27th June 2016
Editor: Bruce Piper
[email protected]
www.businesseventsnews.com.au
1300 799 220
business events news
Todays issue of BEN
Business Events News today
has two pages of news and
photos.
Kerry Hotel HK
SHANGRI-LA Hotels and
Resorts has announced it will
open its fourth hotel in Hong
Kong in Dec.
Situated on Kowloons
waterfront, the 545-room Kerry
Hotel will offer a 1,756m Grand
Ballroom that seats 1,030 people
banquet style, as well as 17
flexible meeting venues which
can accommodate from 30-660
delegates, as well as indoor and
outdoor areas.
MEA chief calls it a day
MEETINGS and Events Australia
chief executive, Linda Gaunt, has
handed in her notice.
Having overseen the
development of Meetings
Events Australia for the last 11
years, Gaunt has established
the association as a knowledge
hub for the meetings and events
sector, working also to build up
the Australian Events Academy
(MEAs registered training
organisation).
Linda has been instrumental in
placing MEA on the national stage
for meetings and events and is a
well-known ambassador for the
business events industry, praised
MCEC director sleeps it rough
group chairperson Simon Baggs.
On behalf of the Board,
I congratulate Linda on her
achievements and wish her all the
best for the future, he said.
Gaunt commented that it is
with a great mixture of regret
and great pride that I leave the
association.
I am proud of what has been
achieved for the meetings and
events sectors over the many
years I have been at the helm and
I wish MEA every success into the
future, she said.
Gaunt will depart in Sep, with
recruitment for MEAs new chief
executive to commence from
today onwards.
Vivid smashes record
VISITORS to Sydneys annual
light festival, Vivid, cracked the
two million mark this year - an
increase of 35.4% on last years
attendance (1.7 million).
Minister for Trade, Tourism &
Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said a
standout area of growth this year
had been the number of visitors
travelling to NSW on specific Vivid
Sydney packages, with 88,300
deals sold (up 104% on 2015).
Wine Partners wanted
ICC Sydney is inviting producers
and distributors of wine to submit
their best drops to vie for a spot
on their beverage list.
Sommelier and beverage
operations and cellar manager,
William Wilson, will work with
a panel of industry experts to
sample the submitted wines
at a series of tasting sessions
beginning from 18 Jul.
More than 70,000 bottles of
wine will be served annually to an
ongoing calendar of exhibitions,
conventions and entertainment
acts across the integrated
precinct, said Wilson.
We are keen to hear from
producers of all sizes who share
our passion for craft and quality.
The ICC Sydney panel is
expecting to taste over 200
premium varieties during the
selection process.
Glenelg motel revamp
SOUTH Australias Comfort Inn
Marina Motel in Glenelg is set to
be transformed into a five-star
hotel with conference facilities.
SA Minister John Rau said the
long term job opportunities
created by the development will
provide a boost to the local area.
EVENTS BEYOND ARE HIRING!
Senior Event Coordinator
THE Melbourne Convention and
Exhibition Centre (MCEC) played
host to over 200 business and
community leaders last week for
the annual Vinnies CEO sleepout.
MCEC director of people
and culture, Helen Fairclough
(pictured), adorned her winter
warmers and also got into the
spirit; spending a blustery rainy
night camping out on the steps
with other participating business
leaders.
The Sleepout gives you a small
glimpse into life on the streets,
and it was rather overwhelming
to experience what so many
business events news
Australians face every night,
especially families, women and
younger people, said Fairclough.
Its so important to gather
together to bring attention to this
significant issue.
MCEC executives have been
taking part in the Sleepout for
the last five years, and the entire
organisation gets behind us
each year to raise crucial funds,
remarked Fairclough.
Approximately 100,000 people
in Australia find themselves
without a safe space to sleep.
To offer your support and
sponsor Helen, CLICK HERE.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Events Beyond is
seeking an experienced Senior Event Coordinator looking to unleash
their potential and grow into the roles of Event Manager and Director,
with aspirations for more!
Events Beyond seek only the best of the best and are looking for
professionalism, talent, creativity, motivation and DRIVE.
Our next team member will be a passionate individual who isnt afraid
to roll up their sleeves and think outside the box to deliver exceptional
outcomes for our business partners across a range of industries.
Essential qualifications include 2 - 4 years experience in an events
role, experience coordinating large-scale Conferences and Incentives,
an in depth knowledge of domestic and international destinations and
venues, experience working with EventsAir and a sound knowledge of
GDS systems, preferably Galileo.
The successful candidate will have a direct and immediate impact
in our growing business and will have an opportunity to fast-track
their skills, experience and expertise working alongside exceptional
industry talent on a diverse and challenging portfolio of corporate
events.
Interests and CVs to be directed to
[email protected].
Experienced applicants only.
