Conference Solutions - E-news Volume 30

NEWSLETTER Vol 30, 10/2006

Hello,

What a busy couple of months we have had – lots of people from all over the world including Shanghai , London , Hong Kong , New Zealand and Australia have been in to our office and updated our team on their venues. While these visits increase our product knowledge of hotels and meeting venues, at the same time it's great to be kept informed and aware of conference /meeting trends around the globe. Our team has also been busy attending roadshows highlighting destinations such as Fiji .

A busy travel time ahead for members of our team who will be undertaking hotel and conference venue site inspections on the Sunshine Coast, in Perth, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur in the coming two months. We have had some personnel changes here at Key Conference Solutions as we farewelled Emily Kirkpatrick who has relocated to the Gippsland Lakes and welcome Nicola Brown to our team.

Meeting Mart to be held at Melbourne Park Function Centre on the 24th of October 2006, provides you with the opportunity to research product from across Victoria for all of your event/conference requirements. This year's program includes many new events including breakfasts, workshops, speaker's showcases, lunches and an entertainment showcase. While you are there drop in and say hello - we'll be at Booth 52.

Congratulations, commiserations or there is always next year as we say good bye to the football and welcome the warmer weather that Spring brings. Daylight Savings is just around the corner and the summer sailing season is already underway. I'm looking forward to improving our performance in the forthcoming twilight series.

I hope you get to enjoy more time at your favourite pursuit this coming summer.

Regards,

Jim Conway

SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE

JOIN AUSTRALIA'S TOP COMPANIES

YOUR SAY

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VENUE REVIEW

LORNE

Erskine Beach Resort Lorne Victoria

Mantra Erskine Beach Resort is home to the largest conference facilities and corporate style accommodation outside of metropolitan Melbourne.

The resort features 280 modern resort rooms and apartments and boasts state-of-the-art conference facilities for up to 500 delegates, ideally situated on the foreshore of Loutit Bay , along the Great Ocean Road at Lorne.

Busy delegates have access to a business centre, in room broadband and wireless internet access, presentation equipment, professional audio visual equipment and 24 hour reception.

They can also enjoy a vast range of activities such as tennis, croquet, lawn bowls, bocci, golf, kayaking, surfing, horse riding as well as a host of team building exercises to challenge the mind. Find out more from Sue Wall +613 98704611

FIJI

Westin Fiji

A new world of Westin luxury in the South Pacific where five star comfort harmonizes with lush tropical surroundings and international style fuses with Fijian island warmth. This resort is stylishly designed to reflect Fijian heritage and local style, with ancestral carvings and artifacts displayed throughout the resort. Yet with its own palm-fringed, beautiful two-tier swimming pool, picturesque ocean view, sublime Heavenly Spa and championship golf course, this is unmistakably a tropical island retreat par excellence.

Situated on Denarau Island , the resort is located 20 minutes from Nadi international airport and adjacent to Sheraton Denarau Villas, Sheraton Fiji Resort and Denarau Golf & Racquet Club. Combining with Sheraton Fiji Resort, it provides a conference space for up to 1100 people and meeting venues range from indoor and outdoor to a private offshore island "Akuilau". Delegates have access to the facilities in the resort complex including tennis courts, 5 swimming pools, water-sports, 18 restaurants, bars and a variety of cultural shows.

Find out more from Lisa Moloney +61 3 9870 4611.

A COUNTRY PLACE

The Country Place Retreat is one of Australia 's premier residential conferencing venues located in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges . The venue offers five well equipped, air conditioned conference rooms plus syndicate rooms to suit various sized groups up to 110 delegates. All rooms have excellent natural light, ergonomic chairs for all day comfort and wonderful views of the gardens.
Guests are accommodated in well appointed guest rooms with queen or king size beds. All rooms have garden views, en-suite bathroom, television, study desk, email and internet access.

The gourmet country cuisine is one of the main attractions that has made the venue so popular. Menus are individually tailored to each group's requirements. Early morning Bush Breakfasts, Forest Night Walks, Wine Maker's Dinners and Gourmet BBQ's are all very popular. The recreation facilities include two tennis courts, basketball court, heated swimming pool,gym, pool tables and table tennis with golf nearby.

