, McGuigan's Winery, Noah's on the Beach, Wests Convention Centre & Executive Inn, City Hall Function & Conference Centre, Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Quest Newcastle and Sand Safaris Active Adventure Tours.


Outrigger Clearwater Resort
Site inspections in Christchurch included the Heritage Christchurch, Millenium Christchurch, Airforce Museum, Christchurch Convention Centre, Town Hall, Outrigger Clearwater Resort, Mona Vale, University of Canterbury, Christchurch Art Gallery and The Westpac Centre.


Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast
Site inspections in Queensland Novotel Twin Waters, Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast, Rydges Reef Resort Port Douglas, Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas and Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast.


Quay Grand Suites Sydney
Site inspections in New South Wales Newport Mirage, Mona Vale Conference Centre, Macquarie Graduate School of Management at North Ryde and city campus, Shangri-La Sydney, Quay Grand Suites Sydney, Sydney Masonic Centre, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre and The Wesley Conference Centre.


Lindenderry at Red Hill
Site inspections in Victoria Deakin Management Centre, One Four Nelson, Campaspe House, Glen Erin Vineyard Retreat, Cope-Williams, The Grange at Lancefield, The Marque, The Royce, Lindenderry at Red Hill, Lancemore Hill, Peppers Moonah Links, Atlantic South Wharf, Sheraton by Four Points Geelong and The Grange at Cleveland Winery.

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
- Dr Robert Schuller
 

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HAPPENINGS

Novotel Twin Waters Resort has taken out two prestigious Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence at the 2004 HMAA awards ceremony in Brisbane recently with the best Resort and best Training awards.

At the Carlton Crest Hotel Melbourne, new designs have been market tested, consultations are complete, the contracts have been signed and $5 million is being pumped into a stylish makeover of 242 of Carlton Crest Hotel Melbourne's prime rooms and suites. The Hotel has engaged the services of leading interior design firm - Perrott Lyon Mathieson - to coordinate the makeover, working with the Carlton Crest's newly appointed General Manager, Frank Delli Cicchi.  

It's a new beginning for two of Australia 's wilderness tourism operators with the completion of Voyages' purchase of P&O Resorts. Voyages is now one company incorporating 14 spectacular Australian wilderness locations along with Odyssey Tours and Safaris. But it is definitely business as usual for now. The acquisition will not disrupt resort operations, conference or holiday bookings.

We regularly arrange and conduct site inspections to familiarise our clients with conference venues and hotels. Last month we had a successful visit to the Sheraton by Four Points Geelong. If you would like to register your interest in future site inspections just drop us an email to jconway@conferencesolutions.com.au.

“Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.”
- David Lloyd George

JOIN AUSTRALIA’S LEADING COMPANIES

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

Adshell Street Furniture Pty Ltd, BHP Billiton, BP, Bridgestone Australia Ltd, Catalyst, Concentric Asia Pacific, CSL Limited, Department of Defence, Department of Immigration, Hays Personnel, Higgins Coatings, Metricon Homes, Nortel Networks, Pilkington Australia Ltd, Pioneer Road Services, Redbull, Serco Sodexho Defence Services, Telstra and Zinifex Ltd 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.

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”
- Art Linkletter

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

Sue Currie: Sales Consultant
scurrie@conferencesolutions.com.au

Lisa Moloney: National Business Development Manager
lmoloney@conferencesolutions.com.au
© 2004 Key Conference Solutions