Page 1
business events news
Halong exclusive
charter solution
27th June 2016
for Meeting, Incentives & Conferences
The Deck launches at Mercure
Confessions of a compulsive
conference-goer
Andrew Klein, professional MC and presentation
skills speaker and director of SPIKE Presentations, presents his front
line observations on conferences in a regular feature in BEN.
Chair and chair alike
crumbs!
WARNING not all motivational
speakers should be trusted.
A group of eager participants at
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention
Center in Texas who were inspired
by motivational speaker Tony
Robbins, decided to walk across
hot coals in a bid to conquer
their fears.
The strength gained from the
Unleash the Power Within
seminar sadly wasnt strong
enough to prevent some pretty
serious burns.
More than 30 people were
treated on site for feet and lower
extremity burns while five were
taken to hospital.
One participant said some of the
burns could be attributed to some
peoples lack of concentration
while crossing the coals because
they were too busy taking selfies.
MERCURE Gold Coast Resort
has debuted a new outdoor
entertainment venue, The Deck.
The new venue (pictured
above) can accommodate up to
80 guests banquet style or 150
guests in a cocktail setting.
As one of Australias original
prestige golf resort addresses, the
Mercure has always been ideal
for medium to large residential
conferences and with the
addition of The Deck, we now
have a fantastic range of indoor
and outdoor venues to suit all
occassions, commented Mercure
Gold Coast gm Tom Bloomfield.
Mercure Gold Coast now boasts
nine conference spaces and four
outdoor venues.
In celebration of the launch
of The Deck and its updated
conference facilities, Mercure
Gold Coast is offering a special
$200 Stay and Meet Deal.
The offer includes overnight
accom and a full day delegate
package, with bookings to be
made by 31 Aug - CLICK HERE for
more information.
Business Events News is Australias newest online publication dedicated to
the vibrant meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector.
Sign up for a free subscription at www.businesseventsnews.com.au.
Postal address: PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710 Australia
Street address: Suite 1, Level 2, 64 Talavera Rd, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 Australia
P: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760) F: 1300 799 221 (+61 2 8007 6769)
Part of the Business Publishing Group.
RECENTLY there has been a lot of buzz in the
media about some top male speakers (Adam Fraser,
Dan Gregory and others) boycotting conference
panels unless there were women panellists. A great
awareness building initiative. Hats off and all power to
them.
But it got me thinking about conference panels and
a totally different type of diversity. Something rarely
discussed. Until now. I am referring to the diversity of CHAIRS on Panels.
By which I dont mean the Chairman, Chairwoman or Chairperson. I mean
the diversity of chairs that the panellists sit on, during the panel. Sure, not
as hot, controversial or important topic as gender diversity, but Ive never
claimed that my monthly column would discuss the big conferencing
issues. Although getting bums on seats is a long time big issue amongst
conference organisers.
So lets talk chair diversity as I know that many conference committees and
conference organisers often spend a fair bit of time debating the upsides
and downsides of where to put panellists backsides.
Hotel chairs behind the long table, white table-cloth and desk
microphones look:
Benefits: It allows the panellists to feel protected and to note-take. It also
looks very formal. Downside: It looks very formal. The panellists end up
looking like those faceless officials who sit behind the table during the
weekly TV Lotto draw.
Stools:
Benefits: Looks kind of cool and hip. Looks informal. Stools are quick
and easy to get on and off stage. Downside: Can look too informal. They
sometimes swivel. Theyre not ideal for females in skirts.
Big comfy lounge chairs:
Benefits: High comfort factor. Visually appealing, makes the presentation
look like a talk show.
Downside: Can be expensive to hire. Cumbersome to get on and off stage.
The same chairs the audience are sitting on:
Benefits: They are the same ones the
audience are sitting on, so no cost and
If you are
easy to move.
looking for an
Downside: Looks cheap.
MC for your next
There are of course other options for
conference or a
chair diversity having the panellists
speaker/trainer
simply stand or perhaps sit casually
on the side of the stage up close and
on presentation
personal to the audience to make it as
skills or pitching
conversational and relaxed as possible.
skills, email andrew@lunch.
So there you go. Some random points
com.au or visit his website at
on chair diversity. Hope that kept on
www.andrewklein.com.au.
you on the edge of your seat!
Contributors: Guy Dundas, Nathalie Craig, Jasmine ODonoghue, Bonnie Tai
Advertising and Marketing: Sean Harrigan, Magda Herdzik, Melanie Tchakmadjian
[email protected]Business Manager: Jenny Piper
[email protected]business events news
Business Events News is a publication of Business Events News Pty Ltd ABN 80 153 775 449. All content is fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken
in preparation of the newsletter no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. BEN takes no responsibility for the opinions of its contributors/columnists. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent
investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.
business events news
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