Find out more from Pam Conway +613 9870 4611

" A smile is the lighting system of the face, the cooling system of the head and the heating system of the heart."

- Unknown

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.

Been in to see us and update us on their venues include Lily Yan & Bahram Naderi – Carlton Crest Melbourne, Astrid Renigeris – Carlton Crest Sydney, Marc Letourneau – Club Med, Natalie Fryar & Scott Lovett – Alice Springs Convention Centre, Mary Jane Zacchei – Fusion Marketing, Natasha Contini – Radisson Hotel & Suites Sydney, James Cavanagh – Rydges Hotels & Resorts, Sue Magi – Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Nicole Bates – Artistic Food, Justine Salame – Hamilton Island, Danielle Bird – Mirvac Hotels & Resorts, Lisa Hall – Mecure Harbourside Cairns, Chantelle Eve – Sofitel Melbourne, Monica San Martin – The Cumberland Marysville, Paul O'Rourke – Peppers Anchorage, Rhonda Norman – Stella Resorts Group, Lisa Cooney, Kathryn Lee & Jeremy Crawford – Rydges Melbourne, Michelle Kennedy – Langham Hotel Auckland, Helen Yu – Langham Hotel Hong Kong, Andrew Ma – Eaton Hotel Hong Kong, Diana Banks – Langham Hotel London, Rachelle Boudreau – Langham Hotel Boston, Simon McHendry – Langham Place Hotel Hong Kong, Alison Tilzey – Langham Hotels International, Peter Alatsas – The Westin Shanghai, Rebecca Wiles – Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Maeve Chomphunut – Dockside Group, Joanne Camilleri – Solution Red, Amy Reynders & Tania Adolphe – Millbrook Country Club New Zealand, Naomi Smith – InterContinental Hotels Group, Kate Georgiou – Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority and Anjali Sharma – Grand Hyatt Melbourne.

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use"

- Emily Post

JOIN AUSTRALIA'S LEADING COMPANIES

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

BHP Billiton, Red Bull, NAB, Reed Information, Fosters Group, Medibank Private, Orica Australia Pty Ltd, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Dy-Mark Group (Aust) P/L, Pilkington Australia Ltd, BSH Home Appliances, Department of Health & Ageing, Global Leaders Network, GE Infrastructure, Novartis Consumer Health, Coles Myer, Department of Primary Industries, ITL Healthcare, Century 21, Deakin Prime, Leadership Consortium, Gallagher Bassett Services, Australian Scholarships Group, Macmillan Publishers, Insurance Australia Group, Australian Computer Society, Deer Park Engineering, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Sentencing Advisory Council, Barmetrix, Vic WorkCover Authority, Astratech, Simplot Australia, Realestate.com, Spotless Services, The Pacific Institute, Connex, Hillross Financial Services, Mission Australia, Masterfoods, Disability Professionals Vic., TruEnergy, Amcor Australia, Citizen Watches, Australian Agribusiness Group, are just some of the organisations who have chosen Key Conference Solutions to source venues throughout Australia, New Zealand and overseas for their upcoming meetings and conferences.

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world"

- Unknown

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HAPPENINGS

MEET NICOLA

Nicola Brown is the newest member of our family. Nicola joined us in August - keen, enthusiastic and eager to extend her knowledge. Before joining the team at Key Conference Solutions, Nicola spent 2 years as a Conference and Events Coordinator with a

property in regional Victoria. This experience developed her communication skills, attention to detail and extended her professional development following the successful completion of her Diploma in Tourism and Events at Holmesglen TAFE.

Nicola is highly focused on the importance of customer service that is required in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry and continues to expand her knowledge of Local, Inter-State and International Conference venues.

Now happily residing in the eastern suburbs, Nicola looks forward to the days getting longer so she can enjoy walking her German Shepard/ Rhodesian Ridgeback cross Indi who is just 12 months old. We welcome Nicola to the Key Conference Solutions team.

