Hi,

October has passed by in a blur with much activity especially around the recent Meeting Mart at Crown Towers Hotel. It was great to catch up with many clients who also enjoyed a coffee from Mark of The Coffee Cure who made our stand so popular with all who attended the tradeshow.

At the show there was a lot of interest shown in our increasingly popular business event management capability. We have over the past 2 years seen clients using the services and capabilities of our business event management team. Our six event management practitioners are geared to assist our clients deliver event, conference, exhibition and incentive programs at a strategic level to maximise impact, efficiency, outcomes and event spends. Our team are doing some fantastic work and are only a call away from having a chat about your needs.

I am writing this in a bit of a rush as I prepare to travel to Hong Kong on a familiarisation trip to sample the meeting and conference options - more on this adventure in our December newsletter. At the same time Rachel Buck is in Palm Cove for the Tropical Queensland tradeshow and more about her adventure upon her return.

Daylight saving is in full swing, and yes, my Wednesday afternoon sailing is underway. We were second in our latest race, not so serious but lots of fun... looking forward to the warmer weather.

Regards

Jim Conway

IN THIS ISSUE

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NOVEMBER'S FEATURED VENUES

The Novotel Suva Hotel

The Novotel Suva Hotel in Lami, which was formally known as the Tradewinds Hotel and Convention Centre, has been officially opened. Novotel Suva Lami Bay is the first "new" international brand to be launched in the Fiji capital for over a decade, and offers the Fijian capital's newest rooms and largest conference facilities, with eight meeting rooms.

Just 15 minutes drive from Suva, the Novotel Suva Lami Bay is located directly on the waterfront in Lami Bay and has 108 guest rooms.

Read more detailed information about The Novotel Suva Hotel or contact Rachel Buck +613 9870 4611

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

Built on the same principles as Emirates' acclaimed Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, the resort is fully integrated into its environment and supports wide-ranging conservation practices focusing on endangered species protection.

Activities for groups at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa will include guided walks to discover wildlife in its natural habitat, four-wheel drive safaris, mountain bike and horse-riding adventures through the spectacular landscapes.

Read more detailed information about Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa or contact Sue Wall +613 9870 4611

HAPPENINGS

Name your price

After developing the now widely recognised Complete Meeting Package, Dolce Hotels & Resorts is going one step further, and challenging meeting planners to 'name their price' for meetings or group events. The promotion, called 'Make Us an Offer ... Anything Goes', is available for conventions, meetings, teambuilding exercises, seminars, training sessions and product launches at any of the 24 Dolce properties in Europe and North America. Meeting planners are invited to submit details of their event, including their preferred Dolce specialist conference hotel, date, food and beverage, accommodation and other meeting requirements. Bookers can then state the price they would be willing to pay for the entire package.

I wonder who will be the first to follow them?

Where it all started 25 years ago: Peppers Guest House

Peppers celebrated its 25th anniversary with a cocktail party at the Peppers Guest House in the Hunter Valley, celebrating the vision of original owners Mike and Suzi O'Connor.

Twenty five years ago, a luxury holiday usually meant spending a week at a big international hotel, with the formality of a traditional hotel. Peppers changed this holiday mentality when it opened Peppers Guest House and consequently redefined the Australian holiday and conference market.

Peppers personalised approach to service, luxurious surroundings and a focus on quality experiences such as food, wine and spa encounters paved the way for the redefinition of an Australian escape.

Business Event Management

The Key Conference Solutions - Business Event Management team offers services ranging from venue and supplier management, online registrations and payments, sponsor and exhibitor liaison, digital communication campaigns, website development, graphic design and print management, event theming, program design and an ever growing bespoke online software capability including online event seating and payments a sophisticated online speaker and abstract management system along with additional online tools designed to be time efficient, practical and current! To find out more about our full event management capabilities contact Rachel Buck.

Shangri-La Hotels And Resorts Named Best Business Hotel Brand In Asia-Pacific

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, took home the highly coveted title of Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific plus seven other titles at the 2009 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific's 18th Travel Awards.

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific's Readers' Poll is held annually, surveying its readers, both frequent business and leisure travellers, mainly in Asia-Pacific. For the eighth consecutive year, the title of Best Business Hotel in the World went to Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. The hotel was also voted Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific and Best Business Hotel in Singapore.

The fight to prove meetings' worth

Despite recent research highlighting the importance of face-to-face meetings as a tool for driving business, the global meetings industry now faces yet another potential crisis as the EU looks to impose a mandatory 20% cut in business travel in order for it to meet its emissions targets

Funny English notices from Hotels around the world

Here are some signs and notices written in English that were discovered throughout the world. You have to give the writers an 'E' for Effort. Hope you enjoy them.

In a Tokyo Hotel:

Is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not a person to do such thing is please not to read notis.

In a Bucharest hotel lobby:

The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.

In a Paris hotel elevator:

Please leave your values at the front desk.

In a hotel in Athens:

Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. daily.

In a Yugoslavian hotel:

The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.

In a Japanese hotel:

You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

In an Austrian hotel catering to skiers:

Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.

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, authoritative and independent advice on the conference and meeting venue scene throughout Australia and overseas.

Having been to visit us here at our office with an update and presentation on the conference side of things have been

YOUR SAY

"I was unsure you could assist with a venue for a small event, but I thought I'd give it a shot seeing you were so fantastic with our conference, and I got more than I expected. Your service was actually better than the services who specialise in finding venues for smaller parties!"
- Jennie Bunney

"Everything is on track, thanks to you! I've been extremely happy with your service Sue and will be recommending you to colleagues and of course calling you again . . ."
- Karina Walsh