If you organise events in Victoria - Don't miss this!

To be held at Melbourne Park Function Centre on the 24th of October 2006 , Meeting Mart provides you with the opportunity to research

and select product from across Victoria for all of your event/conference requirements.

This year's event program includes many new events including breakfasts, workshops, speaker's showcases, lunches, an entertainment showcase, and a highlight cocktail / entertainment extravaganza which will include big name corporate entertainment acts live on the big stage.

COOK UP A GREAT TEAM

Forget every day cooking classes! The Cheeky Food Group creates unforgettable events with fun, music, cooking and vino - to suit your objectives, mission statement or conference theme.

Amaze yourselves as you sizzle, flambee, and sauté your way into

creating your very own restaurant. You'll laugh, bond, relax and have fun as you ‘whip up' a magnificent feast to eat and enjoy together. Now there's a reward!

Unlike many ‘high five' activities, everyone is a ‘winner' and ‘secret ingredient' to the group's success. Male, female - younger or older – sports fan or lounge lover – everyone becomes a Celebrity Chef and cooks up a storm. Move over Jamie!!

For groups of 4 to 400 contact Cheeky Food Group - Team Building

Ph: 1300 785 365 or visit
www.cheekyfoodgroup.com

New EVEVENT CENTRE & MARQUEE
at CYPRESS LAKES RESORT

The Event Centre is a purpose-built, brand new meeting space of 450 square metres featuring floor to ceiling glass walls, air-conditioning, solid flooring and a superb outdoor terrace with views over the surrounding valley. The space has the ability to seat up to 624 delegates theatre style, or 396 guests for a sit down dinner. In addition, the new Marquee, of 225 square metres, is situated at the Lagoon Pool and represents the ultimate in flexibility. The Marquee can cater for every event from product launches to cocktails and themed dinners.

"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want"

- Jim Rohn

AWARD WINNERS

ZINC
At the recent Victorian Restaurant and Catering Awards for 2006 the team at Zinc @ Federation Square took out the award as Melbourne's “Function Centre Caterer” of the year. Zinc will now go onto the national awards being held in Sydney.

BridgeClimb SYDNEY

BridgeClimb Sydney won the 'Best Australian Attraction' in the Asia Travel and Tourism Awards held in Singapore on 7 September 2006 . The attraction is popular with both the tourism and conference markets and considered a "must do" when visiting Sydney.

"Many a good man has failed because he had his wishbone where his backbone should have been"

- Unknown

OUT AND ABOUT

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

Park Hyatt Melbourne, Mantra Erskine Beach Resort, Cumberland Lorne Resort, Four Points By Sheraton Geelong, Plaza Ballroom at Regent Theatre, Breathtaker All Suite Hotel & Apline Spa Resort, Powerhouse, Sofitel Melbourne, RACV Club, Circa, Langham Hotel Melbourne, Carlton Crest Melbourne, Sixteen Ellis Street, Carousel, Alto @ GPO, Royce Hotel, The Westin Melboune, Melbourne Cricket Ground, National Gallery of Victoria, Fix Jamm at Docklands, Fenix and The Grand Hyatt Melbourne.

YOUR SAY

"Wonderful! What a useful service – it's the only way I will book a venue from now on."
Joel White

"Key Conference Solutions made the organisation of our conference very easy and saved me a great deal of valuable time. I am extremely impressed with your professionalism"
Gail Doney

"Your service was so helpful. I had no idea where to start but you gave us many options to choose from. Thanks very much"
Simone Roberts

"Excellent – very approachable! We expressed our needs & they were exceeded!"
Jennifer Wellard

"A very useful service. Keep up the good work!"
Kirsten Parks

"Be Silly. Be honest. Be kind"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Phone: +61 3 9870 4611
Fax: +61 3 9870 4622

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

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

Lisa-Maree Roberts: Sales Consultant
lmroberts@conferencesolutions.com.au

Nicola Brown: Sales Support
nbrown@conferencesolutions.com.au

Pam Conway: Director
pconway@conferencesolutions.com.au